10 ways fresh juice cleanses the body of toxins

Whether you're cleansing, or simply looking to boost vitality, try making your own organic juices for an instant energy boost

10 very healthy reasons to start juicing

1. Juicing helps your body absorb nutrients. Many people have difficulty digesting certain foods and as a result the body doesn’t absorb all of the nutrients. Juicing helps to “predigest” the food for you, making it easier for your body to receive and absorb all that good stuff.

2. Juicing increases your daily consumption of fruits and vegetables. Slip a juice in when you can! Sip one during your ride to work or for an after-dinner treat. It all counts towards your daily intake.

3. It broadens your exposure to different fruits and vegetables. It’s easy to stick to the same produce day in and day out. For example, toss kale or grapefruit into your morning concoction.

4. Juice boosts your energy. Raw fruits and veggies help support the immune system and flush out the body.

5. It also boosts your metabolism. Fresh juice delivers beneficial enzymes found in the produce, which is important for the health of your metabolism.

6. Fresh organic juice can help fight disease. Through these liquid nutrients the body receives a sufficient amount of phytochemicals which act as antioxidants and can help fight diseases like cancer, heart disease and diabetes.

7. Juices combat free radicals. Juicing provides the body with a high concentration of antioxidants which can fight off the aging-effects of free radicals.

8. Consuming juice aids in hydration. If you don’t like the taste of water, or drink too much pop, fresh juices are rich in vitamins and minerals and definitely help to quench thirst.

9. Juicing is more effective than vitamins. Fresh juices have live liquid supplementation which deliver greater benefits than taking synthetic supplementation.

10. You'll never get bored! There are lots of options when it comes to juice, play with different combinations: Try adding ginger for energy, or beets for cleansing. Stacking the fruits will help mask the taste of more overpowering ingredients.

    One important note: If you are going to juice make sure the fruit is organic. When you juice conventional vegetables you are likely absorbing all the pesticides, herbicides, fungicides or genetically-modified organisms (GMO) stored in them. Because juices are so concentrated, your body will soak up those chemicals immediately. This information is particularly crucial if you’re doing a cleanse. After all, if you’re making the effort to enhance your health, you may as well do it right!

    If you can’t get organic produce, though, make sure to wash the fruit thoroughly with a vegetable wash and then peel it. Avoid anything known to be heavily sprayed (strawberries, blueberries, bell peppers) or can’t be peeled (like berries).

    As for store-bought juices, these are often pasteurized, which increases the shelf life, but deactivates the beneficial enzymes. As well, the plastic packaging used for juices, and their lids, can contain leachables (think BPA), which can be transferred to humans during consumption. Consider making your own juice to eliminate these factors, and reduce the use of plastic. 

    Another option to consider is a juice delivery service. You’ll have to look into how fresh the juice is and whether there any preservatives added to make the juice last longer. Also, ask whether they’re using completely organic ingredients and/or storing the juice in plastic bottles. It’s hard to know, so do your research before committing.

    http://www.chatelaine.com/en/article/38619--10-ways-fresh-juice-cleanses-the-body-of-toxins

    Don't get dinged at the end of your lease

    It seemed recklessly easy. My wife came home and, somewhere mixed among recounting of the banalities of her day, she casually mentioned that she’d traded in her Honda Accord coupe and leased something better suited to the family we were trying to start.

    For someone like me, who was still deciding which complex algorithm to use to sort through the models and financing options for the vehicles we were considering, this seemed as ill-advised as betting our future on 32 black. A few days later, we were handed the keys to a brand-new Honda CR-V and – for almost no money down, nearly zero interest and a promise to make an easy monthly payment and drive fewer than 96,000 kilometres – we had entered into our first-ever lease.

    Four years, 93,476 kilometres, one 18-month-old, one rear-end fender-bender, a chipped windshield and parking dings to each of the four corners later, it was time to hand the keys back, and suffer payback for the ease of entering into a lease: our first lease return, with the requisite vehicle inspection and arbitrary “excess wear and tear” charges.

    After getting the fender-bender damage repaired through insurance, and a half-price detailing job inside and out, our end-of-lease inspection left us with an invoice for $1,980.08. We were charged for a chipped windshield, a scuff to the front bumper and tires that didn’t match the specifications of the originals. But, they didn’t care about the rusting scratches on the rims, the touched-up stone-chips on the hood or the ding on the passenger door.

    Haggling twice on the phone with Honda convinced them to accept our out-of-spec replacement tires and drop the $1,084.80 charge for replacements. A wear-and-tear credit for leasing another Honda saved us another $452, leaving a final bill of $443.28.

    These are lease-return tips gleaned from among the things we did, and should have done, according to auto-industry professionals.

    Before you lease a vehicle

    • Ask about the specific return requirements for your lease, as there are variations among the car makers. Some leases only require a visual inspection of the car before it’s returned. Others demand a test drive, receipts for maintenance such as oil and filter changes, and more. Don’t trust the dealer to know. Most leases are between you and the car maker, so it’s best to ask the dealer for the number of the car maker’s leasing department, and get the info from the source.
    • Ask about lease-damage insurance and consider whether it’s right for you. Many leases have an option that allows you to prepay a fixed fee, usually about $1,000-$1,500 so you don’t have to worry about penalties for paint scrapes, stone chips and other minor cosmetic damage. It can save you money and hassle if your car spends a lot of time parked on the street, or in public lots where it’s hard to avoid such dings.
    • Ask the dealer and the maker of your current car about any loyalty incentives. Many dealers and manufacturers offer rebates, preferred financing rates, damage credits and other perks for leasing another car with them, instead of their competitors.
    • Ask about the maintenance schedule for the vehicle you’re choosing, and the fee for each service. Over the course of a typical lease, your car will require several oil changes, and probably a fresh set of filters and belts. It may also need an engine tune-up, a brake job and more. You’re responsible for the maintenance of the car during the lease, and a vehicle with demanding maintenance requirements can add considerably to the costs.
    • Choose an easy-to-clean upholstery in a neutral colour, such as grey and tan, that will hide stains for which you’ll be charged
    • Ask the dealer to throw in some touch-up paint, to quickly repair minor chips and scratches.

    During the lease

    • Drive off the lot in your brand-new vehicle, and head straight to your favourite auto-supply shop for some protection. Floor mats are a must. But if you have kids, or pets, or you’re as messy as either, you’ll need seat covers and more.
    • While you’re at the auto shop, check your new tires. Car makers can save a few bucks by scrimping on rubber. If yours are from the bargain bin, consider getting new ones now and keep the original duds for the end of lease, when you’ll be charged if the tires don’t have enough tread left. Also, some companies will not accept winter tires on a return vehicle, or will only accept them in winter.
    • Keep track of all the original keys, and the owner’s manual. You’ll need these at the end of the lease.
    • You’re responsible for the upkeep of the vehicle, which means you have to stick to the maintenance schedule. It doesn’t mean you have to pay dealer service prices. Some service tasks, such as changing the air filter, can be easy enough for anyone to do. For tasks beyond your skills, any certified mechanic is acceptable, but keep records and receipts for the lease return.
    • Defensive driving isn’t enough. Consider defensive parking. That spot near the mall entrance is going to see a lot of other cars coming and going while you’re shopping, and that’s a lot more chances at damage. A lonely spot at the back is less risky. If street parking is your only option, hug the curb, pull your mirror in, and find the spot next to the fire hydrant gap where at least one end of the car won’t have another pulling up to it.
    • Don’t delay dealing with mechanical or manufacturing defects, however minor, so you don’t miss the warranty period.
    • Body damage that makes the car unsafe, or risks growing worse (think rust, or windshield chips) should also be fixed as soon as possible. But if it’s minor cosmetic damage you can live with, wait as long as you can. A door costs the same to repaint, whether it’s for the first scratch or more that come later, and body work is less expensive when done all at once. If it’s an insurance repair, most policies allow up to a year to make the repair.

    Near the end of your lease

    • If you’re close to the maximum kilometres, go see your dealer. They might take the lease off you early at a favourable rate in order to get you into a new car.
    • If you’re worried that a long road trip will put you over the maximum kilometres, consider putting those kilometres on a rental car instead. But do the math. The excess kilometre charge on your lease is often less expensive than a rental.
    • If you have any damage to repair that’s covered by insurance, get that done before the end-of-lease inspection. The body shop may be able to make other fixes under the claim.
    • Consider having your vehicle professionally cleaned inside and out before the return inspection. Deep discounts are often available through Groupon and other online coupon companies.
    • Book the vehicle inspection as early as the lease-return rules allow, so you have lots of time to deal with any issues.
    • Some lease returns are transparent. Others less so. Insist on seeing a copy of the inspection report, go over each item thoroughly with the lease department and ask what it takes to resolve each issue. Then, get a few quotes to decide if it’s cheaper to have it repaired yourself, or pay the charge.
    • If the tires are deemed to have excess wear, you’ll be charged for four brand-new ones. Go to a used-car dealer instead, and buy a pre-loved set with enough life left in them.
    • If you changed the tires during the lease, there could be a replacement charge if they don’t match the exact specifications of the originals. Take this up with the lease department, as they’ll often relent if replacement tires have higher specifications than the originals or are within an acceptable range. They’ll only accept the original rims though, so don’t change those.
    • If there’s minor damage to repair, avoid costly auto-body shops, and look for detailers and automobile refurbishers that do paintless dent removal and specialize in touch-ups rather than full repainting for minor scrapes and scuffs. A used car dealer can tell you where to go. http://www.theglobeandmail.com/globe-drive/car-tips/dont-get-dinged-at-the-end-of-your-lease/article4217122/

    Canada’s housing market still outshines rest of world: Scotia

    TORONTO — Canadian housing market conditions have cooled slightly, with prices down nearly 2% in the first-quarter, but the country continues to outperform other developed nations, according to a new Scotiabank real estate report.

    The latest Scotiabank Global Real Estate Trends report released Wednesday found that the inflation-adjusted national average home price fell by 1.6% in the first quarter of 2012 compared to the same period of 2011.

    That compared with a 1.3 inflation-adjusted year-over-year gain in the fourth quarter of 2011.

    Canada’s housing market remains an outperformer among developed nations, but conditions have cooled here as well, according to Scotiabank economist Adrienne Warren.

    “Price trends are relatively steady in the majority of local markets, though a few, notably Toronto, continue to report strong appreciation,” Warren writes in the report, released Wednesday.

    Demand has cooled due to moderate income growth and tighter mortgage insurance rules. In addition, there are more houses up for sale in most parts of the country.

    Scotiabank said it expects the number of sales and average prices will be flat in the latter half of 2012.

    By comparison, it found global property markets remain under stress, especially in recession-plagued European countries. Ireland saw prices fall a whopping 18.9% and prices in Spain, which has experienced a housing crash, fell 9.1% year-over-year.

    Over the weekend, eurozone finance ministers offered to make $100 billion available to Spain to revive banks crushed by bad real estate loans. However, market reaction suggests many observers didn’t feel the relief was enough.

    Most countries covered by the Scotiabank report saw prices decline during the quarter.

    “The intensifying eurozone debt crisis, increasing financial market strains and moderating global growth suggests there is more downside risk to property prices in the near-term,” Warren said.

    “Eventually, however, improved housing affordability and pent-up demand will put many of these markets on a firmer footing.”

    Scotiabank projects that the era of ultra-low borrowing costs will continue in most developed economies, while many developing economies are moving to reverse prior hikes.

    The latest figures on Canada’s housing market from the Canadian Real Estate Association are due Friday, measuring the strength of sales and prices in May.

    In April, the average home price in Canada was up 0.9% from a year ago at $375,810, while sales on a year-over-year basis were 49,480, up 11.5% from 44,370 a year ago, CREA said.

    Continued strength in the housing market, largely due to the staying power of low interest rates, has led some economists to warn the market is overvalued. That could make homeowners vulnerable to a downturn, especially those who have used low interest rates to borrow more than they could otherwise afford.

    A report released earlier this week by the Toronto-Dominion banking group projected Vancouver and Toronto home prices will probably experience a downturn of about 15% in two to three years, but not the dramatic drop that hit the United States a few years ago.

    The Bank of Canada and federal Finance Minister Jim Flaherty recently stepped up their warnings to Canadians to moderate borrowing on real estate, declaring household debt to be the domestic economy’s number one enemy.

     http://business.financialpost.com/2012/06/13/canadas-housing-market-still-outshines-rest-of-world-scotia/

    Canadians outpace all other foreign buyers in U.S. real estate market

    Canadians are playing a larger role in the U.S. housing market than in any year since 2007 and they outpace buyers from China and Mexico by far, according to a new survey of American real estate brokers.

    The survey by the Washington-based National Association of Realtors (NAR) said foreigners snapped up $82.5-billion (U.S.) worth of houses in the 12-month period ending March 31. That compared with $66.4-billion a year earlier.

    Canadians made up the largest share of purchasers, accounting for 24 per cent of all international sales. That compared with 23 per cent in 2011 and 11 per cent in 2007.

    Chinese buyers made up the next largest segment at 11 per cent, followed by Mexicans at 8 per cent.

    While sales to foreigners make up only about 10 per cent of all U.S. home sales, they are among the fastest-growing segments of the market. International sales climbed 24 per cent last year, according to the survey.

    People from Canada and elsewhere are being lured by rock-bottom prices, a massive supply of foreclosed properties and record-low interest rates.

    “Today’s advantageous market conditions have drawn more and more foreign buyers to the U.S. in recent years, signalling how desirable and profitable owning property in this country can be,” said NAR president Moe Veissi, who is also a real estate agent in Miami.

    “I do a huge volume, all to Canadians,” said Diane Olson, a former Winnipegger who now sells real estate in the Phoenix area under United Brokers Group. She and other real estate agents make regular trips to Canada and speak at seminars on how to buy property in the United States.

    “I just got back from speaking to probably 1,500 Canadians this last week and about 1,700 a couple of weeks ago,” Ms. Olson said. “And I’ll tell you it’s extremely powerful going up there and listening to these people and what they are looking to do.”

    She added that about half of her Canadian customers are looking for a second home or vacation property while the other half are interested in investment purchases. Her typical customer is 51, she added.

    Foreign buyers tend to pay in cash and buy more expensive properties, the NAR survey found. The median purchase price for an existing home sold to a foreigner was $252,000 last year, up from $200,000 in 2010.

    In comparison, the median home price for all existing home sales in the United States was $165,000 last year, compared with $170,000 a year earlier.

    “The average price paid by an international buyer was $400,000 compared to the overall U.S. average of $212,000,” the survey said. “The international client is typically wealthier than the domestic buyer and is looking for a property in a specialized niche, for example, a larger property suitable for multigenerational living, or a property that establishes the individual’s presence and standing in the community.”

    Foreign buying is largely concentrated in Arizona, Florida, California and Texas. “Florida has been the fastest growing destination of choice, accounting for 26 per cent of foreign purchases,” the survey said.

    The push by Canadians and others is being felt in many local markets. House prices in Phoenix, one of the markets hardest hit by the recession, have climbed about 25 per cent in the last year. Miami and Southern California are also seeing a strong rebound in prices and fewer foreclosures.

    http://www.theglobeandmail.com/report-on-business/canadians-outpace-all-other-foreign-buyers-in-us-real-estate-market/article4249321/

    4 ways to save on landscaping

    A high-end landscape contractor will charge at least $5,000 to remodel a typical compact suburban front yard. Yet if you can handle a shovel, hose, and wheelbarrow, you have the physical skills to replace overgrown or mundane greenery with fresh plants, boosting curb appeal and possibly property value.

    The tricky part is getting the design right; it's not as simple as putting a few plants in the ground. Here's how to achieve that upscale look on your own.

    1. Broaden the beds

    A single-file row of plants along the foundation and the property lines looks generic at best.

    Widen the beds to four to six feet so there's room for more flora -- and to make the plants really pop, use mulch that's the color of soil, says Newport, R.I., landscape architect Kate Field.

    That means the fine, dark, compost-like material that costs about 25% more than basic wood chips, or about $120 to $150 (delivered), and that lasts only one year.

    2. Focus on foliage

    Replace oversize or drab plants with new shrubs and perennials arranged two or three deep, with smaller plants placed in front of larger ones (check the mature size listed on the label).

    "Don't get hung up on picking the best flowers," says Portland, Ore., garden designer Darcy Daniels. That's because blooms are short-lived; it's the foliage that you'll see most of the time.

    Look for plants with red, purple, or multicolored leaves, as well as a variety of textures, from fine light-green needles to broad dark-green fronds.

    Alternate shapes too, with, say, a conical spruce near a chunky hydrangea. You'll pay $20 to $100 per plant, depending on type and size.

    3. Accent the architecture

    Create a focal point using a dwarf tree or a large shrub. Don't just plunk it in the middle of the yard. Instead, place it in line with a structural element of the property, such as a corner of the house, garage, or lot.

    Japanese maples ($100 to $400) and crepe myrtles ($30 to $50) are two good choices that look attractive in all seasons, says Severna Park, Md., nursery owner Gary Blondell.

    4. Trim with technique

    When it comes to caring for your plants, ditch the electric clippers, which carve bushes into perfect geometric shapes.

    http://money.cnn.com/2012/06/08/real_estate/landscaping.moneymag/index.htm

    Battling the bullies: It’s a Wild West for Toronto home buyers

    Ariel Brewster never imagined a day when she would boldly step into a bidding war for a rundown Toronto semi with an offer of $102,000 above the asking price of $479,000.

    Even then, Ms. Brewster and her fiancé didn’t get the house.

    “We were in contention all night and our agent was textin g and calling us with updates.” The couple spent the evening as nervous front runners until 10:30 when their agent called in shock.

    “You guys won’t even believe this”, said Darryl Quinn of ReMax Unique Inc.

    A last-minute bid had just obliterated theirs.

    The sellers signed immediately.

    “It was a ridiculous offer that just blew everybody away,” says Mr. Quinn.

    The late arrival had triumphed with a winning bid of $615,000 - or $136,000 over asking.

    Welcome to the raucous Toronto spring real estate market of 2012, where sellers reign, bullies prevail and zealous buyers are constantly looking for new gambits.

    “It’s pretty wild out there now,” says Mr. Quinn.

    In April, sales jumped 18 per cent and the average price rose 8.5 per cent in the Greater Toronto Area compared with April of 2011. Even as chatter about a price bubble in the city rises to a din, some people fear prices will just keep climbing.

    Mr. Quinn believes the successful bidder for the Sorauren Avenue house had submitted a lowball offer in the first round, then came back at the last second with the nuclear offer.

    Mr. Quinn felt badly for his clients, but he adds that while listing agents may try to smooth the process by setting a “schedule-for-offer” date, some buyers and their agents ignore the schedule and arrive long after the deadline to register.

    “They will just literally show up and ring a doorbell.”

    Aspiring home buyers, who already feel frustrated by the need to bid for a house, become downright irate when they lose out to a maverick bidder who appears to be breaking the rules.

    Mr. Quinn points out that buyers and their agents who dispense with the schedule are not breaking any regulations – agents have a responsibility to present all offers.

    What surprises Mr. Quinn this year is the big numbers that sellers are receiving over the asking price.

    In previous years, the popular rule of thumb was that prospective buyers would add another $5,000 for each bid registered.

    This year, Mr. Quinn says, it’s more common to see buyers go an extra $10,000 or $15,000 for each registered bid.

    “The sale prices are blowing my mind.”

    Mr. Quinn says the action has been intense in the past weeks because buyers who were pre-approved for mortgages with an ultra-low 2.99 per cent interest rate during the winter are about to run out of time.

    Also, he believes investors who are selling now in order to cash in are skewing the market dynamics.

    “A lot of people in the past five years really have been buying houses as investments and not places to live. They’re really going for top dollar.”

    Chander Chaddah of Sutton Group-Associated Realty says schedules are just established as a convenience for the listing agent and a convenience for the seller, he says, and no one is bound by them.

    “If somebody shows up at the last minute, why wouldn’t we look at it?

    “Until you put your signature on the paper, we are open to anything.”

    The Real Estate Council of Ontario administers the Real Estate and Business Brokers Act. While some prospective buyers have complained about the Wild West feel to Toronto bidding dust-ups, RECO president Tom Wright says the rules have to be flexible enough to cover all of the segments of the market in all its ups and downs.

    And while bidding skirmishes are the norm in coveted neighbourhoods where single-family homes are in short supply, most houses or condominium units don’t actually sell in multiple offers in the GTA.

    RECO only oversees the agents, not the buyers, says Mr. Wright, adding that the spring market has been particularly frenzied this year.

    He cautions sellers to not become so confident that they drag out the bidding and end up with no offers.

    “Sellers have to be careful not to chase potential buyers away.”

    Ms. Brewster isn’t sure if she’s disappointed or relieved that she lost out on the Roncesvalles area house with knob-and-tube wiring inside and a garage rotting into the ground outside.

    “It was a real fixer-upper,” says Ms. Brewster. “Literally the linoleum had worn through to the sub-floor. It would have been a real labour of love for a solid five years.”

    She and her fiancé were able to look beyond the orange velour curtains and see the potential for a lovely family house, but they know other properties will come along.

    “We never really thought we’d be those people who would offer $100,000 over asking but in this situation it made sense.”

    Now they’re going to stay out of the fray for a while and focus on getting ready for their wedding.

    http://www.theglobeandmail.com/life/home-and-garden/real-estate/battling-the-bullies-its-a-wild-west-for-toronto-home-buyers/article4240207/

    Golf lessons with a PGA Professional can help improve your short game

    Need help with your short game? Want to shoot lower scores in the near future?

    Take a few lessons with your local PGA Professional, and spend half of the time on putting and the other half on the golf course.

    For example, let's say you take two one-hour golf lessons. Start off with whatever part of your swing needs the work. Show the pro what your problem shot is. Work to correct the issue.

    Next, go to the putting green, and work on the putting stroke. Most of the golfers I ask say that putting is not their strong suit. They state that it is probably the weakest link. So the first half hour is on the swing, and the next 30 minutes is on putting technique.

    I can show a student a lot in 30 minutes. During some lessons, I even video the golfer making putting strokes. Feedback is key. The putting stoke is a simple action. Correct form is fairly simple. I am always amazed how creative golfers get when it comes to making a simple putting swing.

    If you are not a great putter, and you currently use a non-conventional method, I think you should consider reviewing some basics with your pro, such as: reverse over-lap grip; flat left wrist; ball left center; no wrist action; stance 12-inches apart; ball 12 inches from front of feet; center of golf ball opposite sight line on putter; swing putter with shoulder; and no lower body movement

    Practice these basics on a putting green until comfortable. Next, take the next hour-long lesson on the golf course. Yes, a playing lesson. Spend the entire hour on the course learning how to read the greens better and how to lag your first putt closer to the hole.

    One basic rule I have golfers follow is that if you are outside four paces from the hole, just go for a two putt. Work on your distance control. Three-putting is caused by poor distance control on the first putt and by bad green reading or a combination of both. Most putting greens are relatively flat, whereas greens on the golf course have much more slope.

    Spending time with a pro and talking about how to play these breaking putts can help. Hitting extra putts on the course late in the day to get experience at playing more break can be a fantastic learning experience. I highly recommend this type of lesson and practice for improving your putting.

    Have you ever watched a tour pro play a practice round? Watch what they do on the greens. Typically, they putt several balls from different locations. They watch how the ball rolls across the green. This improves feel and increases the chance for success on the greens.

    In review, take a couple of lessons. Spend half the time on putting technique lesson one. The next lesson is on the golf course. Become a good green reader. Practice on the course if possible, and gain experience in rolling the ball on greens that have more break. Work on distance control.

    http://www.golfinstruction.com/golf-instruction/putting/improve-your-short-game-pga-pro-lessons-12728.htm

    How to beat the heat and save 25% on energy bills

    Things are heating up, folks.

    Most of us love the warmer weather. We count down the days until we can say, “Man, is it hot.” But as soon as the temperature rises, a lot of us crank our air conditioners into overdrive.

    If you can’t take the heat, there are different ways to keep your home cool over the summer. Not only do they work, but they’re easy on the wallet and the environment — I love it when that happens.

    Keeping blinds and curtains closed during the day helps. I encourage everyone to do this. But a lot of heat can get trapped between the blinds and the window. And once the heat is already in your home, cooling things down is an uphill battle. Most homeowners treat the effects of heat. The smart ones stop them before they start.

    You want to stop the heat before it enters your home. Otherwise, half the battle of beating the heat is already lost — before it’s even started. And since the problem starts in nature, let’s look to nature to solve it.

    How do we stay cool when we’re outside? We look for tree shade.

    Just how trees keep us cool outside, they can help keep us cool inside, too. They provide a natural way to block the higher temperatures from entering our homes. If you’re thinking of landscaping, plant a few extra trees around your house. But don’t plant them near the house itself. The extra foliage will direct water and precipitation to your home’s exterior and roof. This wears down exterior finishes and is an open invitation to leaks.

    Another way to block the heat and create shade is with an awning. These exterior coverings extend from the tops of windows. They’re like visors for your home. Some homes even have a large one that extends across one side of the house — the side that gets the most sun — usually over a patio.

    Awnings are an old school solution that works. They reduce heat gain by about 55% to 77%. They also block UV rays that can damage floors, furniture and finishes. In certain climates, awnings have proved their worth — saving homeowners as much as 25% on their energy bills.

    Some awnings are retractable. These are good because they let heat and light come in during the winter. Others are stationary and have to be taken down before the colder weather sets in again.

    You need to install an awning the proper way. Do it wrong and it can cause a lot of damage. If it falls, it can pull the siding off your home and damage the exterior — not to mention the risks of it falling on someone. Just like everything else, you want to get the right pro for the job.

    If you’re interested in awnings, contact a company that specializes in them. They’ll be able to recommend the right length, width and material depending on your home’s specific needs. And they’ll install it the right way. Their employees should have experience working with these units. Some companies even certify their installers in-house. This makes sure they know what they’re doing before they show up at your home.

    Another way to keep your home cool is insulation. Most people think insulation only helps keep our homes warm during the winter. But it actually keeps the interior temperature at a comfortable, constant level. So it keeps homes cool in the summer, too.

    If your air conditioning is always working, and your energy bills keep rising, your home could need insulation. A good home inspection will tell you if you’re missing insulation. Make sure the inspector you hire uses a thermal imaging camera and is certified in thermography. Otherwise, the inspection could be worthless.

    Summer is a really good time to do this. It gives us that crucial temperature difference we need to do thermal imaging the right way. If the inspector knows what they’re doing, they’ll be able to see heat spots along surfaces where insulation is missing.

    Air conditioners are still the crowd favourite for keeping cool. But we want to minimize our air conditioning usage and make it work as efficiently as possible. To achieve this, the outdoor unit must be clear of any leaves, dust and debris. Also, clean the filter every month. And if you can, keep the outdoor unit in the shade. This will increase its efficiency by 5% to 10%.

    If you’ve had the same air conditioner for more than 10 years, consider replacing it. Older air conditioners use 30% to 70% more electricity than energy-efficient models. They can also corrode or rust. When that happens, harmful refrigerants like Freon can enter the environment. Why is this bad? Because most refrigerants deplete the ozone layer. This increases global warming.

    Incorporating different cooling solutions is smart. We decrease our energy consumption, we decrease global warming, we make our homes work for us — and we save money in the process. Everyone wins when we care.

    http://life.nationalpost.com/2012/06/04/mike-holmes-fawning-over-awnings/

    10 ideas to turn your backyard into an oasis this summer

    Canadians know a thing or two about savouring warm weather. While we may not have the longest of summers, we've made it a priority to make the most of every precious sunny day. This summer, take the comfort of your indoors outside and instantly extend the living area of your home to maximize every beautiful day.

    1. Firepit
    A firepit can be a welcoming place for friends and family to gather and a great low-cost entertaining idea for summer evenings. Make sure your fireside gatherings are safe by checking the fire safety regulations in your area before installing this piece. Be sure the firepit is placed in a clear, open space and away from any overhanging branches or plants. And always keep a bucket of sand on hand in case of any emergencies. 

    2. Outdoor lighting 
    Enjoy the warm breeze of a summer night with some added lighting to your outdoor area. Energy efficient solar powered lights make it a breeze to light up your whole backyard without the fuss of wires or power outlets. Put up white twinkle lights to create a soft, inviting atmosphere for when you have company over or for a relaxing evening at home with your book.

    3. Fully equipped grill 
    Everyone's favourite summer host is the person with the fully equipped grill. Not just for burgers and hotdogs, a fully equipped barbecue grill can really feel like you've brought the whole kitchen outdoors. Impress carnivores and vegetarians alike with delicious, hot-off-the-grill meals – and it's a great way to get the men to help with dinner.

    4. Outdoor rug
    A simple way of creating the feeling of having an outdoor living room is with an outdoor rug. Lots of new styles are available in fun and fresh patterns and colours. Look for rugs made with water-resistant plastic and synthetic blends that are easy to clean and can be hosed down for worry-free entertaining. These varieties are also weather-proof and can be left outside all summer long – so there's no need to dash outside when the storm clouds start gathering.

    5. Patio plants
    Whether you have a big backyard or just a small balcony, a few potted plants are a natural part of outdoor decor. Look for colours that compliment your outdoor furniture and accessories, and add a few potted herbs too – you'll be able to clip fresh ingredients and add to your summer recipes. Keep these plants well hydrated by watering them in the early morning so they'll have enough moisture to last through the heat of the day.

    6. Decorative cushions
    Even if you don't have the budget for a new patio set, you'll be surprised at how much of an impact you can create with a few new throw pillows in fresh, bright colours. Look for ones in outdoor fabrics that are water-resistant, so that they will be easy to clean and you won't be worried about the occasional rain shower. 

    7. Gazebo 
    The ultimate outdoor living experience, a gazebo is perfect for dining and entertaining and will undoubtedly become an additional room in your home. Look for styles which have a mesh screen so you can enjoy your outdoor space without the nuisance of any pesky insects. 

    8. Daybed 
    The perfect spot to relax and recline for an afternoon nap or to read a book. Create a private outdoor sanctuary by placing the daybed in a shaded area away from direct sunlight. Consider a extra-wide daybed for lounging à deux or with little ones. Be sure to add lots of throw pillows for added comfort and a more decadent relaxation experience.

    9. Cute outdoor tableware
    Even the most basic of picnic tables can be transformed into a veritable fête with brightly coloured tableware in an array of playful patterns. Save the worry of damaging your indoor dinnerware with practical plastic pieces. Look for reusable styles which you'll be able to enjoy for summers to come. If you choose to use disposable pieces for entertaining, be sure to have your recycling and green bins handy to reduce the environmental impact and make cleaning up easier.

    10. Garden bench 
    Like the daybed, a garden bench can be a much sought out space for quiet relaxation, but also a practical perch from which to watch your little ones play outside. Place your bench in a well-shaded area that's close to the main hubs of summer activity like by the swimming pool or a trampoline. You'll be just a step away from the action and get to really soak in the summer scenery.