You’re probably storing your pool supplies is secure place during an off-season. Many owners of above ground pools store their materials in a backyard shed or filter house. Now that the season has changed, it is time to have the pool in the right conditions for swimming.

It’s essential if you live in an area where winter means freezing temperatures, to drain your pool at the end of your swimming season. This is to prevent freezing and expansion of stagnant water inside the pool from cracking or damaging the sides. A pool cover is vital to keep out snow, rain and various debris and keep the varmints from falling into the pool as well.

The very first thing I do after removing the cover is inspect the pool filters and hoses before reinstalling them. Above ground pool filters assist in the removal of leaves, twigs and bugs from the water. Whether you choose a cartridge filter or sand filter, they both do an excellent job of keeping the pool clean. The cartridge filters don’t seem to need cleaning is often as the sand filters do. One nice thing about above ground pools is that their filters tend to last longer.

The chemicals keep the water clean and clear and free of bacteria. Chlorine is used most often for this purpose. Its antibacterial properties ensure it is flexible and fairly safe. It is also cost-effective to use on a regular basis.

Above ground pool owners depend on their cleaning accessories to get the job done consistently. Whether measuring the pH balance in the water or running a spot inspection on the filtration system, keeping the pool in tip top shape is very important. You should buy test kits online or in your local stores to ensure your pH balance. They are an economical way to avoid any problems in the future.

Your storage shed should include a supply of bromine, shock treatment, algaecides and chlorine. They are the essential components for keeping your pool water in shape. They all play a part in giving you crystal clear, clean pool water.

Owning an above ground swimming pool does take some work and effort to maintain. Replacement supplies are obtainable at many local retailers and could make recreation time at your home a lot more satisfying. Pool supplies cover a large area including chemicals, equipment and accessories. You can cut your costs by ensuring that your pool is up to standards and by making sure your equipment is in good working condition before opening up for the season.

Be sure to keep pets and youngsters away from your chemical supply by locking the material securely away. These chemicals may be good for the water but it is hazardous to human beings.

Keep a ready supply of any filter replacements in order that changing them is simple and convenient. Certainly, not as important but quite as necessary are pool supplies such as floats and other water toys and games. Get a piece of netting that can be hung on the side of the fence, that works great for storing these sort of items.

Strange Massachusetts weather continues to extend basement waterproofing season.

It is supposedly Winter in New England but certainly a busy one for many of MA Basement Waterproofing companies. First a rain and ice storm that annihilated portions of central and northern Massachusetts causing widespread power outages, down trees and of course flooded basements everywhere. Without power, even people who had sump pumps were knee deep in water. The few that have battery back-up pumps got some relief because most of the heavy rain came quickly and the back-ups handled the water. However, without power for days and an abundance of groundwater, unless you have a generator, it is very likely that if you have had basement water problems in the past, you got very wet. The phones at Green Bear Innovations were ringing off the hook for emergency basement pumping service. We worked around the clock to assist home and business owners with getting rid of the water in their flooded basements and garages.

Christmas Day and 65 degrees. What’s next?

This week has been a close second as far as strange Massachusetts weather is concerned. A quick blast of cold and over a foot of snow in some areas causing havoc for drivers, school cancellations and continued frustration for those that had not recovered from the storm the week before. And from Christmas Day until today temperatures reached an astounding 65 degrees in some parts of MA. It is very nice going outside with a light sweater on and enjoying the sunshine but for homeowners who struggle with a wet basement these warm days have not been so much fun. All of the snow from last week is melting rapidly and to top it all off we got another large dose of rain. This combination is a preview of how waterproof your basement will be come Spring 2009. The typical basement waterproofing season picks up dramatically in mid-Fedruary when the Spring thaw starts.

Why should you have your wet basement fixed in the Winter?

As I stated above, this past week is a good indicator of how your basement will react to rising and falling temperatures coupled with a major increase in groundwater. If you had basement flooding issues, leaky foundation wall cracks or problems from an underperforming sump pump you should have those problems assessed and corrected BEFORE the Spring thaw comes. Every basement waterproofing company I know of operates year-round and because groundwater at the slab level usually stays above freezing temperature every waterproofing system CAN be installed in the Winter.

Winter is over and spring is here – the perfect time to enjoy a barbecue out in your yard. The wind will still be cool and it’s ideal to have nice, warm dishes that everyone in the family can enjoy. Make these refreshing BBQ dishes perfect for spring season and you’ll want them all year round!

Buttered Rosemary Radishes

What you need:

• 1 kilogram radishes (2 cups of the greens reserved)
• 1 stick unsalted butter, softened
• 1 cup lightly packed mint
• 3 tablespoons heavy cream
• 1 tablespoon lemon juice
• 1 teaspoon finely chopped rosemary
• Sea salt
• Grilled bread of your choice, for serving

Melt about 4 tablespoons of the butter in a pan over medium heat, stirring constantly, for 3 to 5 minutes or until browned. Remove from heat and allow to cool completely. Combine the browned butter with remaining butter, heavy cream, lemon juice, rosemary and sea salt. Place about 2 tablespoons of the mixture in a bowl and toss radishes in it. Season with sea salt. Cook on a pre-heated grill over high heat for 5 minutes or until crisp tender. Toss the grilled radishes with greens and mint then serve with bread and remaining browned butter.

Grilled Mozzarella Asparagus

What you need:

• 32 stalks large asparagus, peeled, blanched for 1 minute
• 1/4 kilogram lightly salted fresh mozzarella, cut into 1/2-inch slices
• 1 shallot, finely chopped
• 1/4 cup plus 1 tablespoon extra virgin olive oil
• 2 tablespoons lemon juice
• 1 tablespoon coarsely chopped flat leaf parsley
• 1/2 teaspoon kosher salt
• 1/4 teaspoon coarsely cracked black pepper
• Chive blossoms for garnish

Mix together shallot, lemon juice, parsley, salt, pepper and 3 tablespoons oil. Toss the asparagus in remaining olive oil. Cook asparagus on a pre-heated grill over medium heat for 3 to 4 minutes or until tender. Divide grilled asparagus among 8 serving plates. Top each plate with mozzarella slice an chive blossoms.

Leek Spring Treat

What you need:

• 16 baby leeks, trimmed
• 2 plum tomatoes, peeled, seeded and chopped
• 1 clove garlic, chopped
• 1 small ancho chilli, seeded, softened (by soaking in hot water)
• 1 roasted red pepper, sliced into 1-inch pieces
• 1/4 cup extra virgin olive oil
• 3 tablespoons hazelnuts, toasted and chopped
• 1 tablespoon chopped flat leaf parsley
• 1/2 tablespoon sherry vinegar
• 2 thick slices baguette, toasted and torn into 1-inch pieces
• Salt and ground black pepper

Combine the tomatoes, ancho, red pepper, hazelnuts, vinegar and baguettes in a blender or food processor. Blend until smooth. While blending, slowly pour in 1/4 cup olive oil. Pour mixture into a bowl. Stir in parsley and season with salt and pepper. Brush leeks with oil then cook on a pre-heated grill over medium-high heat for 3 minutes or until lightly charred. Serve with prepared sauce.

Make your Spring season more enjoyable with these refreshing BBQ dishes!

Here are 5 tips to help you maintain your sobriety as the holidays approach. If you are an alcoholic, getting sober is one of the hardest things you may ever do, staying sober will be the hardest, and you need all the help you can get. Read these tips, one of them may just save your life.

1. Stay out of slippery places. Only attend a function with alcohol being served if you have a legitimate reason to be there.

2. Don’t depend on someone else to get you home from the occasion. Drive your own car, and make sure you park in a way that you won`t be blocked in. If you don’t have a car, make sure you have cab fare and a cell phone. You should also have your sponsor’s phone number.

3. Know what you are going to drink before you get there, and order something that comes in a can or bottle that you can open yourself. Stay away from ‘mocktails’ or ‘near beer’!

4. If you have to set your drink down to use the washroom, or other reason, get a new one. Don’t pick up your old drink, it may have been tampered with, and you also run the risk of picking up the wrong drink.

5. Be very aware of everything going in your mouth. Many holiday treats are laced with alcohol. Liquor filled chocolates, rum balls, tiramisu are relapses waiting to happen. Remember you have an allergy to alcohol, and even a tiny bit can set off your physical craving. You may not even know why, if you were careless about what you ate.

Be good to yourself. You deserve to be happy, joyous and free, and live to see another season, and the best gift you can give your loved ones is a healthy you.

Brrrr! “Baby, it’s cold outside”! Now that winter is here, snowfall is certainly in the Mid-Atlantic forecast. Many people take on the white stuff without adequate caution and end up bending, twisting, and lifting heavy weight. Improper biomechanics while shoveling and snowblowing can result in back pain, shoulder pain, and other injuries that lead to muscle strains and sprains and even herniated disks. Here are a few guidelines to help you alleviate undue stress on your spine during snowy weather.

Stretch and Warm up!

Most individuals who are about to tackle snow removal do not properly prepare their muscles beforehand. Just as you warm up for a workout or a run, appropriate stretching before shoveling snow reduces your chance of injury. Start by stretching your hamstrings, quadriceps (upper thigh muscles), calves, groin, and buttocks. A chiropractor or fitness trainer can provide a list of suitable stretches, and directions for doing them properly are typically shown online. Hold each stretch for 15 seconds. Ten minutes of stretching and warming up is recommended.

According to a report released by the US Surgeon General, just 15 minutes of snow shoveling is as much exertion as 30 minutes of a regular physical activity. If you are considered at risk for heart attack, you should be extremely careful about physical exertion. Paying someone else to do your snow removal may be a very wise, possibly lifesaving, decision. Dr. Thomas Campbell, head of Emergency Medicine at Western Pennsylvania Hospital in Pittsburgh states, “Shoveling snow is a very risky endeavor. Lifting 10 shovels of snow in 1 minute can take as much energy as climbing 7 flights of stairs.” He also advises complete avoidance of shoveling for those over the age of 40 or 45, those who live a sedentary lifestyle, or individuals with known high blood pressure.

Correct Biomechanics During Shoveling

Snow varies from wet and heavy to powdery and dry. Depending on the quantity and weight of snow, use of a lighter weight plastic shovel may be advantageous during heavier snowfalls. Spraying a silicone spray or a product like WD-40 on the shovel blade will help keep snow from sticking and make snow removal less strenuous. Choose a shovel with a curved, adjustable handle, which is a design that works well regardless of the individual’s height or size.

It is smarter to push snow than to drag it. The key to lifting snow properly is to squat with your buttocks low and bend at the hips and knees. Hold the shovel by placing your hands about 12 to 18 inches apart, with one hand at the handle and the other closer to the blade. Always face the snow pile you are going to lift rather than twisting your spine to get at it. In fact, twisting the spine while bending forward can increase the pressure on lower back disks up to 100-fold! Use your leg muscles and contract your abdominal muscles each time you lift, almost lunging at the snow.

Stretch your legs, buttocks, back, shoulders, and arms during the entire period you spend shoveling. Stretching increases flexibility and warmth and limits the likelihood of injury. Some shovelers choose to wear a corset or brace to support the muscles of the back, further reducing the potential for damage. While you are shoveling, stay hydrated by drinking liquids frequently (nonalcoholic, of course!), as it is surprisingly easy to become dehydrated while removing snow even in colder climates. To prevent slips and falls, pour kitty litter or salt on walkway areas that are icy or have already been shoveled.

Injuries to the coccyx (tailbone) are relatively common during the snow season when slippery conditions make you more likely to fall and land on your back. As you dump the snow out of your shovel, always turn your entire body, making sure that your belly button is your “pointer” and is facing the spot on which you intend to drop the snow. Walk to the area where you are piling snow rather than throwing snow over your shoulder or twisting your torso to reach it. When operating a snowblower, use the power of your legs and buttocks versus using your shoulders. Contract your abdominal muscles and keep your spine straight while maneuvering the machine.

Frequency of Shoveling

Remember to take frequent breaks while you are shoveling. Often a quick break every 10 to 20 minutes helps muscles rejuvenate from fatigue. Shoveling smaller snow piles more frequently is a better approach than attempting to move heavier piles in one marathon session. Contrary to some opinions, removing snow during snowfall is smarter than waiting for a big snowstorm to end.

Proper Snow Removal Attire

Dressing adequately for prolonged exposure to cold weather should be a no-brainer! Proper clothing is essential to the prevention of frostbite and other harmful effects. Boots need to feature good tread, and using kitty litter or an ice-melting product wherever you require good footing can help avoid slips and falls. Layer your clothing. Wearing waterproof items underneath your heavier clothes and including underclothing that wicks can help prevent exposure and sickness. Note that mittens trap warmth far more efficiently than gloves do.

What to Do if You Suffer an Injury

Even mild physical activities can cause disk herniations, back pain, neck and shoulder pain, radiating pain, and muscle soreness. If, despite precautions, you experience an injury or develop pain or muscle strains during snow removal, stop all exertion. Help is available! Contact Corrective Chiropractic, and let trained professionals make you more comfortable and help you recover faster through a variety of relief-giving therapies.

Peace, joy, and gratitude – these are things that we wish for during the holiday season and throughout the year. But those feelings are sometimes hard to come by in our stressful world, particularly around Christmas time, as we’re bombarded with our thoughts that may not be comforting or joyful.

I’ve been working with Charlotte, a mother in her forties, who usually becomes anxious and depressed during the holidays. She focuses on her negative thoughts and ends up being unable to enjoy or rejoice in the season. Each year, she finds herself in a prison made of her own ideas and thoughts, far from the blessings of her family and the celebration.

When Charlotte came to me, filled with self-blame and harsh judgments, I asked her what she would say if a friend came to her with such negativity towards herself. Charlotte said that she would show compassion and understanding. She would listen to her friend. “Why don’t we start there with you then?” I asked.

The first step for Charlotte was to learn and practice mindfulness or attention to the moment. This awareness can provide a connection between you and your surroundings, as well as the people around you. It is the act of just being – not judging.

I asked Charlotte to begin this practice of mindfulness by focusing on the simple pleasures of the holidays: the scent of the pine needles on the tree, the stocking fabric’s velveteen feel on her fingers, and the taste and texture of the Christmas cookie as she slowly and she thoughtfully chews. I asked her to be present, to experience those sensations as they occurred. And, should a negative thought find its way through, to simply notice the thought, acknowledge it, and then return to the moment: the scent, the touch, the taste.

The effect of happiness has a biological basis, something unique to humans. Research has shown that a focus on kindness and appreciation actually promotes the release, the secretion, of two chemicals that help us feel pleasure and wellbeing: oxytocin and dopamine. This helps us feel connected to others.

The opposite is also true. If we think negatively, attacking ourselves and others with negative thoughts, our brain triggers the release of adrenaline and dopamine, two substances that can increase agitation. This drives us away from others.

After a while, Charlotte began to notice just how often those negative and destructive thoughts interfered with the simple pleasures of the holiday season. At one point, she said that she now realized that negativity had somehow become her “default” way of thinking, that she had been moving through life on autopilot. This made her miss out on much of the world around her.

The next step came once Charlotte realized how she had been thinking and that she had control. She then began to judge herself harshly when she wasn’t being mindful. At that point, we needed to go back to the idea of helping a friend. “What would you say or do if this was a friend saying these things to you?”

Charlotte’s withdrawal into autopilot began in childhood, as she grew up in an alcoholic home. This past needed to be accepted before she could truly embrace her present. I worked with Charlotte to label the negative thoughts as judgment, fear, or hopelessness. As Charlotte went through this exercise whenever the thoughts occurred, she began to see how she had been so successfully programmed in that negative way of thinking. Even better, she began to see how she had choices.

Why is it important to share Charlotte’s story with you now? Because learning mindfulness is possible and the holiday season, with its ups and downs, joys and stresses, and hopes and expectations, is a good time to learn to take care of yourself and your thoughts. As neuroscientist Dr. Wayne Drevets observes “In the brain, practice makes permanent.” We can begin to change how we think, to change our perceptions during the holidays. This time of year gives us the opportunity to redefine how we think about ourselves and those around us.

If you would like to try some practices to foster your peace of mind during the holidays, here are some suggestions:

1. Focus on your breathing. When breathing in, thinK “be.” When breathing out, think “calm.” Breathe in and out slowly and purposefully.

2. Spend 30 seconds (or more) to allow your attention and senses to be fully in the present, IN here and the now.

3. Label your negative thoughts. Label them as “judgment,” “fear,” or “reliving the past,” as they pass through your mind. Then, redirect your attention back to the here and now.

4. Work on generating those positive chemicals, the oxytocin and dopamine. Called Loving Kindness Meditation, repeat in your mind:

• May I be at peace

• May I be healed

• May I send out living kindness to others

• May you be at peace

• May you be healed

• May you be filled with loving kindness

5. Notice when you feel moments of joy. Notice when you feel joyful towards someone else.

6. Notice when you feel jealous or resentful and ask yourself why that happened.

7. Forgive yourself. Say, “For the ways I was jealous or resentful, may I forgive myself.”

8. Offer appreciation to yourself. Appreciate when you have offered kindness and love to others.

9. Allow yourself to focus on what brings joy to you and those around you.

10. Remind yourself of the here and now. Notice the many blessing around you. Consider writing down these blessings as the day ends.

11. Intend to look for joy, love, and miracles around you. If you have trouble noticing such things, ask yourself why.

Charlotte is learning to notice the abundance of gifts around her and now finds the holidays offer a myriad of opportunities to practice mindful awareness.

If you take the entire summer off, a good pre-season wrestling training program can make up for lost time very easily. The idea is to show up to the first practice already in excellent shape, but bigger, faster and stronger than you were last year. With the right program, all of this is possible. The best way to make sure all attributes are getting covered is to set up a program with attention to both micro and macro cycles of training. The micro training cycle is your weekly program. A great split to use is weight lifting on Monday, Wednesday and Friday; wrestling practice on Tuesday and Thursday, with no training on the weekend. Plan weight lifting sessions to focus on strength/power, strength conditioning and speed/explosiveness. Plan the macro training cycle as a gradient developing pure power and size with weights only in the beginning and ending in speed movements and explosive strength drills relating specifically to wrestling and cardiovascular work. This way wrestlers will have time to develop muscular power in the beginning but also have their agility, speed and lungs ready when the season starts.

If you have 12 weeks to work, divide the macro cycle into thirds. The first four weeks are primarily for strength and power, the second four weeks for strength conditioning and the last 4 weeks leading up to the season should focus on speed, explosiveness and cardiovascular work. While each four weeks will focus on one specific attribute, they should not do so entirely. For example, during the power cycle, a small percentage of exercises should also cover strength endurance, speed and explosiveness. During the strength endurance and speed phases, include one or more exercises each week to encourage power as well. If you don’t do this, you will lose some of the hard earned strength you gained at the beginning of your program when you get to the end while focusing on speed and cardio preparing for the mat. A good pre-season training program should be well balanced to get the max benefit of all attributes trained.

When setting up the power cycle of your program, make one day for lower body, one day for upper body and a third day devoted entirely to core strength and the development of the posterior chain. For the lower and upper body days, choose a heavy compound movement for your first lift, keeping the reps under 5. Use spotters to keep your heavy weight lifting as safe as possible, however you must strain under heavy weights if you want to get stronger. Keep records of the lifts you perform under 3 reps and repeat the same exercise at least once during the whole cycle to try and beat your previous number. Accomplishing this will guarantee strength gains. After the first main lift, choose accessory exercises to target muscle groups that were just used in the main lift. For example, if you just benched, 1-2 accessory lifts should be performed for muscle groups in the following order of importance to the main lift; triceps, lats and shoulders. If you just squatted or dead lifted, perform 1-2 accessory lifts for muscle groups including the hamstrings, lower back, hips, quadriceps and abdominals. Do not perform more than 4-5 accessory lifts total and keep the reps in the 8-12 range.

Strength conditioning is a type of hardening training that every wrestler and fighter will profit from. It consists of performing multi-extension compound movements for repetitions, for example power cleans, clean and press, overhead squats, etc. Super setting or giant setting weight lifting exercises with moderate weight also works very well too. The point is to develop a type of improved cardio while lifting weights. This type of training is excellent for the wrestler or fighter who must strain their muscles and perform a variety of positions for an extended period of time (2 minute periods, 5 minute rounds, etc.). In the strength conditioning phase, an example of this type of workout for the lower body would first include a power movement, squats for 3-4 sets of 3 reps. This is to keep up the athlete’s strength. Next, power cleans for 3 sets of 8, kettle bell swings for 3 sets of 1 minute, weight back raises for 3 sets of 12-15 reps and finally 50-75 ft. sprints at the end.

An example of a strength conditioning workout for the upper body would start with a heavy compound movement first; floor press for 3-4 sets of 2 reps. Good accessory lifts to follow would be close grip push ups for 3-4 sets of 15 reps to failure, hang clean and press for 3 sets of 6-8 reps and weighted pull ups to failure. Grip training can also be performed at the end of upper body sessions and/or at the end of the week as the last exercises. As the strength conditioning phase progresses, switch to exercises that are more wrestling related and will work the whole body. Examples are carrying and throwing grappling dummies, training with sandbags, sled pulling and practicing shots wearing a weighted vest. Exercises mimicking events seen in strongman competitions are also great to implement during a strength conditioning phase. These include tire flipping, farmer’s walk, dead lifts and cleans with an axle bar and carrying heavy weights for distance. If you have pulling harnesses, pulling vehicles on a flat surface for time is excellent work for both the lungs and the legs.

Finally, make the last 3-4 weeks of your pre-season wrestling training emphasizing speed, explosiveness and building cardiovascular conditioning for the upcoming season. For at least the last three weeks right before the season starts, lighten the weights of first heavy compound movement to 40% or less. Perform 6-10 sets of 2-3 reps as fast and explosive as possible. The best exercises for this are the box squat, bench press and dead lift, however perform only single reps with the dead lift. Follow up with strength conditioning accessory lifts such as cleans, kettle bells, sled work and strongman exercises. Finish your speed weight lifting session with plyometric box jumps, depth jumps, drop jumps, shots against band resistance and short sprints. For the last 3-4 weeks of speed training, add 2-4 sessions of cardio to your week building in time as the weeks progress. For example, week one perform three 30 minute cardio sessions, week two perform three 45 minutes cardio sessions and week three perform 3-4 cardio sessions lasting 45 minutes to an hour each. Take the week directly before wrestling season starts off with no training performed at all for a complete rest.

The holidays are upon us and it seems that many people have decided to simplify their holiday traditions this year. Instead of spending hours shopping and getting frustrated at the mall, they have decided to spend quality time with friends and family.

In the spirit of simplicity and kindness, we have compiled a list of 12 simple and memorable ways to support a grieving loved one this holiday season. This list comes from the suggestions submitted by our online community. So take a minute to check your holiday To Do List and be sure you have added your grieving loved ones to the list.

1. Don’t be afraid to acknowledge the loss. One of the most important things you can do for a friend that is grieving is to understand that special occasions and holidays may be filled with both sorrow and joy. A message as simple as “I know the holidays may be difficult for you. I want you to know that I am thinking about you.” will let them know you care.

2. Listen and allow the tears to flow. Allow your friend the opportunity to feel all the feelings he or she is experiencing this time of year.

3. Allow the person to set the pace. Grief is a little like a roller coaster with many ups and downs. Your friend may want to cry one minute, talk about fun memories the next and then the next may want to have some time alone. Respect their needs and understand that their change in mood is not about you.

4. Encourage your friend to talk about the person that has passed away. If you knew the person, share your fond memories too.

5. Invite your friend to join your holiday gathering. As family members pass away, traditions change and a loved one may not be able to spend the holidays with their family. Including them in your family festivities will help ease the loneliness they may be feeling this time of year.

6. Send a card and be sure to acknowledge the loss. Don’t be afraid to mention the person’s name or to include your own personal memories of the person that has passed away.

7. Visit the cemetery with your friend or leave flowers with a note for the family at the gravesite.

8. Prepare your friend’s favorite holiday treat or a favorite food of the person that has passed away. Each year I prepare my mother’s holiday cookies to remember her love for the holidays.

9. Create a scrapbook of memories. Ask friends and family to write down their memories of the loved one that has passed away and put together a scrapbook of pictures and stories to give to your grieving friend.

10. Make a donation to their favorite charity in memory of the person that has passed away.

11. Encourage them to take care of themselves. Self care is very important to the healing process. Give a gift of pampering at a spa or prepare a care package that includes a relaxation CD, bath salts, and an aromatherapy candle. If going to a spa is not their way of relaxing, find an activity that brings them joy and relaxation.

12. Don’t run for the hills. Many people are afraid to be around a person that is grieving. They often treat the grieving person as though they have a contagious disease. A true friend is the one that stands by their friend and allows them the space to feel all the feelings they are going through…the good and the bad.

Offering your support, understanding and companionship during the holidays will be a cherished gift. Be sure to listen to your friend’s wishes and do not force him or her to participate in activities that may be overwhelming. Be sure to only offer your support if you know you can truly follow through. And remember, it is the simple acts of kindness that are delivered with an open heart that are remembered year after year.

Nominated for only one Emmy, the entertainment quality of Silk Stalkings is nevertheless evidenced by its nine season run which is one of the most enduring ever for an original cable TV series. Partly responsible for this lack of critical acclaim is that Silk Stalkings was a trailblazer in the cable genre, and handing out Emmys to original cable series didn’t become fashionable until the late-1990s when Sex And The City and The Sopranos broke the cable barrier for good. Another contributing factor to the lack of peer recognition is that Silk Stalkings lasted about four seasons longer than it should have, given that nearly the entire cast and crew were replaced after the first five seasons. Regardless, this hour-long drama series set in Palm Beach, Florida contains all the necessary ingredients for a hit show – beautiful people in a beautiful setting with lots of murder, violence, and intrigue. Silk Stalkings offers everything one could ask for in a TV drama, and the show’s success helped pave the way for additional original cable series such as Monk and The Shield…

Silk Stalkings follows the exploits of two Palm Beach, Florida detectives who investigate murders and other high profile crimes in an elite community which is no stranger to fame and fortune. Sgt. Chris Lorenzo (Rob Estes) and Sgt. Rita Lee Lance (Mitzi Kapture) are partners on the local Palm Beach Police Department, and each episode they must investigate one or more high-profile crimes. The dynamic relationship between Chris and Rita is a focal point of the show, and the two will overturn every stone and use every tactic at their disposal to bring justice to those who, either due to fame and/or wealth, believe they are above the laws that governor average people… Veteran entertainer Ben Vereen plays their boss, Capt. Hutchinson, in seasons one through three before being replaced by Charlie Brill (Capt. Harry Lipschitz) for the remainder of the series… Overall, Silk Stalkings is a finely scripted investigative drama cut from the same mold as Law & Order SVU…

The Silk Stalkings (Season 3) DVD features a number of dramatic episodes including the season premiere “Crime of Love” in which Rita becomes disillusioned when the parole board grants an early release to Tony Fielding, a convicted criminal apprehended by Rita several years earlier… Other notable episodes from Season 3 include “Love Never Dies” in which the Palm Beach fashion community is rocked when a young model dies from a drug overdose, and “The Scarlet Shadow” in which Rita becomes the subject of an internal investigation when she’s the last person to see one of her friends before that friend turns up murdered…

Below is a list of episodes included on the Silk Stalkings (Season 3) DVD:

Episode 44 (Crime of Love) Air Date: 06-10-1993

Episode 45 (Team Spirit) Air Date: 09-26-1993

Episode 46 (The Perfect Alibi) Air Date: 10-03-1993

Episode 47 (To Serve and Protect) Air Date: 10-17-1993

Episode 48 (Tough Love) Air Date: 10-24-1993

Episode 49 (Sex, Lies, and Yellow Tape) Air Date: 10-31-1993

Episode 50 (Schemes Like Old Times) Air Date: 11-07-1993

Episode 51 (Love Never Dies) Air Date: 11-14-1993

Episode 52 (Daddy Dearest) Air Date: 11-21-1993

Episode 53 (Ladies Night Out) Air Date: 12-05-1993

Episode 54 (The Party’s Over) Air Date: 12-12-1993

Episode 55 (Killer Cop) Air Date: 01-09-1994

Episode 56 (T.K.O.) Air Date: 01-16-1994

Episode 57 (Judas Kiss) Air Date: 01-23-1994

Episode 58 (Love Bandit) Air Date: 01-30-1994

Episode 59 (Whore Wars) Air Date: 02-06-1994

Episode 60 (The Scarlet Shadow) Air Date: 02-13-1994

Episode 61 (Head ‘N’ Tail) Air Date: 02-20-1994

Episode 62 (Freudian Slip) Air Date: 02-27-1994

Episode 63 (The Last Campaign) Air Date: 03-06-1994

Episode 64 (The Deep End) Air Date: 03-13-1994

Episode 65 (Mother Love) Air Date: 03-20-1994

Episode 66 (Dark Heart) Air Date: 03-27-1994

Nothing is more frustrating than trying to cook a delicious meal and having it stick to the bottom of the pan. A well season or cured pan will make cooking more fun, easier to clean and create better tasting food. There is a saying in the restaurant business; Hot pan – Cold oil. Meaning never put the oil in a cold pan and then heat it up. By heating the pan first and then adding the oil, then immediately the food, you’ll have much less sticking. Furthermore if you season the pan when you first purchase it, you will have even better results.

Curing by metal types

Stainless Steel – Unfortunately stainless steel cannot be seasoned because of the hardness of the metal. A matter of fact I don’t know of a single restaurant which uses stainless steel pan. They are great for storing food because the food won’t react with the metal, but horrible for cooking. My advice is just stay away from them altogether.

Aluminum – First wash the pan with soup and water using a sponge or cloth (no steel sponge). Rinse and dry thoroughly. Heat the pan until hot then add two ounces of oil to the pan. Carefully swirl the pan so the oil coats every part of the pan. Let the pan cool. Remove the oil and repeat the process one more time. From this point on, never use soap again. Wash with warm water and dry with a paper towel. If some food does stick us a little salt with oil and a paper towel to remove it.

Teflon and other non stick surfaces – Non stick technology has come a long way over the years and there are dozens of infomercials to prove it. But the truth is even non stick pans will eventually stick. Follow the steps for seasoning aluminum pans and your non stick pans will last longer and perform better. Remember after the first time, never wash with soup again.

Cast iron and wok’s – For cast iron and wok’s the process is similar, but because of the nature of the metal you’ll heat the pans to a much higher temperature. Fist wash the pan with soup and water then dry thoroughly. Heat the pan up until it is very hot. Add two ounces of oil and swirl to coat all sides. Let cool and remove excess oil. Heat the pan up again until it begins to smoke. Add more oil and repeat the process until you’ve done this three times. Never wash again and always store you pans at any angle or by hanging so they won’t rust.

By taking the time to properly season you pans, you will enjoy cooking much more and increase the life of your investment. I recommend spending a little extra money and buying good quality pans and take care of them, in the long run you’ll be much happier. Another tip is to never buy pans with plastic or wooden handles because you can’t place them in the oven. As you increase you cooking skills you’ll find many recipes start on the burner then move to the oven. By having an all metal pan this transition is flawless.