10 Ways to Protect Your Food Storage Against Pests {Guest Post}

By: Lee Flynn

There's no time like the present for starting to prepare for tomorrow. Preparing for emergencies or times of need by buying food storage is a worthy pastime. Gathering any amount of food storage is no small task and it costs money. Money that you don't want to see go to waste by having food spoil due to lack of protection. Trust me, there's nothing worse than needing to use your food storage, opening it up, and finding that it's infested with some little bug or rodent. It's happened to me, so here are the best ways to protect your food against invaders.

1. Freeze What You Can. Freezing foods like flour, rice, and other grains can prevent a bug infestation. It also helps prevent any larvae from hatching which may already be in the food. The problem we run into is that freezer space is limited, and storing everything in a freezer is not practical. So pick out the most coveted grains and freeze them. You don't necessarily need to leave them in the freezer forever; freeze them for a week and then take them out. All the bad bugs should be dead.
   
   
2. High Density Buckets. Professional-grade thick plastic buckets are rodent-proof. That means there's no way those little rats and mice can chew through a bucket containing your food storage. I recommend the 5 gallon premium food storage containers that meet FDA standards.
   
   
3. Mylar Bags. Mylar bags are made of a thin metal material that have been created for lining food storage bins. The great thing about mylar bags is that they can be sealed with heat creating an oxygen barrier to the outside. You need to place low moisture foods, like beans, with oxygen absorbers in your mylar bags. Then put your mylar pouches in rodent-proof containers.
   
   
4. Carbon Dioxide. For those packing their own food storage, making sure your product is free of pests before you seal it up is important. The big companies fumigate food using a series of chemicals which works very well and kills lots of the insect larvae. For the home food storage packer, dry ice is a great way to do the same thing. Dry ice will fumigate products with carbon dioxide gas. It's heavier than air so it stays low in the container. Simply place a sheet of dry ice at the bottom of your food storage container and let the gas cover the food and all the bugs should die.
   
   
5. O2 Absorbers. Oxygen is not your friend when it comes to keeping your food pest-free. Oxygen absorbers or silica packets work great when preparing your food storage. Simply place them at the top of the food before they are sealed and it will soak up all the oxygen. Insects need oxygen to thrive, so by removing oxygen they can't thrive and they will die.
   
   
6. Bay Leaves. Spreading bay leaves throughout the food storage container is a popular way of deterring pests. Bugs don't like the smell of bay leaves. You don't need very many leaves to do the trick. Just add 5 to 10 leaves for a 5 gallon bucket. You can also spread the leaves throughout cupboards containing the food storage. Bay leaves will not affect the taste of your food.
   
   
7. Temperature. Proper temperature is crucial to food storage. The most ideal temperature to keep your food safe for a long time is 75°F or 24°C. This comes into play when people decide to store their food storage in the garage or shed. Sure there's more room out there, but the temperature fluctuates way too drastically for the food to remain safe for a long time. Keeping temperature consistent will not only protect your food against spoilage, it will also protect it against those nasty pests...bacteria.
   
   
8. Diatomaceous Earth. Mixing Diatomaceous Earth into your food storage, like beans or grains, can control insects. When purchasing your Diatomaceous Earth, make sure it's approved by the FDA for human consumption. There are companies which make it for swimming pools and this type can contain lots of harmful chemicals. Using this method is really easy: for every 40 pounds of grains, add 1 cup of Diatomaceous Earth. This should kill the bugs and you can still eat the food mixed with this product.
   
   
9. Use Glass. Glass containers work really well to create an airtight oxygen-free environment when combined with oxygen absorbers. The nice thing about using glass containers is that you can store things in "every day size", as some people hesitate to open a 5 gallon bucket of sealed grains unless it's absolutely necessary.
   
   
10. Vacuum Sealing. Vacuum packaging your food storage is another great way to get the oxygen out. Remember without oxygen all the little critters will die. I put vacuums sealing at the bottom of the list because honestly it's hard to vacuum seal food really well. The food needs to contain less than 1% oxygen, and that's not easily done with vacuum sealing. That said, it is still a good idea to vacuum seal your food but you will want to supplement this approach by using oxygen absorbers.

Lee Flynn is a freelance writer and expert in outdoor survival food storage and freeze-dried meals.

Fall Tips for Prepping the Home Exterior for Winter {Guest Post}

By: Jakob Barry

When autumn arrives, most of us are still in summer mode, but as the weather begins to change, homeowners realize there's little time to batten down the hatches. Despite the many responsibilities towards family and work, winter will still be moving in so getting the home exterior ready for what lurks ahead is a priority.

That's why dealing with the fall clean up and property maintenance chores early will save the headache of doing it later and allow for more time to enjoy the changing of the leaves and last days of the garden with the kids before the first frost. It will also make sure our loved ones are safe and sound when the freezing temperatures move in.

That being the case, here is a quick checklist for making sure the main exterior issues are taken care of.

• Roof leaks - Starting from the top down, checking the roof for damage or leaks is essential for the security of the home. After all, if a leak goes unnoticed, water could flow almost anywhere through the structure, wreaking havoc. Examining the roof to see if any shingles are missing is one way to get an idea of how well it's holding together. However, the best way to find leaks is by inspecting the attic, crawl space, or loft for any discolorations which will indicate water damage. You may even want to take a few minutes on a rainy day to check these places for dampness.
  
  
• Gutters - We all know the power of water, as even a small but constant drip can split a rock over the course of time. That's why gutters are an essential part of the roof. They block rain water from flowing down shingles and striking the sides or foundation of a home. Problems occur, though, when gutters are blocked by leaves and other organic debris. For this reason, a survey of the gutters is worthwhile and if they, or downspouts, are clogged they need to be cleaned. Finally, screening should be placed over them so water enters but everything else stays out.
  
  
• Drafts - Moving downward, windows and doors need to be checked for drafts which put a strain on heating systems and jack up utility bills. The checking is usually done from the interior, but when drafts are found they are generally sealed from the outside. Searching for drafts can be done inside with a candle held around window and door frames. If found, they can be sealed easily from the exterior with caulk.
• Cracked cement - When cracks form in cement along foundations, walkways, and elsewhere, water can seep in. Where temperatures drop below freezing in the winter, the water turns to ice and expands causing even further damage. Fall happens to be an excellent time to fix cracks in concrete because it's not too hot or cold and patchwork will harden well.
• Yard tools - Last but not least, make sure all yard tools used over the warmer season have been safely returned to the basement, garage, or shed. This includes the garden hose, which could freeze and burst in extreme cold. Once everything is in its place, it will be easily found and in good condition when spring is finally in the air.

Jakob Barry is a home improvement journalist for Networx.com. He writes about Green topics for professionals across the U.S. like Warren, MI, concrete contractors.

Sprouting Seeds with the Kids {Guest Post}

By: Jakob Barry

Sprouting seeds with our kids is an amazing opportunity to not only bond with them but teach a few things about the world without getting too much into the nitty-gritty. After all, there are so many lessons a child can learn from cultivating a plant, watching it grow, and enjoying its fruit. It's an experience which can positively affect them for years to come.

That's because the excitement generated when a little green stem pops through soil and grows is lasting, even when it doesn't always work out. Then, when it matures into a plant and bears fruit or flowers it's a rewarding feeling for everyone involved.

If venturing into the world of sprouting with young ones interests you, here are a few things to consider before getting started.

• Start small - As with most new experiences it's always good to start small, even if only one seedling is on the agenda. That way neither you nor the child is overwhelmed with the simple task at hand: keeping it alive.
  
• Time and space requirements - Next, consider the time it will take to grow certain plants and which are best suited for the task. For example, you don’t want to start with something like watermelon which will need a lot of space and takes months to bear a mature fruit, but you do want something that is (ideally) edible and matures steadily. Radishes, which grow quickly, are a good place to begin. You may also consider herbs like dill, basil, or parsley which are edible and have the added enjoyment of stimulating the sense of smell more deeply.

• Good placement - Whether the plant is kept inside or placed outdoors, make sure it gets plenty of sunlight though not so much that it will dry out. Consider keeping it in an appropriate spot in your child's room as this allows it to be observed and nurtured more easily by your son or daughter. Just make sure to put something under the pot if you keep it indoors to prevent water from leaking out the bottom and potentially damaging a window sill, flooring or other surface.

• Watering schedule - Wherever the plant sits, make sure to put it on a watering schedule that includes the parents so they can keep an eye on it as kids may not recognize if it's in distress or needs better surroundings. Also, making this a joint venture allows kids to take on responsibility for its care a little at a time.

• Materials - Because this is a small scale project, you'll only need a few things such as seeds, some earth, a starting pot and a few small pots if you want to transplant seedlings. The amazing thing is that besides the seeds, everything else can be found around the house. A few scoops of earth can be taken from the yard and empty containers from milk or juice can be repurposed into pots. That being the case, this is a great project which has little cost and reaps many rewards.

Jakob Barry is a home improvement journalist for Networx.com. He blogs for pros across the U.S. like Atlanta, GA, flooring contractors.

Surveillance Cameras at Daycare – A Window into your Child’s Life {Guest Post}

Having a baby really changes a person's perspective. That's an understatement… having a baby turns your world upside down. That's not a bad thing, though. Children can really help a person focus on what is important in life. A child brings with them a new perspective, and a new set of worries. I have a major anxiety issue when it comes to my little ones. It is difficult for me to leave them with family, let alone strangers at a daycare. Sometimes all the interviewing and detective work to scope out a childcare facility doesn't feel like enough. What do you do at that point? Sell the car, cut off the cable and plan to never work again? Or is there a better way?

A growing trend in Daycare centers across the country is to provide parents with access to a streaming video feed of their child's classroom. Now at first glance, this may seem kind of creepy and big brother- esque. But it is actually quite useful, especially for the anxious parent. First of all, no one has access to the video feed unless they are a parent of a child in the class. You don't have to worry about weirdoes logging on to watch your child. It is secure, and that is something that a parent can feel good about.

Having a live video feed will likely improve the performance of the staff of the daycare. Knowing that you are being watched has a powerful effect on behavior. Any neglect or abuse could be proven beyond a shadow of a doubt, which is important when the victim is a small child who is often less communicative than their adult caregiver. This can also reduce bullying, and make it easier to pinpoint the source of a bullying problem.

The video feed also gives parents a window into their child's life. You can feel as though you are sharing special moments with your little one, even if you can’t actually be there. It can be fun to see how your child acts during "circle time." Are they shy? Outgoing? What is their favorite song? A live video feed can tell you so much more than a piece of paper with either a happy or sad face circled, or a list of how many bowel movements they had that day… which is the standard daycare report.

As long as we don’t become obsessed with checking in, or try to micromanage the staff, surveillance cameras in daycare centers can be very useful. There is a certain amount of control that has to be relinquished when sending your little one to a childcare facility. But, letting someone else care for your baby is sometimes easier said than done. Going back to work is a very difficult transition for most parents, and knowing that you can check in if you need to can make it so much easier.

Chelsea Stanley is a proud parent of two and writer for 2MCCTV Security, international supplier of surveillance cameras. She writes about child safety, parenting & anything that relates to being a mother.

Fun and Easy Ideas for Children's Birthday Parties {Guest Post}

 By: Lisa at ThePartyWorks

Throwing a birthday party for your kiddo can be a lot of fun. Whatever you dread about party planning, get rid of it! Make the party about what you and your child enjoy that is healthy and simple. As a mom of 3, I have learned a few things over the years and now I have birthday party planning down to a science and I'd like to share with you some of the more valuable tips and ticks I've discovered.

1. Enlist a helper. Your partner may be a great help, but even one more responsible adult on duty can make everything that much more manageable. I don't mean just asking another mom when they get to the party if they don't mind keeping an eye on the kids too. I mean enlist, in advance, another mom or family member to help with everything from setup to cleanup.
   
2. Limit the guest list. It's really not important to invite guests out of obligation. They're kids, not adults, so the same rules just don't apply. Keep the guest list to the nearest and dearest. In the end, your child will remember having a great time with the people who were there, and that's what is important.
   
3. The Internet is a wonderful thing. From sending out evites to ordering decorations, cake and/or entertainment, most of the party planning can be done from your laptop which can be a real time saver for busy parents.
   
4. Keep the kids busy. The hardest part is probably finding a way to keep the kids safely entertained for the duration of the party. Have a movie and/or video game back up plan just in case they need some down time. Scavenger and treasure hunts are a great way to keep them engaged for a while, and craft tables are terrific for having them make their own party favors like painted t-shirts or aprons, snow globes in mason jars, picture frames or painted clay pots (possibly including plants)! If you want to have them decorate their own cupcakes, that works too!

After you throw a few parties, you'll get the hang of it and by the time your second child starts having parties, you'll be a pro! The important thing to remember is that your child can tell when something stresses you out. Throw the best party you can within the boundaries of feasibility without overload and enjoy the moment celebrating the day you brought that child into the world.

Lisa is a guest post blogger who writes about party planning with themes like Super Mario birthday party and anniversary parties.

10 Childproofing Safety Tips for the Kitchen {Guest Post}

By: Jakob Barry

Kitchens have gone through many changes over the last 150 years; their modern design being mostly a result of technological advances. With utilities like gas, water and electricity now intricately woven through its walls and cooking appliances and devices providing never ending aid, the kitchen is now a wonderland for the household chef.

At the same time, underneath all the culinary euphoria and excitement is a potentially perilous zone for small children. It’s not that merely being in the kitchen will cause them harm, but the simple truth is they just aren’t familiar with some of the dangers that exist.

The following are a few suggestions for providing a more user-friendly space for our children when joining us in the kitchen:

1. Knives: It takes a few years before children begin understanding that knives and other sharp objects aren't toys. When not in use, return them to knife blocks, wall mounted magnetic bars, or cases - all in those hard to reach places. This will help prevent serious accidents.
   
2. Stove top/oven: Heat is dangerous, but again, if you're a small child you may not realize it soon enough. When cooking, keep kids away from the stove, turn pot handles inward so they can't be grabbed or caught on something, and when the oven is baking keep kids out of the kitchen altogether until it has cooled off.
   
3.  Insecticide: Unfortunately, the kitchen can be a prime location for infestations that may require an exterminator. Nevertheless, we often choose to plant poison or traps and get rid of pests ourselves.  If this is something you're considering, keep the following in mind: both sprays and dry products may give off toxic fumes, and if you go the eco-friendly route many products still cause bodily harm if ingested by humans. Whatever you use, make sure it's out of reach of your children.
   
4. Counter space: Counters should be clear, open spaces with little chance of anything falling and injuring a child.
   
5. Trash: We don’t always think about some of the things tossed in the garbage, but there could be broken glass or filth from cleaning agents. For this reason, use a closed container so if a trash can tips over your child won’t be easily exposed to unsafe substances.
   
6. Furniture: A good precaution when it comes to furniture is to select pieces that have round edges. Furthermore, since kids sometimes scale tables and chairs, they should be sturdy and solid to help prevent a fall.
   
7. Cabinets/drawers: Child proof cabinets and drawers that contain equipment, dishes, or other items which should be kept away from children. These include oven and dishwasher doors and other appliances that may be unsafe. Also, be cautious about hanging towels or aprons on handles or knobs, as kids can grab on these and start climbing. They may think it's fun, but this could allow them to reach areas that are supposed to off-limits, or worse, have a serious fall.
   
8. The floor: Many kitchen floors can be very slippery when washed. Set up a barrier so if kids are running around they don’t pass through the kitchen until it's dry.
   
9. Kitchen gate: It happens all too often that kids get hurt on stairs. If your kitchen has a door with a connecting stairwell, set up a childproof gate to block their passage.
   
10. Table cloths: Although presentation says a lot, using tablecloths with toddlers can be a problem as they love to tug and pull on them which could send your dinner flying across the room. If you eat meals in the kitchen, placemats have good staying power and are a great alternative. Otherwise, find a permanent covering to protect the table that won't easily move around.

Jakob Barry is a home improvement journalist for Networx.com. He blogs about practical kitchen topics for pros across the U.S. like Salt Lake City, Utah tile contractors.

Healthy Bodies Make Happy Hearts {Guest Post}

By: Kathleen Thomas

With the invention of computers, video games and electronic toys, children have become increasingly less active. Childhood obesity and the need for more physical activity are increasingly critical issues in North America. One way you can encourage your children to become more physically active is by dancing!

The American Heart Association recommends that children ages two and older participate in at least 30 minutes of moderate to vigorous physical activity every day. Dance is a simple activity that doesn’t require complicated equipment and can be done just about anywhere. "I recommend dance as a fun physical activity for the whole family because it doesn’t require a lot of time, money or resources," said Dr. Mary Zurn, vice president of education for Primrose Preschools. "Dancing is a creative form of self-expression that helps build self-confidence. Plus, it provides time well spent with your family."

Dr. Zurn and Dr. Steve Sanders, a fitness expert and Director of the School of Physical Education & Exercise Science at the University of South Florida as well as a member of the Primrose Education Advisory Board, recommend these tips to encourage your family to start dancing:

Step 1: Select appropriate music. You aren’t just looking for age-appropriate lyrics. It is also important to find music with an eight-count beat that isn’t too fast or too slow, so children can successfully develop movements in time with the music.

Step 2: Create a dance routine with your child. Together, decide how your dance will begin, what movements will go in the middle and how it will end. Children naturally respond to music with movement, which they can then turn into a dance. They love to pretend and don’t have any difficulty responding if they are asked to "be" the wind moving in the trees or even a dog searching for a place to bury a bone. Their imaginations don’t need much encouragement to get moving.

Step 3: Focus on developing your child's key motor skills. Freestyle dancing is great for getting the heart rate up, but dancing can also be beneficial to your child's motor and coordination development. Dancing will enable them to practice fundamental skills like jumping, landing, leaping, sliding, galloping, moving forward and backwards, and learning how to imitate moves.

Step 4: Check your child's heart rate. Teach your child to connect physical activity with maintaining a healthy heart by measuring his or her heart rate. Show your child how to feel and count his or her heart beats.

For more tips from Dr. Z and a variety of activity suggestions, visit www.DrZandMe.com.

Kathleen is a Communications Coordinators for the Atlanta Day Care facility, a member of the AdvancED® accredited family of Primrose Schools (located in 16 states throughout the U.S.) and part of the network of preschools delivering progressive, early childhood, Balanced Learning® curriculum.