Max Hahne - Home Sweet Home

Max Hahne - Home Sweet Home

705-441-5800 max.hahne@evrealestate.com max-hahne.homesweethome.digital

courtesy of: Max Hahne

Dear Homeowners

Welcome to spring! Our March issue of Home Sweet Home brings you new design ideas, global inspiration, and tips for a home that feels as vibrant as the season itself.

In design and decor trends, discover the art of personalizing your vacation home or any cherished space, blending unique style with local charm for a truly comforting retreat. Don’t miss these insights from a professional decorator and color consultant. Inspired by the travel bug, this month we feature a guide to hosting an event based on your most recent vacation or getaway. Check out these event and activity ideas for sharing your favorite travel memories and cuisines in a themed event for family and friends. In the kitchen, embark on a culinary journey with recipes featuring star ingredients from various cultures, adding a dash of international flavor to your springtime meals. And, as the fresh air beckons, embrace eco-friendly spring cleaning methods to revitalize your home, ensuring it's a sanctuary of cleanliness and serenity.

Here's to creating spaces and experiences that reflect the beauty of the world and the warmth of home. Happy Spring!

Max Hahne ENGEL & VÖLKERS

705-441-5800 max.hahne@evrealestate.com max-hahne.homesweethome.digital

Table of Contents

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Chic Retreats Decorating Your Home Away From Home Whether it's a beachside bungalow or a mountain hideaway, discover how to infuse local charm and your unique style into every corner of your vacation getaway. Get ready to turn your second home into a haven of comfort and style! The Well-Traveled Host Share Your Favorite Travel Memories with an Unforgettable Travel-themed Party at Home Your ultimate guide to a travel- themed party. We'll walk you through hosting a memorable evening where you not only share the highlights of your travels but also invite guests to share their own stories and travel dreams. Get ready to inspire with a taste of adventure and a heart full of wanderlust.

RECIPES

Star Ingredients from around the World including Peru, Japan, Italy, Morocco Spring Into Clean Natural Solutions for a Fresh Home

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Embrace the season of renewal with our guide to spring cleaning using natural products. Get ready to open your windows to the fresh spring air and welcome a cleaner, greener home with open arms.

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Decorating Your Home Away From Home CHIC RETREATS Owning a second home or investment property means more design and decor decisions for the additional kitchen, bathrooms, and bedrooms to outfit and adorn. Whether it’s a shared family home, an investment you’re preparing for rental, or your cherished personal escape, it can be hard to find the time to give your second home the same attention as your primary one. While it’s tempting to mindlessly transport surplus pieces from one home to another in an effort to fill the space, investing the time to create a cohesive decorating plan will result in an oasis that reflects both your style and the character of its surrounding location.

"Decorating a home starts and ends with a plan, but that doesn’t mean you have to be rigid about it. Brainstorm ideas, find examples of looks you like, and become familiar with a fitting decorating style. Then break the rules just a bit so you can add your personal flair to the space. After all, it’s your home. Make it feel that way!” –Kylie Hammon, home decorator and color consultant

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“Color marries into the theme at every layer, so don’t stop at the walls when planning out the decor for your space. You don’t need to overcomplicate the matter,” says Kylie Hammon, home decorator professional and color consultant for Miller Paint in Corvallis, Oregon. “Just select a palette of three to five colors and work them in throughout the home. This will link the spaces together, creating a cohesive flow. However, every room doesn’t have to exactly match. For example, if you’re decorating a house with a coastal theme, your color palette will incorporate shades of gray, blue, and white. In that case, the kitchen might feature shades of blue while the living room furnishings focus mainly on white, but both spaces honor the color palette,” she says.

Whether perched on a mountainside, nestled by the shore, or tucked away in the heart of a vibrant city, the art of decorating a second home involves capturing the spirit of the region and translating it into a personalized haven. It’s both an exciting and somewhat overwhelming endeavor, so we’ve put together a targeted plan to help you create the perfect escape vibe for your unique vacation home.

THINK OVERALL THEME

Any good plan starts with a broad idea and works its way towards the specifics. Decorating a second home is no different. With this in mind, start your project by considering the elements of the overall theme. Align this with the culture and vibe of the location. For example, a beach house can capture a coastal theme with laid back neutrals while a city loft will pair well with industrial elements. Your ranch or cabin might look best with rustic farmhouse components, whilst a home located near a ski resort can embody that cozy ski lodge vibe. Once you’ve identified the overall motif, start breaking that down into finer details. With a blank slate, decide on a color for the walls, which should support the home’s theme. A blue accent wall will be right at home in a beach house while a home in Mexico might have terracotta- colored or stucco walls that match the local materials. Similarly, floral wallpaper could make the perfect backdrop for an English cottage while a daring accent wall would fit well in a small city-center unit.

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START WITH FURNITURE

“You’ll want to fill your space starting with the large objects and working your way down to the finishing touches. Give some thought to your furniture selections to make sure they’re not too overbearing for the space. They also need to serve their intended purpose. For example, if you choose a dining table you love for the space but it only seats four people, your family of five is going to always have an odd man out. Set your criteria before choosing furniture for the space,” Kylie recommends. “This is your chance to find pieces that match the cultural vibe of the area. A baroque buffet might go well in a house in Spain, but isn’t going to capture the sense of place in a Danish-themed home.” Furniture placement is also important. Make sure there is good flow, especially in heavy traffic areas such as a doorway to the patio or backyard. Use furniture placement to create separate spaces for visiting, watching TV, reading, playing games, and dining with a group. Get creative to meet the needs of the space. Kylie says, “In small spaces, you’ll want to select furniture that serves multiple purposes. Futons work as both a couch and a bed, minimalist Scandinavian-style tables and desks can fold up onto the wall, and nesting tables offer a three-for- one deal. Use storage benches and ottomans to hide toys or blankets, and rely on totes or baskets for additional storage that also matches the decor theme.” Once the furniture is in place, the real personalization begins. Kylie prompts, “Interior decorating is all about the finishing touches. Given the same blank slate you can decorate it a thousand different ways just by playing with color, style, and texture. We’ve talked about style and color, but texture is important too. For example, a furry boho rug will never create a contemporary vibe. Similarly, you won’t achieve a mid-century modern look if you choose Victorian lace and floral patterns for your throw pillows and curtains. On the other hand, choosing the right soft furnishings will pull the look together.” FOLLOW UP WITH SOFT TOUCHES

DON’T OVERDO IT

Having a theme is great, but don’t overwhelm the space on every surface. Less is more when it comes to incorporating key elements. Kylie says, “Continuing with the coastal theme, one glass bowl of shells on the entry table is better than a wall full of fishing nets, buoys, and glass floats. There’s a big difference between a few carefully- placed fish figurines and feeling like you’re walking into an aquarium when you enter the home.” For a ski cabin, a single set of criss- crossed skis makes an uncluttered statement, yet immediately sets the tone without blanketing the place in knick knacks and snow globes. If you’re decorating a log cabin, maybe skip the log bed, tables, and picture frames. Instead, let the log walls set the tone and embrace the outdoor theme with a set of antlers, a deer hide, and stone accents. “It’s smart to rely on natural materials in a location that’s surrounded by nature. But it can be too much of a good thing. A shade of stain for furniture that’s lighter or darker than the walls will add a bit of contrast and visual interest. If everything is the exact same color, it will all run together in unremarkable ways,” Kylie concludes.

SAFETY & SECURITY FOR SECOND HOMES While we’re on the topic of helpful tips for your second home, it’s worth mentioning a few pointers for keeping your property and your belongings safe. Vacation homes often sit empty, opening the door to vandalism and theft.

For that added layer of local flair, head to the nearest marketplace. There’s a reason you’re drawn to the area for your second home, and the region likely has appeal for a wide variety of interests. Research what the area is known for and incorporate those goods into your space. That might mean putting together gift baskets for guests that include local honey and wine from a neighboring hillside. Or maybe an artist in your area creates paintings, lamps, ceramics, hand-painted tile, or carved wood furniture that perfectly fits your motif. If so, proudly display the pieces–leave the tags on or include information about special pieces in your guestbook so others can discover the same artist for themselves. Kylie concludes, “Decorating a home starts and ends with a plan, but that doesn’t mean you have to be rigid about it. Brainstorm ideas, find examples of looks you like, and become familiar with a fitting decorating style. Then break the rules just a bit so you can add your personal flair to the space. After all, it’s your home. Make it feel that way!” LEAN INTO LOCALLY PRODUCED GOODS Also add in elements of nature, such as houseplants. If the house is empty for long periods, go with high quality non-living plants. Then organize your shelf displays with a combination of themed and neutral decor. For example, a bookshelf could feature a piece of driftwood and spouting whales alongside a stack of books and a family photo. Sticking with your color theme, and with consideration for the style and texture of each piece, select your rugs, curtains, pillows, towels, chair coverings, and tapestries. Then layer in wall art, again sticking with your motif without flooding it. Tasteful clusters of framed art on one wall and a large canvas, mirror, or tapestry on another may be all you need to create the right experience.

To mitigate risks:

☑ Have someone retrieve your garbage and recycling receptacles soon after pickup. Ask a friendly neighbor, pay a student down the street, or write it into the contract with your property management company or maid service. ☑ Install motion lights/cameras. Lights are a significant deterrent for anyone who might enter the property with theft in mind. Cameras add an extra layer of security, both as a deterrent and as video evidence when needed. They also help you keep an eye on your property when you’re not there. ☑ Incorporate smart features. Having a central hub and smart devices in your second home make it easier to track everything from energy consumption to the temperature of the home. Devices allow you to use your phone to turn lights on and off, control the robotic vacuum, manage cameras, and make sure the oven is off. ☑ Upgrade to keyless entry. Don’t worry about leaving a key beneath the planter or above the door jamb. Install a keyless entry instead. Note that some devices won’t work if the power goes out so put a key in a lockbox and mount it somewhere out of sight as a backup.

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Send Out Tickets or Boarding Passes as Invites The theme will be easy to choose since this function is all about celebrating your travel destination. With an idea in mind, head to one of the many online digital invitation options, such as Evite. Choose an appropriate theme and lay out the details of the event. Invite your guests to your Hawaiian luau, English high tea, Mexican fiesta, or German Oktoberfest, complete with costume ideas if that’s your goal. For a less structured event, simply provide a summary of the pertinent information. Remember to include the date and time, as well as information about whether children are invited and if guests should bring anything. Feel free to throw in some foreign phrases as appropriate!

THE WELL- TRAVELED HOST HOW TO SHARE YOUR FAVORITE TRAVEL MEMORIES TO LIFE AT HOME After rigorous planning and careful execution, you’ve finally orchestrated an unforgettable vacation. Everyone seems to be asking about your trip and you’re eager to share the details of the special moments and unique adventures. Somehow, though, simply talking about the trip fails to illuminate the power of historical sights, the emotional connection with the people you met, and the cultural elements you discovered. Don’t let those memories evaporate into the hustle of life upon your return home. Instead, bring your cherished discoveries into the spotlight with a re-creation of your getaway for your friends and family to enjoy.

Set the Scene While you might not have the props to fully

transform your home into a Balinese hut, traditional Thai house on stilts, or a Swiss Chalet, you can bring elements of your trip to life for the party. Cater to the senses through cultural music and/or nature sounds. Instill a sense of place with some potpourri or candles made with spices from your travel region. For visuals, lay out maps, travel brochures, itineraries, ticket stubs, postcards, and other souvenirs from your journey. If you have limited space, you can put items into a scrapbook for guests to peruse or unfold large maps, mark your path through the region, and display them on the wall. You can also create other decorations from your party supplies and costume totes. Turn construction paper into palm trees for the walls, hang a pinata or sombrero, build a Statue of Liberty, or color a country flag. Also lean into the region's color palette when choosing table coverings, dishware, and decor pieces.

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Introduce Culture Through Food Food is a significant part of any cultural expe - rience. We automatically associate pasta with Italy, falafel with Greece, and enchiladas with Mexico even if we’ve never been to those coun- tries. However, when traveling, the food expe- rience is often surprising, different from what we expect, and educational. So after venturing to other countries, or even regions within the United States, it’s fun to share the ins and outs of your first hand foodie experience. The more you travel the more you realize every region has its deliciously stereotypical foods and a few surprises. For instance, spend time in London and you’ll discover the American obsession with craft coffees isn’t prevalent in Great Britain, yet curry is, in some places more so than fish and chips! Similarly, a trip to New Orleans will certainly inspire you to share some iconic beignets — and they’re surprisingly easy to make. Unearthing these kernels of knowledge during a trip is what travel is all about. It allows you to realign assumptions about other regions and re- place them with real-world experiences. That’s the true essence of cultural understanding and it’s a powerful knowledge that’s fun to share with family and friends.

Visually Immerse in the Location As they say, a picture’s worth a thousand words. Sharing vacation photos lets your guests experience the sites and get a feel for the culture in a way that storytelling alone can’t convey. There are several ways to go about presenting your visual props and you might try a combination of a few ways. Regardless, gather your most striking photos—those snapshots of sunsets, street scenes, local art and of course, you and the people you met—and let these images act as a visual feast, sparking conversations and allowing everyone to feel the essence of the places you've visited. It's a simple yet powerful way to share and relive the moments that made your trip unforgettable.

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Narrate a Highlights Slideshow Another option is to use a projector and put together a digital slideshow of your vacation highlights as you tell the story of your trip. Keep the tempo up by selecting no more than 100 and limiting the presentation to 10 minutes. Remember your guests want to share in your experience, but since they aren’t invested in it the same way you are, their interest will wane after a short time. Displaying Prints One option is to print your pictures and put them up on tri-fold boards. You can also hang them down a long hallway by mounting a long strand of yarn, rope, or wire to the wall. To do this, simply insert a tack or nail at each end of the line and allow it to droop down in between. Then use clothespins or paper clips to attach photos.

Dedicate a Wall to Background Slideshow A third option is to simply let the slideshow run on repeat throughout the event. This will give everyone a chance to view at their leisure and ask questions as they arise. It’s a more organic way of engaging on the topic without mandating everyone to sit and watch. After all, the idea is to inspire and engross your friends, each of whom will have a different level of interest. Whether your recent trip saw you scale the mountainous terrain around Machu Picchu, sip coffee within view of the Eiffel Tower, hike to the base of the Grand Canyon, or leisurely enjoy a gondola ride through the canals of Venice, you can take your friends and family along on the memory train with you. Who knows, you might even inspire them to make a similar trip, and be invited to their travel party when they return.

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Celebrating an Italian Getaway

One of Home Sweet Home ’s writers recently returned from a trip to Italy where she had traveled with friends and her mother. Since her three kids and husband weren’t on the trip, she re-created a typical Italian dining encounter upon her return. She says, “It was the perfect opportunity to immerse them in the experience instead of just telling them about it. I set the table with still and sparkling water, but refused ice when they asked since it’s hard to come by in Italy. Then I delivered the courses plated with typically-sized Italian portions. Because I had attended cooking classes, I served up a primi (first course) of freshly made pasta and a secondi (second course) of pork sausage and vegetables. There was bread without butter or olive oil, since Italians use it to mop up the sauces on their plates. Alongside the homemade dishes, I shared a bottle of wine I had brought home and finished the meal with some amaretto cookies I protectively hand-carried from Europe as well. It gave me the opportunity to teach insights like the fact that women are served before men, salad is served with or following the secondi, and that when dining in a group, everyone waits until the server or host announces, ‘Buon appetito’ before digging in.” A Little Language Lesson

Making a meal is an engaging way to provide a sampling of your adventures. A sit down meal is one option, but do what works for you. Have the event catered for a full-service affair, or keep it simple with a selection of authentic appetizers. Better yet, include your guests in the preparation with a cooking lesson. Did you learn to make tortillas in Mexico, bruschetta in Italy, or couscous in Morocco? Set up some workstations and share your newfound knowl- edge. Regardless of the formality level, make it as authentic as possible. Share the most repre- sentative beverages before, during, and after the meal. For an Italian experience, bring the wine, spritz, and espresso. After returning from the UK, serve up high tea and scotch. When replicating an Indian meal include chai, Banta, and faloodas. Also be sure to serve dessert! Nothing brings a French experience home like a macaron, eclair, or cream puff. If you are serving a multi- course meal, split the event into a short cook- ing course where guests make the dessert and then sit down to enjoy dinner, followed by their own creation.

“fare la scarpetta”

IMAGES COURTESY OF DIONE COMPTON Literally, “to make little shoes” — an Italian phrase that describes tearing pieces of bread and using the bread to soak up the leftover sauce on a dinner plate.

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Swapping Travel Tales

As you conclude your travel-themed gather- ing, shift the spotlight from your adventures to the travel experiences and aspirations of your guests. This is not only a celebration of your journey but an invitation for everyone to share and dream together. Here are some conver- sation starters to encourage your guests to reminisce about their favorite travel memories and reveal their bucket list destinations: • What's the most unforgettable place you've ever visited, and what made it so memorable? • If you could teleport to any destination right now, where would it be and why? • Have you ever had a serendipitous encoun- ter or unexpected adventure while travel- ing that changed your trip? • Is there a particular tradition or local dish from your travels that you've incorporated into your life back home? • What's on your travel bucket list for the next few years, and what's inspiring you to go there? As the evening winds down and the last of the travel tales have been shared, take a moment to appreciate the journey—not just the one you've returned from, but the ongoing adven- ture of life and friendship. So, raise a glass to the roads traveled and those yet to be discov- ered, and let the spirit of exploration and ca- maraderie guide you until you all meet again. Bon voyage!

Let Guests Create DIY Souvenirs Whether it’s a sweatshirt, shotglass, deck of cards, or keychain, most people come home from a trip with some sort of souvenir. Give your guests the same experience with a take-home memento that marks the occasion. Creating a themed souvenir can be a hands-on project that entertains and educates. For example, you could provide 3x5 cards, colored markers, and stick- ers so your guests can write up their own recipe cards as they learn the cooking techniques. Another useful souvenir is a decoupage book- mark. Provide wood templates and allow guests to design their pattern from maps, brochures, or colorful papers. Choose prints and designs that represent your trip. For instance, bamboo and panda bears are iconic symbols of China while Japan is known for its exquisite cherry blossom bloom in the spring.

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Global Flavor Recipes featuring Star Ingredients from around the World

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Peruvian Vegetarian Lomo Saltado

Aji Amarillo is a staple in Peruvian cuisine, known for its vibrant orange-yellow color and medium-hot taste. It imparts a fruity, slightly berry-like flavor that is quintessential in many traditional dishes like ceviche, huancaina sauce, and lomo saltado (traditionally made with beef, our vegetarian version uses meaty portobello mushrooms). While fresh Aji Amarillo might be hard to find outside of South America, the paste form is widely available in Latin American markets and online stores. For those who prefer the fresh peppers, they can sometimes be found in specialty stores or grown from seeds in a home garden. Its heritage is deeply rooted in Peruvian and broader Andean cuisine, representing the heart and soul of the region's flavor profile. Country: Peru Star Ingredient: Aji Amarillo (Peruvian yellow chili)

Ingredients: z 2 large Portobello mushrooms, sliced z 2 medium onions, sliced z 3 tomatoes, cut into wedges z 2 tablespoons soy sauce z 1 tablespoon vinegar z 2 teaspoons Aji Amarillo paste z 2 cloves garlic, minced z Vegetable oil

z Salt and pepper to taste z Fresh cilantro, chopped z Cooked rice, to serve

Instructions: 1. Heat oil in a large pan over medium-high heat. Add the mushrooms and sauté until browned. Remove and set aside. 2. In the same pan, add a little more oil if needed, then add onions and garlic. Cook until the onions are soft. 3. Add the tomatoes, Aji Amarillo paste, soy sauce, and vinegar. Stir and cook until the tomatoes are just softened. 4. Return the mushrooms to the pan. Toss everything together and cook for an additional 2 minutes. 5. Season with salt and pepper. Sprinkle with fresh cilantro. 6. Serve hot over cooked rice.

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Japanese Miso Soup with Tofu and Seaweed

Country: Japan Star Ingredient: Miso Paste

Ingredients: z 4 cups vegetarian dashi broth (or water) z 3 tablespoons miso paste z 1 block firm tofu, cut into small cubes z 1 cup seaweed (wakame), rehydrated z 2 green onions, thinly sliced Instructions: 1. Heat the dashi broth in a pot over medium heat until just before boiling. 2. Reduce the heat to low and dissolve the miso paste in the broth. Never boil miso as it can become gritty and lose its flavor. 3. Add the tofu and seaweed to the pot and simmer for a few minutes until heated through. 4. Serve the soup in bowls and garnish with green onions. Miso paste is a fundamental ingredient in Japanese cooking, made from fermented soybeans, salt, and koji (a type of fungus). It comes in various types, including white (shiro), red (aka), and mixed (awase). Miso adds a rich umami flavor to dishes and is used in soups, marinades, and glazes. It's widely available in Asian markets, health food stores, and many supermarkets in the international aisle. The tradition of making and using miso dates back centuries in Japan, and it's celebrated for its health benefits, including aiding digestion and boosting the immune system.

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Italian Lemon Basil Sorbet with Limoncello Country: Italy Star Ingredient: Basil and (optional) Limoncello Sweet basil is celebrated for its aromatic, slightly sweet, and peppery flavor, making it perfect for pesto, salads, and as a garnish. It's readily available in most grocery stores and easy to grow at home. In our Lemon Basil Sorbet, fresh basil leaves impart a vibrant, herbal freshness that complements the zesty lemon. Limoncello, a lemon liqueur from the Amalfi Coast, is known for its intense lemon flavor and sweet, aromatic presence. Made from lemon zest, alcohol, water, and sugar, it's a beloved digestif in Italy and has found its way into various desserts and dishes.

Ingredients:

z 1 cup water z 1 cup sugar or sweetener of choice z 1 cup fresh lemon juice (about 4-5 lemons) z 1 tablespoon lemon zest z 1/2 cup fresh basil leaves, finely chopped z Optional: up to 1/4 cup Limoncello (adjust the amount of Limoncello to your taste and desired consistency and be mindful of the alcohol content, as it may slightly affect the freezing point) Instructions: 1. In a saucepan, combine water and sugar. Heat over medium until the sugar dissolves. 2. Remove from heat and cool to room temperature. 3. Stir in lemon juice, lemon zest, chopped basil, and Limoncello. 4. Pour the mixture into an ice cream maker and churn according to the manufacturer's instructions until it reaches sorbet consistency. 5. Transfer to a container and freeze until firm.

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Moroccan Orange Blossom Almond Briouats

Ingredients:

z 1 cup almonds, finely ground z 1/4 cup sugar z 1 teaspoon cinnamon z 2 tablespoons orange blossom water z 10 sheets phyllo dough z Melted butter or a light oil for brushing z Powdered sugar for dusting

Country: Morocco Star Ingredient: Orange Blossom Water

Orange blossom water is a fragrant distillation of fresh bitter-orange blossoms. This aromatic water is widely used in Middle Eastern, North African, and Mediterranean cuisine, particularly in sweets like pastries and various desserts. It imparts a delicate citrusy floral flavor that is unmistakable. Orange blossom water can be found in Middle Eastern markets, specialty food stores, or online. Its heritage is especially noted in Moroccan and Lebanese desserts, often used to give a fresh, fragrant lift to dishes. As a traditional ingredient, it's also used in some cultural ceremonies and as a perfume.

Instructions: 1. Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C).

2. Mix the ground almonds, sugar, cinnamon, and orange blossom water in a bowl to form a paste. 3. Cut the phyllo sheets into strips about 3 inches wide. Keep them covered with a damp cloth to prevent drying out. 4. Place a small amount of almond filling at one end of a strip. Fold the corner over to make a triangle, then continue folding (like a flag) until you reach the end of the strip. 5. Brush each briouat with melted butter or oil and place on a baking sheet. 6. Bake for 20-25 minutes or until golden and crisp. 7. Dust with powdered sugar before serving.

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Spring is that magical time of year that’s full of new life—and an unexplainable urge to embark on a thorough home cleaning spree. As visions of pristine surfaces, immaculate floors, and grease-free soffits dance in your mind, it's a good time to pause and consider the safety of the cleaning products you employ. After all, beyond the aesthetic appeal, the primary motivation behind maintaining a clean home is to safeguard your family from potential threats like bacteria, viruses, and mold. Make sure you’re not doing more harm than good with the cleaners you use to tackle those tasks. SPRING INTO CLEAN Natural Solutions for a Fresh Home

and lists aerosol spray products, including health, beauty and cleaning products, air fresheners, chlorine bleach, detergent and dishwashing liquid, dry cleaning chemicals, rug and upholstery cleaners, furniture and floor polish, and oven cleaners as common culprits. In addition to damage caused by inhalation or ingestion, household cleaners can also cause chemical burns to the skin. We connected with Mika Peterman, Co-Founder & CEO of Greatfill, a household cleaners company based out of California, whose mission is to provide a sustainable, zero-waste solution for home and personal care in the form of plant-based cleaners that are served up in refillable steel bottles. Mika encourages consumers to take another look at the cleaners they rely on saying, “Non-toxic cleaners positively impact both people and our planet in a number of ways. Using them reduces exposure to harsh chemicals and synthetic fragrances that are known to cause skin, eye, or respiratory irritation, allergies, and hormone disruption. This is particularly beneficial for households with children or pets as they’re more susceptible to the effects of toxic exposure. I have 2 young toddlers at home so this is extremely important to me.”

Safety and Exposure Risks

Household chemical dangers take shape in a few different ways. The first, and most obvious, is the harm caused by ingesting poisonous substances. Children and pets are at a particularly high risk. According to Poison Control, over 94,000 children were unintentionally poisoned by household cleaners in 2021, accounting for 10.7% of all home poisoning events. What many people don’t realize is that even lower-level exposure to many of these chemicals has been linked to health issues. The American Lung Association states, “VOCs and other chemicals released when using cleaning supplies contribute to chronic respiratory problems, allergic reactions and headaches,”

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Environmental Hazards

Dispose Responsibly

What leaves your home eventually finds its way back through the system. Toxic chemicals pollute the air and waterways, which in turn finds its way into the water, seafood, and agricultural products you consume. We asked Mika about the impact of household cleaners on the environment and she told us, “Non- toxic cleaners help clean up our planet as they're generally made from biodegradable, plant-based ingredients so they will not pollute our waterways and our oceans and harm aquatic life. Non-toxic cleaners are often developed using sustainable practices including renewable resources and reduced packaging waste and CO2 emissions.” Companies producing nontoxic cleaners, like Greatfill, also frequently have zero waste policies and reusable containers to reduce the impact on the environment. As Mika describes it, “Greatfill’s entire business model is zero plastic waste—our customers can return their empty refill pouches for free and then we sanitize, reuse and refill them for the next customer.”

It’s likely you already have some nasty toxins around the house. If so, start by properly disposing of them through your local disposal company. Most areas have special hazardous waste disposal units run by folks who know how to manage hazardous waste. Use these places to drop off unused household cleaners. The Ingredient List When you head to the grocery store, you likely spend at least part of your shopping experience reading labels. It makes sense if you care about what you put into your body. Provide the same diligence in the cleaning aisle. Rather than simply tossing your favorite brand into the cart, look for other options on the shelf. Read the label to see what’s in the bottle. Mika says, “I would avoid any harmful ingredients that can cause irritation to people and the environment like parabens, phosphates, phthalates, triclosan, SLS, ammonia, synthetic fragrances, dyes, VOCs, and chlorine bleach.” If you’re still overwhelmed by evaluating whether a product is safe or not, lean on the experts for help. Mika explains, “The EWG (Environmental Working Group) offers excellent guidance and recommendations. It’s a fantastic resource to help you make informed decisions. It’s easy to understand and it provides a health score rating based on impacts to people and the planet for each ingredient listed. When developing Greatfill products, we referenced EWG guidelines meticulously to ensure we met their high standards.”

Don’t Mix

With so many products on the market, it becomes a bit confusing as to what cleaners can be used together. In general, avoid mixing any cleaners. Specifically, avoid combining bleach with other common cleaners such as ammonia, rubbing alcohol, toilet bowl cleaner, mildew remover, oven cleaner, and vinegar. Also avoid mixing hydrogen peroxide and vinegar. Any of these combinations can have dangerous, and even deadly, results.

Proper Storage

Even products labeled as natural, plant-based, eco- friendly, and organic, may still contain ingredients that are toxic when ingested. Be sure to keep all chemicals in high or locking cabinets, safely secured away from children and pets. Also, always store them in their original containers for easy identification.

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Natural Cleaning Solutions

After a few weeks, strain the mixture and use the liquid as your daily spray for counters, sinks, vinyl floors, doorknobs, light switches, showers, toilets and more. Since this cleaner is quite acidic, avoid using it on natural stone surfaces such as granite and marble. Also find an alternative for wood floors. One option is to add one-half cup of vinegar to one gallon of water. Then add a few drops of lemon essential oil. Use the cleaner on wood floors, but remember not to oversaturate them as you mop.

Before even heading to the supermarket or your Amazon cart, consider some basic solutions for everyday cleaning. White vinegar, baking soda, and citrus can tackle many of your household chores without the addition of harmful chemicals. Mika supports this idea saying, “I can’t emphasize enough how important it is to your health and the planet to use non-toxic, plant-based cleaners for your home. Many people still think natural cleaners are not as effective and are more expensive than traditional chemical-based cleaners, but the reality is that plant-based cleaners are just as effective and have become more affordable and accessible over the years.”

Baking Soda

Another ingredient found in many cleaning recipes, baking soda offers superior odor neutralization and has impressive stain-fighting capabilities. Try a recipe of one cup water to 1/4 cup baking soda. Warm the mixture slightly in a pot or the microwave to help the ingredients combine. Then put it in a spray bottle and use it on shower and sink surfaces. Allow the cleaner to sit for a few minutes before wiping it clean.

Vinegar

For example, vinegar can be used straight or combined with water on nearly every surface. It is great as a versatile cleaner for everything from countertops to windows to floors. White vinegar is safe for the environment and offers a disinfecting clean. Many recipes tone down the somewhat offensive smell with essential oils or citrus. Vinegar is not as effective against bacteria and virus germs as cleaners with 99.9% effectiveness, such as bleach. However, for most daily cleaning, it’s more than adequate. Note that white vinegar is a fantastic choice for cleaning hard water stains off of faucets and shower heads. Simply spray it on and wipe it off or soak the fixture in a vinegar solution and watch the crusty buildup dissolve.

Liquid Castile Soap

Castile soap is a plant-based product that has been used for generations in different forms. Dr. Brommer’s is a commonly-used brand that you might recognize. It is naturally sourced from vegetable fat so it is non- toxic and biodegradable, meaning that it’s good for the environment too.

Get to Cleaning

Lemon

With a different perspective on your cleaning closet, you can maximize the results of your seasonal purge and cleanse. As an expert in the field of cleaning, we asked Mika about her favorite tips for an easy and efficient spring tidy and she said, “Great question! I would first declutter before you start cleaning and think about what could be reused, regifted, donated or at the very least recycled. I try to use the KonMari method as much as I can! Then of course, I would recommend using natural, reusable cleaning products where possible to reduce toxic impacts to your health and the environment. Try to cut down or eliminate the use of paper towels and switch to reusable cloths or old towels - our family has switched to using unpaper towels and it’s been a game changer. Finally, essential oils can also be used as amazing air fresheners and cleaning agents. I personally love using lavender, clary sage and peppermint in our diffuser to freshen up our home.”

Lemon juice has natural antibacterial and antifungal qualities. Plus, it offers a delightful scent. To make a citrus cleaner, you can actually use any citrus you have on hand. Try limes, grapefruit, oranges or any combination of the above. If you don’t have enough rinds all at once, save them up in a jar in the fridge until you do. Alternately, you can cover the rinds with white vinegar and continuously add to the jar. With this technique you don’t have to refrigerate it. There are no miracle measurements required here. Simply stuff a pitcher or jar with citrus rinds submerged in vinegar. Allow the mixture to steep for one to three weeks. You can also add lavender, rosemary, mint, or other herbs for additional scent.

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