For a list of what we should clean, how and when, we asked a bunch of germ experts.

The biggest surprise? People with pets are six times more likely to get salmonella-based infections. The culprit is pet bowls, particularly the water bowl. We often dump it in the sink before we start handling food.

Want to sanitize?
Professional kitchens use a sanitizing solution made with one teaspoon household bleach in four cups of water. It’s sprayed on counters and cutting boards. Experts disagree on the need to use it at home, but if you do, do it correctly: Let sprayed surfaces air-dry-drying with dish towels may recontaminate the surface. Always clean before you sanitize. If chlorine comes in contact with dirt or soil, it can no longer sanitize. Don’t use more than one teaspoon chlorine-stronger isn’t better. And change it about every five days. Chlorine dissipates quickly.

1. Microwave
Fill a bowl with two cups water and a whole lemon, cut into slices. Place it inside and microwave for two minutes, then wipe it out with paper towels. The hot water softens food spills and the lemon cuts grease and keeps the microwave smelling fresh

2. Stove and oven
Spray stove spills with an all-purpose cleaner and let stand 10 minutes for easier cleaning. Oven spills aren’t a food hazard if you regularly heat the oven to 400. Cover a fresh spill with salt until you have time to clean it.

3. Counters
Clean regularly with an all-purpose cleaner. Spray with a weak bleach solution and air-dry if needed.

4. Dishes and dishwashers
If you hand-wash dishes, be sure to air-dry them in a rack as dirty or wet dish towels can recontaminate clean dishes. To reduce soap buildup in a dishwasher, occasionally fill the soap dispenser with baking soda or place a small cup of vinegar on the top shelf, then run the dishwater empty.

5. Sink, drain and faucet handle
Clean regularly with household cleanser, especially after washing or rinsing raw meat. Don’t forget to clean the faucet handle.

6. Refrigerator
Every day, wipe down the handles, including the underside. Every week, throw out anything that’s past its date or shows age. Every three to six months, empty shelves and clean the inside with 1/4 cup baking soda in one quart warm water, then spray with a bleach solution and air-dry. Remove drawers and clean under them. Before you return the food, wipe jars to remove drips. Clean the rubber gasket inside the door to ensure a tight seal. Vacuum the coils in the back and empty and clean the drip pan if necessary.

7. Pet bowls
Find a place besides the kitchen to clean turtle or frog habitats and empty pet bowls, or clean and sanitize the sink before you start washing fresh food.

8. Cutting boards
Most scientists believe wooden cutting boards are safest, as long as they are kept clean, sanitized and dry. Studies have shown wood hampers bacteria growth, while bacteria thrive in scars on plastic. Either way, keep them clean by running them through the dishwasher, or sanitize by spritzing with a weak bleach solution. Always change boards or clean with soapy water after preparing raw food-even vegetables. They grow in dirt, after all.

9. Sponges and dish towels
Change dish towels daily, or more often if they’re wet or dirty. You can microwave a wet sponge for two minutes, but the time varies depending on the power of the microwave (and if the sponge is dry, it could catch fire). Instead, put sponges on the top rack of the dishwasher at the end of every day.

10. Cross-contamination
You know you’re not supposed to put cooked food on the same surface you used for raw food. But it’s not just a problem with cutting boards. You touch all kinds of things while you’re handling raw food: Salt and pepper shakers, cabinet handles, etc. Pay attention to what you touch so you can wipe things down. Tip: It’s not necessary to rinse raw meat and chicken-it just spreads bacteria.

Thanks to our sources: Benjamin Chapman, the extension food-safety specialist for N.C. State; David Sweat, foodborne-disease epidemiologist with the North Carolina Division of Public Health; Douglas Powell, professor of food safety at Kansas State University; and Dean Cliver and Linda Harris with the University of California-Davis.

Hope this is informative and enlightening.

-Written by Kathleen Purvis

Serious about selling your home? Before you sign anything, read about these common mistakes that home sellers make:

1. PRICING TOO HIGH: It’s no secret, price is everything. Overpricing does more to discourage buyers than any other single factor. When you overprice, you put your home in competition with homes that may be newer, larger or have more amenities than yours. You help your competition sell their home. This leads to long days on the market, and costs you, the seller, money in the long run. Make sure you get your pricing advice from a professional agent who knows the market.

2. POOR CONDITION: A home that is in ill repair, or otherwise poor condition, does not excite buyers. A home like this is looked at by buyers as a work project and money pit. Having your home in good repair and great showing condition will significantly improve your chances for a sale at top dollar value. Having your home pre-inspected by a termite and dry rot inspector will also have a positive impact on buyers.

3. POOR CURB APPEAL:Most buyers today want to drive by. If your home is an attractive drive-by, it will gain more attention and certainly more showings. Doing the little things to help your home’s curb appeal will make a huge difference.

4. DREARY DARK HOMES DON’T SELL: Buyers like updated, light and bright homes. Dark carpets, paint, and curtains are often buyer turn-offs. Go through your home and remove clutter; touch up and update paint, counter tops, and carpets. Open your home up and make sure the sun shines in. Offensive odors from pets and smoking are also huge turn-offs to most buyers. Rid your home of offensive smells by burning scented candles and create a pleasant aroma. The most important rooms to concentrate on are the living room, family room, kitchen and master bedroom. Your entire home’s atmosphere is set off by these rooms.

5. DON’T OVER-IMPROVE: Get your home in good showing condition, but don’t over do it. Huge projects such as complete remodels of kitchens, adding decks, and expanding room sizes may not pay back your investment. Before you jump into a huge improvement project, get some good advice.

6. BE FINANCEABLE: Bad roofs, exterior paint, or structural problems may make your home un-financeable. The wider the scope of financing that your home can qualify for, the higher the overall market value. Remember — government programs like VA and FHA will be the most picky.

7. GET GOOD ADVICE AND GOOD MARKET EXPOSURE: Hiring a professional agent will help you get your home priced right, and will also get you started with the best fix ups. A strong agent will get your home exposed to the largest number of potential buyers. Paying the agent fee is often the least expensive part of selling your home. Trying to sell your home yourself can be costly. Most ‘for sale by owner’ homes close for less than comparable homes listed with an agent, and you have no representation.

8. DON’T BE PRESENT DURING SHOWINGS: When your home is being shown, go for a drive or a walk. Take yourself, your family, and pets and let the agent and their clients have the freedom they need. An agent can always do their best job of showing your home when you are not underfoot. Buyers are more at ease and much more likely to spend time looking at your home’s features and benefits.

9. LET YOUR AGENT DO THE NEGOTIATING: If there is ever a good reason to have a veteran agent working for you, it’s during the negotiation of your home sale. A good negotiator can mean thousands of dollars to you, and will protect your interests. Don’t let your emotions run wild during negotiations. Try to separate your emotions from your business side. Remain cool and calm during this time.

10. ACT FAST WITH OFFERS: When you do get an offer on your home, act quickly and decisively. Letting offers sit around without acting can be a huge mistake. Things can change quickly in the mind of a prospective buyer. Acting quickly while the excitement and interest level are at a high point can be very important. Typically, a buyer’s motivation level decreases with time. Buyers’ remorse can even set in. Acting in a timely manner is essential.

The Woodlands Texas has been in existence for close to forty years. It is one of the pioneering planned communities in the US and was started by George Mitchell in the early 70s. This planned community contains a wonderful blend of nature and modernity and a home here could be the closest you get to paradise.  When inside the Woodlands, as the name suggests, you are actually inside a forest but right behind you is a booming modern business community. In this wooded place are many species of trees and vegetation that you are not likely to get anywhere else in the States.

The location of the Woodlands, Texas is Montgomery County, twenty five miles to the north of Houston. Before the developments that led to the creation of the Woodlands, this land was home to a lumber mill. The Woodlands is made up of eight villages and two of those are named after the owners of the lumber mill – the Village of Cochrans Crossing and the Village of Grogans Mill.

Each of the eight villages has a life of its own and something different to offer but a communal spirit unites the people in the Woodlands. The villages share many facilities and regardless of the village you choose you will have access to playgrounds, walking trails, schools, churches and the shopping malls. For evidence that the Woodlands, Texas is a fine blend of nature and modernity, there are many corporations which have their main offices here. Some of the most notable ones include Lexicon Pharmaceuticals, Chevron and Maersk Sealand.

The various villages have all types of houses and every taste and need is catered for. From town houses to single family homes and Multi-family facilities, the Woodlands have something for everyone. Whether you want to buy or lease, you will find something too. A few examples of the kind of houses you will find here will suffice.

On 6607 Lake Woodlands Dr 424 is a single story traditional style townhouse. This house has two bedrooms an equal number of bathrooms and a single car garage. The house is centrally heated and has the necessary interior features including a dishwasher, an oven and a microwave.

On 6607 Lake Woodlands Dr 412, you will find another single storied condo with almost similar features but one that allows for massive upgrades. It is fully furnished, with one of the two bedrooms having double twin beds and has high ceilings. The fully equipped kitchen has a refrigerator, pantry, microwave, breakfast bar, a dishwasher and a dryer among other facilities.

The huge range of properties that the Woodlands, Texas has to offer, guarantees that even the most discerning home owner will find the property of his or her dreams. If you are looking for brand new property or homes with a bit of history, you will find these in the Woodlands. For a comprehensive listing of MLS the Woodlands Texas, make sure you obtain the services of a seasoned realtor.

How to Find a Good the Woodlands Realtor

 Choosing a good the Woodlands realtor will make the experience of buying a home in the Woodlands more stress-free and joyful for you. See, buying a home happens to be a vital financial decision to make, so finding the proper realtor would be of the utmost essence. What you need to know is the truth: good realtors do not necessarily work for big companies with big ads and huge sales. Rather, a great realtor should be one that listens to your needs, shows high integrity and is highly familiar with their own market.

 One easy way to find the perfect the Woodlands realtor for you would be through referrals. The best advertising method of a realtor would be your family members and friends. This is why you need to ask your family members, friends, colleagues and other trustworthy people for this information. See, great realtors should definitely put you as their first priority and you will see if they will do this through their previous clients.  

Naturally, you won’t always be lucky enough to know somebody with experience with a the Woodlands realtor, most of all if you know nothing about the Woodlands to begin with. If this is the case, you will need to depend on tools like the Internet to make your final decision. Fortunately, search engines can be used to find realtors all over the city and you can even find testimonials and reviews about them there, as well. This means that you will need to do more research, but it will not be impossible to find a realtor this way.

 Now, a great the Woodlands realtor will stand out after the initial several sessions you share together. First and foremost, you should never feel pressured in picking them out of the whole batch – even without a commitment. They should be straightforward when it comes to things and answer any question you might have without any hesitation and if they have doubts, they should tell you about them and get back to you once they are sure about the answer. Good realtors should always act and listen accordingly, as well.

 Keep in mind that finding the perfect the Woodlands realtor for you could truly save or ruin your buying experience in the Woodlands, so make sure you do enough research and never settle down until your needs are fully satisfied.

Thursday, July 08, 2010 by Jutta “Utah” Burden

Why the Woodlands Homes are Good Choices  

Renting usually makes people feel like they have spent a lot of money for nothing when it comes to investing in the long run. This is usually because they rent places to stay in without having a place to call their own at the end of it all. Plus, it might be inconvenient to get another house to live in after the owner asks them to leave. This is why the Woodlands homes are so convenient.  

Because renting is no longer a fun thing to do, the Woodlands homes can be very beneficial as you can find an ideal place to live while making an investment at the same time. The greatest thing about buying a home in the Woodlands would be the fact that the entire process in doing so is now exceedingly simple and various properties exist in the Woodlands that you can choose from to fit your personal needs and budget.

 This would mean that whether you have a very tight budget or whether you wish to just save some money, buying the right the Woodlands homes for sale would depend on your personal needs, as well. Budget aside, you will also get to choose the ideal home for your family to live in, regardless of how big your family may be.  

The Woodlands homes happen to be famous for their great quality in design, among other things. So, if you buy a property in the Woodlands, you are sure to feel like you got your money’s worth by investing in one. The entire neighborhood in the Woodlands is also considered as a very safe place for its residents, which means that you have no need to worry about things like security, most of all if you have children that you need to protect with your life.

 Security aside, the Woodlands homes are all located in places that have access to various establishments for personal needs; yes, everything is just a very short ride away. Buying the Woodlands homes for sale also provides a very basic process for every buyer. You simply need to ask your agent for help, so you can find the ideal one for your family. Good luck,

Jutta “Utah” Burden- broker Associate Keller Williams

Langford Market, Stadia Sports Grill & Bar and Others to Open Early Summer

Market Street – The Woodlands has added another health and beauty “must” as Glo Sun Spa, a luxury tanning and skin-care salon, opens its doors this week.

Located along the Market Walk next to Massage Envy, Glo Sun Spa features the latest technology for indoor tanning and spa-quality skin care products with treatments such as the VersaSpa and Lumiere Light Therapy, a Hydration Station and more. Tanning packages range from $39 – $89 per month. Glo Sun Spa is open Monday thru Friday, 8 am – 10 pm; and Saturday and Sunday, 9 am – 7 pm.

In addition to Glo Sun Spa, Market Street also is preparing for the opening of Langford Market and Stadia Sports Grill & Bar in early May.

As one of the fastest-growing women’s fashion retailers, Langford Market provides shoppers with a wide selection of gifts, apparel, and eco-friendly furnishings. The trendy boutique will be located between Norton Ditto and J. Jill in the North Commons Building.

After a long afternoon of shopping, visitors to Market Street will also have the option of enjoying a hearty selection of ballpark favorites including mini sliders, grand slam burgers and stadium-size nachos at Stadia Sports Grill & Bar, a unique sports-themed restaurant and bar featuring contemporary décor and high-resolution TV’. Stadia will be located next to Charming Charlie below the new AVIA Hotel.

Other tenants joining Market Street in the early summer months include State Farm Insurance and Bobby Chan, an exclusive designer for casual menswear. 
The addition of these new tenants complement Market Street’s eclectic selection of more than 50 fashion retailers and restaurants. In the past year, Market Street has leased over 33,000 square feet of retail and dining space.

Located across the street from The Cynthia Woods Mitchell Pavilion, Market Street is bound by Lake Woodlands Drive, Lake Robbins Drive, Grogan’s Mill Road and Six Pines Drive.  Market Street is owned by a joint venture between an affiliate of Trademark Property Company and Institutional Mall Investors.

To find beautiful homes for sale in The Woodlands, Click Here. If you have any questions about any of The Woodlands, Texas homes for sale or rent, please contact me.

 THE WOODLANDS, Texas– Waterway Square will host “Movie Night,”a new entertainment series featuring family-friendly movies, every Saturday, May 15- June 12, from 8 to 10 p.m. Picnics, chairs, blankets and coolers are welcome.

Featured movies scheduled for the summer series include:
- May 15: Up
- May 22: Ratatouille
- May 29: Freaky Friday
- June 5: Little Rascals
- June 12: Beethoven

“Waterway Square is a delightful gathering place for residents and visitors of The Woodlands,” says Nick Wolda, president of The Woodlands Convention & Visitors Bureau. “The spectacular Fountains at Waterway Square along The Woodlands Waterway makes this backdrop a special place for fun and entertainment.”

This series is free to the public and made possible by supporting sponsors that include The Woodlands Development Company, State Farm Insurance – Kyle Sherburne, University of Phoenix, Ace Parking, Moon Water and Berripop.

Source: The Woodlands Township

Real Estate in Creekside Park in the woodlands is vibrant and alive despite the economic downturn. New homes are still being built and sold to eager buyers. Good examples of such homes are in Jagged Ridge a rea located in the Village of Creekside Park.

These New homes for sales in Creekside Park are being offered by Chesmar Homes and Gracepoint Homes. The homes on offer are single-family homes whose price range falls from $210’s to the $250’s. The model on feature by Chesmar’s Homes is the Tremar, which includes 2,391 square feet and whose price is from $232,990. This Creekside park homes for sale are two-story designs that contain three first floor bedrooms, a game room, full bath, a large family room, three bathrooms, two-car attached garage, an open kitchen and breakfast room, as well as a formal dining room. The master bath contains a separate tub and shower as well as his and her closets.

Some of  the homes for sale in Creekside Park range in size from 2,000 – 4,000 square feet. most plans offer brick, and brick and stone elevations as well as a full GE appliance package .There are seven designs on offer from Gracepoint Homes in the Jagged Ridge neighborhood. These designs come in different sizes ranging from approximately 2,174 to 2,699 square feet. These Creekside Park homes include up to four bedrooms and three bathrooms (many of which have half baths). The homes also feature a brick or brick and stone elevation. All the homes that are being offered are Energy Star Certified and they comply with the regulations and guidelines set by the Environments for Living® program for real estate businessmen.

Real estate in Creekside Park is not limited to residential homes. There are ongoing plans by the, the South Montgomery County YMCA to open an Outdoor Education Facility in the Village of Creekside Park. With such great options to choose from it would be wise for one to at least check out the real estate market in this Woodlands Village.

For more information on the Woodland Creekside Park check  my website