Summer is fast approaching, this means the start of the grilling season. Even if you are the die-hard “I’ll-grill-in-a-snow-storm” type, in order to get the best performance from your grill, you need to keep that grill clean! Continue on with this post for some great tips on how to keep and get your grill ready to BBQ!

Now I know all of you have been really, really good keeping that grill clean all last summer, right? We all know, the best way to clean a grill is to not let greasy, charred bits build up and I know you have been diligently cleaning your grill after each use. Wait, you haven’t? It’s ok, I am guilty of grill neglect this past summer (as seen in the photo). As you read these tips remember to always consult your manual & follow the manufacturer’s recommendations for your specific grill.

Clean grates = good eats
If your grates are full of burnt food, chances are your food will pick up that burnt flavor and not taste very good, no matter what you prepare, so starting on a clean surface is imperative. The key to cleaning the grates sucessfully is to scrape them while the grill is still warm. This will make removing those charred bits much easier.

Some people will resort to using harmful chemicals such as oven cleaner to tackle a dirty grill. This is not necessary at all! There are many different ways to clean that burnt on mess without using a single chemical. The first method uses the residual heat from the grill to burn the mess off. Once you are finished cooking, lay a sheet of tin foil on the grates to help turn any remaining food into ash. After about 30 minutes, remove foil and use a stiff wire brush (consult your manual first as to what type of grill brush is recommended) or wad up the tin foil and place between a pair of tongs to gently scrape grates until clean. You can supercharge the cleaning power of your grill brush by dipping it in a solution of 3 parts of baking soda with 1 part water before while cleaning the grates. Once clean, wipe down with a damp cloth.

If you have neglected your grill for awhile you might want to get yourself a Grill Daddy. It performs like an ordinary wire brush but it also releases water on the grates, creating steam which speeds up the cleaning process. Speaking of steam, if you happen to own a steam cleaner with a concentrated nozzle or even better, a grill brush attachment, you can steam clean your BBQ. If you are a steam junky like us, you will love how we can clean your entire home with our chemical free cleaning system.

If the grates have a heavy build up or you are breaking out the grill after an extended vacation you might want to soak the grates. Fill your  sink or a large pail with hot water, 1/4 cup of Dawn (a powerful de-greaser) and 1/4 cup of baking soda. Let it sit for about hour. Remove from water and scrub clean with a non-scratch nylon pad.

Don’t have Dawn? Try using this baking soda method. Make a soft paste of 1 part baking soda to 1 part water and coat the grates. Leave on for 15 minutes then scrub throughly with a non-scratch nylon pad. This can be done right on the BBQ if you don’t want to remove the grates. Wipe clean with a damp cloth then turn on the grill to burn away any baking soda residue.

Cleaning the interior
Using steam is a great way to clean the entire inside of the grill as well. If you don’t want to take apart the inside of the entire grill to  in order to use your steamer try this handy little tip. First scrape of as much caked on food as possible as soon as you are finished cooking. Soak a newspaper and place it on the warm grates and close. Wait up to 45 minutes (do not let the newspaper dry out) to allow the steam to loosen the burn food remnants. Most of the stuck on food should be easily removed with wire brush. Finish by wiping the inside with a damp rag and warm soapy water. you don’t need to clean the interior of your grill every time but I would consider doing it every 4th or 5th time just to keep clean-up a easier for the next go around.

After you have scraped, steamed and scrubbed your grill you will want to direct your eyes to that little collector pan underneath the grill. Once you are finished cooking and the ashes have cooled, this should be emptied each time you grill (or at least every second time) Allowing these ashes to collect in the bottom of the grill over time will impede air flow and can collect moisture, causing your grill to rust.

Don’t forget the outside!
After your grill has cooled you can clean the exterior stainless steel and chrome components of your grill with baking soda. Simply sprinkle the baking soda onto a damp sponge and gently rub over the exterior surfaces to remove those greasy cooking spatters. Rinse with water and buff to a shine.

Finally, Spring is in the air as well as pollen and other irritants to our autoimmune systems. Consider chiropractic as a means to boost your systems against this insult to our bodies. Chiropractic is an exciting means of turning on the inherent healing mechanisms that only comes from within the body. Above, down, inside, and out. Chiropractors locate interference and endeavor to restore the proper function and mobility to the spine.

Chiropractic helps: relieve stress of the structure, balance nerve impulses, improve body function and boost “dis-ease” resistance.  Chiropractic can even help with allergies, by improving the immune system. The goal is to correct the vertebral subluxation (bone out of alignment) in order to restore nerve function to allow the body to heal itself. David Felten MD,PhD is a professor of neurobiology and anatomy at the University of Rochester School of Medicine and discovered nerve fibers going into virtually every organ of the immune system and forming direct contacts with the immune cells. He found, much to his surprise, that if you took the nerves away from the spleen or the lymph nodes, you virtually stopped the immune responses in their tracks.  The bottom line is that if the immune system is not working then the toxins and the allergies will take over. Chiropractic restores the nerve system to wherever those nerves go, including the organs of the immune system.

So I am coming clean with this important information, especially if you suffer from allergies. If you would like more information about other conditions that chiropractic can help please call my office in Miller Place  at 465 Route 25 A , 631 714-7300 or visit my my website at:

www.divine-chiropractic.com .  So while you are keeping the actual housing you live in 24/7 (your body) clean remember to call the professionals at Teresa’s Family Cleaning to keep your actual home clean and free from toxins by her green cleaning crew.

by Kathleen DeDio 

465 suite 1 Route 25A Miller Place NY 11764

by Bob Mittleman

Owner / Personal Trainer / Fitness Coach/Running Coach & Trainer

Obvious statement alert: Eating vegetables is an essential part of a healthy diet, no bones about it. Unfortunately, vegetables don’t come with an instruction book, so many people convince themselves that as long as they’re eating a veggie, they’re doing something healthy for their body, regardless of how it’s been prepared.

Vegetables are loaded with critical nutrients and healthy fibers that do so much good for your overall health, but baking your broccoli with cheese and extra salt quickly negates all of those big benefits. Even salting vegetables can add an unhealthy dose of sodium to an otherwise healthy side dish.

So, if you really want to get the most from your veggies, try eating them steamed (or raw if possible) with absolutely no seasoning. Just try it for ONE week. Every night with dinner, steamed veg with no salt or butter. If you can get through a whole week with no cheating, you might be surprised to find yourself really appreciating the crisp sweetness of ripe vegetables.

However, if you try and try, but can’t stomach those great green goodies, limit yourself to black pepper, lemon juice, or even a little fresh grated ginger. Again, give it time, and you may find yourself finally loving these nutrient-rich nourishments.

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Cleaning the refrigerator

Step 1: Empty out the contents from the inside and on top of the refrigerator. Now is a great time to check expiration dates of condiments, cheeses and any other food items with a long shelf life. If you cannot find an expiration date, check our shelf life of foods post.

Step 2: Take out all removable shelving, refrigerator drawers and any parts that are heavily soiled. Set aside.

Step 3: Spray down the interior of the refrigerator with a 50/50 solution of vinegar and water. Wipe down with a damp microfiber cloth or sponge. Sticky or stuck on messes can be removed by applying a paste of baking soda and vinegar with an old toothbrush. To remove dried sticky spills like syrup or jelly, simply saturate a sponge with hot tap water and carefully place on sticky area (use tongs to spare your fingers) Leave for a minute or two and repeat until sticky area can be wiped clean.

Once you have cleaned all interior areas with your vinegar solution and baking soda paste, wipe down one last time with a microfiber cloth damp with plain water to remove any remaining residue. Don’t forget to wipe down all the seals and crevices which tend to collect crumbs and debris.

Hand wash all removable shelving and items using dish soap and water and/or baking soda paste as seen above. Dry items thoroughly and put back in refrigerator.

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Step 4:  Wipe down the washable exterior areas with a cloth and your vinegar solution (don’t forget the dust and clean the top too!). If you have a stainless steel refrigerator, wipe away dirt and grime with plain water and a microfiber cloth (wipe along the grain of the steel) Once clean, apply a small amount of olive oil to your cloth and apply to stainless steel (once again, go along the grain). The oil will not only remove the fingerprints and smudges but will keep them away longer. Surface scratches will also become less visible. 

Step 5:  Unplug the refrigerator and clean the coils in both the back and bottom (see your appliance manual for specific details). Cleaning the refrigerator coils should be done at least once a year. Regular cleaning  is an important part of refrigerator maintenance and will help your appliance run more efficiently, which in  turn, saves energy and money!

You did it! Your refrigerator is clean and shiny once again and it is time to stuff it back up with all that delicious food but before you do, make sure you keep these tips in mind to avoid spoilage and food borne illness

Top Shelf:

On the middle shelf: Non-leafy veggies and fresh fruit. Leftovers.

Bottom Shelf: Raw meats and fish. Keep these items in the original packaging to avoid introducing bacteria and place on tray to catch any liquids.

In the vegetable crisper: Produce such as leafy greens, peppers, and broccoli do best in this refrigerator drawer. It is best to keep each type of fruit and vegetables separated. For example, apples release a natural gas called ethylene that can wilt, or rot other produce so it is best to keep them in a crisper by themselves. Do not wash produce until you are ready to use them.

In the second drawer: Deli meats, bacon, and hard cheeses

In the door: Orange  juice, condiments, pickles, and acidic foods. Dairy and highly perishable foods should not be kept here.

Top of the refrigerator: It is best to keep this area empty. Not only is it too warm for food, storing items up top will cause the compressor to work harder, therefore wasting energy.

Potatoes, onions and tomatoes should not be stored in the refrigerator. If it wasn’t cold at the store, it shouldn’t be at home. However, storing your olive oil and white flour in the refrigerator will extend its shelf life to two years

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My husband and I have very different “rules” on what is still good and what needs to be tossed. He goes by what I call “caveman rules” If it’s not black or green and doesn’t smell funny, it’s good to go! I, however, tend to adhere to a different set of standards based on the expiration date of food  and basic shelf life of foods.

Cleaning with vinegar and baking soda is one of the best ways to be green while you clean. Creating your own green home cleaning products, not only saves you money (alot of money really), it also is healthier for both you and the environment. While there are endless uses for baking soda for this post I have listed my top 20.

1. Combine it with your favorite essential oil to spring clean your mattress
2. Add a cup to the toilet, leave it for an hour, then flush. This will clean the toilet and absorb any odor.
3. Use it to scrub sinks, showers, plastic and porcelain tubs.
4. Spray it on walls, mirrors, and countertops.
5. Add a spoonful to your dishwasher to amp up its scrubbing power.
6. Make a paste of peroxide and baking soda to remove grease from pots and pans.
7. Make a paste with water to clean your outdoor grill
8. Dry clean carpets and upholstered furniture by sprinkling baking soda over the fabric and gently brushing it. Leave for an hour or overnight, then vacuum.
9. Boost your laundry detergent’s cleaning power by sprinkling a handful on dirty clothes then launder as usual.
10. Clean toddler toys, gear, clothing and bedding

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11. Use it as a stinky shoe remedy
12. Combine it with water to make a paste for polishing stainless steel and chrome.
13. Remove scratches and crayon marks from vinyl floors and walls.
14. Clean your garbage cans.
15. Use it to clean and deodorize the fridge.
16. Put three tablespoons of baking soda to a quart of warm water, then use the mixture to wash marble-topped furniture.
17. Dip a cut lemon in baking soda to scrub out stains from countertops.
18. Remove burned-on food from a pan by soaking it in a baking soda solution for 10 minutes before washing.
19. Keep your drains clean by putting four tablespoons of baking soda in them each week. Flush it down with hot water.
20. Use it to clean your pet area and keep it smelling fresh

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As the weather gets warmer, most of us start to get the Spring Cleaning itch and begin by cleaning out a junk drawer or cleaning a closet (or two) then move on to a bigger job like cleaning the garage. If it seems like your Spring Cleaning To Do list is a mile long I suggest you start with the areas of your home that are used the most often but might get neglected.

Do you think you have a
clean mattress?

Even if you change your sheets and pillowcases weekly, chances are you haven’t thought about how to clean a mattress lately. Dust and dust mites accumulate in our bedding very quickly and can cause anywhere from mild to severe allergic reactions. Getting rid of dust mites is an ongoing battle and one effective way to fight them is to keep your mattress and bedding clean. Below are 5 simple steps to help you clean your mattress on a regular basis (and not wait for Spring!)

Step 1: Strip the bed completely of all sheets, mattress pads and bed skirts. Wash bed linens in a Homemade Laundry Detergent or a green detergent. Dry and set aside.

Step 2: Combine approximately 1 cup of baking soda and a few drops of your favorite essential oil (optional) in a jar with a lid. I like lavender but if you like the smell, eucalyptus is thought to be an excellent anti-dustmite essential oil.  Shake until baking soda and oil are mixed.

Step 3: Add baking soda mixture to a  powdered sugar shaker or fine mesh kitchen strainer. Shake over entire mattress until coated. Leave baking soda on mattress for at least an hour.

Step 4: Vacuum baking soda off of mattress using the upholstery attachment on your vacuum cleaner.

Step 5: Add a light sprinkling of fresh baking soda on the bare mattress (optional), then put on your mattress pad, dust ruffle, sheets, etc.

Now your bed is fresh, clean and dust mite free. Go on, go take a nap. You deserve it!

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by Bob Mittleman

Owner / Personal Trainer / Fitness Coach/Running Coach & Trainer

Sometimes, as hard as we try, we just can’t overcome those awful dietary habits that keep us from achieving the bodies we’ve always dreamed of. It’s just so easy to stress out and crush six hot dogs during a playoff game, right? Well, no, it’s not easy. It’s terrible.

Anyway, breaking those horrible habits may not be easy, but this simple little trick may give you a good start. First, identify your trouble spots. And, by that, we mean literally the locations in which you find yourself being bad with food. Do you zone out in front of the tube on the couch? Do stare at the pantry for twenty minutes trying to decide between cookies and chips? Do you grab a double chocolate muffin on the way to work every day? Figure out exactly where you most consistently make bad choices.

Now that you’ve found your trouble spot, simply leave a scale there. Grab a cheap digital scale and leave it right next to your danger zone. Drop it right by the fridge or the pantry, on the passenger seat of your car, or even right where you place your feet when seated on the couch. Try it for a week or so. The guilt is almost unbearable.

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