Photo by JasonRogersFotographie

November 18 is dedicated to refrigerators filled with USO's -- Unidentified Shriveled Objects.

Apparently Whirlpool, in its omnipotent corporate wisdom, realized Americans need more room in their fridges as the holidays draw closer. So several years ago the appliance manufacturer established the third Wednesday in November as National Clean-Out-Your-Refrigerator Day.

Removing biohazards is a good idea any time of year. There's really not much point in wasting coolant power on food that could kill you with a look, but very few of us look forward to a full fridge and freezer cleaning. However, the really nasty part isn't tossing out space oddities: It's sponging up liquids that accumulate in the produce bins. Perhaps avoiding such "juices" is why experts recommend cleaning your fridge once a month. (Notice I said "your" fridge, not "my" fridge. My appliances always sparkle, of course.)

While you're cleaning, it's also a good time to make sure the refrigerator's temperature is between 30 and 40 degrees F and the freezer temp is between 0 and -10 degrees F, so holiday foods won't spoil.

Here's your step-by-step process to a full fridge cleaning.

1. Put on rubber gloves to keep your hands from burning in the hot water and maintain their silky softness.
2. Remove everything from the fridge, tossing empty containers, spoiled food or any condiment that has been in residence for longer than a year. If you haven't used it in a year, you'll probably never use it.
3. Mix up a bucket of HOT water with a disinfecting cleaner. Replace occasionally as the water becomes dirty.
4. Remove the shelves and bins and scrub over the sink.
5. Wash down and disinfect the inside walls and all along the door seal.
6. Wash the outside of jars and containers.
7. Replace the shelves and bins.
8. Return everything to the fridge, properly stored in foil, plastic wrap, plastic bags or airtight containers.
9. Wash the sides and tops of the refrigerator's exterior.
10. Vacuum the coils at the back, if your model has coils. (Dust requires the fridge to suck up more energy.)
11. Clean the floor underneath the fridge, if it moves easily.
12.  Stand back and appreciate your hard work.

Photo by ting0308

It's fun to watch people in public these days.  The instant hand sanitizer folks have totally capitalized on public fear of the hiney flu and are raking it in big time.  Shoppers at the mall cower at every sneeze--they douse their babies with six wipees if anyone within fifty feet sneezes and glare mercilessly at offending coughers.  By all accounts the H1N1 flu is no picnic with dangerous spikes in temperature and virtual wipeout for several days.  Whether it be the flu, allergies, or just a scratchy throat, there are several ways to treat the winter nasties without incurring a $150 doctor bill.

1. Buy (or make) a humidifier.
These are as cheap as $14.99 from the drugstore.  The arid air inside the house can keep your membranes overly dry, preventing congestion from draining properly.  A humidifier moistens the skin and nasal passages allowing you to breathe easier.  Keep your humidifier clean, though, to avoid generating mold in the air, which can actually make you sicker.  Another option is to take several hot showers each day or lean over a pot of boiling water.

2. Drink herbal tea.
Look for varieties that have a boost, like echinacea or licorice, and add honey to make it super soothing.  People who gargle with black tea extract twice a day have a higher resistance to the flu.  Visit the local natural foods store to take the herbs in a more concentrated form as a tincture.  

3. Spray some Chloraseptic.
While this doesn't seem to last long, a quick squirt of over-the-counter throat numbing spray can give you some momentary relief for just $6.95.  Just as with lozenges, they do nothing to cure your aching throat.  If you are still using the spray for a week, try something else or call your doctor.  

4. Chew some zinc lozenges.
There are mixed results on the effectiveness of zinc lozenges to reduce the duration of a cold.  Take them sparingly, as side effects could be potentially more harmful when used over time.  Look for lozenges that have zinc gluconate to prevent stomach irritation.  They are best to take when you are slightly congested with a runny nose.  Costs will run $6-$8

Photo by show and tell

Cool weather inevitably brings a sense of mourning to our loss of fresh (and cheap) berries and melons.  What's left are gourds, squash, and virtually nothing sweet.  Fear not, produce lover.  The fall holds some nice surprises--you just need to know how to look for them.  Check out the best fruits and veggies for your buck and tips on how to select the best of the bunch.  

Apples
The forbidden fruit is in high supply during these crisp, cool months.  Orchards are abloom with ripe, tasty varieties and they cost the least during the fall.  Pick apples that have a robust color, are firm, and don't have any bruises.  The best feature of the apple is it's shelf life--they last up to two weeks (sometimes more) in the refrigerator.  My personal flavor favorite for a snack is the Honey Crisp variety.  Granny Smith are great for cooking while Golden Delicious make great pies and apple sauce.
Best Apple Recipes: Slow Cooker Apple Sauce, Apple Pie

Broccoli
It never seems like a lot of fun to make broccoli.  This great-for-you food just never has a wow taste and always seems to lack something.  To maximize the flavor of your broccoli, pick stalks that have dark green florets.  Avoid any yellowing or whitish bunches.  A stalk will last up to five, maybe six days--if your leaves are wilted or the stalks are wiggly, it's well past it's prime.  For the best steaming and sautéing, try to cut your florets as uniform as possible.  For a quick dressing, mix red wine, lemon juice, brown sugar, salt, and pepper and pour over slightly cooled steamed broccoli.
Best Broccoli Recipes: Broccoli and Rice Casserole

Butternut Squash
A ripe butternut squash adds a flavorful punch to any fall dinner.  Plus, squash stay ripe for up to a month in a cool dry place (not the fridge), which takes a lot of pressure off a cook.  For the best texture, cut the squash in half, take out the seeds, and bake at 400˚ like a baked potato.  Add some butter, cinnamon, and sugar to make an easy squash casserole.  
Best Butternut Squash Recipes: Butternut Squash Bisque

Grapes
Who said the sweets were on hiatus?  Grapes are ripe and out in force.  The best way to pick good grapes is to select a bunch with a nice, even color and firm feel.  If they already feel mushy at the store, you'll need to eat them within two days.  Good, plump grapes will keep for up to a week in the refrigerator.  Most of us keep grapes for an easy snack or after dinner sweet, but you can also roast them with pork chops and chicken.  For a sweet, eye-candy treat or wine tasting accompaniment, dip a washed bunch of grapes in water, roll in sugar, and free for 30 minutes.
Best Grape Recipes: Grape Salad

As much as I love Marie Osmond and Valerie Bertinelli, I can't help but wonder how much easier it must be to lose weight with a little extra cash. Sure the Biggest Losers weigh in sub-20 pounds each week, but who wouldn't with personal dietitians and trainers? We common folk have to do the hard work on our own without the sponsors and fancy before and after shots. Here's a quick run-down of the most popular diets on a price-per-month basis:

• The support group-based Weight Watchers program focuses on weekly meetings and also offers an online option (although the members who attend live meetings are three times more successful). Average costs per month for the program only are about $47, depending upon your area.
• Slimfast relies on replacement shakes and supplements to aid in weight reduction. Although the nutritional program is free, replacing even one meal a day with a supplement will inch your monthly bill up to $60.
• Jenny Craig offers a comprehensive diet plan. You'll pay a whopping $16-$26 in food per day which is nearly $350 a month. The cost of food is charged in addition to a $300 initiation fee and $18 monthly program cost.
• Nutrisystem is comparable to Jenny Craig but doesn't include membership nor startup fees.

One quick crunch of monthly finances reveals how tough it is to work in program costs. Always look for a system that focuses on a lifestyle change rather than a temporary alteration in habits to lose weight. I wouldn't begin a program that isn't a permanent diet. If you plan to use replacement shakes, be ready to continue that even after your weight loss goals are met. Also aim for support that teaches you to eat in the real world. If I never had to deal with cooking for a family or eating out, then I could easily survive in my single portion bubble. Start as you mean to go.

There are several other options for you to choose from that aren't as costly. You'll need to muster up more discipline, though--part of the success in the big weight loss gigs listed above is they provide extensive support.

I'll be the first to attest to my infectious black thumb.  Every green endeavor always ends with a brown, emaciated plant banished to the back porch, then the back yard, until I officially pronounce it deceased and ship it off with last night's pizza box.  No, I am not a solid authority on gardening, however, my local nursery offered several great tips on how to get started with a respectable green plot for less.

1. Ask about discounts for sickly plants.
Those wilted beauties are tough to sell, so ask management if they'll offer a discount if you buy several.  Be polite and offer a price to make it easy for them.  You can score up to 75% off when you find a good deal.  Most places guarantee the life of their plants for a specific time (6 months to one year) and this usually includes sale items too.

2. Compost to save on fertilizer.
Find a spot next to the house that is out of the way--the compost garbage can doesn't exactly scream curb appeal--and stick a large barrel there.  Put anything organic in it like leftover or spoiled food, lawn clippings, and leaves.  You can leave meat in it but it makes a big stink.  It will eventually become a dark, wormy pot of flowerbed steroids.

3. Begin with seeds or cuts.  
If you have time to let nature run it's course, growing plants from seed is very gratifying.  Witness the miracle of life from sprout to flower and do it for a fraction of the cost.  You could also buy a seed flat for around $2 to harvest several plants at once.  

4. Ask for clippings from friends or neighbors.
Grandma grew an entire houseful of African violets from one plant using clippings.  Offer to trade your own for a mutually beneficial exchange. The University of Missouri offers a detailed description of where to cut different types of plants to maximize your success.

5. Save the deli containers.
You'll need to let the seeds grow in a small area before releasing them to the big boy garden.  Recycle those plastic sandwich containers to start building your garden with a mini-greenhouse while recycling at the same time.

As a sun-worshipping teenager I took great pride in my summer bronzed body.  But long gone are the days when I would slather myself with baby oil and roast on the beach (or our black top driveway) for hours like a rotisserie chicken.  Heck, we know way too much now about the damaging effects of the sun.  And because beauty is only skin deep, it’s up to all of us to make sure we do all we can to protect the health & youthful look of our skin!

You don’t have to buy the most expensive European brand of sunscreen to ensure that you’re getting the best protection, but you do need to know what to look for before spending even a dime on your next bottle of SPF!
According to the American Academy of Dermatology, a single overexposure to sunlight can result in painful sunburned skin. A bad burn when you're young can have serious consequences such as skin cancer later in life. Long-term overexposure can cause skin cancer, wrinkles, freckles, age spots, dilated blood vessels, and changes in the texture of the skin that makes skin look older.

The invisible rays, known as ultraviolet A (UVA) and ultraviolet B (UVB), cause most of these problems, including suntan, sunburn, and sun damage. There is no "safe" ultraviolet (UV) light, and there is no such thing as a safe tan. UVB radiation effects the outer most layer of the skin and can't penetrate through glass, but UVA rays effect the skin at a much deeper level, penetrates through glass, and can cause damage all year round.

FYI- SPF ONLY measures the amount of UVB absorption.  There is currently no means to measure UVA absorption. In order to protect your skin from both UVB and UVA rays, you must use a Broad-Spectrum Sunscreen.  Although you will pay a few dollars more, you are wasting your money and risking wrinkles by not using broad spectrum protection!

It’s easy to plop down $40-$80 a month on a membership to a gym that you may or may not drag yourself to twice a week. With a little research, you can create a home gym that saves you time and money and adds convenience. As with any exercise, consult your doctor first.

1. Buy your own equipment.
Convert a corner of your garage or an unused room in your house to a home gym. Looking for deals on basic equipment like a treadmill at resale shops like Play It Again Sports, which will come with a guarantee and service options. Many people buy new, brand-name equipment and never use it. Take advantage of their disinterest by paying half of what they did.

2. Use what you have.
You don’t have to use a lot of different equipment to see results. Research calisthenics and yoga – exercises you can do on your own to increase flexibility and range of motion. Use household items for strength training, like cans of soup or water bottles filled with sand. My husband, who is a certified personal trainer, uses two cloth shopping bags filled with old magazines. Get creative. Remember that exercises like sit-ups, push-ups and pull-ups are also components of strength training. If you want traditional weights, invest in a basic set of dumbbells or weights with easy-to-use bars.

There’s no formula or secret method to live beneath your means. Like losing weight, basic principals govern the change: burn more calories than you take in. With living frugally, spend less than you earn. While old habits die hard, you can change your lifestyle and actually enjoy the benefits money can bring.

1. It’s not having what you want, but wanting what you have
Regularly take inventory of your possessions. Clean out your closets and sell or donate anything you don’t use on a regular basis or won’t need in case of an emergency.

2. Don’t compare yourselves among yourselves, as the Bible wisely instructs
Expensive and new stuff do not make happy families, no matter what your neighbors or friends look like. The ideal American couple with a newer model car, gas-guzzling SUV, three-bedroom home, two kids, and a vacation timeshare in Orlando is probably up to their ears in debt. Be content with what you have and don’t let the pressure of marketers tell you you’re living less than the abundant life God promises you.

3. Think before you buy
Living beneath your means simply means knowing the difference between our wants and needs and spending accordingly. Before you buy, ask yourself these questions:

Last time we talked about wonderful ways to be frugal with your children over the summer and I wanted to expand on that, but also include a way to be frugal to your stomach as well! We all know that eating healthy isn’t a choice, it has to be a priority. But leafy greens and those bright red apples you buy at the store are not always the best for your wallet. Not only do they expire quickly in your home forcing you to buy fresh consistently, but even at your favorite value store the prices can creep quite high throughout the season.

One fun and frugal way to bring in the spring is to plant a vegetable garden. While spending time with your child is a definite plus, it has the added benefit of going green in your kitchen. Allowing your child to grow a garden  makes them feel accomplished, helpful, and maybe-just maybe- you wont struggle as much getting them to eat something healthy.

The easy way out:

1. For the very smallest child
For children that enjoy a little more dirt but are not quite ready to understand the seeding, you can buy preseeded mats and tapes for a perfect measure every time. You cut and your kids cover with soil and water. Voila! You can pick out a variety of seeded tapes and mats that also include gorgeous flowers. Perfect sowing every time and practically mistake proof.