Recipe: Pineapple Bake

1/11/2012

Submitted by Hollie Peckham, Office Manager, Advanced Restoration Services

• 1 cup sugar
• 1/3 cup flour
• 2 cups shredded cheddar cheese
• 2 - 20 oz. cans pineapple tidbits (drained)
• 1 cup ritz crackers (crushed)
• 1 stick butter (melted)

1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees. 
2. Grease a 9x13 baking dish.
3. In a separate bowl, combine cheese, pineapple, sugar and flour. Put mixture into greased 9x13 dish. Top with crushed crackers and butter.
4. Bake for 30 minutes.

Radon Tests High in the Region

1/3/2012

While the EPA recommends that all homes be tested for radon gas regardless of location, some areas have a higher potential for radon screening than others. Iowa (see map above) is one of those areas. Several counties in northwest Missouri and eastern Nebraska also have a high potential for radon gas. See the related article above for more information on radon testing.

EPA offers the Directory of Builders as a one-stop service to home buyers who are looking for builders that use radon-resistant construction techniques in new homes. The Directory contains the names of builders using RRNC who have voluntarily registered with EPA. EPA encourages all builders that use the recommended radon-resistant techniques to be listed in the Directory. Read more about Radon-Resistant New Construction.

What the colors mean*

Red             High Potential for Radon
Orange    Moderate Potential
Yellow   Low Potential

*The predicted average indoor radon screening level exceeds 4 picocuries per liter (high), 2-4 pCi/L (moderate), less than 2 pCi/L (low).

Protect the health of your family. According to the EPA, among nonsmoking Americans radon is the leading cause of lung cancer deaths, with an estimated 20,000 each year. Radon exposure is a preventable health risk. The key is to have your home tested for radon. If high levels are detected, you can fix the problem.

Choose a qualified contractor

If your home is found to have high levels of radon, a trained contractor with technical knowledge can help you pick the right treatment method. As with any home repair, it is a good idea to ask for references and get more than one estimate. Most homes can be fixed for about the same cost as other common home repairs. Advanced Restoration Services is certified by the Iowa Department of Public Health to test your home or business for radon. We are moving toward becoming your local radon mitigation specialist.

If you plan to fix your home's radon problem yourself, you should first contact your state radon office for guidance. See the EPA website for more information. Also, check out A Citizens Guide to Radon. 

Radon: Act Today to Protect Your Family

1/3/2012

Radon is a popular topic in the area. In fact, Iowa and Missouri have some of the highest radon-rate zones in the country. (See our related article here in Advanced Spotlight.) Advanced Restoration Services regularly receives calls from persons in the community who ask about radon testing.

Since January is National Radon Action Month, we want to do our part to help our community understand the topic.

Your home—a potential radon trap
Radon is a radioactive gas. Caused by the natural decay of uranium, it is found in nearly all soils. It moves up through the ground and can enter into the air above. Cracks and holes in the home’s foundation allow the gas to enter your home. Once inside, it can build up to dangerous levels. Any home is susceptible - new and old, well-sealed and drafty, those with and without basements.

Protect the health of your family. According to the EPA, among nonsmoking Americans radon is the leading cause of lung cancer deaths, with an estimated 20,000 each year. Radon exposure is a preventable health risk. The key is to have your home tested for radon. If high levels are detected, you can fix the problem.

Radon test kits
Radon cannot be seen, smelled or tasted. Short-term tests are the quickest way to test your home. Test kits can be found in most general stores and hardware stores. The test remains in your home for two to 90 days, depending on the type of kit. One test followed by a second can help determine whether your home has a radon problem.

Iowa counties have a predicted average indoor radon screening level greater than 4 pCi/L. Red zone has the highest potential for radon gas. (See our related article here in Advanced Spotlight).

Testing guidelines. Testing is easy. Set up takes only a few minutes.

• Keep windows and outside doors closed, as much as possible, during the test.
• Place the radon test kit in the lowest, lived-in level of the home in a room that is used regularly, but not in the kitchen or a bathroom.
• Place the kit at least 20 inches above the floor and away from drafts, high heat, high humidity and exterior walls.
• Leave the radon kit in place for the timeframe specified on the package.
• When finished, reseal the package and send it to the lab right away.

Test results should arrive within a few weeks.

Choose a qualified contractor

If your home is found to have high levels of radon, a trained contractor with technical knowledge can help you pick the right treatment method. As with any home repair, it is a good idea to ask for references and get more than one estimate. Most homes can be fixed for about the same cost as other common home repairs. Advanced Restoration Services is certified by the Iowa Department of Public Health to test your home or business for radon. We are moving toward becoming your local radon mitigation specialist.

If you plan to fix your home's radon problem yourself, you should first contact your state radon office for guidance. See the EPA website for more information. Also, check out A Citizens Guide to Radon. 

5 Winter Travel Survival Tips

1/1/2012

Midwest winters can be harsh, and storms can quickly drop inches of snow. If you get trapped in your car, a few items could save your life. 

You'll need a kit: candles, clothing, a flashlight, dried fruit and water and batteries. Keep items in a plastic bin with a top. 

Stranded in a Storm?

1. Provide heat. You can safely make a small fire to warm the inside of a stranded car. Place a large metal coffee can in the middle of the car and light a medium sized smokeless candle inside of it. Keep a small crack in the window to allow any smoke to escape and to maintain a fresh supply of air.
2. Add layers of clothing. Keep these items in your kit: extra jackets, blankets, hats, gloves, socks, and long underwear.
3. Signal for help. If you don’t have a cellphone with you, use a flashlight to signal for help in the dark.
4. Stay fueled and hydrated. Nuts, dried fruit, candy bars and bottled water will provide needed nutrition, energy and hydration.
5. Keep track of expiration dates. Make sure your flashlight has fresh batteries, and keep extra in your kit. Use dry matches or a new lighter. Keep track of expiration dates on packaged food and water.

We hope you never have to use your kit. But, you never know when storms may blow in. It’s best to be prepared.

More helpful information about emergency road kits.

Recipe: Flu Season Ginger Honey Lemon Tonic

12/21/2011

Adapted from a recipe found online at thekitchn.com by Sara Kate Gillingham-Ryan.

Makes one serving.

Ingredients

• 1 cup water
• 1 inch or so ginger root, roughly chopped
• 1 organic lemon wedge
• 1 tsp. honey, or to taste

Directions

1. Bring the water and ginger to a boil in a small pan.
2. Reduce heat to a low simmer. Squeeze juice from lemon wedge into the water and ginger. Then drop the squeezed lemon wedge into the pan with the lemon juice, water and ginger.
3. Simmer for a few minutes.
4. Pour into a mug and stir in the honey. Garnish with lemon slice if desired.

Drink it in good health.

Got a great recipe? Submit yours here.