Are your monthly energy bills climbing?

According to the US Department of Energy, up to 45% of a home’s energy loss is through the attic, though the amount of heat actually lost will depend on where you live and how cold your attic gets.

Spring is the best time to assess if you have any energy leaks and to take care of it. Making sure your home is as energy efficient as possible will also help you during the summer months when you start running that air conditioner every day. It is not difficult to figure out home much energy you are using, and just as importantly, losing. When auditing your home, keep a checklist of areas you have inspected and problems you found.

This list will help you prioritize your energy efficiency upgrades.

Locating Indoor Air Leaks

First, make a list of obvious air leaks (drafts). The potential energy savings from reducing drafts in a home may range from 5% to 30% per year, and the home is generally much more comfortable afterward. Check for indoor air leaks, such as gaps along the baseboard or edge of the flooring and at junctures of the walls and ceiling.

Check to see if air can flow through these places:

• Electrical outlets
• Switch plates
• Window frames
• Baseboards
• Weather stripping around doors
• Fireplace dampers
• Attic hatches
• Wall- or window-mounted air conditioners.

Also look for gaps around pipes and wires, electrical outlets, foundation seals, and mail slots. Check to see if the caulking and weather stripping are applied properly, leaving no gaps or cracks, and are in good condition. Inspect windows and doors for air leaks. See if you can rattle them, since movement means possible air leaks.

Locating Outdoor Air Leaks

On the outside of your house, inspect all areas where two different building materials meet, including:

• All exterior corners
• Where siding and chimneys meet
• Areas where the foundation and the bottom of exterior brick or siding meet.

You should plug and caulk holes or penetrations for faucets, pipes, electric outlets, and wiring. Look for cracks and holes in the mortar, foundation, and siding, and seal them with the appropriate material. Check the exterior caulking around doors and windows, and see whether exterior storm doors and primary doors seal tightly.

Use Caution When Sealing Leaks

When sealing any home, you must always be aware of the danger of indoor air pollution and combustion appliance “backdrafts.” Backdrafting is when the various combustion appliances and exhaust fans in the home compete for air. An exhaust fan may pull the combustion gases back into the living space. This can obviously create a very dangerous and unhealthy situation in the home.

In homes where a fuel is burned (i.e., natural gas, fuel oil, propane, or wood) for heating, be certain the appliance has an adequate air supply. Generally, one square inch of vent opening is required for each 1,000 Btu of appliance input heat. When in doubt, contact your local utility company, energy professional, or ventilation contractor.

Check Attic Insulation

Heat loss through the ceiling and walls in your home could be very large if the insulation levels are less than the recommended minimum. When your house was built, the builder likely installed the amount of insulation recommended at that time. Given today’s energy prices (and future prices that will probably be higher), the level of insulation might be inadequate, especially if you have an older home.

If the attic hatch is located above a conditioned space, check to see if it is at least as heavily insulated as the attic, is weather stripped, and closes tightly. In the attic, determine whether openings for items such as pipes, ductwork, and chimneys are sealed. Seal any gaps with an expanding foam caulk or some other permanent sealant.

Make sure that the attic vents are not blocked by insulation. You also should seal any electrical boxes in the ceiling with flexible caulk (from the living room side or attic side) and cover the entire attic floor with at least the current recommended amount of insulation.

Check Wall Insulation

Checking a wall’s insulation level is more difficult. Select an exterior wall and turn off the circuit breaker or unscrew the fuse for any outlets in the wall. Be sure to test the outlets to make certain that they are not “hot.” Check the outlet by plugging in a functioning lamp or portable radio.

Once you are sure your outlets are not getting any electricity, remove the cover plate from one of the outlets and gently probe into the wall with a thin, long stick or screwdriver. If you encounter a slight resistance, you have some insulation there.

Heating/Cooling Equipment

Inspect heating and cooling equipment annually, or as recommended by the manufacturer. If you have a forced-air furnace, check your filters and replace them as needed. Generally, you should change them about once every month or two, especially during periods of high usage. Have a professional check and clean your equipment once a year.

If the unit is more than 15 years old, you should consider replacing your system with one of the newer, energy-efficient units. A new unit would greatly reduce your energy consumption, especially if the existing equipment is in poor condition. Check your ductwork for dirt streaks, especially near seams. These indicate air leaks, and they should be sealed with a duct mastic. Insulate any ducts or pipes that travel through unheated spaces. An insulation R-Value of 6 is the recommended minimum.

Lighting

Energy for lighting accounts for about 10% of your electric bill. Examine the wattage size of the light bulbs in your house. You may have 100-watt (or larger) bulbs where 60 or 75 watts would do. You should also consider compact fluorescent lamps for areas where lights are on for hours at a time. Your electric utility may offer rebates or other incentives for purchasing energy-efficient lamps.

How’d You Do?

Once you make your home or office as energy efficient it’s time to start thinking about a solar energy system that will protect you against further increases in energy prices. And, where applicable, your solar system allows you to feed the energy you don’t use from your solar power installation back into your local utility power grid for even more energy savings on your energy bills.

Think: Energy Independence!

Visit to www.solarday.com for their Home Energy Audit.  It’s easy and you do it yourself.

It’s no newsflash that is cost a lot to start a family.  But when the numbers are laid out in front of you they can be staggering.

A recent report from the USDA estimates the cost of raising a child from birth to age 17 is a shocking $287,000. This represents a 25-percent increase over the past decade, thanks to the rising cost of groceries and medical care. The kicker? This amount doesn’t include the expenses associated with pregnancy and delivery.  That’s a whole other ‘ballgame’, especially for couples with no health insurance.

Just to bring a baby home from the hospital requires a few must-have items for new parents. These are only the bare basics a mom will need to get out of the hospital with her new baby (based on average costs).

Car seat – $100
Clothing – $50
Diapers – $72 (one-month supply)
Wipes – $20 (one-month supply)
Crib with mattress & sheets – $230
Bottles (unless breastfeeding) – $60
Formula (unless breastfeeding) – $105 (one-month supply)
Hospital bill – $15,000 (uncomplicated vaginal delivery, no insurance)

TOTAL: $15,637

Add a little extra cash to cover typical items baby and mom may need within the first couple months and that brings our grand total to: $17,400

During this turbulent economic time, these numbers hit Latino families especially hard. So it is important to know that there are ways to cut some of the costs. Maisie Knowles, a working mother of two and co-founder of co-founded FreeShipping.org, offers Casa Latina 7 tips that will help you save on the costs of bringing your baby home.

1. Buy used furniture.
Places like Craigslist, Freecycle.org and your local classified ads are a great place to find used furniture. Be sure to check the condition of the piece and for safety features, such as the spacing between crib spindles and locks on the rocker. Older models won’t have these updates.

2. Visit consignment clothing stores.
Stock up on baby clothes by using your local consignment clothing store, such as Once Upon a Child. Babies grow quickly, so many parents sell their gently used children’s clothes. I’ve even found items with tags still attached!

3. Register for more.
Create a registry through Babies R Us and put everything you think you’ll need on that list. After your delivery date, Babies R Us will send you information about purchasing the rest of the items on your list at a discount. Combine that with a Babies R Us discounted gift card from GiftCardGranny.com and you could save up to 30 percent on the rest of your registry items.

4. Join Amazon Mom.
Save up to 20 percent on diapers and wipes by signing up for Amazon Mom and putting your diapers, wipes and formula on auto delivery. Along with your Amazon Mom account, you’ll receive Amazon Prime benefits including exclusive discounts and free two-day delivery for three months.

5. Look into cloth diapers.
Take some time to consider cloth diapers, especially if you’re thinking about have more than one child. A few things to seriously consider are the initial cost of purchase and the convenience and environmental impact of disposable diapers. See DiaperDecisions.com for a breakdown of the costs associated with cloth diapers.

6. Start a babysitting co-op.
After the novelty of being a new parent wears off, you’ll want to have some time away from your little bundle of joy. Instead of paying for a babysitter, organize a group of moms and share babysitting responsibilities. To start, divide tokens evenly between the group, then charge each mom one token per child per hour to babysit. Each mom can then call on other moms within the group and pay with tokens to get free babysitting.

7. Just ask.
Many parents are more than happy to get rid of their baby gear once they’ve decided their family is complete. Don’t be afraid to ask to buy an item off a friend. They may surprise you and simply give it to you. Also, ask your pediatrician for sample packets of formula. They have closets stocked with samples received from manufacturers and will be happy to unload some of their stash.

Work and family obligations can keep us very busy and leave us with little spare time.  While it’s easy to get caught up in our normal routines, it’s also important to try to be a little more eco-conscious in our daily lives. There are many easy ways that we can have a positive impact on the planet and on our homes. Try these simple and earth-friendly tips to help take good care of your family, home and planet.

Trade Transportation

According to http://www.epa.gov/, leaving your car at home just two days a week can reduce greenhouse gas emissions by an average of 1,600 pounds per year. So, try public transportation if you can. Carpool, walk or bike to work – and get the kids in on the act, too. Some schools sponsor “Walk to School” days to help cut emissions and get kids more physically active.

Clean Green

You don’t need harsh chemical cleaners to take care of household cleaning. Natural products like baking soda can tackle many of your everyday chores. Arm & Hammer Baking Soda is safe and can be used to scrub away build-up on the grill, freshen the carpet, and can even take on patio furniture cleaning and pool care, too. You can also keep recycling bins deodorized with a regular sprinkling of baking soda. Get more tips at www.armandhammer.com.

E-Cycle

If you have electronics that you no longer use, many of them can be recycled. Recycling old computers, DVD players and other electronics helps save natural resources, and reduces land, air and water pollution due to hazardous substances such as lead and chromium. Find out where to recycle your electronics at www.earth911.com.

Wash Wisely

The average washing machine uses 40.9 gallons of water per load, according to http://www.epa.gov/. If you are looking to buy a new washer, shop for a high-efficiency one that uses less than 28 gallons per load. Wash only full loads of laundry to save more water and energy.

Go Outdoors

Even if you live in an urban area, there are still ways you can plant your own garden. Without a backyard, head up to the roof. Planting a rooftop garden can help absorb pollution, reduce heat gain and ultimately result in energy savings. For easy maintenance, plant trees and perennial flowers to create an urban oasis or try a vegetable garden and enjoy fresh produce from an unexpected location.

Try a Natural Makeover

Spruce yourself up with natural products that will make your skin and hair feel refreshed. To exfoliate your face and body, make a paste of three parts baking soda to one part water and rub in a gentle circular motion to remove dead skin cells. For squeaky clean hair, sprinkle a small amount of baking soda into your palm with your favorite shampoo and rinse as usual. Baking soda will help to remove residue and leave hair cleaner and more manageable.

It may not seem like much, but every step you take makes you, your home and the earth – a little better off.

Antes de la renovación

¡La Librería de La Casa Azul renovado!

Mother’s Day is the one day of the year that it’s all about mamá. It’s the day we thank her for making us the center of her life the other 364 days of the year.  So this year make it super special with a gift that takes more than money and a trip to the store.  In my Fox News Latino article  I offer several ideas that will help you make this Mother’s Day a sentimental experience that your mamá will cherish for years to come.

Mother’s Day: Casa Latina’s Tips on What to Buy Your Mom

By Marlene Pratt Published May 06, 2012   Fox News Latino

Mother’s Day comes but once a year and has particular significance in Hispanic households. For families that live in close proximity, it is a day for the extended family to gather and honor all the mamás, tías and abuelitas. However, that special gift is usually still reserved for our own mothers.

So right now many of us are thinking, “What should I get for mami?” We take stock of what she might need, or take pains to remember something she said she’d like that we know she would never buy for herself. Then we go out and buy it with love in our hearts and present it with a big hug and kiss. Any recognition and sign of affection is going to make every mami very happy. In the end, it is never about the size of the gift, or how much you spent on it, but about the fact that you, her daughter or son, presented it to express your gratitude and love.

This year I suggest you do something a little different. Consider giving mami a heartfelt – homemade – Mother’s Day gift she will remember and cherish for years to come. It may not cost you as much as you would normally spend in dollars, but it will take a little time, effort and thought, which in the end, is more valuable.

Create a Family Scrapbook: Go through family pictures that span from mami’s childhood to the present day and include thoughts, memories and poems that illustrate how much she means to you. Also integrate birth announcements, invitations to milestone events and songs she sung to you as a child.  Be creative, cut around the photos using patterned scissors and boarder them with colored paper. Integrate stickers and ribbons to add pop.

TIP: You can buy a scrapbook and most of the supplies you need for this project at your local craft store.

Start a Family Tree: Start your family tree early by asking relatives for names and dates you don’t have and pictures you can make copies from. Go back at least three generations to start. It shouldn’t be too difficult to find the information needed for the last three generations. Online you can find templates, ‘family tree kits’ and charts you can purchase and customize. Make this a continuing family project that everyone can enjoy and participate in the future. You will be surprised at how many family stories and ‘lore’ that you are unaware of comes pouring out once the older generation start talking and reminiscing about la familia.

TIP: If a family tree chart is too complicated you can start simply by customizing a photo album with pictures, captions and dates.

To Read More, Click Here.

Cooking Channel and Univision star Ingrid Hoffmann, host of Simply Delicioso and Delicioso on Telefutura shares her ideas to liven up your springtime desserts! Ingrid suggests combining fresh, seasonal flavors with Eagle Brand Sweetened Condensed Milk to ensure perfect homemade and easy desserts year-round.

Casa Latina encourages you to serve up a sweet surprise with these delicioso new recipes and baking tips from Ingrid Hoffmann.

Ingrid Hoffmann’s Spring Dessert Tips

Homemade ice cream is easier than you think. Make Caribbean Pineapple Lime Ice Cream in three simple steps with Eagle Brand Sweetened Condensed Milk. Or create an artisan inspired ice cream flavor at home by combining spices like chipotle or cinnamon with lime zest, fresh or frozen blueberries or raspberries and add to your ice cream mixture.

Dessert bars are a great solution for easy entertaining. Spice up any table by preparing Tropical Dessert Bars and then top with smooth and creamy Dulce de Leche, which can easily be made by heating Eagle Brand Sweetened Condensed Milk on the stovetop or in the oven.

Caribbean Pineapple-Lime Ice Cream

Makes 12 servings

Ready in 4 hours

1          (20-ounce) can crushed pineapple in pineapple juice, undrained

1          (14-ounce) can Eagle Brand Sweetened Condensed Milk

3          tablespoons fresh lime juice

1          teaspoon grated lime peel

2          teaspoons vanilla extract

4          to 5 drops yellow food coloring (optional)

1          cup heavy cream

1. COMBINE undrained pineapple, sweetened condensed milk, lime juice, lime peel, vanilla and food coloring, if desired, in a large bowl; mix well.
2. WHIP cream in medium bowl with electric mixer at medium speed until stiff peaks form. Fold into pineapple mixture.
3. POUR into 9 x 5-inch loaf pan or 2-quart freezer-safe container. Cover; freeze until firm, about 3 hours.

Tropical Dessert Bars

Makes 3 dozen

Ready in 3 hours

Bottom Layer

1          (17.5-ounce) package sugar cookie mix

1/2       cup butter, melted Cream Cheese Pineapple Layer

1          (8-ounce) package cream cheese, softened

2          large eggs

1          (14-ounce) can Eagle Brand Sweetened Condensed Milk

1          teaspoon vanilla extract

1          (20-ounce) can crushed pineapple in juice, drained, reserving 2 tablespoons juice

Coconut Layer

1 1/2    cups flaked coconut

1/2       cup macadamia nuts, chopped

1/4       cup butter, melted

1. HEAT oven to 350°F. Line 13 x 9-inch baking pan with foil, extending foil over edges of pan.
2. STIR cookie mix and melted butter with fork until crumbs form. Press evenly in bottom of prepared pan. Bake 12 to 15 minutes or until lightly browned.
3. BEAT cream cheese in medium bowl with electric mixer on medium speed until smooth. Beat in eggs just until blended. Beat in sweetened condensed milk, vanilla and 2 tablespoons pineapple juice. Pour over warm crust. Sprinkle drained pineapple evenly over top.
4. STIR coconut, macadamia nuts and butter in small bowl until evenly moistened. Sprinkle over pineapple layer.
5. BAKE 30 to 35 minutes or until filling is set and coconut is lightly browned. Cool 1 hour on wire rack. Chill 1 hour. Cut into bars.

Visit www.eaglebrand.com or www.marcaeagle.com for more recipes and helpful tips from Ingrid Hoffmann.

THE VISION

Marlene Pratt and I started Casa Latina as a brand with a social mission: to help the Hispanic community achieve their home-related dreams. And we pursue it passionately!

When Aurora Anaya-Cerda reached out to us and asked Marlene to help her design her lifetime dream – La Casa Azul Bookstore – we were elated. Marlene loved the idea of converting a retail space into a first-of-its-kind bookstore that radiates the look and feel of an old Mexican style home. So she and Aurora set out to create a space that would make you feel as though you were still in abuelitas house. The café would represent the ‘kitchen’, the tall book shelf area the ‘living room’, the children’s section a child’s room and the arts and crafts area the main ‘closet’. All from an empty store front.

La Casa Azul Bookstore’s before-and-after transformation, sponsored by our friends at MOEN, is being featured on Telemundo Ch. 47’s Al Amanecer con Jackie as a four-part segment series hosted by Marlene. Don’t forget to watch this Friday’s May 4th to see the how the space has changed!

THEY SAY IT TAKES A VILLAGE TO RAISE A CHILD. I SAY IT TAKES A COMMUNITY TO OPEN AN INDEPENDENT BOOKSTORE

WE HAD A BLANK CANVAS TO WORK WITH

While no structural changes were necessary, transforming an empty storefront to a home-themed bookstore would take significant work. Take a look at what we started with!

THE VISION: A WORK IN PROGRESS

Just like most Hispanic homes the Kitchen/Café will be the focal point and heart of the store. It will receive a tremendous amount of use. Marlene’s design theme combined with Aurora’s vision will result in a warm and welcoming space where patrons feel at home when they congregate for one of the many planned readings, author signings, classes and community events. So it is essential to use quality products that have a distinct design element and are built to last. Thus, Moen’s Buy It For Looks. Buy For Life. quality faucets and sink made perfect sense for this project. Marlene has integrated their beautiful Kleo Spot Resist™ stainless faucet in the Kitchen/Café area and the Banbury Mediterranean Bronze faucet for the bathroom sink.

This project is more than a before-and-after ‘makeover’ of a space for Marlene, Aurora and me. It is the fulfillment of a dream for three intrepid Latina entrepreneurs! We are eternally grateful to Moen for understanding and believing in our vision, and for supporting us throughout this journey.

Please don’t forget to watch Telemundo Ch. 47′s Al Amanecer con Jackie from 6:00am-7:00am this Friday May 4th to see how the space has been transformed!

LA Renovación De La Casa Azul Bookstore

As a designer, a good part of my job is to educate my clients on how-to proceed with their renovations properly. Sometime people want to cut corners on costs and permits and I have to educate them on how will almost certainly cost them more in the end.  This situation is especially true with permits.  I insist on understanding the building code for each project I work on and on obtaining the right permits.  There are serious consequences for those who don’t.  Check out my Fox News Latino article to learn why building codes exist and why it is important to follow them:

Casa Latina: Understanding Your Building Code

By Marlene Pratt / Published April 28, 2012 / Fox News Latino

“Are you aware of the building code?” This question can instantly irritate and sometimes ruin someone’s day. At the mere mention of building codes and permits I often see people rolling their eyes, muttering under their breath, and at times, walking away from me in mid-sentence. It’s a very sensitive topic.

Yes, permits can be costly and building codes annoying but we need to remember that the building code was designed to protect people, and to provide community safety. These rules were not just pulled out of a hat, they were designed and put down on paper because accidents have already happened and they were written to prevent them from happening again.

So if are thinking of renovating your home or adding onto it, you should understand its importance.

The building code varies depending where you live. In the suburbs it changes from town to town. In the city, it can change from building to building. These laws were initially enacted to provide standards to safeguard life, health, property and public welfare. They are enforced by local governments to regulate and control the design, construction, quality of material used, number of occupants, and the maintenance of all buildings and structures.

On paper this sounds fantastic, for everyone loves the idea that their government is watching out for their safety. But in reality, there are a lot of aspects of the building code that make many people angry. Often, the older generation generally has a harder time dealing with the building code. They do not like the idea of being watched and being controlled. A permit to them means that they are being charged extra for wanting to be more comfortable in their own homes. They consider the fees to be a rip off. They adamantly believe that no one has the right to walk into their homes and tell them what they can and can’t do. I walk into these people’s lives sometimes knowing that it’s going to take me a while to sell them on why permits are needed.

The first building codes in the United States were established in the early 1600s. They mostly dealt with the material used in the construction of roofs and chimneys. With the continued population growth and technology, our needs have changed and so have the codes.

For example, there’s a brownstone down the street from me that’s over 100 years old. It’s a solid house that’s not going down anytime soon. Nonetheless, by today’s standards it would not meet current code. Does this mean that it unsafe? No, it doesn’t. What it means is that it was built under different building codes. New construction, however, has to be built to the most current codes. This protects homeowners from unscrupulous house builders who might otherwise cut corners in order to reduce their costs.

From the homeowner’s perspective, I understand the headaches and the anger that people sometimes feel when they are told that they cannot change something about their home because of a building code.  Especially given that even following all the rules does not guarantee an approval.  However, if you feel that you want to move ahead without permits take this into account:

If the roof that you thought you installed correctly caves in during a snow storm and harms your family. How would that make you feel?

To Read More Click Here:

Mother’s Day is almost here again. Many of us will give mamá and abuelita some flowers along with their gift to express our love and appreciation for everything they have done for us.  Sadly, the flowers we loving give and receive do not last as long as we would like.  However there are simple steps you can take to keep them looking fresh so you can enjoy them a little longer.

Follow These Steps To Maximize The Vase Life For Your Flowers:

1. If you do not have a flower food packet mix 2 tbsp fresh lemon or lime juice and 1 tbsp sugar per quart of water
2. Fill a vase with the solution to within 1-2 inches of the rim
3. Remove any leaves and foliage that would fall under the water line
4. Cut each stem at about ½ inch from the bottom, at a 45 degree angle, with a sharp single blade knife or floral clippers
5. Display arrangement in a cool location between 65-72 degrees and away from direct sunlight and heat or dehumidifying sources

Additional Tips:

• Flowers need to be rehydrated after shipment. They will “perk up” after several hours of drinking when cared for according to the instructions above.
• Top off the water level daily
• Clean the vase, change the flower food solution and recut the stems every two day
• Roses have an outer layer called “guard petals” that keep the bloom tight and protect the flower during shipping. They may appear discolored or bruised – simply remove these petals and the rose will blossom over the next few days.
• Lilies will bloom over the course of several days. Remove the pollen to avoid staining. Pollen dust can be removed from the flower petals by lightly brushing with a pipe cleaner. Cut off expired lily blooms as blooms closer to the tip continue to open.

To learn more about Organic Bouquets click here.