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www.HuskeysPaint.com | (828) 214-7100 | March 2025
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Is Your Health a Product of Your Environment? Correlation Between Neighborhood Walkability and Daily Exercise
As a general fitness rule, experts recommend that adults get in 8,000– 10,000 steps per day. Of course, your ability to do this depends on factors such as your age, fitness level, and the fitness goals you’re trying to reach. But have you ever considered that where you live might play a role? Whether you’re a “treadmill warrior” or prefer getting your daily exercise in the great outdoors, the walkability of your neighborhood could be the reason you’re positively or negatively a product of your environment. A study by Glen Duncan, a Washington State University professor of nutrition and exercise physiology, examined the relationship between neighborhood walkability and its influence on daily exercise. The Upshot Duncan’s study aimed to shed light on whether neighborhood walkability increases walking behaviors. Theoretically, it makes perfect sense, especially if you enjoy walking outdoors. To eliminate the potential obstacle of
selecting participants who enjoy walking outdoors, the study added a control factor: twins. Twins (11,000, to be exact) have inherited familial and genetic factors (such as physical activity behaviors). This allowed the study to determine if walkable neighborhoods increased walking in individuals solely because walkable areas were more accessible — not because the participants were physically active. Statistical Factors Walkability was based on area factors, including population density, destination accessibility, and intersection density. Participants had to self-report their level of walking intensity, use of public transit, and the amount of neighborhood walking they did. Research Findings Whether you enjoy walking outdoors or not, this study’s findings may surprise you and cause you to reexamine where you live. 1. Neighborhood walkability reduced the likelihood of using public transit by 32%. While public transit has several advantages, such as the convenience of not worrying about parking and cost-effectiveness, people would much rather walk to destinations that are shorter distances. 2. Walkable neighborhoods with local access to shops and amenities encouraged more walking. This further supports the finding above. When local shops and amenities (even gyms) are within walking distance, hopping on a bus or in your car is unnecessary. For “gym goers,” walking there would be additional exercise.
3. A 42% increase in neighborhood walking was due to a 1% increase in neighborhood walkability. Even the smallest improvements to a
neighborhood can increase its walkability. Things like sidewalk
enhancements, pedestrian signs, and lower speed zones are excellent ways to encourage people to walk more. 4. Walking minutes increased by 23% (19 additional minutes per week) due to a 55% increase in neighborhood walkability. Safety is a big concern for many people when walking in their neighborhood — not just for themselves but also for their dogs and children. If a neighborhood made walkability improvements, people would spend more time walking. 5. Urban areas have higher walkability than suburban or rural areas because of the commute to access amenities. Urbanites live in closer proximity to each other, and businesses and amenities are much closer, too. Now and the Future Walking is not only a great form of exercise to encourage health and fitness, but the study also confirms that neighborhood walkability does indeed increase walking behaviors but not the intensity of walking behaviors, such as running. Furthermore, the study has catalyzed urban development, promoting walkability for healthier lifestyles. It’s also important to note that walking doesn’t require top-of-the- line shoes and apparel — it just requires you to get outside and start walking!
— Trent Huskey
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SPRING-CLEAN LIKE A PRO Refresh, Reorganize, Revive
It won’t be long before winter is in our rearview mirror, and we can start enjoying the warmth, sunshine, and blossoming flowers that come with spring. This is a time for renewal for many people as they return to some of their favorite outdoor activities after spending most of the winter indoors. Along with our personal renewal, we should also take some time to reevaluate our living spaces, determine if we want to make any layout changes, and conduct deep-cleaning before we open our doors and windows to welcome in the spring season. You’re probably already familiar with spring-cleaning, and now is the perfect time to get started. While keeping your house spotless throughout the year can be beneficial, many Americans find this impossible; it’s hard to find time to deep-clean our homes regularly. It’s even more challenging if you have kids who leave messes around the house. Thankfully, taking your spring- cleaning efforts seriously will be enough to keep your home clean for several months. Here are some spring-cleaning hacks to boost your cleaning efficiency while making your home pristine. The Kitchen Outside the bathroom, the kitchen is likely the dirtiest room in your house. Even if you try wiping down the table, cleaning the dishes, and putting away small appliances after every meal, your kitchen might still need extra help. Since this is spring-cleaning, it’s time to go a little deeper. Unplug your larger appliances and scoot them away from their regular location. Sweep up the dust, crumbs, and other debris. Then, sweep and wipe down the floor with a wet cloth. Depending on the level of grime, you may have to use hot water and dish soap to make the area spotless. This is also a good time to clean other often-ignored kitchen areas, starting with the microwave. If you regularly use your microwave to reheat leftovers, it’s time to clean up the splatter. Place a bowl of water in the microwave and turn it on for 2–5 minutes. This will steam up the microwave, making wiping away food scraps and gunk much easier. Also, wipe down the tops of kitchen cabinets and the refrigerator. The Living Room/Bedroom Just like you did with the appliances in the kitchen, it’s time to move some of your bigger furniture in the bedrooms and living rooms so you can clean under them properly. You should also clean under
any rugs. If you want to be extra thorough, sprinkle baking soda on top of your pillows and mattress for a few hours, then vacuum it up to refresh your bed and furniture. If the mattress is older, it may be better to steam-clean it. If you don’t have a steam cleaner, you can use white vinegar instead. Just be sure to let the mattress dry before covering it with sheets.
The Bathroom This is probably the room you dread the most, but if you give your bathroom a deep-cleaning now and maintain it throughout the year, it will be less of a chore in the future. While you’ll probably start with the toilet, sink, and shower, don’t forget about the vent covers in the bathroom. Most people dust their covers, but you should also wash them at least once a year. Simply pop them off and scrub them down in a sink with soap and warm water. If you have mildew and mold in your grout, use a toothbrush and a bleach-based cleaner to make a real difference. Spring-cleaning doesn’t have to be a stressful or daunting event every year. With an efficient and thorough cleaning this year, maintaining that cleanliness throughout the next 12 months will be much easier, and spring-cleaning next year will be a snap.
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www.HuskeysPaint.com
(828) 214-7100
Aquamarine Basketball Bluebird Clover
Green Ides Leprechaun Madness
Pisces Spring Tangerine Tulip
Styling your shelves is an opportunity to let your creativity run wild! With a few thoughtful tweaks, your shelves can go from cluttered chaos to chic and cohesive. Embrace the ‘love it or leave it’ rule. If it’s not practical, sentimental, or something you absolutely adore, it doesn’t belong on your shelf. A few well-placed pieces can be far more striking than an overcrowded display. Pick a palette, not a paint splatter. Stick to a cohesive palette to avoid a jumble of clashing colors. Pair whites with soft creams, metallics, and neutrals for a sophisticated look. Add artwork for personality. Lean a piece of art against the back or hang it on the molding for extra flair. It doesn’t have to be fancy — a framed kid’s drawing can add the character your shelves need to pop. Play with texture and height. Mix in baskets, wooden objects, or textured vases to keep things interesting. Combine varying heights and sizes, but stay true to your palette. Shelf Styling Made Easy TURN YOUR SHELVES INTO A SHOWSTOPPER
Banana Pudding Cheesecake Mashup
INGREDIENTS
Inspired by Delish.com
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1 (8-oz) block cream cheese, softened
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1 prepared graham cracker crust 3 bananas, sliced
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1/3 cup granulated sugar
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1 cup heavy cream 1 tsp vanilla extract
20 Nilla Wafers
Whipped topping and crushed Nilla Wafers, for garnish
1 (3.4-oz) package instant vanilla pudding mix
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1 cup whole milk
DIRECTIONS
1. In a large bowl of a standing mixer, add softened cream cheese and beat until fluffy and free of clumps. 2. Add sugar and beat until combined, then add heavy cream and vanilla extract and beat until medium-stiff peaks form. Set aside. 3. In a medium bowl, whisk together milk and pudding mix and refrigerate for 3 minutes until thickened. Pour pudding mixture into cream cheese mixture and fold until combined. 4. Into the graham cracker crust, pour half the filling and spread evenly. Add a single layer of sliced bananas and Nilla Wafers, then pour remaining filling over and smooth the top. 5. Refrigerate until firm, at least 6 hours, or overnight. Top slices with whipped cream, crushed Nilla Wafers, and any additional banana slices as desired.
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PRSRT STD US POSTAGE PAID BOISE, ID PERMIT 411
P.O. Box 261, Whittier, NC 28789
Clean - Courteous Painters - You Can Trust!
INSIDE THIS EDITION
Does Where You Live Affect Your Level of Fitness?
p.1
Make Your Home Bloom This Spring
p.2
The Secrets to Perfectly Styled Shelves Banana Pudding Cheesecake Mashup
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Engage Your Kids With Fun Gardening Projects
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HOW TO MAKE GARDENING A FAMILY ADVENTURE GREEN THUMBS IN TRAINING
There’s nothing better than spending time with your kids outside, enjoying an entertaining, creative, and informative activity. But sometimes, these activities are hard to coordinate. Thankfully, gardening appeals to parents and kids from all walks of life. All you need is a dedicated area in your yard or patio and seeds, and you’re ready to get started. Let your kids choose the plants. This is arguably the most crucial part of igniting your children’s interest in gardening. If you pick out the fruits, veggies, and flowers you want to grow and invite your kids to help plant, water, and pick, they may lose interest quickly. Instead, include them in the process from the get-go. Take them to the store and let them pick out seeds or plants. Encourage them to choose produce they already
enjoy eating, making it even more fun for them! Just be sure their choices can grow in your area during the current season. Make space and plant together. After choosing your seeds, you must ensure your garden is ready to sustain life. Dedicate a section of your lawn or
patio to your gardening efforts and start laying soil or filling your planters. Help your children transplant their seeds or young plants directly into the area. Now, put them in charge of caring for the plants by checking on and watering them. You may want to follow behind to ensure they
aren’t over or under-watering. Make it fun and informative!
You can get your kids more involved by encouraging them to research their plants and track their growth. They can even look online to see how their plants should be developing. Soon enough, those fruits and vegetables will be ready to eat, and you should let your children pick anything ripe when possible. Seeing the fruits of their labor (literally) will make this experience even more enlightening and enjoyable for them.
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