Samsung Black Stainless Steel vs. Stainless Steel

Samsung Black Stainless Steel vs. Stainless Steel

You’ve finally nailed down which Samsung appliance you want, but you can’t decide on whether to get it in stainless steel or the new black stainless steel finish. They both look great, but choosing one over the other seems difficult to do. You can’t go wrong with either design, but what are you to do when you like them both equally? We’ve laid out a few features of each style that stood out to us to help you decide between the two.

Stainless Steel Is Professional and Classic

It’s hard not to feel like a professional chef when you have stainless steel appliances shining in your kitchen. It’s what most of the masters tend to use because of its durability and timelessness, making it look great for as long as it lasts. And it lasts a long time. If you spend a good amount of time in the kitchen or have kids rummaging around looking for something to eat, things tend to get beat up in there pretty quickly. Luckily, stainless steel appliances won’t scratch easily, stain, or rust and will continue to look clean for ages.

Samsung Stainless Steel Kitchen

Speaking of cleaning, the upkeep on stainless steel surfaces is extremely easy to deal with. The Samsung stainless steel appliances are fingerprints resistant, making smudges difficult to come by. But every once in a while, some really sticky hands come in contact with the appliances, making the finish look a mess. Fortunately, all it takes is a clean washcloth to wipe up the mess. So why wouldn’t you go the way of this metallic look? No clue – unless you’re looking for a change.

Black Stainless Steel Is Fresh and Bold

Black Stainless Steel is everything you’ve ever liked about stainless steel, but just with a black exterior. Of course, the steel itself isn’t black. It’s coated with a black oxide, giving it a little more protection than stainless steel. Unlike the regular stainless steel, black stainless steel is new and bold. It’s easily a statement piece in your kitchen, standing out for all your guests (and you) to admire.

Black Stainless Steel Kitchen

It too has a smudge-proof coating and is as easy to clean as the Samsung stainless steel appliances. Although it’s a great guard against scratches, a quick slash from a wedding ring could easily leave a mark. Choose this colour on your appliances if you’re an avid cooker looking for an interesting transformation in the kitchen.

Battle of the Steels

Both stainless steel and black stainless steel have incredible finishes that can turn any ordinary kitchen into a contemporary culinary home. But if you’re looking for one style to go with, which do you choose? For those who have a bit more traffic in their kitchen, having Samsung black stainless steel appliances can offer a little more protection on the exterior during accidental collisions.

If you can’t decide which appliance finish you want to go with, let us help you! Stop by our store today to take a look in person at both styles from Samsung.

Amanda, Your Appliance Expert

 

Top 5 Sleep Disorders in Children

The Top 5 Sleep Disorders in Children

Sleep disorders in children are varied and not uncommon. Some disorders may result in cranky and tired children, while others may cause behavioural and physical issues requiring medical attention. Studies show that children as young as 1 year old will show signs of anxiety around sleep, but many will resolve these issues as they get older. Some, however, do not. Your pediatrician should be the source of information as it applies to your child.

The signs that indicate that there may be a problem with your child’s sleep quality include excessive sleepiness during the day, bedwetting, crankiness and moodiness, trouble concentrating on simple tasks or at school.

Sometimes we will jump to conclusions as to why our children are misbehaving or appear moody. It is always worth digging a little deeper into how they sleep. Working closely with your pediatrician might help narrow in on the source of the following symptoms.

Here are the top 5 possible sleep disorders your child could be suffering from.

1) Snoring

Some children, as young as two, can suffer from insomnia due to snoring which can be a result of large adenoids, tonsillitis, a deviated septum or sinus congestion due to allergies. If you have seen or heard your child snore, and stop breathing briefly, it is wise to visit with an otolaryngologist to rule out sleep apnea or other physiological issues. In some cases, surgery can resolve the problem.

2) Bedwetting

Bed-Wetting

Studies show that bedwetting occurs in about 50% of children under the age of 3. This is typically caused by the transition from diapers and trainers. Bladder control might take a little longer to develop in some children, and worth speaking to your pediatrician. Some children, however, sleep so soundly that they don’t register the need to go. Limiting fluids close to bedtime can help here. It is also worth considering any stress your child might be experiencing at home or school if it persists.

If you want to know more about bedwetting solutions, read our previous article Bedwetting: 4 easy solutions for worried parents.

3) Sleepwalking

Studies show that about 17% of children suffer from sleepwalking with most of them growing out of it. If you suspect your child walks around the house or can potentially step outdoors in the middle of the night, precautions should be taken. Placing locks on doors at a height they can’t reach, nightlights along baseboards or gentle alarms that can alert you are wise defences. The objective is to gently coax them back to sleep without waking them if possible. Consult your pediatrician if it persists.

4) Sleep Terrors

Much more severe than nightmares, sleep terrors are characterized by your child still in a deep sleep, experiencing an episode of deep fear and anxiety, but not having any recollection of it. Unlike nightmares where children will have, mostly, total recall, they will not be aware of a sleep terror. Depending on their age, removing all exposure to violent programs, games and books should be considered. Stress at home or school can also be the source of this disorder.

If you think your child is simply having nightmares, here it to help Helping your children with bad dreams.

5) Insomnia

Child not able to sleep

This sleep disorder is not only reserved for adults, but children can toss and turn unable to close their eyes to sleep. Besides following proper sleep hygiene routines, consider their schedule of activities, amount of homework, room temperature, and scratchy sheets.

Consult with your medical practitioner if you notice any of these symptoms in your children. Solutions are easily available from conventional and holistic therapies.

Angela, Your Sleep Expert

Why Adjustable Beds Are a Solution for Some Sleep Sufferers

Why Adjustable Beds Are a Solution for Some Sleep Sufferers - L&P

As a couple, we do many things together like cooking and cleaning, as well as shopping and sports. There are things, however, that we do that are uniquely our own, especially when it relates to our sleeping position preferences.

I sometimes need support for my achy knees from sports-related injuries, and my partner suffers from sinus issues and prefers sleeping on a mountain of pillows. Pillows are indeed an easy fix like tucking one or two under the knees to give me the relief that I need.

Recently, however, we purchased an adjustable bed which didn’t require that we change up our bedroom furniture. We have a king-sized frame, so we added two twin XL bases and mattresses with a remote that allows us to adjust to our heart’s content! Before we launched on our search for the best sleeping system for our individual needs, we considered some of the following questions to help make our decision easier.

1. Do you suffer from osteoarthritis or other joint inflammatory symptoms?

Considering that an adjustable bed will allow you to tweak your sleeping position to that perfect spot where there is no pulling or pressure on body parts, this is an ideal solution. I loved that I no longer needed to stuff pillows under my knees to get that proper elevation which would then flatten during the night!

2. Do you suffer from chronic sinus congestion, asthma or allergies?

The best position for your head to be when under pressure from congestion is upright. Forget the pile of pillows under your head when, with a push of a button your bed will elevate your upper body to that perfect position for head pressure relief and sleeping comfort.

Snoring

3. Do you snore?

Snoring is never a problem for the snorer, unless it becomes a serious health issue, but more for the non-snorer. Give your partner some relief and easily lift your upper body to release the constriction that occurs in the throat which produces the loud sounds.

4. Do you suffer from acid reflux or enjoy late-night snacking?

That late night need to munch on something just minutes before bedtime is my weakness. When I overindulge, I know that I will have problems with acid reflux keeping me awake. With just a quick adjustment, I can lift the upper part of the mattress and can instantly alleviate the problem. I love adjusting my side of the bed without affecting my partner’s particular sleep needs for that night. Adjustable beds should be in every home!

5. Do suffer from edema or water retention?

Edema is a common disorder where the body retains fluid in the lower extremities like ankles and knees. Most sufferers will wear compression stockings during the day but by sleeping on an adjustable bed, and lifting the bottom half of your mattress to a comfortable level, they can control the buildup while they sleep.

Insomnia

6. Do you suffer from insomnia?

Finding that perfect position to sleep in throughout the night will help alleviate the tossing and turning that insomniacs experience all night long. By adjusting the bed to help cradle you comfortably will relax your body to that point where sleep can come more easily and quickly.

Imagine then that as a couple, you both suffer from one or more of these issues requiring a completely different sleep position, comfort, and support level to help alleviate your unique symptoms. No matter what the quality of foam, fabric, comfort or support level you choose for your standard mattress, the adjustable bed is the only sleep technology that couples can personalize and customize to each of their unique sleep preferences! Stay close but also enjoy your own piece of sleep paradise!

Gerry, Your Sleep Expert

5 Tips for Easy Outdoor Entertaining

5 Tips for Easy Outdoor Entertaining

“I try to greet my friends with a drink in my hand, a warm smile on my face, and great music in the background, because that’s what gets a dinner party off to a fun start.” – Ina Garten, The Barefoot Contessa

As soon as the warmer weather arrives I look forward to easy afternoons spent in the yard, evenings at the cottage with friends, or a fun family night. All spent in the backyard, on the patio or deck and all spent enjoying the warm weather and great company. I’m pretty sure I’m not alone – what’s not to love about warm summer nights?

When you’re the host, however, sometimes you end up spending more time running around than enjoying yourself so I’ve pulled together five of my most helpful hosting tips to help you make outdoor entertaining easy.

Giving you time to reap the rewards of your effort and the great outdoors with friends and family.

1) Preparation is Key

Advance preparation is critical to your success. Make a menu plan and look at how many of the dishes you can make a day or two in advance. Potato salads and bean salads, summer barbecue staples, are easy to make ahead and in fact taste better after they’ve marinated in themselves for a while – bonus!

2) Allocate Space

Make sure you’ve got enough chairs or seating for guests outside. You’ll also want to think about your fridge space. Are guests going to bringing dishes and beverages? Make sure you’ve rearranged your fridge so it’s easy for guests to pop their items in without too much disruption. Having an outdoor beverage centre or bar fridge can really help with space if you’re a regular backyard entertainer. Or, start dreaming this summer of next summer’s project: the creation of your dream outdoor kitchen.

Check out these great tips on how to organize your fridge before and after a dinner party.

Outdoor Potluck

3) Delegate Tasks

Instead of trying to do everything, it’s helpful to delegate tasks to friends and family to help with simple things like passing food or topping up wine. You can also advance delegate by having guests bring their favourite salad or dessert, taking some of the food prep off your hands and offering up the opportunity to try a new recipe.

4) Simplify Things

A great event doesn’t need much other than some great company, so keep things simple by:

  • Offering up a ‘signature’ pre-made cocktail rather than mixing drinks all night
  • Pre-select your playlist and let it play so you can sit back and relax
  • Make sure guests know they can help themselves to food and drink
  • Serving food up buffet-style, allowing guests to help themselves and keep things casual

5) Don’t Sweat the Small Stuff

Easy summer evenings spent in the company of friends and family are meant to be celebrated. Don’t sweat the small stuff. Sometimes the chicken gets burnt because you’re too busy enjoying a great story. Sometimes the fridge is too full you need to use the bathtub to hold drinks. Sometimes things spill and sometimes things break, but all of those things memories they make.

Looking for more outdoor entertaining inspiration & recipe ideas? Check out this incredible Guide to Summer Entertaining from Epicurious.com, complete with recipes, menu ideas, drinks, and table setting ideas.

Isabelle, Your Appliance Expert

Is Your Job Causing Your Sleep Disorders?

Is Your Job Causing Your Sleep Disorders

Work stress affects everyone at one time or another. Deadlines, endless meetings, physically demanding work, shift work, all of these will creep into our sleep time. There is no doubt of that at all. Balancing a busy and stressful professional life with rest and relaxation is not always as easy as one thinks.

Insomnia Due to Stress

Tossing and turning, watching the clock and listening to a racing mind are signs we are suffering from insomnia. When endless deadlines, chronic pain from demanding physical work, high-pressure customer service jobs start to wear us down, sleep is usually the first to suffer.

The less we sleep because our mind is racing or our body is sore, the worse we feel. The worse we feel, the worse we perform and then the worse we sleep again. Finding balance and stepping away from the rat race is required on a regular basis to restore some quality sleep time.

 

Out-Of-Sync Sleep Rhythm

circadian rythm

Source: Wikipedia

The circadian rhythm is basically a 24-hour internal clock which signals the body to sleep or to be aware. It is often called the sleep/wake cycle. When we work in shifts, that is, during the night while everyone sleeps, and then you switch it up again after a few weeks, our sleep/wake cycle suffers.

Our bodies take a few days to adjust to these changes and can cause sleepiness, irritability, digestive issues and more. It is essential that we keep the same sleep hygiene or habits that promote relaxation and restorative sleep during day sleep as in night sleep.

High Blood Pressure, Diabetes and Depression

These are not often considered to be sleep disorders, however, working in loud factories, or highly stressful work environments can cause excess stress and disrupt our restorative sleep. This can potentially cause these types of disorders over time.

Our physical well-being is so strongly connected to our sleep quality that once we make that awareness, it is possible to develop sleep habits that can curb some of the stress and lack-of-sleep induced imbalances.

Job Dissatisfaction

Sleep and Job Dissatisfaction

This is perhaps the most prevalent of causes of insomnia, and other sleep disorders. Whether we are a manager of a large corporation or work in a coffee shop, if we are not happy in our job, our sleep will be the first to suffer. The stress of job dissatisfaction breaks down our self-esteem and confidence, and we ultimately feel trapped in a thankless job.

Nightmares, sleepwalking or sleep talking can be the result of this type of job stress, and we may feel that we are living in an endless cycle. Ignored, these symptoms can worsen and cause our body and mind further harm. We need to address the issue without delay, and consider retraining to work in another area or industry. Your sleep depends on it!

We all wish for a dream job that checks off all of our must-have in order to be happy. When it is not always possible, we must always remember to shut off the company “noise” when we are at home and get balanced with things and activities that bring us joy!

Gerry, Your Sleep Expert

How Do You Know If You Have a Sleep Disorder?

How Do You Know If You Have a Sleep Disorder

What is a sleep disorder, you ask? A sleep disorder is characterized by a series of symptoms including trouble falling asleep, poor sleep quality when we get some, irritability, sleepiness during the day, and many more.

Researchers believe that there are over 70 sleep disorders that are grouped into 6 main categories. These include:

  1. Sleep disorders which induce involuntary body movements including restless leg syndrome.
  2. Disorders of the central nervous system such as narcolepsy where the brain loses the ability to regulate the wake/sleep cycle and spontaneous episodes of deep sleep during the day occur.
  3. Breathing disorders such as obstructive sleep apnea where soft tissue obstructs the windpipe causing us to stop breathing for a few seconds at a time, regularly disrupting our sleep.
  4. Insomnia characterized by our difficulty in falling asleep, constant waking in the middle of the night and the inability to return to sleep.
  5. Circadian rhythms disorders characterized by the disruption in the sleep/wake cycle as in those people who do shift-work, or recovering from illness or injury.
  6. Parasomnias are various disorders including sleepwalking and talking, teeth grinding, and night terrors.

As you can see, it is possible that we may at one time or another had some disruptions in our sleep and didn’t realize that there was a name for it! When sleep disorders go unaddressed, it affects both body and mind to the point that we may need serious medical attention. Let’s examine some of the possible symptoms that we suffer from most that could indicate a specific sleep disorder and how to address it.

Snoring

The most obvious is when someone tells us that we snore. Whether our partner or a friend at a sleepover or camping trip tells us that we make the most earth-trembling sounds while we sleep could indicate that there is an obstruction in our windpipe.

Sometimes, a simple change in our adjustable bed position or a better pillow can alleviate the snoring. If it persists, we must seek out some professional medical assistance to rule out anything more serious.

Daytime Sleepiness

Daytime Sleepiness

When we feel very sleepy during the day, this could be the result of poor sleep quality. Despite getting 7 to 8 hours of bedtime doesn’t translate into quality sleep if we wake up tired. There are devices as well as apps for our smartphones which can monitor our sleep and give us some interesting results. Investing in one might be the first step towards fixing the problem.

Irritability and Lack of Focus

When we are snapping at friends and family for little or no reason or have trouble concentrating on simple tasks, it’s time to examine how we sleep. A review of our sleep hygiene or bedtime habits can potentially show where our poor sleep experience comes from. If we are enjoying a late-night burger or sugar-laden snack, or perhaps participating in vigorous exercise before bedtime, it may be time to change things!

High Blood Pressure and Sleep

Heart Disease and High Blood Pressure

It is possible that some of these health issues stem from poor sleep quality. Medication will surely help the symptoms, but we must address the source as well. When we develop a proper bedtime routine including, winding down with a warm bath, meditation or yoga it can yield great results in our overall health.

Now that you know a little more about the types of sleep disorders, it’s time to take charge of your sleep and consult a specialist if your problems persist.

Gerry, Your Sleep Expert

3 Benefits of a Beautyrest Innerspring Mattress

3 Benefits of a Beautyrest Innerspring Mattress (Large)

Classic styles are classic for a reason – they never go out of fashion. Innerspring mattresses tend to use springs which have been viewed as outdated or not good for supporting your body, which is just not the case.

The Beautyrest pocket coil mattresses aren’t old beds. They’re innovatively engineered and have evolved to become much more supportive of the back as well as help with proper spine alignment. Don’t let the words spring and coil scare you!

There are many benefits to sleeping on a Beautyrest pocket coil mattress, and if you never test one out, you’ll never know what you’re missing out on!

Variety

You aren’t limited when it comes to innerspring mattresses because there’s a wide variety to choose from! Some Innerspring beds have more coils and springs adding extra firmness or softness to the mattress. If you happen to be a warm sleeper, innerspring beds tend to be cooler than other types of bed such as all foam.

You could even find a hybrid bed that mixes both springs and memory foam to make a unique mattress. Talk to a sales associate at your local mattress store to get a better idea of what kind of technology and comfort you’d want in your perfect bed. The options are endless!

Affordable

Because there are so many kinds of Beautyrest pocket coil mattresses, finding a bed that’s within your budget will not be a problem. Deciding on which one you want is what you’ll have to worry about! Check in at your closest Beautyrest mattress store to see if there are any promotional offers going on that you could take advantage of!

Traditional and Familiar

This kind of mattress has been around for so long for a reason. It works! People keep coming back to Beautyrest pocket coil mattresses because they’ve worked time and time again. They continue to change while keeping the famous pocket coil technology and comfort, making the Beautyrest mattresses a timeless, luxury bed.

Next time you’re out looking for mattresses, try out a few Beautyrest pocket coil mattresses. You’ll find that they are supportive and comfortable beds worthy of sleeping on.

Gerry, Your Sleep Expert

Make Your Small Laundry Closet Look Nice With Maytag Appliances

Make Your Small Laundry Closet Look Nice

If you could put your washer and dryer anywhere in the house, where would they be? In a perfect world, maybe they would have their own room where there was plenty of storage and space for folding.

Unfortunately, we don’t always get to choose the size of the laundry room. Sometimes you get a little closet and that’s it. But instead of being glum about it, why not try fixing it up to be the laundry closet of your dreams?

Luckily, there are ways to make the room functional while keeping it organized and beautiful. Take a look at these tips below on ways to make your tiny laundry closet work!

1. Separate With Curtains

Some laundry closets/nooks don’t come with doors. If you don’t like looking at your washer and dryer every time you pass, you may want to get creative with the door situation. One way to hide your laundry appliances is by simply using a tension rod and a curtain. It’s an easy way to disguise your laundry room and it takes little effort to pull open.

2. Colour and Wallpaper

Give your laundry closet the pop of colour it needs and paint it! If you want something even more exciting, get a bold wallpaper print and paste it behind your laundry pair. Maytag Washer and dryers come in white and metallic slate colours so the will blend well with any colour or design you decide to choose!

Maytag Washer and Dryer with Pedestal

3. Pedestal or Stack Them

If you’re really in need of space, there’s always the option of stacking your Maytag Front Load Washer and Dryers. If your room isn’t tall enough for that, try investing a Maytag Pedestal to both your washer and dryer which will instantly give you space for detergent and other cleaning supplies.

You may not have much to work with, but it’s more than possible to make your dreary hole of a laundry room a delightful place to be. With a bit of organizing, some colour, and clever assembly, you’ll love folding laundry in there! Get crafty with your laundry closet and let us know if you had any other clever ideas for making it work!

Isabelle, Your Appliance Expert

Your New Mattress Can Help Improve Your Sleep Disorder

New Mattress and sleep improvement (Large)

Endless nights of tossing and turning, or perhaps excessive snoring and getting up in the morning like you had no rest at all, can signal a sleep disorder. There could be many reasons for poor sleep quality like sleep apnea, restless leg syndrome, and insomnia.

Hereditary or physical factors can play a role in sleep disorders, as can environmental issues. Poor sleep quality must be investigated at the onset because your overall physical, mental and emotional health will be negatively impacted.

Sleep Changes Over Time

The mechanics of sleeping is not obvious at times. Your body changes over time and so do your sleep needs. I remember using my favourite pillow for years very comfortably until that changed. Then, I suddenly felt that the extra firm mattress type I had loved over the years was not so comfortable anymore. As we age, our body shape changes. Additionally, some of us might be suffering from sports or other injuries, develop arthritis in our hips, knees, shoulders, or neck making it sometimes difficult to sleep.

When I realized that despite my efforts to manage the pain from my changing body, I was still not getting the proper sleep and that only made my symptoms worse. I made a checklist of everything I was doing, and it finally dawned on me that I always felt worse in the morning. My neck would be very stiff, my shoulders sore and tender, and my hips burning with pain and inflammation. I often wondered if I ran marathons in my sleep.

Finding the Culprit

Further investigations proved that my extra firm mattress, although only a few years old was not helping my symptoms. Furthermore, my pillow was no longer giving me the support my neck, head and shoulders now needed with all those sore areas from years of playing tennis!

In some cases, you should always look for sagging areas on your mattress as these will certainly cause more aches and pains. When our body is not properly supported while we sleep, even if you are the best physical shape, your body will let you know.

Mattress and neck pain (Large)

Symptoms of not sleeping on a properly supportive mattress will include body pains that will cause insomnia as we toss and turn to find the best spot, as well as snoring and sleep apnea if our neck and upper body is not comfortably cradled. Sleep apnea, however, may require further intervention when not resolved with a new mattress and pillow.

Poor quality sleep will add to our stress levels and the cycle begins, so before you throw out your exercise routine or other healthy habits you think are not working on your sleep issues, consider updating your mattress and pillow to something your body needs! It has been a game-changer for me as I educated myself on what my body needs to get the best sleep, and found the mattress and pillow that have alleviated many of my sleep issues. Get some mattress shopping therapy!

Gerry, Your Sleep Expert

Don’t Put These 5 Things in Your Microwave

Don’t Put These 5 Things in Your Microwave

Microwaves tend to be the simplest of all the kitchen appliances, but that doesn’t mean you can put anything inside them. Most people know that metal and foil containers are no-no’s, but is there something else we should be avoiding? In order to prevent a fire from occurring in your home, or releasing toxic chemicals into the air, try watching out for these items so you can keep your microwave in pristine shape.

1. Aluminum Foil

Obviously, you should never put aluminum foil in your microwave. We know that fireworks are exciting, but when you start seeing sparks flying from your microwave, you better stop it immediately. The interior of a microwave is normally metal, so when aluminum foil is placed inside, the radio waves that emit electromagnetic energy to heat up your food, reflects off it, which causes a light show in your microwave.

2. Paper Bags

Paper bags were not made to be put in a microwave. Of course, popcorn bags are different and were made to handle the radio waves emitted from microwaves. It may seem like nothing, but your regular paper bag is not protected and can release chemicals into the air and your food when warmed up. Not to mention, the bag could catch fire so it’s probably a good idea to just not test it out.

3. Plastic Bags and Containers

Plastic isn’t the best material to go inside a microwave. When it’s heated, BPA, an organic compound, is released, which can heavily disrupt your hormones. Keep your hormones natural by never using plastic to warm up your food.

4. Hot Peppers

Hot Pepper in microwave

Heating up peppers is bad for a couple reasons. One being that they could catch fire – which no one wants. Also, microwaving hot peppers is essentially the same as being pepper-sprayed. As soon as you open the microwave, your eyes and throat could be vulnerable to burning – so maybe don’t heat up your peppers in a microwave.

5. Styrofoam

Leftovers have come in Styrofoam containers since the dawn of time, it would seem. Unfortunately, they don’t belong in your microwave for warming up. Remove your food before heating up to prevent harsh chemicals from infecting your next meal.

Microwaves may seem like simple appliances, but they’re very powerful tools that should be used carefully. With your newfound knowledge, you’ll keep your microwave in better shape so that it can stick around to heat up your food for a long time.

Isabelle, Your Appliance Expert