Coping With Warm Weather Allergies

Warm weather is here at Windsor at Mariners! Of course, nothing can ruin a perfect day like bothersome allergies. If you're like millions of other Americans, you may know them well – itchy eyes, a sneeze or two and you know soon enough you’ll be miserable. Try these tips to nip allergies in the bud.

Keep it clean
You can’t control pollen outside, but you can at least keep your house as free of pollen as possible. To prevent allergens from invading your home, wash bedding weekly in hot water, clean and vacuum regularly, and step up your air filter changes in air conditioners and your furnace during allergy season.

Talk to your doctor
There are medications with mild to nonexistent side effects that help tame seasonal allergies before they start. If your allergies are affecting your quality of life, make an appointment with your doctor to see if there is a prescription that is right for you.

Change clothes and shower after spending time outdoors
Pollen can accumulate on clothing and in hair, so limit your exposure by getting rid of it as soon as you come inside. You should also bathe pets who spend time outside more frequently.

Reduce clutter
Less clutter means fewer places for dust, mold and allergies to hide. Try to limit hiding places like carpets throw rugs, and regularly vacuum and wash any rugs you do have.

Wear a mask and gloves when cleaning
While a clean house will make you feel much better, the process of cleaning can throw allergens into the air and aggravate your symptoms. Protect yourself while you clean with a face mask and gloves.

Schedule around high pollen times
Pollen counts are highest outside in the late morning and early afternoon. Try to plan your day to avoid being outside at these times.

Cream Of The Crop: Essential Farmers’ Market Eats

Farmer’s markets are cropping up all over the country, as people become more and more interested in getting food from local sources. Producers are bringing fresh food at great prices. Here are five foods you should certainly try from the farmer’s market next time you go:

Eggs are one of the best things to get fresh. The difference in consistency and flavor between a store-bought egg and one fresh from the hen is jarring. The yolk is brighter, firmer, and much tastier. If your farmer offers duck eggs, try those too – they fluff up amazingly and are great for baking.

Potatoes might seem like a funny thing to buy from a farmer’s market, but they are amazing. Usually much smaller than store-bought spuds, fresh potatoes are deeply flavorful and complex. Slice them thinly and roast them with onions.

Seasonal tomatoes are some of the best things to buy at the farmer’s market. In the late summer and early fall, when they’re coming fresh off the vine, you can get enormous heirloom tomatoes that are great for sandwiches or just eating with a little salt and pepper.

One of the best things to do with farmer’s market produce is teach yourself about pickling and canning. If you’ve never made pickled beets, they’re a delicious treat – sweet, tangy, salty, and savory all at once.

Local cheeses can be delectable as well. Many dairies produce artisanal cheeses that are robust with flavor. They also often provide samples to try before you buy.

Green Spring Cleaning Tips

Green Spring Cleaning! It’s that time of the year when you’re letting the fresh air in and cleaning up after winter. Here are a few basic supplies you’ll need to make your own cleaning green:

• Distilled white vinegar (sold in the cooking section of most supermarkets). Did you know that you can almost everything with vinegar to include countertops, cabinets, floors, etc.
• Baking soda – this is a great cleaner for floors and appliances, makes everything white also good to keep in your refrigerator for freshness.
• Olive oil- moisturizes and helps preserve woods and also can be used on cooking boards
• Borax (sold in a box in the laundry aisle) a great whitener and floor cleaner
• Liquid castile soap (like Dr. Bronner's brand, found in most natural foods stores) great for everything even dishes, floors, countertops, bathrooms.
• Microfiber cleaning cloths – great for furniture, tables, cabinet cleaning, etc.
• Newspaper – great for cleaning mirrors, windows, glass, etc.

Enjoy A Round At the Country’s Best Golf Courses

If you're a golfer that's keen on playing the best greens, you know that there's much more out there above and beyond your local course. Here is a list of a few top-notch courses that all golf lovers should add to their must-play list.

Whistling Straits; Haven, Wisconsin
The PGA Championship played on the Straits Course back in 2010, so you know this place must be a golfers' haven. The Straits course as well as the Irish course at Whistlng Straits are both ranked among the very best in the entire country. There are so lush that they may remind golfers of courses found in Ireland. Click here for more information.

Pebble Beach Resort; Pebble Beach, California
As the site of the 2010 U.S. Open, this course has become quite legendary. If it’s good enough for the pros, it must be worth a round, right?! Visit the website for more information about the breathtaking Pebble Beach resort and the awesome golf experiences offered here.

Bandon Dunes; Bandon, Oregon
Drawing from Scottish tradition, the Bandon Dunes course sits atop a picturesque bluff that looks over the vast Pacific Ocean, and is surrounded by natural beauty and wildlife. Not only is it a fantastic place to play, it is also part of a secluded southern Oregon resort that includes three more challenging courses to try if you're an adept golfer. Click here to read more!

Pinehurst Resort and Country Club; Pinehurst, North Carolina
This awesome North Carolina golf destination offers eight fabulous, one-of-a-kind courses, as well as many luxury hotels, a serene spa, and an array of restaurants. Click here to visit the website!

For more great places to play, click here to check out Golf Digest’s "100 Greatest Golf Courses in America."

Wonderful Wines Under $15

Interested in an inexpesive but high-quality bottle of wine? Here are some picks that are perfect for enjoying at home, gifting to friends, or taking with you to a chic new BYOB:

Cave de Tavel Chantepierre Lirac 2010 (France), Red, $10.99
Pi' Nouf Languedoc Rouge 2009 (France), Red, $10.99
Le Brume Langhe Rosso 2007 (Piedmont, Italy), Red, $10.99
Hugel Gentil 2010 (France), White, $10.99

The First Day of Spring is March 20th! Are You Ready to Say Goodbye to Winter!?

The first day of Spring is less than a week away! Spring arrives on March 20th, like or comment on this post if you are ready to say goodbye to Winter and hello to Spring!

Simple Ways To Lighten Up Your Apartment

Before you redo your place, investing in expensive furnishings and accessories, think about improving your space in the most cost-effective manner possible — with sunlight! Below you'll find some easy, low-cost ways to brighten up your day — and your home.

Seek Sunlight
Look at your room. Are your "anchor" furnishings like the sofa and kitchen table near windows? If not, consider rearranging your space to take advantage of the most natural light possible — it will instantly change the feel of the room. Also, natural light helps you to see better.

Be Mobile
Consider putting casters on chairs. This simple modification will allow you to move with the sun.

Reflect Light
Bring sunlight into dark corners with well-placed mirrors. This easy technique is especially helpful if your walls are a dark hue.

Fake It
If your home tends to be dark, remember that well-placed white fluorescent light tubes can offer the feel of sunlight on even the grayest days.

Cool Curtains
If privacy isn't an issue, think about hanging transparent or translucent curtains. Peach, yellow, or rose colored sheers work wonders to warm cool northern light, and help to make the room feel more cozy.

Daylight Savings Time is On 3/10, Don’t Forget to Spring Forward!

Daylight Savings time begins at 2 a.m. on Sunday, March 10th, 2013. Don't forget to set your clocks ahead one hour either before you go to bed on Saturday night or when you wake up Sunday morning!

OpenTable: Reserve Your Table!

Before you call to make your next dining reservations, check out OpenTable, instead. OpenTable is both a website and an app that enables you to make real-time reservations at your favorite restaurants.

Not sure what restaurant to book? You can search by city, cuisine, and available seating. Or, if you have a place in mind, you can check out all available seating, read reviews, look over the menu, browse pictures, and more!

Even better, the app and website are free for diners, and if you create an account, you get dining points every time you eat out. Once you accumulate enough, you can trade-in your dining points for gift cards to your favorite eateries!

Ready to reserve your table? Check out OpenTable today!

Awesome Family-Friendly Travel Destinations

Traveling with family can sometimes feel like more work than play. When you travel with children, it requires a great deal more planning and forethought. If you're looking for a trip the whole family will love, consider one of these destinations below — all of which are ideal for stress-free family vacations.

Colonial Williamsburg. This historic Virginia community brings history to life. Here, you can see just how early American settlers lived — with dozens of costumed re-enactors, displays, and more. Though kids my initially balk at the idea of going to this historic town, they'll come away with a wealth of knowledge and tons of great memories.

Circus Circus. You many not think of Las Vegas as a kid-friendly town, but in truth it's a great place to enjoy with the kids, too! Circus Circus is a "Big Top"-themed hotel and resort that mixes the grown-up fun of gambling with lots of family-friendly entertainment.

Disney’s Animal Kingdom Lodge. Orlando, Florida is home to a gigantic enclosed wild animal savannah. Come here to experience a real life Safari, without traveling to Africa. Plus, you can try food from around the world, and see zebras and giraffes from the window of your hotel room.

Yellowstone National Park. Known as America’s greatest wilderness destination, Yellowstone offers spectacular sights, incredible experiences, and awesome opportunities for family bonding. If you have budding outdoorsman in the group, this place is a must-visit!