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Friday, February 5, 2010

Dear Just Be: I need an idea for a dish to bring to a Super Bowl Party.

A quick and unique recipe for Super Bowl parties or really any sporting event is the Chili Cheese Beer Dip. Note: this recipe is not heart healthy.

1 tub of Johnson's Regular Chili (found in the freezer section of King Soopers grocery stores)

1 pound chunk of Velveeta or 1- 16oz jar of Cheez Whiz

1 bottle of beer (Non alcoholic beers work, but for some reason light beers don't.)

Skim the fat off the chili and melt the cheese with the chili. Add enough beer to make the mixture a dipping consistency. Keep the dip warm by using a hot plate or electric fondue bowl. Serve with Frito chips.

Enjoy!

Thursday, February 4, 2010

Dear Just Be: We can’t leave the house without our dog destroying it. Can you help?

You should know that your dog is not destroying your home to get back at you for leaving. They are responding out of panic. This is clinically known as separation anxiety.

Separation Anxiety can be triggered by several things:
1.) Your pet is never or rarely left alone.
2.) There is a change in routine or structure in the household (i.e. someone leaves the home, you have a new work schedule)
3.) Your pet goes through a period of time being in a kennel or shelter (can be traumatic from the dog’s point of view).

First, confirm or diagnose that your dog is suffering from separation anxiety. Answer the below questions honestly.
• The behavior always occurs when he/she is left alone for a short or long period of time.
• He/she follows you around when you are home.
• He/she gets extremely excited and greets you frantically when you come home.
• He/she reacts (excitement or depression) to your preparations to leave the home.
• He/she does not like to spend time outside by themselves.

If you said yes to most if not all of the above statements then your dog does have separation anxiety. You should take your pet to a behavioral specialist to learn some techniques to overcome the problem, or you can find techniques through your veterinarian, books or online.

Do keep in mind that separation anxiety is not an obedience issue, but a panic response. So going to obedience training or punishing the dog will not treat separation anxiety. Punishment has been said to actually make matters worse. Also, don’t get another pet. Many think if their current dog has a buddy they won’t be stressed and won't destroy the house, but the issue lies with you and not another animal. Lastly, crating your dog can be extremely dangerous. A dog can still urinate, defecate and howl in the crate. What is worse is they can injure themselves trying to escape the crate.

Some short term solutions in treating your dog are:
• Leave your pet with a family member, friend or neighbor when you leave the home
• Take your dog to work with you, even for a half day
• Talk to you vet about drug therapy

For more information on your dog visit:

Denver Dumb Friends League
Animal Planet's Dog Guide

Wednesday, February 3, 2010

Dear Just Be: How do I know when to have my car maintenanced?

Approximately 75% of American’s own a car. This is a big investment for many people. Sadly, not enough people maintain their investment. Failure to maintain your car or truck can be very costly for you (monetarily) and others (physically due to an accident). However, if you do follow your car’s maintenance schedule, you save money on repairing and replacing prematurely worn parts and you may save money on fuel consumption because your car will run properly.

The first step in figuring out when to take your car in for maintenance is looking at your car’s owner manual. If you don’t have the owner’s manual, locate the parts department of a dealership that sells your type of car or truck, and ask them to order one for you. Keep the manual in a convenient location for quick reference. The owner’s manual is THE resource of maintenance information for your car.

Another quick way to determine your car’s maintenance needs is on how and where you drive. Your automobile manufacturer will then provide you a schedule on when to take your car in for maintenance based on if your driving habits are “normal” or “severe.” Below are definitions of what is considered normal and severe driving conditions.

Normal:
Highway driving on paved roads in relatively dust-free areas

Severe:
Stop-and-go city driving
Driving in extremely cold weather
Dusty driving conditions
Towing a trailer
Idling for long periods
Trips less than 10 miles

Vehicles that drive in severe conditions will require more maintenance than those that drive in normal conditions.

For more information on vehicle maintenance visit:
American Automobile Association

Tuesday, February 2, 2010

Dear Just Be: I know it is still technically winter, but are there any garden projects I can work on in February?

Believe it or not, February is a great month to get a jump start on springtime garden projects- especially if you are the type to plan ahead!

1. Late February - early March is the time to fertilize your lawn. If you don't fertilize your own lawn, call ahead and set up an appointment now with your preferred lawn care provider. During this same time fertilize your shrubs, trees and evergreens

2. Visit your local nursery and look into planting or transplanting trees or shrubs. It is advised to plant shade, fruit and flowering trees during the dormant season.

3. Vegetable soil preparation is possible now. Turn under your cover crops.

4. Take a look at your fruit and vegetable garden. Consider planting perennial vegetables around the perimeter of the garden; include items such as asparagus and rhubarb.

5. Want to get started on growing your garden? Start seeds indoors for summer annuals, perennials, herbs and vegetables. Starting your garden from seeds can save you money and you can enjoy watching your garden come to life as we wait for sprint to arrive. Need tips on starting seeds? Click here.

Monday, February 1, 2010

Dear Just Be: I'm in the market for buying a home for the first time - any tips of what to keep in mind?

Many people are looking to jump into the real estate market right now - with hopes of finding a good property at a decent value and maybe even taking advantage of the tax credit that we've posted about before.

Beyond the tax credit that everyone seems to be talking about, there are a few more things to consider when buying a home for the first time.

1. First of all, determine if buying a home is right for you at this time. You may want to consult a financial advisor before proceeding with home shopping.
2. If you've decided now is the right time to purchase a home, work with a lender to line up financing. It may be wise to get pre-approved for a mortgage, this way you won't waste your time looking at properties that are out of your price range.
3. Make a list of all of the elements you must have, you want to have and don't want in a home.
4. Shop around for the right real estate agent for you. Interview several people - just because a family member or friend referred you their agent, doesn't mean you will have a great fit with the agent. Set expectations between yourself and the agent you choose. Share your "wish list" with your agent so they have a firm understanding of what you are looking for in a home- so as to not waste anyone's time.
5. Realize that finding the right home takes time and effort. On average, home buyers see 15 properties before choosing one.
6. If a property interests you, take the time to look at it again - focus on all of your needs, wants and desires in a property and see how the home measures up.
7. Make sure that the money you'll need at closing; i.e. down payment, closing costs, is liquid. If you are counting on financial assistance from relatives, make sure this money is readily available. Also, you will need a letter stating that the money is a gift from the relative and that it does not need to be repaid. This is a very important document, so don't delay in obtaining it from your family member.

By keeping in mind these tips, you will cut down the uncertainty and anxiety that can come along with purchasing a home. Happy house hunting!