What are Window Treatments?

A window treatment cаn be more than just a window covering. When you treat windows it’s design element for the window and not just a mere covering. The treated windows will filter light, insulate from cold or heat and they can be a very functional addition to your windows. A treated window is also used for the privacy of the people living in the home.

Understanding Treated Windows
A treated window will be more decorative than a regular window and it’s a term used to describe many types of windows. You may have curtains, sheers, cornices, drapes, shutters, valances or blinds for your window. These are standard window treatments and they can be part of the design for the window. You can also change these over time to meet your needs and preferences. You can also have more than one treatment as a part of the overall design of your windows. They can be functional as well as aesthetic.

Some treatments are used to filter light at certain times of day for example or you may add a valance for some color or for softer lines. Your window treatment may have fancy drapes and so on. The type of window treatment you have is all going to depend upon your needs in the home. You may go with other treatments instead of the traditional drapes. Many people use frosted glass as a treatment for privacy issues. You may have this is a bathroom for privacy. Other treatments could include plastic blinds or shades which you cаn open and close to let in light whenever you need it.

It Depends Upon What You WantWhen you go for treatments for your windows it’s all going to depend upon what your need is. You want something that’s going to be attractive looking in a room but at the same time you want a window treatment that’s going to be functional and easy to maintain in your home. You will want to coordinate the window treatment with the décor in your room. A nice treatment can be the highlight of a room and make the room come alive. You don’t have to match colors exactly in the room and a bit of extra color can add some good contrast in the room.There are even window treatments that act as solar panels and can generate electricity or heat for your home!

If you have trouble deciding what types of window treatments to get you cаn always ask an interior designer to help you figure out the best treatments for your room. The window treatment is designed to add functionality to the window as well as look great so ask if you need help deciding what to get. Interior decorators have the experience you need to show you exactly what will look great for your windows. The best thing about window treatment sis that they cаn be changed over  time to meet your requirements you don’t have to go on any set window treatment you cаn can try new styles and colors whenever you wish. Try a few and see which ones you like.

Insurance Coverage for Mole Removal

Moles are mass of cells with darkened melanin or pigment. You could have small or large moles which can be unsightly or they might just appear in an embarrassing area. What do you know about the insurance coverage for mole removal? If you are thinking of getting a mole removed and want the cost to be covered by your medical insurance company, then you have to discuss this matter with your primary care provider or dermatologist. Your family doctor could refer you to a plastic surgeon or a dermatologist, depending on the type of mole. Find out more below.

Certain mole removal procedures are covered by health insurance policies, but the procedure and the provisions in the policy usually determine whether or not the insurance coverage would apply. So, you need to ensure that the cost for your procedure is covered by the insurance company before making a decision.

It is important to point out that the mole removal cost will depend on if it’s regarded as a cosmetic problem or a necessity. An insurance company might cover the removal cost if you were born with a mole that is bothering your appearance and you are able prove that it’s psychologically intrusive. In most cases, a dermatologist will charge more for non-dangerous moles which are removed entirely for cosmetic reasons and are less likely to be paid for by the insurance provider than the suspicious looking moles. Bear in mind that dermatologists try not to take unnecessary chances with the atypical moles due to the increase of skin cancers, especially Melanoma.

Now, you are more likely to get insurance coverage for mole removal if it’s a potentially life threatening case that is seen as a necessity. If a plastic surgeon is removing a cosmetic-problem mole with lasers, you might have to stand the cost if you are unable to prove that it’s interfering with your looks and lifestyle. You could end up paying thousands of dollars. One of the ways to get your insurance company to cover the cost is if you are referred to a medical psychiatrist who can state that the mole is definitely having an adverse effect on your life. He or she can give you a recommendation for your insurance company to cover the cost for the mole removal procedure.

Last but not last, if you are not getting insurance coverage for mole removal you have the option to pay the cost out of pocket or visit a local clinic or hospital to get it done, just like with insurance coverage for dental implants. This procedure is basically the same, except from the fact that you are likely to end up with small white scars. Depending on the look of the mole, you might have to wait for a longer time.

How to Clean Granite Countertops

Cleaning and maintenance of granite countertops are very important to keep its original look.  And the cleaning is much easier when compared with other stones. Make sure you clean granite countertops daily or weekly once so that it sparkles.

Cleaning solution
For daily cleaning of the countertop, dust the surface with a sponge or soft cloth like microfiber and wash or wipe with warm water. After washing make sure the countertops are dried completely to avoid water spots. You can also use soft tissues instead of cloth. Do not use vinegar or any chemical or acid used in the bathroom for cleaning countertops as it will damage the surface of the granite stone. This depends on the type of granite. You can use liquid detergent once in a week for cleaning the countertop. You can also choose a good stone cleaner without any chemical for cleaning.

Removing Stains
Granite slabs usually doesn’t stain very easily. If something spills on the countertop, the first thing to do is wipe it off immediately to avoid spreading of the spill. The best way to remove a stain is to use a home made poultice. A poultice is nothing but a combination of an absorbent material and a chemical. The absorbent material may be a talc powder or flour. The chemical to be used depends on the type of stain. For oil stains, pure acetone is used. For coffee or tea stains, hydrogen peroxide can be used. For metal stains like rust or corrostion, a white powder named iron–out can be used.

Mix the absorbent and the chemical to create a paste with the consistency of a peanut butter and apply the paste on the stained area. The paste should overlap the stain about ½  an inch and the thickness of the paste layer should be 1/4th of an inch. Use a plastic wrap to cover the whole area and allow the paste to completely dry. Normally it may take 24 hours or sometimes more than that. After the paste is dried completely, wipe the paste completely with a scraper or cloth and wash it like the normal way. Much like with the color of vinyl siding, stains on a granite counter can show up more or less depending on their color. Darker colors are always better at hiding stains.

Polishing
Even though there are many polishing solutions available in the market for polishing the granite counter tops, you can use natural methods and ingredients for cleaning. Take one part of baking soda and mix it with three parts of water. Add few drops of liquid dishwashing soap to it and store this in a bottle. Whenever you want to clean the countertop, just spray the solution on the surface, spread it evenly along the whole surface, leave it for few minutes and wipe cleanly with a soft cloth. Instead of baking soda,rubbing alcohol can also be used.

Things to avoid
Prevention is better than cure and we can take some precautions to keep the granite countertops clean and beautiful. Avoid cutting vegetables or fruits directly on the countertop even though it won’t scratch easily. Do not put any heavy items on the edge of the countertops to prevent it from getting damaged. Avoid any cleaning product with acid, vinegar or any kind of chemical.

Delicious Sugar Free Cheesecake Dessert Recipe

 Looking for a sugar free cheesecake recipe? If you’re on a diet you can still enjoy cheesecake and other treats. Here are a couple of great recipes. For these recipes you can use whatever fruit you want to top the cake but strawberries or raspberries are usually the best.

Filling
•    1-1/2 cups sugar equivalent substitute
•    5 8-ounce packages cream cheese, softened
•    ½ cup Fage Total Classic Plain Greek yogurt
•    3 eggs
•    1 ½ tsp vanilla extract
•    1 Tbsp. lemon juice
 
Crust
•    2 Tbsp. sugar equivalent substitute
•    1 cup almonds, whole
•    4 Tbsp. butter, melted
•    1 cup unsweetened, heavy whipping cream
 
Topping
•    Fresh fruit
•    2 Tbsp. sugar equivalent substitute

To make the crust for this sugar free recipe you want to crush the nuts until they look like graham cracker crumbs. Mix the almonds the butter and your sweetener together. Put this in a 9-10” spring form pan and put in the refrigerator.

For the filling you want to heat the oven to 325 degrees Fahrenheit. Use a mixer to beat the cheese and the sweetener fir about one minute on medium. Place the mixer on low and add the eggs until they are bit blended. Add the lemon juice, Fage, and your vanilla and beat this until its blended which takes about 10 to 30 seconds.

Pour the mixture into the crust and bake for about 1 hour and 15 minutes. Cool this on a rack for 15 minutes before you transfer it to the refrigerator.

Combine your whipping cream and the sweetener and mix this for about 3 minutes in the mixer. Frost the top of the cheesecake and then add the fresh fruit as a finishing touch.

Ingredients:
•    4 eggs (preferably room temperature)
•    1 and 1/2 teaspoon (1/2 Tablespoon) vanilla
•    3 packages (1 and 1/2 lbs) cream cheese (room temperature)
•    1 and 1/3 cups sugar equivalent of artificial sweetener (I like zero-carb liquid sweeteners for this recipe)
•    1 and 1/2 teaspoon (1/2 Tablespoon) lemon juice
•    1/4 cup sour cream

Crust:
•    2 Tablespoon melted butter
•    1 cup almond meal
•    2 Tablespoon sugar equivalent in artificial sweetener

Making the Cheesecake:
Heat oven to 375 F before you begin. Combine the ingredients for your crust and press this into a pan you want to bake this for about 8-10 minutes until it starts to brown up.

Put the cheese into a mixing bowl and beat this until it’s fluffy and then ad din the other ingredients. Make sure you scrape the bowl and the beaters as you mix the ingredients. Incorporate everything completely scrape it once more and then beat again for one minute and then pour the mixture into the pan to cover the crust.

Put the cake in a 400 degree oven and bake for 60 to 90 minutes. Make sure you check the cake after one hour. Your cake will be firm but soft in the center when it’s done or when the center is 155 F. Chill the cake and add your fruit and it you want add a sugar free topping. This dessert is a huge hit, especially with children and teens. Serving this cheesecake will be a memorable moment at any sweet sixteen party.

Types of Dental Braces - Quick Overview

Dental problems like buck teeth, crooked teeth etc are a common occurrence among people. These not only make you suffer from painful jaw and other mouth conditions but may also hamper your self confidence. Often people with crooked teeth will be found hiding their mouth when smiling. However, getting dental braces will solve all such problems. Let us have a look at the types of dental braces available and how you can make the most them. Much like posture braces, dental braces help ease things back into their proper position and "re-train" the muscles/bone surrounding the problem areas. Learn more about how a posture brace works.

Metal Dental Braces – These braces are the regular dental braces that you must have seen for quite long. Stainless steel made, these braces are still considered the best for misaligned teeth. The only disadvantage of metal braces is that they tend to leave stain on your teeth. 

Ceramic Dental Braces – These braces are highly popular because of the fact that they are clear and will blend easily with your teeth’s color. As a result of this, they are less noticeable. However, they are a bit more expensive than other metal braces and the procedure to get ceramic braces may take longer time. 

Gold-plated Dental Braces – There may be people who are allergic to nickel. For them, gold-plated dental braces are an ideal choice. Although, these are prepared from stainless steel, they avoid nickel in their composition. Also, gold enhances the look of the braces and hence are much preferred by people over silver metal braces.

Lingual Dental Braces – If you do not feel like showing your braces then lingual braces are what you have been looking for. They are fitted on the insides and the behinds of the teeth. Even if they are rather expensive than others, they do provide good results and are hardly visible. However, initial stages after their installment may be a bit problematic.

Invisalign Dental Braces – These dental braces are preferable for people with minor orthodontic problems. Since, these are made up of plastic others will hardly be able to notice them. Moreover, they are even easy to be removed whenever need be, like at the time of eating, brushing etc. Their purpose is to facilitate effective teeth movement and will be subject to change every two weeks. They are very expensive and are not commonly used. 

A-braces – As the name suggests, they are shaped as letter A. They are handy for realigning upper bites and lower bites. Some of their benefits include easy adjustment, easy removal, painless process and they are highly manageable as well.