Posts about Apartments in Mount Vernon

You re Doing Thanksgiving Wrong

If there's one meal at which family drama is on full display, it's Thanksgiving. Expectations and emotions run high, and there are a lot of moving parts to cause friction. Even Anthony Bourdain, who is seemingly immune to the criticism of others, feels the pressure to pull off the most anticipated meal of the year. If you're hosting (and taking seriously) The Big Meal this year, you'll need to read this before tackling anything related to it. There's a lot you're just plain doing wrong. Below, a list of exactly what you're doing wrong, according to Anthony Bourdain: 1. You start cooking on Thanksgiving Day. Preparing your whole meal in one day- even two - is a recipe for system failure. Order your fancy farmer-raised turkey now . Or, if you are going to buy a more plebeian bird from a regular market, get your hands on it no later than the Monday before Thanksgiving. 2. You're not planning well enough. Plan for three days - that's right, three days - of full-on Thanksgiving prep. Make a list of everything that needs to get done and follow it. The Tuesday before Thanksgiving, you should be organizing your supplies and tools, making sure you have enough roasting pans, mixing bowls, and storage containers ,and banging out advance vegetable prep. 3. You're not giving yourself enough time to thaw everything out. Do not wait until Thanksgiving to lay out your non-perishables and frozen items. The vast majority of holiday turkeys are sold frozen, and it takes about six hours per pound to defrost in the refrigerator. No amount of prayer, salting, or hastily applied hairdryers can speed up this process if you've waited until Wednesday to thaw a 12-pound bird. Your microwave isn't big enough. You can jolly it along a bit with a cold water bath, which thaws the meat at approximately 30 minutes per pound, but do not float your turkey in your bathtub. 4. You're not saving the stock when it's all over. It's liquid gold for cold weather. Stock is the underrated superhero of the Thanksgiving meal, the product that comes out of nowhere to save almost everything except your pie. You should make stock out of your Thanksgiving turkey carcass, but the use of a good, dark, gelatinous-when-refrigerated stock that you have on hand before the meal is what's going to upgrade your stuffing and gravy. Buy about five to seven pounds of turkey wings and necks as the base for a deeply-roasted stock, or invest in a couple of quarts of the best-quality turkey stock you can find a few days (or weeks) before the holidays. Use the stock made from your Thanksgiving birds for winter soups and stews. 5. You only make one turkey? That's cute. Prepare a stunt turkey and a business turkey. To impress guests, roast and artfully arrange a small turkey, using any and all manner of garnishes and props, including (but not limited to): chop frills, rainbow pinwheels of skewered citrus fruit slices, maraschino cherries, curly kale, lit sparklers, and crisp, new $100 bills and/or gold leaf. While guests admire your artistry (and drink your Burgundy), carve the larger, roasted business turkey in the kitchen. The stunt turkey should be edible, of course. Use it to supplement the meal as needed, or lean on it entirely for care packages and day-after leftovers. 6. You're throwing away the fat. Do not discard the copious amounts of grease your bird has generously provided you with; use it to boost flavor. Butter is good, but turkey fat is better for delivering quintessential flavor. Save the grease that runs off the roasted birds, and use it for the gravy and as a moistening agent for your stuffing. 7. Don't try anything crazy. This is not the time for wild experimentation. Stick with tradition on Thanksgiving . You have 364 days of the year to experiment with the cuisines of the world, your dehydrator, and your sous vide machine. Give the people what they want on Thanksgiving: the likes of buttery mashed potatoes, savory stuffing with mushrooms or chestnuts or oysters, sweet potatoes with marshmallows, cranberry relish, bacon-enhanced Brussels sprouts, creamed onions, pumpkin or apple pie with real whipped cream, and above all, a straight-ahead bronzed turkey, roasted in the oven. 8. You're giving it all away at the end of the meal. A good turkey sandwich, enhanced with a layer of stuffing and gravy, eaten in peace after your guests have gone, is the whole point of hosting Thanksgiving in the first place. By all means, send your friends and family home with care packages, but first, make sure you've tucked away enough additional stuff for yourself. 520 Park

Halloween Treat Alternatives

Traditional Halloween treats include all oour obvious favorites: Snickers, Reese's, Twix, Skittles, and the (yummy) list goes on and on. But this year you should stray from tradition and pick up some not-so-typical treats for the youngsters in your building. Trust us, they'll get plenty of the tooth-rotting goodness, but they'll welcome the alternative Halloween treats we gathered here. Many of these items can be purchased in bulk for an affordable price at your local dollar store: Bubbles Play Doh Bouncing balls Glow sticks Cookie cutters Keychains Slap bracelets Temporary tattoos Notepads Crayons Stencils Stickers Slinky's Halloween rings Book marks Ink stamps 520 Park Ave

Fitness Center Etiquette

Our 24-hour Fitness Center is a great perk of apartment living, adding to your quality of life in more than one way. But your gym etiquette (or lack thereof) could make the wrong impression, turning off neighbors, potential friends and even management. Here are some tips so you make a good impression in your apartment community's fitness center. Dress appropriately Workout clothes should be worn, not flip-flops or bathing suits. You never know who you'll meet in your gym: a potential employer, a future date, or simply a new friend. It's always beneficial to make a good impression, even when working out. Ripped or dirty clothes tell something about you, as does wearing something too revealing, provocative or downright offensive. Leave Work Behind You'll want to be friendly at the gym , but the less you talk about work at the gym , the better. Most people go to the gym with one of two things in mind: getting a good workout, or decompressing from a stressful day. You certainly don't want to be the one to wreck someone's fitness regime or their chance at a little peace of mind. Be Mindful of Conversation If someone approaches you and starts a conversation, you may certainly oblige them. But if you're short on time, do be honest and let them know. Tell them you'd love to talk more, and suggest another time. A nice, short friendly conversation is appropriate: just be sure to follow up. The same goes if you don't want to connect with a neighbor in the gym . Good etiquette includes being courteous and respectful. Perhaps you should bring your earplugs and iPod. It's an easy signal that you want to work out without talking. Great Gym Etiquette Guidelines Follow these basic gym rules to avoid irritating anyone: return free weights where they belong don't hog the cardio machines (typically most machines have a 30 minute limit unless the room is empty) turn off lights, fans and TVs when not in use wipe off equipment after use Besides boosting your health, the Fitness Center is a good place to meet your neighbors . . . so you'll want to ensure you're on your best behavior as you're trying to get in your best shape. When you work on your manners and leave a good impression at the gym , it could pay off in more ways than just your physique. 520 Park Avenue

Your Dishwasher Can Be Used For Other Things Too

Though it sounds crazy, your dishwasher is capable of washing so much more than just your dishes. Learn how this cleaning powerhouse can sanitize, clean, protect and extend the life of things other than dishes! Shoes Like our title says, you can put the sneakers in the dishwasher. (Just don't combine them with your dishes). Shoes get a lot of wear and get dirty very quickly. If you have little kids running around who like to get their feet dirty, this is a tip you'll definitely want to use. Before putting a pair of shoes in the dishwasher to be cleaned, give them a once-over to look for any extremely dirty spots that may need scraped or scrubbed off before going in the wash. Make sure the open part of the shoe is over the rungs of your bottom dishwasher rack and that the bottom part of the shoe is facing up. After that, run the dishwasher with your normal dishwasher detergent. Remember to turn off the "heat dry" option or you might end up with a shrunken pair of shoes. Remove them from the dishwasher once the cycle is finished. Let your clean shoes dry overnight. FUN FACT: You can also clean your flip flops on the top shelf of the dishwasher. Keys Think about it - your keys go wherever you go and can get touched by a lot of hands. Your keys are probably covered in germs. It's not recommended to put key fobs in the dishwasher, but simple metal keys can be put in your silverware holder for a wash cycle. They'll come out shiny and sanitized. Dog Supplies Dogs love their toys. They love them so much that they'll claw and drool all over them. Needless to say, they need a little extra cleaning from time to time. Most of your dog's supplies can be run through the dishwasher. Skip the detergent and just use a little vinegar instead. Soaps often contain chemicals that are harmful to pets, but vinegar works as a disinfectant. Their dishes, plastic toys, collars and leashes (not made of leather), can all be cleaned in the dishwasher without the "heat dry" setting. Makeup Brushes These brushes pick up a lot of gunk after each use. Then, they get used again each day without a thought. A quick cycle in the dishwasher gets them clean and extends their lifespan. Makeup brushes can go in the silverware holder to be cleaned and sanitized. Once a month is usually enough for this thorough cleaning. Ensure that the brushes are completely dry after you clean them. Garden Tools and Hand Tools It's pretty obvious that your garden tools can pick up some dirt after each use. Other metal and hand tools with plastic handles can also be cleaned in the dishwasher. After the dishwasher cleans off the grit and grime, do not use the "heat dry" option and remove the tools immediately to dry by hand. Drying by hand lowers the chance of rust forming on the tools. Plastic Children's Toys It's no wonder that your child's toys might need a quick wash to get rid of all the germs they pick up: those toys get around. Plastic kids toys of all kinds can be placed in the dishwasher for an easy sanitation. If you have a bunch of small plastic toys (legos, small game pieces, blocks, etc.), they can be put in a mesh bag so they don't get lost and fall through the racks. Important : Turn off the "heat dry" option to avoid any melted toys. As you can see, your dishwasher works to clean more than just your dishes. Save a few minutes and use it to clean and sanitize other items around your house, you'll be glad you did! 520 Park Avenue

How to Get Rid of Mosquitoes

The beautiful weather in the summer makes you want to be outside all day and all night, but your enjoyment of the outdoors can easily be ruined by the appearance of mosquitoes. These bloodsucking flying pests seek out human hosts to feed on, but you have a few options to help keep your cookouts and pool days bug-free. [caption id="attachment_503" align="alignnone" width="300"] https://www.flickr.com/photos/rob_swystun/[/caption] The easiest way to get rid of mosquitoes is to eliminate the places they can breed. Mosquitoes lay their eggs in and around standing water, the bugs need only a small pool or puddle (around 6 inches in diameter and 1/2 inch deep at a minimum). Look for and drain any flower pots, decorative buckets or dishes, and even tarps that might cover your grill or yard items; if the tarp is loose, water can pool in the folds. [caption id="attachment_506" align="alignnone" width="300"] https://www.flickr.com/photos/teo/16560278/[/caption] If there are troublesome spots that seem to fill with water no matter what you do, look for mosquito dunks, or mosquito bits. These come in a small ring or handful of pellets that you drop right into the water, and they kill off the mosquito larva. They contain a biologic pesticide, mostly a bacteria that feeds on the larva, and are safe for children, pets and other wildlife. If you are already in the midst of an infestation, there are a couple of ways to keep the bugs at bay. Using essential oils, or burning a candle loaded with essential oils, is a time-tested method to keep insects away. Look for citronella or lemon eucalyptus oils, available as an oil, a spray or in candle form. However, there might be an easier solution that could help keep flying bugs from pestering you. An electric fan could be the key to keeping your cookout bug-free. Mosquitoes and flies are not the strongest flyers, so a simple oscillating fan can help push them away from people and food. Additionally, mosquitoes are attracted to the carbon dioxide that we exhale, as well as other scents released when we sweat. A fan might help disperse these fumes, so you will be less of a target for the biting insects. [caption id="attachment_502" align="alignnone" width="300"] https://www.flickr.com/photos/jeepersmedia/[/caption] If all else fails, it's time to reach for the bug spray, which can give you a few hours respite from the bloodsuckers. Look for sprays that contain DEET or picaridin, two formulations that are reported as highly effective scientific studies and customer reviews. Picaridin is recommended especially if you find that a spray with DEET irritates your skin. Look for products that contain 15 to 30 percent DEET or 20 percent picaridin. Follow the safety instructions on any bug spray you buy and apply.

5 Ways to Make Dad Smile

What could be more important than putting a smile on the face of a hardworking, loving and deserving dad? This Father's Day find ways to get your kids to make Dad smile, laugh and grin and show his teeth. Dads like to smile and laugh but sometimes it takes a little bit more to get Dad smiling. Here are five ideas on how kids can get Dad smiling this Father's Day: Surprise Him Dads love surprises from their children and family. Do something unexpected that makes dad think, how did you know to do that? Usually, dads are expecting traditional Father's Day gifts, like ties, handkerchiefs and maybe a meal. Try something new and different to catch him off guard, like putting on his favorite song instead of yours, or have young kids volunteer to read dad a bedtime story. Joke and Act Silly with Him Some days can be silly days. Other days you have to work a little harder to help Dad loosen up. Tell Dad an unexpected joke (animals crossing the road and knock-knock jokes are always funny!). He might not realize you are telling jokes at first, which will surprise him and make him laugh! Organize Dad's Ties Ties are a traditional Father's Day gift. If your Dad wears ties, volunteer to put them in color order. He might ask why. It is a helpful way to save time in the morning, which could mean seeing each other a little more at breakfast. If Dad does not wear ties, help him put his t-shirts or shoes in order. Make Something for Him Take time to make Dad something for Father's Day. It could be a card or a coffee, but showing you care through making something special is a sure way to get Dad smiling! You could make Dad breakfast, lunch or dinner any day, not just Father's Day. This is something children of all ages can enjoy doing together (you can even get Mom in on the fun too). Plan a Big Night Out Even if You Cannot Go Think about what you would like to do with Dad if money was no object. The most expensive restaurant in town that you think Dad would really like, or a weekend trip to a far-away beach because you know he loves the ocean. Share with Dad what you would give him to make him smile if you could. Showing that you are thinking about things that you can share fun times with Dad will make him smile! Show Dad that you are taking time to think about what makes him happy and that you want to spend time together and you will definitely get him smiling! 520 Park