Here are your action steps

Step 1
Consider winterizing your home by putting in energy saving window(s)/outside door. This year you will get a tax credit of up to $500,  if you replace your old window(s)/outside door with an energy saving window(s)/door. You can also put your winter drapes up and caulk the windows

Step 2
Consider lowering your heat when you are not at home

Step 3
Consider using cold water to wash your clothes or dishes. You can buy tide cold-water laundry detergent to wash clothes

Step 4
Consider paying a monthly fee for oil. Some oil companies will charge you $100 a month to fill your oil tank every month. This also includes maintenance of your boiler

Step 5
Consider shopping around, call several oil companies and find out how much they charge per gallon.

Step 6
Consider buying twin draft guard for your outside door. This works really well in keeping the cold air out and keeping the cool air in if you live in a warmer climate. You could buy online for $20 plus s&h

Tips on “How to” make your own twin draft guard for your windows/door coming soon.

Here are your action steps

Step 1
Turn off light when you leave the room

Step 2
Unplug all electronics if you are not using them or when you’re not at home

Step 3
Use energy saving bulbs (they are a little more expensive but you will save in the long run)

Step 4
Use night lights when you are not in a room (bathroom, hallway, kitchen etc)

Step 5
Call electric company and insist that they come out to read your meter. Sometimes they will charge you based on the previous year usage. This may be a problem if it is your first year in the house.

Action steps for making an Obama no drama inauguration dinner

Step 1
Ask your guests what they like to eat

Step 2
Get your guests to participate by making them bring things you need for the party

Step 3
If you do not know how to cook call a caterer

Step 4
Place guests with things in common together

Step 5
The most important thing is the election is over, do not make anyone feel left out, remember Obama is about unity.

For the Obama no drama appetizers I will be serving, the Obama

Stuffed peppers and stuffed fruits and stuffed dumplings

For the Obama no drama Entrée, I will be serving

Roast duck in a mandarin orange sauce

Obama hanger steak layered over a rustic potato based steak sauce

Bacon and berries Bulgur salad

Fluffy mash potatoes

Stew okra, tomatoes, apples, and onion dish

Wild salmon asparagus raft on a bed of creamed spinach

Three cheese chocolate truffles sweet potatoes cakes

Desert
American Babaganoush truffles dessert

Pairings
White wine 2005 Domaine Huet Clos du Bourg Vouvray Sec
Red wine 2001 Conde de Valdemar Gran Reserva Rioja
Sparkling NV Domaine Chandon Blanc de Noirs

Here is my menu-stay tuned for the action steps for recipes listed above

Benefits of Epsom salt Magnesium sulfate, absorbed through the skin, such as in a bath (described below)

• draws toxins from the body
• soothes the nerves
• reduces swelling
• relaxes muscles
• is a natural emollient
•  is an exfoliator

Do these action steps to stop back pains, arthritis pain, and foot pain

Step 1 Fill tub with warm water

Step 2 Dissolves 2 cupfuls of Epsom salt per gallon of water

Step 3 Soak for 15 minutes (Hot or warm soaks should not be done if you are a diabetic, consult your doctor)

Try these action steps for puffy eyes

Step 1
Get some warm milk and cotton balls

Step 2
Place warm milk on cotton ball

Step 3
Place cotton ball over the puffy eye and leave for 10 minutes

Try these action steps for dark circles

Step 1
Get a tea bag that is soaked in warm water

Step 2
Place it over eyes for 15 minutes

Try these action steps for skin blemish/pimples

Step 1
Put some salt in a cup with warm water

Step 2
Use a cotton ball and blot the area of your skin that has a blemished/pimple

Step 3
Take toothpaste and put a little over the blemished area/pimple or use nasal spray on pimples/blemish

Step 4
Leave on for 15 minutes (repeat until blemish/pimple is gone-you should see results in 24 hours or less)

Step 5
Wash your face (do not squeeze or pick at face because this may leave behind dark spots)

Step 6
Consider reducing sugar consumption and eliminating soda from your diet

Try these action steps to avoid hat hair, hair lines, frizz, or flyaways

Step 1
To avoid hat hair, try braiding your hair before putting on your hat. When you remove your hat, take out the braid(s), and use your hands to smooth out or style the natural waves the braid(s) will provide

Step 2
Try putting your hair in a ponytail or a bun before putting on your hat

Step 3
If you have flyaways or frizz when you remove your hat or if you’re coming in from a windy day, take a bounce sheet with you and use it to smooth over the hair. It will remove any static in the hair and your hair will look silky and smooth. (What is a bounce sheet-bounce sheets are added to your laundry to rid your clothes of static cling however, it also works well on hair. You can find this product online or in your supermarket.)

Step 4
If you have hair creases after removing your hat or after wrapping your hair, or wearing a head scarf, you can use silicon to remove the lines/creases from your hair. I use Joico silk but you can use any hair silicon product you like. You can find this online or in your local beauty supply store.

Here are your action steps to have a delicious arugula, shrimps and fruits salad

Step 1
Gather your ingredients:

• 3 cups grapes (seedless)
• ½ cup grape tomatoes halved
• 2 cups diced cantaloupes
• 1 bag baby arugula
• 1 cup frozen baby peas, thawed and drained
• ¼ cup plus 2 tablespoons vegetable oil
• Holland or Serrano chile, minced
• ¼ teaspoon turmeric
• 2 ½ tablespoons fresh lemon juice
• 1 pound cooked large shrimp
• 1 onion finely chopped
• 1 teaspoon finely grated fresh ginger
• ½ teaspoon cumin
• 1 cup diced mango
• 1 cup chick peas
• Salt to taste and add freshly ground pepper

Step 2
In a large bowl, toss the baby arugula, peas, chick peas, tomatoes, grapes, cantaloupes, and mango.

Step 3
Heat oil in a medium skillet

Step 4
Add onion and cook over moderately high heat until onion is lightly golden. (About 3 minutes)

Step 3
Add chile, ginger, cumin and turmeric. (cook for 4 minutes-stir while cooking)

Step 4
Add lemon juice, pepper, and salt to taste

Step 5
Let chile dressing cool for about 5 minutes

Step 6
Add shrimp to salad

Step 7
Pour warm chile dressing on salad, toss and serve. Add a glass of wine for a wonderful, yummy lunch and enjoy the rest of your day.

Here are your action steps to make an organic banana moisturizer
Bananas are high in protein and fat, which will work to soften and smooth any skin type. Pineapples are rich in active enzymes, which exfoliate and soften the skin. Avocado and coconut milk makes a great moisturizer.

Step 1
Gather your ingredients

• 2 medium ripe banana chopped
• 2 cups pineapples
• 2 cups avocado diced
• 1 cup coconut milk

Step 2
Put cut banana, pineapples, avocado in blender

Step 3
Add coconut milk

Step 4
Blend for 2 minutes or until it softens to a paste

Step 5
Apply a warm towel over the face (to open pores)

Step 6
Apply organic banana paste to face (leave on for 5 minutes)

Step 7
Remove paste and wash face with organic oatmeal soap (repeat 3 times a week). You can find oatmeal soap at your local beauty store or you can make your own. If you would like to know how to make your own organic oatmeal soap let me know and I will add it to blog.

“How to” make coconut milk

Step 1
Get a coconut- make a small hole and drain out coconut water in a cup

Step 2
Remove coconut from shell

Step 3
Chop coconut in small parts and then dice

Step 4
Put diced coconut in a blender and blend with warm water until coconut is finely chopped (water should be white like milk)

Step 5
Strain coconut milk with a strainer