Some tips on eco-friendly moving!

Moving is typically not an eco-friendly undertaking. It involves packing boxes, tape, packing peanuts, transportation… lots of ways to harm the environment. But it doesn’t have to be an eco-nightmare. Follow a few of these simple tips and make your relocation a greener experience.

1.     If you don’t need it, don’t take it. One of the simplest ways to reduce your carbon footprint when moving is to reduce the amount of stuff you move. Go through your stuff and get rid of things you no longer need.  Donate clothing, furniture and books to charities or thrift stores or have a garage sale. If you have items that need to be thrown out, try to recycle them if possible. Always dispose of electronics properly.

2.     Go green when you clean. Whether it’s the home you’re leaving or the one you’re moving into, you’re likely to be doing a great deal of cleaning during your move. Cleaning products are typically very bad for the environment, as well as your health, so choose green cleaning products whenever possible. Look for products that are non-toxic and biodegradable and read through the ingredient list to make sure they’re all natural. You can also consider making your own cleaner using vinegar and water.

3.     Choose responsibly. Eschew the usual old truck packed with cardboard boxes. There are a variety of moving companies that espouse green practices, from using trucks that operate with bio-fuels, to using recycled or biodegradable packing products, to how efficiently they pack your belongings to minimize trips.

Here are some questions to ask:

·      Do they use recycled packing materials?

·      Will they come collect packing materials so they can be re-used?

·      Do they have a no idling policy?

·      Do they make an effort to reduce fuel consumption through a shortest route possible policy or speed monitoring?

If you’re handling your move on your own, be sure to rent a moving van that’s the right size for what you have to move – the smaller the van, the lower the fuel consumption. And to reduce your carbon footprint even further, load your belongings in such a way that allows you to make the fewest trips back and forth.

Virginia Homes has been building new homes in Central Ohio for 60 years.  Visit www.Virginia-Homes.com for more information or call (614) 764-1953.

Follow through with your New Year’s Resolutions!

It’s a time-honored tradition to make resolutions for the new year. We vow to improve ourselves – to eat healthy, exercise more… the list is endless.  This year, take the initiative and see how many resolutions you can keep – right from the comfort of your own home!

1.     Eat healthier – Load up the fridge with lots of fruits and veggies. Vow to cut back on take-out and fast food. Take the time to sit down and eat with the family.  (It’s healthier and good for the kids!)

2.     Exercise more – Take advantage of your bonus room and turn it into a yoga studio. Or a mini gym. And schedule time to exercise every day. No excuses!

3.     Spend more time with family – Schedule family dinners, game nights, movie nights – whatever your family likes. Hunker down in the family room with some popcorn and a plan to spend uninterrupted time together as a family.

4.     Read more – You know that pile of books that’s been sitting unread for ages? Create a reading nook for yourself. Find a comfy chair, a good light and a shelf or table, and settle in. (Don’t be surprised if you keep finding kids in your nook, though!) 

5.     Get organized – Declutter your drawers and desk. Sort paperwork, bills, mementos and mail. Find a spot in the kitchen or office that’s just for paperwork & bills, and create a system for sorting things as soon as they come in. Clean out the closets – and see how much space you have!

6.     Create & follow a budget – Get yourself on a healthy fiscal track.  Once you have your bills sorted (#5), then you can create a budget to track your spending habits.

Virginia Homes has been building new homes in Central Ohio for 60 years.  Visit www.Virginia-Homes.com for more information or call (614) 764-1953.

President Charles Ruma wins 2014 BIA Award!

Congratulations to Virginia Homes President, Charles Ruma, who recently won the Building Industry Association (BIA) of Central Ohio 2014 Irving E. Schottenstein Builder of the Year award.  Visit our Facebook page to join the conversation and to see how partners, homeowners, friends and family are congratulating Charles on this honorable award!

Virginia Homes has been building new homes in Central Ohio for 60 years.  Visit www.Virginia-Homes.com for more information or call (614) 764-1953.

How to Host a Successful Backyard BBQ

Those sweet summer breezes have returned. Our pools are opening, our sweaters are put away in the attic, and our favorite TV shows have ended. Considering the lack of indoor activities, there is no better time to host a barbeque.

While that may sound quite terrifying at first, we’re here to tell you that the only thing to fear is fear itself – and mosquitos bearing West Nile Virus, but we have a solution for that too!

Hosting the perfect summer barbecue is simpler than you think. The first step, other than procuring a barbeque, is to invite your family and friends, and estimate the amount of people you will be cooking for. Now take that number and add about five more carnivores.

Here are some other BarbeCUEs:

CUE NUMBER ONE: Be Prepared.

A common cause of barbeque-phobia is not having enough food to satisfy everybody’s needs. Pretending as if you are cooking for more people will ease your stress and possibly even save you from cooking dinner the next night.

           

CUE NUMBER TWO: Healthy doesn’t have to be Hellish.

To set your get-together apart from the rest of the field, consider healthier alternatives to traditional high calorie options. Instead of potato salad with mayo, opt for fruity summer salads or grilled vegetables. For your meat options, stay away from fat meats, like ribs and pork chops, and instead grill up seafood, flank steak, or boneless chicken breasts.

           

CUE NUMBER THREE: Relish Today. Ketchup Tomorrow. 

There is more to a party than just feeding your guests. Making sure they are happy and entertained is also part of your hosting duties. The first key is to make sure they are comfortable. Citronella torches can be an easy way to spruce up your backyard and keep the mosquitos away in the process. Now that your guests are not busy swatting bugs, they will be ready to play games. (Whether these games involve alcoholic beverages or not is up to you.) Your local super store sells a plethora of inexpensive entertainment options, from badminton to board games.

With these BarbeCUES, there will be no mis-steak-ing that you are the Heisenburger of barbeques.

Virginia Homes has been building new homes in Central Ohio for 60 years.  Visit www.Virginia-Homes.com for more information or call (614) 764-1953.

Charles Ruma and 2014 Home for Hope Featured in Dublin Villager

Check out this great article in the Dublin Villager featuring Virginia Homes' Charles Ruma and the 2014 Home for Hope!  Charles, a cancer survivor himself, is a board member of the James Cancer Hospital Foundation board and is building the second Home for Hope in Dublin's Wellington Reserve to help fund cancer research.

Proceeds from the sale of this home will benefit James Cancer Hospital.  Read the article in its entirety here.

Virginia Homes has been building new homes in Central Ohio for 60 years.  Visit www.Virginia-Homes.com for more information or call (614) 764-1953.