This is the top of my list of gadget that I neither need nor have space for, but want anyway, of course!

The new AeroGarden SpaceSaver 6 Elite is a 6-pod garden that features high-efficiency lighting and quiet, low maintenance advanced growing system and a 24-hour light cycle for faster growth.

It’s on sale for $149.95 here. Or you can get it at Target for $149.99.

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Now that it’s warming up, it’s time for some frozen treats that are easy to make and good for you, too.

Equipment You’ll Need
Blender
Popsicle mold

The rule of thumb is to use 3 to 4 cups of cubed/chunked fresh or frozen fruit and 1/4 cup of fruit juice (fresh or frozen concentrate).

The combinations are endless:

• Fresh strawberries with fresh or frozen orange juice or frozen lemonade concentrate
• Frozen cherries and fresh pineapple juice
• Fresh mango and frozen lemonade concentrate
• Fresh or canned pineapple and fresh or frozen concentrate orange juice
• Fresh watermelon and frozen limeade concentrate

That’s just off the top of my head, so dream up your own, experiment and let me know what you come up with!

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You’ve heard it before but I’m going to say it again–eat your breakfast!

It’s the most important meal of the day, as it “breaks the fast” and it also gives you fuel to get moving and face the day.

If you’re short on time, I have just the trick–a smoothie. You don’t even have to shell out $5 a morning at Jamba Juice (although they are good!).

Here’s all you need to DIY a smoothie:

Blender
Milk (I use Soy, but whatever kind you prefer is fine)
Frozen fruit
Bananas
* I also add a tablespoon of Flax oil for Omega-3s

Simple throw about one cup of frozen fruit, one cup of milk and one fresh banana in the blender, blend until smooth, put it in a travel cup and you’re off to start your day.

I’ve had great success with strawberries, blueberries, cherries and bananas in every possible combination. Mangos didn’t blend as well, and I’m guessing pineapple will pose the same problem.

Since it’s warming up where I live, I figure I’ll be drinking smoothies for breakfast until it’s cold again, then switch back to oatmeal.

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Because your refrigerator/freezer is always running, it’s important that you’re using it efficiently. In most households, the refrigerator is the single biggest energy consuming kitchen appliance.

If you replace a refrigerator bought in 1990 with a new ENERGY STAR qualified model, you would save enough energy to light your (average-sized) household for nearly four months.

According to the American Council for an Energy-Efficient Economy (ACEEE), you can minimize the energy consumption of your existing refrigerator by following these tips:

1. Check Door Seals
Do this by putting a dollar bill in the door as you close it and see if it holds firmly in place. Or, put a bright flashlight inside the refrigerator and direct the light toward a section of the door seal. With the door closed and the room darkened, inspect for light through the crack.

2. Adjust the Thermostat
The refrigerator compartment should be kept between 36°F and 38°F, and the freezer compartment between 0°F and 5°F.

3. Move the Refrigerator to a Cooler Location
If your refrigerator is in the sunlight or next to your stove or dishwasher, it has to work harder.

4. Check Power-Saver Switch
Many refrigerators have small heaters built into the walls to prevent moisture from condensing on the outer surface. On some units, this feature can be turned off with an energy-saver or power-saver switch. Unless you have noticeable condensation, keep this switch on the energy saving setting.

5. Minimize Frost Build-Up
Manual defrost and partial automatic defrost refrigerators and freezers should be defrosted on a regular basis. The buildup of ice on the coils inside the unit means that the compressor has to run longer to maintain cold temperatures, wasting energy. If you live in a very hot, humid climate and don’t use air conditioning, defrosting may be required quite frequently with a manual defrost model. After defrosting, you might be able to adjust the thermostat to a warmer setting, further saving energy.

6. Manage Your Food and Storage Space
To keep your refrigerator from working too hard, let hot foods cool, cover foods, label items for quick identification, and keep your freezer full.

Buying New
When buying a new refrigerator, ACEEE recommends that you consider models that use at least 20% less electricity than that required by federal law. Models that are 20%, 25% and 30% better than the federal standard may even qualify for rebates — check with your local utility.

To compare energy performance across different refrigerator types, look for the measured “kWh/year” on the yellow EnergyGuide label posted on the refrigerator (and available on-line through many manufacturers and retailers websites).

Many ENERGY STAR qualified refrigerator models include automatic ice-maker and through-the-door ice dispensers. Qualified models are also available with top, bottom, and side-by-side freezers. For a list of ENERGY STAR refrigerators and freezers, click here.

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