Kirk and Terry Blog

Did you know that eating curry could help protect you from Alzheimer’s disease?  According to a recent study published in the Journal of Biochemical Chemistry, eating curry was found to break down the damaging plaque found in the brains of Alzheimer’s patients.  Eating curry was also shown to prevent the growth of the damaging plaques that form in the brain.  Curry chicken anyone?

Chocolate… It’s oh so good for you, let me count the ways. Researchers at Cornell University have found that chocolate (the darker the better) improves circulation by relaxing the linings of the blood vessels. The scientists also found that it lowered blood pressure, and reduced the risk of heart disease by preventing the buildup of cholesterol from forming on the walls of the arteries. And because chocolate has protective flavonoids (antioxidant chemicals), it also protects the body from harmful pollutants.  That’s good news!

More Free Real Estate Tips! 

Find TONS of free information about our local Richmond real estate market. Visit my site at:

www.MarcsHomes.Com

• No More Soggy Pizza - Heat up leftover pizza in a non-stick skillet on top of the stove. Set heat to med-low and heat till warm. This will keep the crust crispy.
• Say Goodbye to Mosquitoes - Place a dryer sheet in your pocket.  It’ll keep the mosquitoes away.
• Bed Sheets Trick- After drying your sheets, fold neatly in a square.  Put both sheets and one pillowcase in the other pillow case. When you change your sheets, just take the one pillow case everything’s inside.  No more searching for matches.
• Broken Glass Hint – Use a dry cotton ball to pick up little broken pieces of glass. The fibers catch the little pieces you can’t see.
• Fruit Flies Be Gone – Get rid of fruit flies by filling a glass with ½ c. Apple Cider Vinegar and 2 drops of dishwashing liquid, mix well. The flies are drawn to the cup and gone forever!
• Great Beach Tip - Keep a small bottle of baby powder in your beach bag. When you’re ready to leave the beach sprinkle yourself and kids with the powder and the sand will slide right off your skin!

FREE Consumer Help Is Just A Phone Call Away!

Learn valuable secrets for saving thousands and avoiding costly mistakes when buying, selling or refinancing a home. Best of all, it’s FREE.  See my “Free Resources Page” at www.MarcsHomes.Com

Studies have shown that your income and wealth are directly related to the size and depth of your vocabulary.   Here is this month’s word, so you can impress your friends (and maybe even fatten your wallet!)…

adamantine  \ad-uh-MAN-teen\ (adj.)

Meaning:  unyielding or firm
 
Example Sentence:  Charles became an adamantine critic when he discussed politics and economics.

More Free Real Estate Tips! 

Find TONS of free information about our local Richmond real estate market. Visit my site at:

www.MarcsHomes.Com

Did you know that 85% of your ability to succeed at anything depends on your skills at positively influencing people?  Brian Tracy, author of The Power of Charm offers a few tips on how you can become more charming:

The key is to make others feel good about themselves.

• Greet everyone you meet as someone very special. Make people feel special by asking questions about them, and being enthusiastic.
• Find something to praise people about.  Everyone likes to be praised be it the grocery clerk, your accountant, or your boss.
• Show your appreciation. Tracy says, thank everyone you come into contact with for whatever you can think of…it boosts people’s confidence, and makes them feel good about themselves. It also makes you feel better about yourself.

More Free Real Estate Tips! 

Find TONS of free information about our local Richmond real estate market. Visit my site at:

www.MarcsHomes.Com

• To loosen a rusted bolt: apply a cloth soaked in Coca-Cola to the rusted bolt for several minutes.
• You can remove grease from clothing by adding a can of Coke to a load of greasy clothes, add detergent, and run through a regular cycle. The cola will loosen the grease stains.
• To bake a moist ham add a can of Coca-Cola into a baking pan, wrap in aluminum foil, and bake until 30 minutes before the ham is finished cooking. Remove the foil and allow the drippings to mix for delicious gravy.

More Free Real Estate Tips! 

Find TONS of free information about our local Richmond real estate market. Visit my site at:

www.MarcsHomes.Com

Can fat actually be good for you?  In a recent study, scientists at Ohio State University found that a little fat can be good for you. Many of the healthy compounds found in vegetables are fat-soluble.  Researchers found that the body is unable to absorb these unless fat is present at the same time. When you add an avocado to salads the absorption of the nutrient lutein (good for heart and eye health) is 18 times greater. Add a little butter to your veggies, or salad dressing to your salad and the level of absorption of nutrients increases.

A handful of nuts can protect your health.  Scientists at the University of Barcelona found that eating a handful of walnuts every day helps the body maintain the arteries elasticity and protects against the damage of harmful fats that can damage the arteries. 

Rest, don’t nap. Close your eyes and allow your mind to relax for 5-10 minutes. You’ll be more alert than if you’d taken a nap.

More Free Real Estate Tips! 

Find TONS of free information about our local Richmond real estate market. Visit my site at:

www.MarcsHomes.Com

Saving money is easier than you think.  In fact, you can find “66 Ways You Can Save” (from transportation, mortgages, banking, housing, energy, to insurance and more) at www.ftc.gov - Facts for Consumers. Here are a few simple ideas you’ll find:

1. Skip the ATM.  It’s amazing how many people burn up cash in a short time using the ATM. 
2. Track Your Monthly Spending.  When you know where you’re spending your money, you can make adjustments where necessary.
3. Pay Cash. You’ll save money by not paying interest on credit cards, and when you’re out of cash…you’ll stop spending.
4. Reduce Your Debt. Pay off your smallest balance first, then move to the next smallest debt, double the payment, and continue on until you’ve paid off your debt.
5. Lower Household Expenses.  Combine trips to save on fuel, and eat more meals at home.  Turn the thermostat down in the winter to save on home heating bills and you can save a bundle.
6. Look for the Deals. Shop discounts and closeout sales, and keep an eye out for coupons and rebates on items you plan to purchase.

More Free Real Estate Tips! 

Find TONS of free information about our local Richmond real estate market. Visit my site at:

www.MarcsHomes.Com

Alright, alright. Its a new year and we know a lot of you have made new Year's Resolutions to shed some pounds. But if you’re like most people, losing weight is tough.  So what do “skinny” people do that others don’t?  Of course there’s the obvious…they don’t eat as much.  But is there more to successfully managing a healthy weight?  Here are a few tips we've found helpful…

1) Take action. When slim people start to gain a few pounds, they do something about it. They don’t let a few pounds creep up to 10-20 pounds. They begin by exercising more and eating smaller portions.
2) Don’t skip meals, and eat a healthy breakfast.  Eating small amounts of healthy food regularly manages blood sugar levels better, and stops cravings and binging. 
3) Weigh yourself daily. Painful as it can be, nothing stops overeating like reality staring you in the face.
4) Get more sleep.  Researchers have found lack of sleep leads to an increase in cravings for more carbohydrates. Instead of reaching for food at night, close off the kitchen and turn in an hour earlier.  You’ll be more rested, enjoying more energy, and you’ll be looking a little slimmer too!

If loosing some weight is one of your resolutions for 2010, make a simple plan utilizing these tips and stick to it. You'll soon be seeing a healthier and happier you!

More Free Real Estate Tips! 

Find TONS of free information about our local Richmond real estate market. Visit my site at:

www.MarcsHomes.Com

The human mind is an amazing thing, and the words we use in our day to day lives can be powerful tools for how we affect it. By changing the words you use, you can change your perception of yourself, those around you, and even how you look at situations, say psychologists. You be the judge. Does your mother (or someone else) call too often to check on you? Do you call it nagging? Here are just a few examples of how you can shift your perceptions:

• Nagging or Connecting?  So your mother calls too much.  Instead of calling it nagging, call it connecting…she wants to connect with you.  You call her first, make her feel good, and control the conversation.
• Pushy or Direct? You think a co-worker is pushy. Change the word to direct and you can react to the person in a straightforward manner.
• Impulsive or Spontaneous?  Are you irritated by your mate’s impulsive behavior?  Choose to admire his or her spontaneity.
• Moping or Coping? Moping is a way of coping when someone needs help rebuilding confidence after a difficult time. Give a helping hand.

Do you find yourself getting that urge to drop-into Open Houses, even when you’re busy?  You’re not alone.  Many homeowners visit open houses to get design ideas, or to see how their home compares in the neighborhood.

But if you find yourself attracted to Open Houses frequently, you might want to ask yourself “why.”   You might just find that, even though you’re happy with your current home, you might be subconsciously searching for your dream home.  Perhaps you want a bigger yard.  A quieter street.  A gourmet kitchen.

Whatever the reason, there are sophisticated tools that can help. A computerized “Home Search” system can scour the market finding the exact home you want – automatically. It can get you daily updates on the newest homes on the market, and since it is a computerized system there’s never any pressure from working with a person, just great service.  Even if you’re just “thinking” and want to know what’s “out there,” consider giving it a try. Feel free to go to my website and sign up at http://www.marcshomes.com or call (804) 527-3948.