March 1991

COMFORTABLE HOMES HELP BUILD HAPPY FAMILIES

By the time you read this, I hope our remodeling will be finished. I'm sure ready for it all to end. But, the tough part is behind us-- the noisy hammering and sawing, the hole in the side of the house. As the dust settles, literally, we're beginning to see what our new family room, screened porch, kitchen, laundry room, and bathroom will be like.

THE EARTH-WISE GARDENER

Ask Frank Nykiel to share his secret to growing fuss-free flowers and he'll reply, "I just plant stuff that won't die." Frank's simple creed is rooted in the down-to-earth, goodfor-the-earth way he gardens. His Missouri garden sends a message to all gardeners: Caring for the environment begins at home, in our own backyards.

BIG BUSINESS AND EDUCATION

BIG BUSINESS AND EDUCATION Will corporate cash aid schools?

THE POSITIVE POWER OF OUTDOOR PLAY

Pushing your child away from the TV and outdoors to play may sometimes seem like a tough assignment, but it's well worth the struggle. Playing outside puts kids in touch with what I call the magical make-do of childhood, that mind-expanding moment when improvisation, creativity, and imagination all meet.

ARE MEDICAL TESTS HAZARDOUS TO YOUR HEALTH?

Are you a gambler? Answer yes if you've ever taken a medical test. Some common medical tests offer no better odds than Russian roulette. Studies of Pap tests, for example, reveal error rates as high as 40 percent.

AFFORDABLE REDECORATING

These days, when just scraping together cash to pay the mortgage is a real challenge, finding decorating funds could be an Olympic event. That's why young couples like Michael and Cindy Adams are getting smart. Their first maneuver was to buy a money-saving older home in need of easy repairs that they could do themselves. Then, they funneled the extra dollars into budget-conscious furnishings that look great now and will live well into the future. Sound like a plan you can use? Come on in and let us count the ways.

DECORATING CONTEST

If you should win one of the 21 magazine awards and you've used furnishings from one of the Home Furnishings Council members you will receive an additional cash prize of $1,000 from the Council. See the Editor's Letter on page 10 for more information. A list of all the Council members will be included in the Decorating Contest Entry Packet order form on the next page.

Light & Airy

Lighten up! That's what you want your interiors to do, or so you've told us through letters and phone calls. We understand. When you close the door behind you at the end of a hectic day, you need to sink into a home that soothes-- and what's more calming than cloud-soft, sunlit places that lift your spirits and ease your mind?

3 Brighten-Your-Morning BATHROOMS

Are you a lark-- a natural morning person who hits the floor at an aerobic pace? Or are you a night owl, someone who prefers punching the snooze button to facing the morning light? Whichever species you most resemble, it makes sense to start your day with a fresh outlook. And where better to begin than your first stop: the bathroom.

SHORTCUT decorating IDEAS

Ps-s-s-t! Here's a secret: Decorating is no big deal-- or, at least, it doesn't have to be. The trick is to plug into your personality, and dare to express what you find there. For starters, why not relax and enjoy these easy ways with style that'll also make you smile.

ROSA BIANCA EGGPLANT

THE BEAUTY OF BONSAI

BUNGALOW FOR BIRDS

SMART GAME PLAN: Buy your lot now

Brace yourself: housing costs may take another hike during the '90s. This time, the chief culprit is likely to be high-priced land, not labor or materials. You can save by buying your land now while it's still affordable. You gain a hedge against inflation plus leverage to swing the financing when you break ground.

WHAT THAT YELLOW ENERGY LABEL TELLS YOU

NO-WORRY SPA CARE

Outdoor spas give the look of living in the lap of luxury. But without the proper care and cleaning, a spa can become a regular chore.

NUTRITION INFORMATION

With each recipe, we give important nutrition information. The calorie count of each serving and the amount, in grams, of fat, cholesterol, protein, carbohydrate, fiber, and sodium help you keep tabs on what you eat. We also include the percent of calories coming from fat.

AMERICA LEANS TOWARD LOW FAT

Judy Kilton of Cranston, Rhode Island, Pat and Mike Nolin of Mesa, Arizona, and Chef Gustav Mauler of the Las Vegas Mirage Hotel share a common interest.

SHOPPER'S GUIDE TO ORGANIC PRODUCE

Now, more than ever, you may consider buying fruits and vegetables labeled "organic." Interest in these foods is growing due to concerns over pesticide residues on produce.

GREAT GREENS FOR GREAT SALADS

Liven up your salads by experimenting with some of the out-of-the ordinary greens in your supermarket. Search out the following greens to add zip to any salad.

REPAIRING YOUR SLIDING WINDOWS

FAVORITE FISHING HOLES

Many popular vacation areas offer superb fishing along with other holiday pleasures such as shopping, sightseeing, and swimming. Families enjoy fishing because it is relatively inexpensive, lets them commune with nature, and provides the gang a relaxing way to enjoy each other. Here's a selection of fishing spots throughout the country-- on lakes, streams, and ocean shores-- each famed for the abundance of different fish, from salmon to walleye, trout to bass.

KEEPING BATTERIES OUT OF THE TRASH

Household batteries, measured by weight, are the second most common source of toxins in our landfills. They account for 10 to 25 percent of our hazardous household waste-- yet just one battery in six tons of garbage is enough to exceed government standards for mercury in solid waste.

CAR REPAIRS

CAR REPAIRS Protecting your rights when you sign a work order

HOW TO ORDER

Eat & Stay Slim is an updated edition for people who are looking for a healthy, sensible weight-loss plan or want to maintain an ideal weight. Eliminates counting calories by using a food exchange system developed by the American Diabetic Association and the American Dietetic Association.

NEITHER WIND NOR RAIN ...

Are you one of those dog owners who doesn't miss the daily constitutional no matter what the weather? Or do you anxiously listen to the forecast every night, hoping for an excuse not to walk the dog?

Shopping editor's choice

Discover the ease and pleasure of shopping by mail. Order from the convenience of your own home with complete confidence.

THE MAN NEXT DOOR

After hearing our reaction to his new haircut, Burt, Jr., calls Chris and me "groan-ups."