Take a quick look at your bed? Can you remember the last time you replaced your sheets, pillows, blankets, or bed covers? How long should your bed covers and other bedding items last?

As you look at your bed, take a moment to think how each item is used. Let us take a moment to think about each item and how long they should last.

Bed sheets come in direct contact with your body every night. You lay on the fitted sheet, rolling, tossing, and turning. Sheets get washed frequently due to absorbing body oils, sweat, and dirts from our bodies. Sheets that are used regularly last around two years before they start to show signs of wear. You will notice the fabric thinning and the colors fading.

Pillowcases and pillows take a lot of abuse on a nightly basis, too. They can absorb high amounts of oil from our faces. Pillowcases are usually replaced at the same time as sheets, so estimate a two year life for them. Pillows should be replaced at about the same time. You can tell a pillow needs to replaced when you see the outside of the pillow is starting to darken. Pillows lose their fluff and comfort with time, also.

Blankets and bed covers fall into a different category than sheets and pillows. They usually do not make as much contact with our body, so do not get a much wear. Watch your blankets for signs of wear or tears. Blankets can often last 5 years before needing to be replaced.

Bed covers are used in different ways by everyone. Do you use your bed cover as an added blanket? Do you carefully fold your bed cover when you turn down the bed at night and not use it? If you use your bed cover as a blanket, then you will want to replace it every 2 to 5 years. Watch for signs of wear or when it starts to lose its bright coloring.

If you put your bed cover away at night, then your bed cover will last longer. Some comforters and bed covers last for up to 10 years before needing replacement. You should use mattress discount codes to purchase new bed and covers.

You will probably choose to change your bed covers before they wear out. The most common reason to change bed coverings is to update the look of the bedroom. A quick change of style can update the brightness and feel of the entire bedroom in moments.

You may want to think about changing your bed covers at the same time you buy new sheets. You can find bundled sets including sheets, pillowcases and bed covers that cost only slightly more than buying the sheets alone. This gives you the opportunity to change the entire look of your bed, keep everything fresh, and have a stylish matched look in your room.

Plan on replacing your bed covers about every 5 years. If you choose to update the look of your room when you purchase new sheets, you will be getting new covers every two years. Hopefully these guidelines help you keep your bed looking fresh, elegant, and feeling comfortable.

One of the most delicious food combos that people tend to carry from their childhoods all the way into their later adult years is peanut butter and jelly. It’s a perfect mixture of savory and sweet that has made a lifelong fan out of many. Of course, the combination isn’t only bound to spreading the central ingredients onto bread. The flavors themselves work in other mediums as well, namely ice cream!

While there are likely ready-made peanut butter and jelly ice cream flavors already on shelves, in restaurants, or along boardwalks, it’s much more fun to make it yourself. If you’ve never even made your own ice cream before, you’re definitely in for a treat. For one of the most delectable desserts you’ll ever have, try out the following peanut butter and jelly ice cream recipe:

1 – Ingredient List

• 2 cups of fresh strawberries, chopped
• A quarter cup of strawberry preserves or spread
• A half cup of sugar
• 2 tbsp of a strawberry liqueur of your choice
• 2 cups of milk (whichever variety you prefer)
• 2 cups of heavy cream
• 6 egg yolks
• 1 tbsp of vanilla extract
• A half cup of peanut butter (creamy works best)

A big brand name such as Skippy or Peter Pan peanut butter should do the trick. Any store brand will also work, provided the consistency is the same. You should avoid all-natural peanut butter since it has such a runny texture. Also, please note that you’re going to need an ice cream maker machine for the final step of the process.

 

First of all, you should mix your fruit, preservers, and liqueur into a bowl. A good once over is all you really need. Then, cover the bowl with a paper towel or cellophane and set it aside.

Next up, whisk your sugar and eggs in an appropriately sized sauce pan until you’re left with a smooth consistency. Now, add in your milk and cream and continue stirring. The mixture should then cook over medium heat on your stove top. Stir it as often as you can. It should take about 15 minutes for it to reach the appropriate level of thickness.

At that point, you should pour the mixture into a large sized bowl through a strainer. You can then whisk in your vanilla. Again, you should cover everything with cellophane. Make sure the wrap is pressed against the mixture well, and then chill it in the fridge or freezer for up to a few hours.

Finally, you’ll be ready to pour the mixture into your ice cream maker. It should be processed until you’re left with a thick consistency. At that point, you can whisk your peanut butter in (along with some hot water) until you have what resembles a thick sauce of sorts. You can then add layer after layer of each of the remaining ingredients and then let it all cool together in an air-tight container in your freezer. After 4 hours or so, you should be ready to enjoy!

Ah, Hummus. One of the world’s most beloved dips and essential additions to your favorite falafel. It enjoys popularity in countries ranging from the Middle East to neighborhoods in Chicago and New York. In fact, it could be said the hummus is one of the favorite cuisines in almost every country around the globe.

The origin of hummus is hotly debated with people in countries from Lebanon to Turkey and Egypt claiming to have been the birthplace of this most global of dishes.

Wherever it originated, hummus is now an accepted part of the culinary landscape.

My neighborhood restaurant in the suburbs of Chicago has a slightly different take on the use of hummus. Rather than relying on the tried and tested a combination of pita bread and hummus the inventive culinary geniuses have combined two American favorites – the aforementioned hummus and a pizza base. While purists might question the replacement of the usual red sauce with hummus one thing became clear as I tucked in – this is one of the most delicious mashups of classic American dishes and a Middle Eastern favorite.

But you don’t have to leave your house to enjoy the dish. It is merely one of the easiest dishes to construct in your own kitchen and enjoy with family and friends.

Without further ado – here’s a great recipe for the production of this delicious dish in the comfort of your own home. And the beauty of it is that it’s suitable for even the novice home chef.

Firstly prepare your pizza crust. Don’t make extra work for yourself by going to the effort of making your base from scratch there is some perfectly acceptable roll out pizza dough’s out there. And you don’t even have to use it all – most brands are suitable for refrigeration.

Once you’ve rolled out the dough, then allow it to rest for a while. Cover it with a cloth while you prepare the hummus.

For the hummus, you’ll need olive oil, oregano, tomato paste (tinned is fine)- about one-quarter of a cup. A clove of garlic (add to your taste), a pinch of basil, three cups of canned chickpeas, a quarter cup of tahini and the same of lemon juice and some kosher salt.

Heat the olive oil and add tomato paste, basil, oregano. Once heated process using a food processor. During this process add garlic, chickpeas, tahini, lemon juice and a pinch of salt. Process until you have a creamy smooth mixture.

Grill pizza base in the oven at the temperature indicated on the packaging. Then it’s a simple matter of smoothing the hummus on.

For extra taste add grilled vegetables as toppings and enjoy a healthy and refreshing summer meal.

Most people will enjoy the hummus pizza cold – but if you prefer you can reinsert the grilled vegetable style humus pizza into the oven for a few minutes.

No matter what you decide, it’s unlikely that anyone is going to turn their noses up at this great meal. Best of all it’s suitable for vegans as well.