Be Sure to Follow These Steps!
YOUR 4-WEEK SPRING-CLEANING CALENDAR Spring-cleaning can be overwhelming. From the kitchen counter to the ceiling fan, there’s a lot of ground to cover. But there’s a trick to make it easier: Breaking down the work into quick, doable tasks spread over four weeks. WEEK 3: THE BATHROOM You’ll want to begin by removing the grime from the showerhead and sanitizing the curtain. The curtain can be scrubbed and air-dried in the sun. Sanitize the shower and sink, then shine the fixtures.
WEEK 1: THE LIVING ROOM The start of every journey begins with a single step, and that step is acquiring and prepping supplies. Wash out buckets, empty vacuum bags, throw microfiber cloths in the wash, clean mops, and shake out brooms. Next, it’s time to clean the light fixtures. Use a microfiber cloth to wipe away dust and debris. Then dunk the cloth in soapy water, wring it out, and scrub the light fixture covering the bulb until it shines — just make sure you turn the lights off first. Once you’ve finished the lights, head to the bookshelves. Dust the tops and wipe down the sides. Make sure to wipe down any pictures or framed art on the wall. Lastly, move the furniture and vacuum underneath. WEEK 2: THE KITCHEN Clean the dishwasher filter first. Devote the next two days to getting the stove to sparkle, including ridding the vent of grease. Wipe down the countertops and the cabinets. Clean out the microwave and wipe down any other countertop appliances. Congratulations, week two is over!
For the toilets, get under the rim with a toilet brush and give the much-ignored back some love, too. Now that the toilet’s shining, it is the perfect opportunity to get the floor. Take a little extra time to get the baseboards. WEEK 4: THE BEDROOM Clean the bedrooms from top to bottom. Now is a good time to wash your pillows and air-dry them. Bedroom ceiling fans can build up a lot of gunk over the winter. An easy way to clean them is by pulling a pillowcase around the blades and pulling them back. Thoroughly clean the windows with glass cleaner or a homemade mixture of vinegar and
water, and remember to clean the window tracks. Lastly, test the batteries in your smoke and carbon monoxide detectors.
HEARTY LENTIL SOUP
YOUR MONTHLY NEED-TO-KNOWS
INGREDIENTS
• • • • • • • • • •
2 tbsp olive oil 1 onion, diced
WHO WAS THE FIRST PRESIDENT TO OWN A CAR? Not only was President Theodore Roosevelt the first president to own a car, but he apparently was also the first president to be submerged in a submarine, the first to have a telephone in his home, and the first to entertain an African American, Booker T. Washington, in the White House. WHAT IS THE ONLY MAMMAL THAT CAN’T JUMP? Unlike every mammal on the planet, elephants cannot jump because all the bones in their legs point downward. In order to jump, we need to bend our legs and propel us off the ground. Sorry, elephants! HOW MANY PAINTINGS ARE IN THE LOUVRE MUSEUM? There are 70,000 art pieces at the Louvre in Paris, spanning over 650,000 square feet throughout the property. It was actually calculated that if you were to look at every work for 30 seconds without rest, it would take 100 days! WHO FIRST FLEW CROSS THE ATLANTIC OCEAN? Despite landing in a bog, British aviators John Alcock and Arthur Whitten Brown were the first people to fly nonstop across the Atlantic on June 14–15, 1919, a 16-hour flight.
2 garlic cloves, minced
2 carrots, diced
2 celery stalks, diced 2 cups dry lentils 6 cups low-sodium vegetable broth 1 tsp dried thyme
1 bay leaf
Salt and pepper, to taste
DIRECTIONS
1. Heat olive oil in a large pot over medium heat. 2. Add the onion, garlic, carrots, and celery, and cook until the vegetables are softened, about 5 minutes. 3. Stir in lentils, vegetable broth, thyme, and bay leaf, and bring to a simmer. 4. Reduce the heat to low and simmer for 30 minutes, stirring occasionally. 5. Discard the bay leaf and season with salt and pepper to taste. Serve hot and enjoy!
513-231-7755 • 3
Made with FlippingBook Ebook Creator