Simple Steps To Improve Indoor Air Quality
Air quality is not something people generally think about when cleaning their home, but it has a huge impact on health. There are simple ways to get cleaner air in your home with little to no effort.
Indoor air pollution
Chemicals found in synthetic furniture, flooring, and some appliances leak into the air in your home without detection. This, coupled with a lack of air flow, can be the culprit for most indoor air pollution. Minor sources of indoor air pollution are excess moisture and unnatural household cleaning products.
Indoor AIr Quality (IAQ) and how it’s measured
IAQ (indoor air quality) refers to the air quality as it relates to the comfort and health of the building occupants. IAQ is measured through an IAQ Sensor. Some varieties can be expensive depending on how much you want analyzed, but basic ones are affordable. The sensor monitors and gives feedback on the level of VOC’s (volatile organic compounds) in the space that come from paints, sprays, cleaners, and furniture.
What is a good IAQ Index Score?
A home with an IAQ Index score of 150 would be considered to have very poor indoor air quality. A score of 0 would be an exemplary IAQ score.
What health problems can poor air quality produce or enhance?
Poor IAQ can produce a wide array of health issues. Minor issues include irritation of the eyes, nose, and throat, headaches, dizziness, and fatigue. Symptoms like these will come and go like a cold, commonly mistaken for allergies. Long term effects after exposure for long periods of time can be different respiratory diseases, heart conditions, and sometimes cancer.
What can I do to improve my IAQ?
Have no fear, because there are simple, easy steps you can take around your home to instantly improve your IAQ. Options include: air purifying plants, air cleaners, ventilation improvements, and natural cleaning products or furniture.
What are the top 10 air purifying plants?
CAUTION: If you have a cat or a dog in your house, you need to do a little more research on which plants are toxic to them.
Spider Plants
Dracaenas
Golden Pothos
Areca Palms
Chrysanthemums
Bamboo
English Ivy
Rubber Plants
Chinese Evergreen
Peace Lily
It can be stressful to hear that our spaces are full of different health risks. Now that you know about IAQ, you can take the suggested steps to improve your living space.
Slow-Cooked Corn Chowder
Simple and easy to dump into the crockpot for a quick dinner.
Adapted from Taste of Home.
Ingredients
- 2-1/2 cups 2% milk
- 1 can (14-3/4 ounces) cream-style corn
- 1 can (10-3/4 ounces) condensed cream of mushroom soup, undiluted
- 1-3/4 cups frozen corn
- 1 cup frozen shredded hash brown potatoes
- 1 cup cubed fully cooked ham
- 1 large onion, chopped
- 2 teaspoons dried parsley flakes
- 2 tablespoons butter
- Salt and pepper to taste
Directions
- In a 3-qt. slow cooker, combine all ingredients. Cover and cook on low for 6 hours.
Best White Hot Chocolate Recipe
In celebration of Valentine’s Day, here’s the best white hot chocolate recipe for you and your loved ones.
Adapted from Country Living
Best White Hot Chocolate Recipe
Ingredients
4 c. whole milk
12 oz. white chocolate, broken into pieces
1/2 tsp. pure vanilla extract
1/8 tsp. kosher salt
Pink gel food coloring (optional)
Canned Whipped Cream
Instructions
- Combine milk, chocolate, vanilla, and salt in a medium saucepan. Cook over medium heat, whisking constantly, until mixture is hot and chocolate is melted and smooth (do not let boil), 6 to 8 minutes.
- Pour hot chocolate into mugs, top with whipped cream, and enjoy!
No-Bake Peppermint Pie Recipe
This no-bake peppermint pie is easy to make and assemble and will satisfy any cravings for peppermint goodies you may have during this festive season.
Adapted from Easy Budget Recipes
No-Bake Peppermint Pie
Ingredients
1 store bought Oreo crust
2 3.3 oz boxes instant white chocolate pudding mix (Note: Cheesecake or vanilla flavors of instant pudding are also alternatives if you don’t want white chocolate)
2 cups cold milk
½ teaspoon peppermint extract
1 8 oz container Cool Whip topping, thawed
Red food coloring, optional
1 candy cane, crushed
Instructions
- In a large bowl, whisk together pudding mixes and milk until smooth and creamy.
- Whisk in peppermint extract and food coloring (if using).
- Use a rubber scraper to fold in half of the Cool Whip.
- Carefully spread the mixture into the prepared crust. Chill in the refrigerator for at least 3 hours or overnight.
- Spread the remaining whipped topping to the top of the pie and sprinkle with a crushed candy cane.
- Serve immediately or place in refrigerator until ready to serve.
Easy Butterscotch Lush Recipe
As we approach the holiday season, it is nice to have delicious, no bake dessert recipes that are easy to make with basic kitchen tools. Whether you’re spending Thanksgiving with family or friends, or just want a special dessert all to yourself, here is a simple recipe for your senior living kitchen.
Adapted from Simple Sweet Recipes
Butterscotch Lush
Ingredients:
1 graham cracker crust
1 8 ounce package cream cheese, softened
3 cups heavy cream
¼ cup sugar
2 ½ cups milk
2 small packages butterscotch instant pudding
3 Tablespoons powdered sugar
Optional Toppings:
Butterscotch Ice Cream Topping
Shaved Chocolate Bar
Instructions:
- Use a hand mixer to beat cream cheese and sugar until fluffy. Add in 2 cups of the heavy cream and beat until stiff peaks form. Layer over the graham cracker crust.
- Beat together milk and pudding mix. If too thick, add a little more milk. You want it thicker than traditional pudding, but not so thick you can’t pour or smooth your pudding layer. Spread over cream cheese layer.
- Beat the remaining 1 cup of heavy cream and powdered sugar until soft peaks form. Spread over pudding layer.
- Chill 4 hours in the refrigerator or until set.
- When ready to serve, you can drizzle warmed butterscotch topping across the top and sprinkle with shaved chocolate pieces.
Arizona Senior Moving Review
Arizona Senior Moving is COVID-19 Prevention & Safety Certified
Arizona Senior Moving Company is pleased to announce that we have successfully completed certification in COVID-19 Prevention & Safety Excellence for Senior Moving Companies.
This certification and training is specifically for moving companies that specialize in moving Seniors. It includes COVID-19 Safety Protocols for:
- Senior Community and Apartment Safety
- Employee Safety
- Face Masks, Gloves and Protective Gear (PPE)
- Equipment Sanitizing and Disinfecting
- And more…
We have already been following governmental and community safety guidelines. To help assure peace of mind for communities, clients and employees, we decided to complete formal training and receive certification. You can confidently recommend Arizona Senior Moving Company knowing we are committed to providing your residents with a safe, healthy, peaceful move.
If you have any questions at all, please contact us at 602-620-9941.