Rich's for the Home

How to Have an Eco-Friendly 4th of July

This 4th of July, why not go "green" with your celebration? Here's how:

1.  Get crafty.

Ask your guests to bring a box of stuff they'd normally throw away. You supply hammers, nails, glue etc. Set everything out on a table and have everyone craft their own wind-chime or garden sign.

2.  Choose local, organic foods whenever possible.

Turn a visit to an organic farm into a party. Don't be shy about asking the farmer for ideas and recipes.

3.  Focus on no-cost fun, including old-fashioned games.

Set up an obstacle course or relay races that you adapt according to participants' ages. More games.

4.  If you're seriously into eco-friendly, ditch the personal fireworks as they are anything but.

Also, it is more environmentally friendly for thousands of people to attend a big display versus setting off your own fireworks.

5.  Don’t waste food.

If you have leftovers, send them with people who will eat them. Put them in containers with lids versus plastic baggies. If you don’t want to send your good leftover dishes, buy disposable that can be washed and re-used.

6.  Recycle any waste that is left over.

Put veggie and fruit scraps in the compost bin. Recycle aluminum cans and anything plastic or glass.

7.  Walk to your local parade and fireworks instead of using your car.

That will make even parking a breeze. Or ride your bikes and get good exercise too.

8.  Proudly wear a green tee shirt to any gatherings.

How about “I’m celebrating with Red, White and Green?”

Thanks to CelebrateGreen for a couple of the above ideas.

How to Plan an Earth-friendly Summer Celebration

For most Americans, July 4th marks the official start of summer and that means family and friends gathering together enjoying each other at picnics and barbecues. But all this celebrating can take a toll on the Earth (and cost a lot of green as well), so why not consider some alternatives to the ways we've traditionally celebrated summer? Here are just a few ideas:

Serve filtered tap water. It's so easy to hit one of the big box stores and pick up cartons of water if you're hosting a picnic or barbecue, but you can save money and the planet when you choose to drink and serve filtered tap water instead.

Knowing that bottled water (even by the case), is 240 to 10,000 times more expensive than tap water and that 40% of bottled water should be labeled tap water because that's what it is, you may decide that the "convenience" is simply not worth the cost. Instead, set out pitchers of iced tap water and ask a willing helper to keep the pitchers full.

Substitute reusables for disposables when possible. Picnics and barbecues have become synonymous with throw aways--plates, cups, napkins, tablecloths and decor. While there are more choices for disposables made from recycled and biodegradable materials, using what you already own and remains a more earth-friendly (and budget-conscious) choice.

If you don't own enough plates and glasses, why not:

1. Borrow. Friends and neighbors are usually happy to contribute
2. Ask everyone to bring their own place settings. That's what people used to do B.P.P. (before paper plates).
3. Hit your local thrift store. You'll likely be able to pick up dozens of plates very inexpensively and when you're done, you can donate them back.

When it comes to napkins, tablecloths and decor, think outside the paper box by decorating with items you already own, like sheets. Supply guests with red, white and blue fabric markers and set them loose. You'll end up with a unique table covering that you can use over and over again. Also, washcloths make great napkins and if they're stained with barbecue sauce, use them for rags.

--
Guest posters Lynn Colwell and Corey Colwell-Lipson are mother and daughter and co-authors of Celebrate Green! Creating Eco-Savvy Holidays, Celebrations and Traditions for the Whole Family. 

Grilling Steaks in the Front Yard? Why Not!

I’ve been celebrating National Gardening Month (April) a bit early by having my front yard professionally remodeled. During the design phase of my remodel, the landscaper took one look at my yard and pronounced, “This yard is a blank slate.” (In other words, “It looks terrible!”)

My family and I planted all the trees, shrubs, and ground cover (pictured). As we dug holes, watered, and fertilized, my teenage sons eyed the graveled area where I am considering adding a beautiful Ipé wood bench from Rich’s.

“We should put a grill in this spot,” they announced. “And a fire pit! We can barbeque steaks out here, and then roast marshmallows for dessert and sit by the fire.”

Hmmm… hadn’t thought of that.

Now—particularly in light of the fact that Rich’s has a huge Outdoor Living sale in progress (through May 10, 2010)—I’m re-considering how to use my new outdoor space.

This “P” (for “Premium”) Series Broilmaster grill might be just the ticket. Available in natural gas and propane, the grill comes standard with:

• Push-button electronic igniter
• Dual-control knobs
• Porcelain-coated cast iron cooking grids*
• Stainless steel built-in heat indicator
• Adjustable stainless steel lid stop
• Aluminum grill body castings*
• Stainless steel bowtie burner*
• Retractable stainless steel warming rack
• Standard Charmaster briquets. Optional stainless steel flavor screen

This grill’s stainless steel cart and mountings carry a lifetime warranty – important, since I’ll be hauling it back and forth to my garage.

And hey, the front shelf even has cup holders! You can’t go wrong with cup holders.

Rich’s makes a point of serving as a one-stop grilling shop. In addition to a full line of grills and grill accessories from Broilmaster, Weber, Big Green Egg, Dimplex, Lynx, TwinEagles, Vermont Casting, DCS, and Traeger, Rich’s carries a huge array of rubs, sauces, and charcoal flavors.

Check out these two articles for details on some of the goodies you’ll discover when you visit one of Rich’s five showrooms in Lynnwood, Bellevue, Tacoma, Southcenter, or Silverdale: 

Grilling Accessories at Rich’s for the Home

• Disposable grill wipes
• Collapsible mesh food tent
• Meat thermometers galore
• Cloth grill mitts
• Grilling cookbooks: The Barbecue Bible; Ribs, Ribs, Ribs; BBQ USA… to name a few
• Grilling aprons (both manly and feminine)
• Silicone BBW mitt

Big Green EGGcessories

• Baking stone
• Vertical roaster
• Grill gripper
• Smoke pellet variety sampler
• Gourmet seasoning

*Broilmaster Lifetime warranty

How to Plan a Family New Year's Eve Party

Are you ready for New Year's? I am not, but it's time to get started on it. I put away all my Christmas decorations and followed some great organization tips for next year.

As usual, we did end up with even more decorations after collecting some as Christmas presents so I had to scrounge up a few more bins for them. The teens got the bins to storage and the tree to the curb for me.

I didn't feel ready to plan New Year's until I organized some issues that were weighing heavily on my mind. The main one was the massive amount of toys that youngest has acquired, mostly as hand-me-downs but some on his own. The playroom was full and over half of them he never plays with because they are buried in toy bins.

Today he and I went to work. We donated three full bins to our local thrift store that supports a recovery network and we are carefully organizing the rest. The room will be fully clean and organized tomorrow and I can't wait for that moment. It's a good feeling and even youngest feels better. Plus, he is finding toys that he hasn't seen in months!

Now with an almost-clean house and a resolve to get rid of even more and not collect so much STUFF this next year, I am ready to plan for a New Year's Eve event. Here are some tips to help you plan too:

1. Consider teaming up. I discovered that my neighbor is going to have a movie night for New Year's. So instead of planning yet another event and making the other neighbors choose, we are teaming up. We will have it at her house, but I will take care of the menu. This will lessen the stress on both of us and hopefully let us both have more fun.
2. Consider a family-friendly event. Consider family-friendly time and you won't have to worry about getting a babysitter. Get movies like we are doing, or plan a Wii Sports night or board game night. Let the teens gather with supervision or hold a dance. The whole family can have fun on New Year's eve.
3. Over-plan the activity. You can never have enough games and activity. There is usually a reason (not enough people, resistance from participants etc) that at least one activity gets ditched. It's normal-but plan some back-up fun events to hold instead.
4. Keep the menu simple. On the other hand, you will save time, money and stress by keeping the menu simple. Plan on snacks, appetizers and drinks. Do not try to plan a four-course meal so soon after the holidays. Give yourself a break, and permission to have fun. It's a whole another year until you have to do it all again!

Happy New Year to all of you from the team at Rich's for the Home!

How to Dress Up Your Holiday Ham or Roast

It's Christmas week already. And although you likely have already been meal planning, you may have not thought about presentation of the meat-often the main part of your holiday meal. If you have decided that Thanksgiving provided ample turkey and are cooking a roast or ham instead, here are some tips to help you make a great presentation:

1. Start with the basics. And by that, I mean don't doubt the power of your platter underneath the meat. A metal pan is tacky. Even a glass pan will not give the best impression. A platter that matches your dish set that you will be using or a platter with an elegant holiday theme (perhaps etched glass) is perfect.
2. Decide what form to serve the meat in. Do you want to present it as a whole piece, or slice it up on the platter first? It's important to decide this before deciding between potential garnishes.
3. Use a meat thermometer. If you don't want to cut into the meat to check that it is done, make sure that you use a meat thermometer to insure that the meat has reached the correct temperature. Ham should be at 160 degrees and beef should be at 155-165 degrees for well done. 

There are also several options for garnishes after the meat is on the platter:

1. Fruit - A honey-glazed ham pairs well with fruit so use toothpicks to attach pineapple rings, maraschino cherries or oranges sliced in circles. Or arrange fruit around the meat on the platter.
2. Flowers - Buy carnations or roses and cut off the stems. Arrange the head only of the flowers around the roast. Even one or two flowers will make the meat presentation unique. Try edible flowers for even more "ooo and ahh."
3. Veggies - Layer the platter with lettuce or parsley and place the meat on top of it. Or use cooked veggies such as cubed potatoes, long stems of broccoli, beets or asparagus. Another idea is to shred carrots, make little "beds" of them around the roast and place a small red radish or small tomato in the center of the carrot beds.
4. Nuts - Place chestnuts, pecans or almonds around the base of the roast.

As the cook, you should also decide how the meat will be served. Will it be sliced at the table and plates passed around the table for their portion? If so, add a portion of the edible garnishes to each serving after you place a slice on a plate.

Don't be afraid to practice a couple of garnishes before the big day. A well-presented main dish can become the talk of the holiday dinner.

We're Social!

In case you didn't yet know, you can follow us and befriend us on some social sites. There you will get updates, notifications of sales and of course, ask us any questions that you might have. It's kind of like a mini-newsletter.

Are you on Twitter? Follow us there and it will work somewhat like an RSS feed. You will get an update in your stream when we update this blog. We also post helpful tips and sometimes point out past posts when the information is still timely.

We are also on Facebook! There you will find our blog updates, as well as links to our videos and other helpful information. You will also see product pictures, pictures from the home shows and fan pictures that people have sent in. (Note: Fans seem to LOVE their Big Green Eggs!)

See you online!

Your Spa.....Ahhhh! Tips for a Fall Party

Fall is almost here and although you may enjoy your hot tub all year around, some of us tend to put it away in the winter. If you are one of those who tucks it aside for the colder weather, I encourage you to use it a few more times first. Although the evenings are chilly right now, it is a perfect time to have a hot tub party, as long as you prepare for possible inclement weather and also have indoor activity available. It can be one last way to celebrate the warmth, sun and the beginning of the Fall season and all that it brings. Your friends and family will enjoy an opportunity to both hit the hot tub and socialize and I know that you will be glad too.

Here are some tips for a Fall Hot tub party:

1. Try to keep school and sport schedules in mind. You won't have many attendees if everyone has School Open House or a sports event.
2. Have warm drinks available and include a variety such as tea, hot cocoa, cider and coffee.
3. Don't forget snacks! Consider appetizer-type ones such as BBQ'd Chicken Wings, Meatballs and Raw Veggies.
4. Purchase some BIG fluffy towels. Your guests will love the luxurious feeling.
5. Plan sometime cozy like a movie after the dipping. Or, play a board or card game.

Labor Day 2009: making it memorable

It's almost Labor Day 2009. Do you have anything special planned? One last bash before Fall begins? Making it special for all probably tops your list of things to do.

Why not make it a very cool BBQ right in your own backyard? Here are some ideas to make it the best bash yet:

1. Decide on a menu early. Then make a list and stick to it when shopping. This will prevent a ton of stress and standing in the aisle of a store thinking "Oh maybe I should add THAT." 
2. Keep special diets in mind. And provide grill veggies or veggie burgers in addition to meats.
3. Shop the day before Labor Day not on Labor Day.
4. Make sure your grill is working and that you have all supplies needed before Labor Day.
5. Have enough chairs for most of your guests.
6. Involve the kids and family in fun things like decorating.
7. Consider placing an older child in charge of games. Have a backup plan but try to play what they want to play. It will be fun.
8. Don't forget to call or email family and friends to invite them to the gathering.
9. Plan for only a couple hours, but be willing to hang out with those who want to stay later.

Games for Outdoor Entertaining 3: Water Balloon Toss

WATER BALLOON TOSS

The Water Balloon Toss is a great way to both cool off and add some laughs to your outdoor gathering. Aww come on-a little water never hurt anyone, right?

PRE-PLAN

1. Buy a bag or two of water balloons.
2. Fill them up.
3. Place them in large buckets or containers.

STEPS

1. Partner participants up with someone of similar height, if possible.
2. Line people up so there is an even distance between two lines, with partners across from each other.
3. Give water balloon to one partner, who must toss it to their partner. The partner should catch it.
4. After each toss, the person who tossed it must step back one step.
5. Teams are out when their balloon breaks.

MIX IT UP

• If you don't want winners and losers, just keep passing out balloons to people who break theirs until all the balloons are gone.
• Add an action before tossing. For instance, tosser must do a jumping jack before tossing balloon.
• Rotate one line after each toss so that people can experience different partners.

Treasure Hunt
Freeze Tag

Games for Outdoor Entertaining 2: Freeze Tag

FREEZE TAG

Freeze Tag is an oldie but goodie and is fun even for adults. The person who is "it" runs around and tags people. Once tagged, the person is frozen and can't move around again until someone who is free crawls between their legs.


PRE-PLAN

1. Find a space. The backyard will work.
2. Decide who is "it".

MIX IT UP

• Divide the group into two teams. Use a ribbon or bandanna around the wrists to differentiate teams. Have two people be "it", one from each team. Free people can only unfreeze people on their own team. When you want to end the game, the team with the most unfrozen people wins.
• Start with a wide playing area and narrow it throughout the game.
• Make a safe zone where people can run to but they can only be in there twice during the game and for 15 seconds at a time.

STEPS

1. Go!

Treasure Hunt

Games for Outdoor Entertaining 1: Treasure Hunt

It's party time! Are you ready for outdoor entertaining this year? I sure am. I am going to start a series on outside games that you can use to spice up your outdoor party. And most of them are for the adults as well as the kids! So get your planning notebook or print this page and add it to your ideas. It's FUN.

TREASURE HUNT

The best treasure hunts are when the prize is valuable to that particular crowd. For kids, of course, it can be as simple as a box of candy. For adults, you might have to get more clever (although candy is sometimes appreciated in that age group too). Try movie passes, bowling passes, game or play tickets or food and drink.

PRE-PLAN

1. Cut slips of paper or use index cards for each clue.
2. Each clue needs to lead to a location with the next clue.
3. Make the clue rhyme, if you can.
4. When done with a clue, fold it over and write on the outside of the clue where you will be placing it.
5. Make the last stop the TREASURE.
6. Don't hide the FIRST clue. But do hide the rest.

MIX IT UP

• Divide into teams and see who can find the treasure the most quickly. If you have teams, you will have to make more than one copy of each clue and explain that each team should only take one.
• Ask your neighbors if they can house a "stop" in their yards. Or, use other stops such as the stop-sign down the street.
• The more clues, the longer it will take.

STEPS

1. Either divide people into teams or make it a group effort.
2. Pass out the first clue.
3. GO!

Inauguration Day 2009 Celebration

Are you celebrating Inauguration Day 2009? It’s a more-than-usual historic event and a celebration as well. Here are some tips for you.

 

• Tape or TiVo the Inauguration so that you can watch it during your gathering as it runs in the morning, on both a school and work-day for most people.

• Celebrate outside! Our weather has much improved and it’s a little warm out there. Great to see, don’t you agree? So if the sun is out, get your friends outside for some much needed sun. Then when it’s time to watch the inauguration, gather the troops near the television.


• Emphasize to kids involved how important this day is in history, if they don’t already know.


• Decide how you can celebrate in a family-friendly way. Have food and drinks that all can drink and eat.

• Prepare some historical trivia questions in regards to past presidents as a way to get conversation going where needed. Don’t forget to also write down the answers.


• Consider décor that imitates royalty, the White House (or parts within), capital buildings, monuments, etc.

• Don’t forget to use your grill to make super-duper Inauguration Day burgers or steaks.

Inauguration Day Veggie Appetizer

Find Neighborhood Inaugural Ball Parties

Inaugural Party at Lincoln Memorial

All about the Inauguration

Inaugural Events

All about the Inaugural Ball

The Ten Must-Haves for Tailgating by Joe Cahn

Joe stopped by to give us his die-hard list of "Tailgating Must-Haves". He’s totally on target here folks so make sure when you pack up your mini-grill to take to the games this year that you also note the rest of the items on this list.

Bull’s-Eye Barbecue Sauce:

Barbecue sauce is the new ketchup! Bull’s-Eye uses high quality ingredients and has no high fructose corn syrup, so I think it’s the best bottled sauce on grocery store shelves. No one will know that it’s not your secret recipe.

Toilet Paper:

It may seem silly, but toilet paper is one of the most important pieces of equipment for a tailgate.  Port-o-lets never have enough toilet paper, so make sure you’re always prepared when nature calls.

Portable Power Station:

After an entire day of partying in the parking lot, you don’t want to be left in the dark with a dead battery after the game.

Tailgating check list:

Nothing is worse than someone forgetting ice for the cooler, charcoal for the grill or tickets for the game. A check list is a great way to keep organized and to ensure that you’ve packed everything. And it’s free!

Restaurant-Quality Tools:

They’re not as fancy as the barbecue sets that you can find in stores, but they work the best and will stand up to the elements to make it through many tailgating seasons. Tools that I like include a Stainless Steel flexible Spatula and Stainless Steel Tongs.

Waterproof Oven Mitt:

This oven mitt is finished with a special coating that keeps liquids and steam from penetrating the fabric and seams, so it prevents steam, water and grease burns. It also has extra length to protect your forearm and is dishwasher safe for easy clean up.

Food Storage Cereal Dispenser:

With so many people visiting your tailgate, a cereal dispenser is a great way to make sure that dirty hands don’t get into the peanuts or trail mix. The airtight container will also keep food nice and fresh.

American Red Cross Family First Aid Kit:

Whether there’s a burn at the grill or rogue football that bounces off a tailgater’s head, having a first aid kit on hand is always a must.

Casio EX-S10:

This is the world’s smallest and thinnest 10 megapixel camera.You can slide it into a pocket so that it’s always on hand and it also has a YouTube mode, which allows you to record video and easily share memories with your new tailgating friends.

Tundra Fire Extinguishing Spray:

To ensure that your tailgate doesn’t border on scorching, keep this extinguishing spray on hand to put out any flames and to keep your guests in the clear. It’s powerful and easy to use, just point and spray.

Five Ways to Make a Great Guest Experience

1. Check out local attractions and "tourist" draws. Here on the coast and near my home we have the Astoria Column, Maritime Museum, Heritage Museum, Seaside Arcade, Beach (of course), Art Galleries/Restaurants in Cannon Beach, Tillamook Cheese Factory (free!), Blue Heron French Cheese Petting Farm (free!) and more.

2. Plan activities for down-time and keep people moving. Why? Otherwise they may sit, sit, sit and wonder why they are tired. Think about bike rides, walks or runs, a game of basketball or tennis, etc and plan for group activity on a regular basis. Don’t make participation a requirement but those that want to stay active will appreciate it. On the flip side, plan evening activity that is more laid back such as a great movie or card game. And keep in mind—just because it is planned doesn’t mean it has to happen. Be flexible, but prepared.

3. Think more healthy-people associate breaks, vacations and fun times with sugar. But this will also cause fatigue so provide healthy drinks too and plenty of water. Go easy on the desserts and provide fresh snack food like fruits and veggies. Your guests will feel better.

4. Continue to clean. I know, what a pain. But experience is part of the picture so make sure you keep up with dishes, laundry, etc while your guests are with you. It’s no fun to have mountains of it when everyone leaves and of course, you will need to re-use the dishes while everyone is there. Collect dirty towels and get them washed. Don’t forget to take care of your pets. Sometimes guests even pitch in to help—don’t forget to say "yes".

5. Insure that creature comforts are met. It is true that people cannot concentrate on relaxation (or much else) when they are hot or cold, don’t have shelter or are hungry. A good host or hostess insures that these needs are met the entire time—as much as they are able to meet them.

Organize Your Entertaining To-Do List

Your list is of vital importance when you are planning an event. For a big family reunion (30 plus people at my house), I had help—thank goodness—in crossing out those to-dos but I still found it helpful to have it organized. There are several different ways to do this.

1. Organize by Day-Make lists for several days leading up to the event, organized by day (i.e. Tuesday-mow yard, buy food).
2. Organize by Degree of Difficulty- Make different lists with "adult" chores and ones the kids can help with or do.
3. Organize by Skill- Make lists for different members of the family based on their abilities, gifts, or what they like to do (i.e. Dad-mow yard. Mom-Shop. Kid-Vacuum Living Room).
4. Organize by Proxy- Draw names for various to-dos and make a separate list for each individual to cross off items as they are completed.
5. Don't organize at all—and if you still have a successful event, call me. I need your brain.

What you use to make your list is important too. In my experience, Post-It Notes ™ can get lost unless they are mounted to paper. Sometimes they work on a white board but have the potential of loosening as people walk by. You are better off using the white board itself. Since I don’t want to miss any to-dos, I keep a spiral notebook and use several pages—that way it stays all together. I even use those same pages for a shopping list, guest list and anything else related to the event.