Expert tips to manage allergies at home

Healthy Home Tips
To Manage AllergiesIf anyone knows how to turn a home space from drab into fab, it’s designer, TV personality and real estate agent Sabrina Soto from HGTV’s Get It Sold and Real Estate Intervention. As a longtime allergy sufferer, Soto is also an expert on managing allergies in the home. Here are the designer’s tips to reducing allergens in your home.

Allergies impact quality of life

Sniffling, sneezing, itchy eyes – these symptoms are bad enough when you have a short-term cold, but when they hit you every day because of allergies, your quality of life is bound to suffer. Soto, who is in and out of people's homes as part of her career, exposing herself to allergens on all fronts, recently partnered with Claritin to not only get a grip on her own allergy symptoms, but to also help allergy sufferers defeat common allergens so they don't wreak havoc on a family's homelife.

"As a designer, I visit all types of homes and gardens where I'm surrounded by allergy triggers like dust, pet dander and pollen," the designer says. "I can't be at my best if I'm sneezing and rubbing my itchy, watery eyes." Claritin makes a non-drowsy formula that helps Soto power through her day.

Home tips to defeat common allergens
Prevent mold and mildew

Mold has gotten a lot of attention in the past few years because of the health problems it can create. Soto suggests keeping up on repairs in key rooms in your home, especially in the bathroom, to prevent mold from growing. "Mold and mildew are major triggers for allergies, and leaky pipes are ideal breeding grounds for these fast-growing allergens," the HGTV star explains. "If you live in humid climates where mildew is especially bad, be sure to wipe down your shower and tub after each use."

Minimize dust

Dust is a common allergen that quickly collects on all the surfaces in your home. "To help keep dust from gathering, install easy-to-clean shades or machine-washable panels, and clean regularly," says Soto. "If you have curtains, take them down once every two months and have them dry-cleaned." The designer also recommends regular cleaning with a HEPA filter vacuum, which will help capture the allergy-inducing particles you can't see that collect in upholstery and carpets.

Eradicate dust mites

Cleaning your bedding is essential in defeating allergens – think of all the hours you spend in your bed and bedroom every day. "I'm especially sensitive to dust and dust mites, so I always use allergen-proof covers on my pillows and mattress and wash those weekly, along with all of my other bedding, in hot water to kill the dust mites," says Soto. She also recommends that you steam-clean your rugs and upholstered furniture every three to six months.

Change your filters

Filters are made to collect dust and other air particles. However, dirty filters can't do their job. Change your heating/air conditioning filters regularly (and never run your unit without filters). In addition, frequently clean or replace your vacuum filter so it can effectively catch allergens and not kick them back into the air.

Go bright in the garden

You don't need to cover your yard in rocks to manage your allergies -- simply plant low-pollen plants. "Stick with bright, colorful flowers as they rely on insects rather than wind to transport their pollen," says Soto. "Because of this, brighter flowers tend to produce less pollen." Gladiolas and peonies are low-allergen plants.

Keep pollen out of the house

Soto recommends planting flowers with higher pollen counts as far away from doors and windows as possible to discourage pollen from drifting indoors. In addition, take your shoes off outside before entering your house to prevent pollen and allergens from being tracked in from the outdoors.

Do outdoor activities later in the day

Pollen counts tend to be high in the morning, so plan your outdoor activities for the afternoon. This will reduce your exposure to outdoor allergens as well as reduce the level of allergens that might catch a ride with you back into your home.

Be sure to catch Soto later this year in her brand new HGTV series The High Low Project. You can also find more allergen-free home and garden tips at www.facebook.com/Claritin.

More on managing your allergies

Tips to take control of your allergies
Coping with pet allergies
What causes nasal allergies?

Meatless Monday Sautéed cauliflower with olives and orange zest

Got the main dish ready for your Meatless Monday meal? Partner it up with a side dish that pairs well with just about anything. Sautéed cauliflower with olives and orange zest adds a dash of sunshine (and vitamin C) to your mealtime.

A side dish like sunshineA little sunshine for your plate

It's still winter, so a tasty recipe that brings a dose of vitamin C with it? Well, that's just a bonus! Cauliflower is a versatile veggie that even comes in a bunch of colors. Along with the familiar white, you can find cauliflower in green, purple and orange.

Are you sick of those lingering winter colds? You might be able to eat your way to better health! Low in calories and high in fiber, cauliflower is a great source of vitamin C (one serving has 40 percent of your daily dose). It's loaded with antioxidants and has anti-inflammatory properties. Sounds good, right?

It's good (and easy) to eat meat-free meals

Eliminating meat from your diet even one day a week can help keep your weight down, fight diseases, reduce pollution and even help you avoid the risk of food-borne illnesses. Cutting back on meat is good for the environment, too. Something to think about: Anywhere from 1,800-2,500 gallons of water go into producing a pound of beef vs. 220 gallons of water for a pound of tofu. Learn more about going meatless on Mondays.

If you think you're at a loss for what to serve as part of a meatless meal plan, think again -- your options are limitless! Sautéed cauliflower with olives and orange zest is a great side dish recipe that you can serve just about any time of year.

Sautéed cauliflower recipe with olives and orange zest

Serves 2

Ingredients:4 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil, divided1 small cauliflower, trimmed and cut into florets2 large garlic cloves, minced1/3 cup halved and pitted Kalamata olives2 teaspoons orange zest2 tablespoons pine nuts2 tablespoons parsley, chopped1 tablespoon cilantro, choppedJuice from one lemon2 tablespoons soy sauceDirections:

Use a large sauté pan and add to it, two tablespoons of the olive oil over medium-high heat.When the oil is hot, add the cauliflower and sauté for about five minutes.Add the garlic to the pan and cook for one minute, and then add the pine nuts and continue to sauté the mixture until the nuts turn lightly golden.Add the olives to the pan along with the orange zest. Add the soy sauce and lemon juice, and mix everything well.Sprinkle the parsley and cilantro to the pan and drizzle the remaining olive oil over the mixture.

Cauliflower is a versatile and nutritious veggie (just look at the colors you can choose from). Give it a try!

More Meatless Monday meals to try

Meatless Monday Mediterranean style
For the love of lentils
Don't be troubled by tofu

Octopus and penguin-shaped bread bowls

Fill their tummies
and yours!

Soup's on! And it's super fun when you serve it in penguin or octopus-shaped bread bowls. The best part is there's no bread-making experience necessary — just shape and bake!

There's still plenty of soup weather left before the warm days of summer are here. For your next soup night, surprise the kids by serving it in these adorable bread bowls.

Octopus bread bowl recipe

Yields 2, 6 or 12 octopus bread bowls, depending on size of rolls package

Ingredients:

1 package frozen Traditional White Rhodes Dinner Rolls (available in packages of 12, 36 or 72 rolls)Melted butterBlack olivesCream cheeseDirections:1Thaw rolls

Thaw the Rhodes Dinner Rolls according to the directions on the package.

2Cut out octopus arms

Combine the dough from 3 thawed rolls and roll into a flat circle, approximately 9 inches wide. Cut 8 dough triangles for the arms.

3Form octopus arms

Twist each dough arm and arrange in a circle on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper.

4Form octopus body and bake

Combine 3 more thawed rolls into a ball and place in the center of the twisted dough arms to make the octopus body. Cover with a dish towel and let the dough rest and rise for 15-20 minutes. Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. Bake at for 20-25 minutes.

5Brush baked bread with butter

Remove from oven and brush with butter.

6Hollow out bread and make eyes

Slice the top of the octopus body off and hollow out the center area for soup. To make the eyes, cut small holes into the bread and insert two black olives. Pipe a circle of cream cheese onto each eye.

7Fill it up and enjoy!

Fill octopus bread bowl with desired soup.

Up next: Penguin bread bowl recipe >>

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Heart-shaped crepes recipe

This Valentine's Day, give your special someone the best start to the day by serving him or her adorable heart-shaped crepes.

Beautiful way to start Valentine's Day!

These mini crepes are light, fresh and airy and are perfectly paired with low-fat cherry cream cheese topping (or any topping you choose!). Leave the dinner reservations for other people and enjoy your Valentine's Day in bed with crepes.

A great thing about crepes is that they are naturally lighter and lower in fat than their American counterpart -- pancakes. So pile your plate with three or more crepes for an airy breakfast that is not only delicious but won't weigh you down. Plus, these crepes are blank slates, so you can pair them with whatever tickles your fancy. Chocolate, fruit, jams or sugar, crepes are the perfect complement to just about anything.

Heart-shaped crepes recipe

Serves 4

Ingredients: 1 cup all-purpose flour2 eggs1/2 cup water1/2 cup skim milk1/4 teaspoon salt1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract2 tablespoons melted butterDirections: 

Grease a nonstick skillet with a little bit of cooking spray.In a large bowl, whisk flour and eggs together. Add milk and water, gradually, whisking in between each addition. Whisk in vanilla and salt; then add melted butter.Using a 1/4 cup measuring cup, pour batter onto the skillet, swish it around so it covers the base. Cook on medium-high heat for 1-1/2 minutes, and then flip, cooking an additional minute. Place crepes on a hard surface to cool. Repeat until all the batter has been used.Using different size heart cookie cutters, cut out heart shapes. Serve with cream cheese icing, fresh fruit or whipped cream!

More Valentine's Day recipes

Mini heart whoopie pie recipe
Healthy Valentine's Day treats
Fun Valentine's Day trivia and recipes

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Sunday Dinner Roasted carrot and cauliflower soup

Sing The Praises
Of SoupReady to brighten up a cold, winter day? Roasted carrot and cauliflower soup is perfect for Sunday Dinner since it’s easy to put together and makes a filling meal.

Some kids don’t like carrots, but roasted carrot and cauliflower soup might change their minds. It’s creamy, full of fresh flavor and makes a great addition to any meal. Serve it with half a sandwich for a light lunch or for dinner along with a fresh green salad.

This recipe is definitely a great way to use up those extra carrots that might be hanging out, untouched, in your fridge!

Roasted carrot and cauliflower soup

Serves 4

Ingredients:1/2 pound carrots, peeled and cut into 2-inch chunks, with larger pieces sliced in half1/2 head cauliflower, trimmed into florets1/2 cup yellow onion, diced3-1/2 cups vegetable broth1 tablespoon olive oil2 tablespoons fresh thyme2 teaspoons salt, divided2 teaspoons ground black pepper, divided1/2 cup heavy cream1/4 cup slivered almonds for garnish (you could also use fresh parsley)Directions:

Preheat oven to 410 degrees F.Add the carrots and cauliflower to a medium-sized bowl. Add the olive oil and 1 teaspoon of salt and 1 teaspoon of pepper. Toss to coat.Place the carrots and cauliflower on a baking sheet and roast for about 20 minutes, turning once or twice during roasting.Add the broth to a large pot, and then add the roasted carrots, cauliflower, onion, thyme and remaining salt and pepper. Bring to a boil, and then reduce heat and simmer, covered, for about 20 minutes.Remove the soup from the heat. Use an immersion blender and carefully blend the ingredients until smooth (you could also use a regular blender, adding the soup in small batches and blending).Add the cream, a little at a time, and continue to blend until incorporated.Serve in individual bowls, garnished with the slivered almonds or fresh parsley.

Soup to the rescue for a great Sunday dinner!

More Sunday dinner recipes

Butternut squash, spinach and mushroom quesadillas
Croque Monsieur sandwiches
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How to bring joy to ill relatives during the holidays

Give Holiday
Comfort And JoyThe holidays are certainly meant to be a time of making merry and good cheer, but when a loved one is terminally ill, finding joy can seem an unattainable feat. Joni James Aldrich, author of The Saving of Gordon: Lifelines to W-I-N Against Cancer, shares five ways to find purpose and compassion during the holiday season and show your ill relatives you care.Is there no merry in your Christmas?

Whether you're facing an older relative, like your father, who is bed-ridden from a stroke, or garnering strength to support a child who is battling a terminal illness, kindling your holiday spirit can be hard and even seem inappropriate.

"When the harshness of reality assaults your everyday existence, there are bigger concerns than how to decorate your tree or which wrapping paper to buy," says Joni James Aldrich, whose husband lost a two-year battle with cancer in 2006, inspiring her to write The Saving of Gordon as a way to help other families going through similar situations. "The thing is -- unless you move to a cave! -- the holiday season will impact your life, whether you want it to or not. But if you step back and think about the true reasons for the season -- mercy, caring, and humanity -- the holidays that seem so difficult can also hold invaluable gifts."

5 Ways you can bring joy to ill relatives this holiday season

Think about how your ill relative must view the holidays. She may feel like a family burden; he may be feeling scared that this is the last holiday he'll have to spend with family. Aldrich urges, "If you lend your support to help your loved one through these difficult times -- even though it may be hard -- you will give and receive special blessings to cherish."

1. Don't wait for the "right time"—just go

Aldrich says there will never be a "convenient" time to visit a family member or friend who is battling a serious illness. Even good days are filled with difficulties and discomfort. Furthermore, you might not feel the same level of ease that you once did. Ultimately, though, you will both be thankful that you spent time together. "Visiting an ill loved one is going to be hard. Know that, and choose to move forward anyway," instructs Aldrich. "When you do visit, consider the needs of the patient…and err on the side of caution when choosing to visit. If you are under the weather yourself -- even if it's just a sniffle or a cough -- consider a phone conversation instead, or wear a mask."

2. Visit the patient and the caregivers

If the ill relative is not an immediate family member, be considerate of those who care for her. Remember, your ill loved one is not the only person whose daily life has been affected by her illness. The routines and priorities of family members and/or caregivers have changed drastically as well. Be sure to also focus attention on them -- they need it. "Whatever you do, don't avoid the family because you are uncertain of how to approach them in a difficult situation," urges Aldrich. "Call often, bring food, and offer prayers. These 'gifts' will be appreciated by the patient and by his or her family. It is very painful when the family expects that support, and ultimately doesn't receive it."

3. Avoid preconceived expectations

Imagine this: you've scheduled a visit with an ill relative, and you have grand plans for watching a favorite holiday movie and chuckling over the characters' foibles. But when you arrive, she more urgently wants to talk about her memories, fears and uncertainties. You're thrown completely for a loop and don't know how to respond. "Always gauge the patient's mood as acutely as you can," Aldrich says. "It's helpful if she is forthcoming about what would give her the most comfort, but she may not be able to express her feelings and needs that easily. Make the visit about the patient, whether that means that you end up laughing, crying, reminiscing or even leaving until a more convenient time."

4. Be sensitive to changes in the holiday routine

Chances are, you're feeling less festive than in years past -- and the same goes for your ill relative and other family members. Remember that not only their enthusiasm but also their finances are likely to be impacted. Be prepared for the possibility that you might not receive a Christmas card or gift this year, and check with the family beforehand regarding gift exchanges and get-togethers. "If a holiday party does take place, take extra care not to go off into a corner to whisper with other friends and acquaintances," Aldrich shares. "The last thing your ill loved one needs or wants is to feel like he is the cause of speculation or sadness. Similarly, there will be tears, so let them come. Sometimes the patient won't want to see them, so you may have to steal some private time. Whatever you do, don't shut yourself off completely from the patient or from your feelings."

5. Remember that the best gifts can't be wrapped

It's trite but true -- the most valuable things in life aren't things. Your care and support will mean more to an ill relative than any amount of material presents. And when it does come time to break out the wrapping paper and bows, think about what might be truly needed. Blankets, shawls, a baby monitor, a sensible gift basket, or a heating pad and warm socks will be greatly appreciated, perhaps more so than traditional holiday trinkets. Keep in mind that flowers, including poinsettias, should be avoided due to their smell and the care that they require. "Don't forget that a hug is one of the most powerful gifts that can be exchanged," says Aldrich. She also encourages prayer. "Prayer is the most blessed gift of all -- pray together, pray separately and pray often."

"Ultimately, you will be blessed because of the comfort and love you have given to a family who needs it," promises Aldrich. "You will have experienced the true meaning of Christmas -- giving a gift to others that is much more valuable than anything you could ever wrap in a box."

More on caring for ill loved onesThe Sandwich GenerationGive and take to find happinessTalking about a family illness with your kids

In a pickle How to prevent freezer burn

We've all experienced freezer burn: Those unpleasant, crystallized or dull spots that pop up on all kinds of items in our freezer, from ice cream to meat. Here's what causes it and how to prevent it.

Keep frozen foods at their freshest

Although freezer burn doesn't technically ruin your frozen food, it does make it unpleasant to eat. With a few simple steps, you can prevent it and keep frozen foods at their freshest.

Learn the ins and outs of freezing in this freezing primer >>Why it happens

Freezer burn occurs when the food item in question is exposed to air so the water molecules evaporate (well, technically, sublimate), and the food dries out and oxidizes.

What it looks like

Sometimes freezer burn takes the form of clumps of ice crystals on the surface of a food (think ice cream that's been in the fridge too long). Alternately, most often with red meat, it can change the color of the surface and dry it out.

What it means

Although unpleasant, freezer burn does not mean the food is unsafe to eat. For ice cream, just scrape those top crystals off, and you're good as new. It can change the flavor and texture of meat, so cut off the affected area if it's small enough and defrost as usual.

Learn how to freeze meat without freezer burn >>

How to prevent it

There are a number of simple ways to prevent freezer burn:

Tightly seal all items to be frozen in airtight containers. These can be heavy duty freezer bags or plastic containers. Be sure to leave a little extra room in the container to allow for the item to expand when frozen. Otherwise, it could break the seal of the bag or container and allow freezer burn to happen.If you are freezing leftovers, make sure that they are fully cooled before wrapping them and putting them in the freezer.Make sure the freezer is set to 0 degrees F or lower. Keep the freezer temperature as consistent as possible by opening the freezer door only when necessary and not leaving it open for long (don't stick your head in there to cool down!).Label everything in the freezer with the date that you put it in there. Check out the guidelines at FoodSafety.gov to see how long different food items will safely keep in the freezer.More food storage tips

How to freeze anything
How to keep food fresh for as long as possible
Refrigerator refresher course