Choose a Moving Truck That Works for You Make sure you find a truck that fits your needs, is the right size, and that allows you to load all of your belongings without having to do a pack the truck a second time The goal of your move is to do so efficiently, so consider the size of truck to need for what you’re taking with you. Moving truck websites should have measurements available for comparison....

On an energetic level, your front door also represents how energy and opportunities come into your life. Just like you want your guests to feel welcome when they enter through your front door, you also want opportunities to be attracted to enter your life. Your front door is the main portal for people and energy to enter your home. In feng shui, we call it the mouth of qi, or universal life force energy....

Artichokes are usually grown for their edible flower buds, which are harvested before the flowers open. Artichokes leaves are silvery-green in color with a long, arching shape. Although they look soft, the leaves can be quite prickly. The plant stems are thick and fleshy. The flower buds are the parts of the plant sold in produce aisles. At the base of the bud is the tender, flavorful artichoke “heart.” If allowed to blossom on the plant, artichoke flowers open into large, dome- or muff-shaped purple thistles that are surprisingly fragrant....

You can also use single-dose detergent packs in an HE washer. Unlike liquids or powders, these should be placed directly in the drum of the washer. And you should do so before adding your clothes; adding the pack after the clothes can prevent it from completely dissolving. HE vs. Traditional Machines HE washing machines use only 20 percent to 66 percent of the water required by traditional washing machines, according to the American Cleaning Institute (ACI), a trade group for the cleaning products industry....

But lead-based paint on a home does not mean that the lead-based paint cannot be encapsulated with new paint or that it cannot be scraped, sanded, and then painted. It simply means that a different set of precautions must be heeded when taking on this project in order to do it safely for both the worker and for the home’s occupants. Lead-Based Paint: Legacy of Protection and Poisoning Lead has long been used as a component in paint, and as one of the chief components of water pipes, as far back as the Roman Empire....

Removing a Knockout Knockouts are the little metal discs covering the holes in the sides or back of a metal electrical box. You remove as many knockouts as you need for the number of cables that will enter the box, and leave the others in place. A box should not have open knockout holes that are empty, as this compromises the protection offered by the box enclosure. Look on the side of the box and locate the knockout where you want to install your cable....

There are many different plant materials you can use for smudging. Some common ones include sage, cedar, sweet grass, and lavender. White sage is probably the most common and popular herb for smudging. It is associated with purity and has a strong and heavy presence. It’s very useful when you need a major space cleansing. Read on for methods on how to cleanse your house with sage and more about what saging a house can do for you....

1. Measure Your Kitchen, Twice You’ll want to carefully measure your kitchen before you start shopping for cabinets and appliances. This is, of course, easiest to do if your kitchen is empty. If your kitchen hasn’t been torn apart yet, it may be challenging to get the exact dimensions. It’s important that you account for baseboard trim, outlets, door swings, window openings and any other features that would interfere with your measurements....

Do Research Before You Buy “Energy use is one of the most obvious factors when it comes to how sustainable your houseplant is," says Hancock. “You can check the website of grower or reach out to them to ask about how they handle heating/cooling. Some growers may offset their energy use by taking advantage of renewable sources.” For example, notes Hancock, Costa Farms offsets its carbon footprint with solar panels. “Water use is another area to consider....