Enter your name and email below to be eligible to win!

Also, share, like and comment on this post on Facebook to help us get the word out. We’ll thank you by entering your name in the hat for our weekly giveaway.*

*Contest Details:
Sponsored by Legend Homes, CCB# 55151. 12755 SW 69th Ave, Suite 100, Portland, OR 97223, 503-620-8080 x. 236. Winner will be drawn March 1, 2012. One entry per person. All information is subject to change without notice and may not be reflected in our models, displays or written materials. Must be 21 or older to win. Prize is valued at $200 and is representative of $200 gift card to Sur La Table. Prizes available for pick-up at Legend Homes Design Center: 12755 SW 69th Ave, Suite 100, Portland, OR 97223. Special arrangements can be made to have prize shipped. Legend Homes reserves the right to substitute prize for one of equal value without notice. Facebook is not affiliated with this contest.

Lot 51 – Juniper B, Model Home, 2204 Sq. Ft., 3 Bedrooms – 2.5 Baths

RMLS# 11143997

$340,000

Walnut Creek’s Lot 51 Model Home features 3 bedrooms, 2.5 baths, 2204 square feet, Central Air Conditioning, Fireplace, Great Room and Energy Star & Earth Advantage.

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3 Bedrooms – 2.5 Baths

MLS# 11478563

$336,179

2-Story Entry, Great Room, Dining, Study & 2-Car Garage

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3 Bedrooms – 2.5 Baths

MLS# 11451971

$334,179

Vaulted Master Suite, Bonus Room, Dining, Den & 2-Car Garage

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B Elevation

From $290,000

The Ridge
3 Bed, 2.5 Bath
1,977 Sq. Ft.

Vaulted Master Suite, Family Room, Dining Room, Den & 2-Car Garage

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SANTA BARBARA, Calif., (PRNewswire) — You are what you eat, as the saying goes. So it’s best to know what you’re eating. FindTheBest’s online interactive comparisons can help you analyze and improve your eating habits in the New Year.

Begin with FindTheBest’s fast food nutrition comparison. Knowing which foods to choose and which to avoid is key to eating healthier in the New Year. Filter the list of fast food items by restaurant, calories and carbs to get a more targeted list. In the New Year, you’ll want to pick the hamburgers under 300 calories at fast food restaurants, and know which ones to avoid.

You can easily find the foods to look for and the foods to avoid with FindTheBest. Each comparison has a Buyer’s Guide with detailed information about a product or service that will lead you through the decision making process.

For example, if you regularly buy frozen dinners, you’ll want to compare frozen dinner facts. If you’re unsure of any technical term or you just want some expert advice, check out FindTheBest’s Buyer’s Guide to help your decision. FindTheBest will tell you what to look for in frozen dinners if you’re on a diet, diabetic, health conscious, or just looking for a fast meal.

In the New Year, fast meals can be healthy ones, even when it comes to candy bars. Compare candy bar calories to find out what you’re snacking on. All of the brands – big and small – are listed for you to compare. Sort the list of candy bars by calories, carbs and sugar to find the best, or worst. And with FindTheBest’s Buyer’s Guide to candy bars, find out exactly what to look for and what to avoid.

FindTheBest can even help habitual coffee drinkers make healthier decisions at the coffee shop. You might know to avoid that Mocha Dream Chiller at 1,050 calories and 41 grams of fat, but how does a Vanilla Bean Coolatta compare? FindTheBest can help you make the healthiest decisions at coffee shops in the New Year with its coffee nutrition facts comparison.

You’re not alone in your New Year’s resolutions: FindTheBest can help you make great decisions to stay healthy in 2012.

SOURCE FindTheBest.com

B Elevation

Price TBD

The Sycamore II
3 Bed, 2.5 Bath
2,520 Sq. Ft.

2-Story Entry, Master Suite, Great Room, 2-Story Entry, Loft & 2-Car Garage

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B Elevation

From $320,000

The Orchard
3 Bed, 2.5 Bath
2,520 Sq. Ft.

2-Story Entry, Vaulted Master Suite, Great Room, Dining Room, Den & 2-Car Garage

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3 Bed, 2.5 Bath, Den & 2-Car Garage

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A Northwest ENERGY STAR Home is one that is at least 15% more efficient than a home built
to standard building codes. For Legend Homes, building to the Northwest ENERGY STAR Homes specifications provided the baseline needed to take their energy efficient and sustainable building practices even further.

Since 2007, Legend Homes has developed and promoted their “EarthSmart” homes, which incorporate energy efficiency, innovative sustainability, structural longevity and indoor air quality. New construction that bears both the EarthSmart and Northwest ENERGY STAR Homes certifications are proof of Legend Homes’ long-term commitment to building homes with low monthly energy costs and minimal environmental impact down the road.

LEGEND HOMES

INNOVATION & EDUCATION MAKE LEGEND HOMES A NORTHWEST ENERGY STAR

A long-term commitment to sustainability
Legend Homes has been designing and building homes since 1965 and in recent years has added energy efficiency, conservation and long-term cost-effectiveness to its primary goals of excellent design and state-of-the-art building practices. They’ve developed their own energy efficient home brand, EarthSmart, which combines Northwest ENERGY STAR Homes and Earth Advantage certifications with Legend’s own eco-conscious building practices to provide homes that are affordable and high quality.

Innovative building features include:

• House tightening & air sealing
• Polar blanket wall insulation
• Recycled construction materials and local vendors & suppliers ▪ Water saving fixtures & systems
• Whole home fresh air ventilation system
• Low VOC paints
• 95% efficient furnace
• Longer lasting compact fluorescent lighting
• Heating ducts located in living space to avoid heating unwanted areas
• Photovoltaic Solar options available
• Dual flush toilets that reduce water consumption & costs

Ensuring energy efficiency and quality
To ensure that every home they build meets ENERGY STAR specifications, home builder Legend Homes employs both a Best Practices Task Force and a Quality Assurance Inspector. The Task Force continually evaluates building practices, pinpoints areas for improvement and researches new energy efficiency features. They work closely with third-party experts and specialty contractors who might improve the homes’ efficiency even further. Additionally, they pass on their knowledge about the latest innovations through training and continuing education for subcontractors.

Educating homeowners into the future
Legend takes great pride in educating their homeowners about the technology in their homes and how to increase their savings through sustainable living and energy conservation. Each new homeowner is provided with an owner’s manual with photos of their home’s construction and detailed information about the building process, helping the owner to understand and commit to sustainable living. (And it’s all on a thumb drive, to keep things green!)

View the full PDF version of the article here.

(ARA) – From cocktail parties to New Year’s bashes, ’tis the season for endless celebrations with friends, family and food – and lots of it. Facing multiple parties packed with those indulgent holiday goodies can be a challenge to anyone’s weight loss goals. But with the right strategy, you’ll be celebrating even after the party has ended.

One person who has mastered maintaining a healthy lifestyle during the holidays with Weight Watchers is Grammy Award-winning recording artist and Academy Award-winning actress Jennifer Hudson. “When it comes to those once a year family favorite recipes, I don’t say no. It’s all about moderation and portion sizes,” says Hudson. “I also remind myself that food is just a small part of the holidays. The biggest gift to me is having a chance to celebrate with my family and friends.”

Here is Jennifer’s “at a glance” healthy holiday entertainment entertainment guide for this season:

1. Power pack the party foods. Jennifer always pairs a few of her indulgent holiday favorites with low-fat, fiber-filled finger foods. Weight Watchers calls the ingredients to these recipes Power Foods because they offer the best nutritional bang for your buck, and they’re filling, so you’ll stay satisfied longer. They include lean protein, fruit, veggies, whole grains and fat-free dairy. One of Jennifer’s favorites is layering a sliced cucumber with avocado, low-fat wasabi mayo and shrimp.
2. Dress like a star. Ditch the baggy sweaters and stretchy pants. Get gorgeous for the party with that dress or skinny jeans that show off your best assets. Jennifer always likes to wear something tailored because it helps her feel confident.
3. Chill out with some steamy drinks. Create a hot beverage bar with a variety of light holiday favorites such as apple cider, lattes and flavorful teas. Let your guests create customized concoctions by stocking up on fat-free whipped toppings, sugar-free syrups and rich spices.
4. Cut the rug – and some calories! Parties don’t have to be all about consuming calories. Look for fun ways to burn calories, too. Dancing is not only a great cardiovascular work-out, but it’s also an easy way to inject instant entertainment into your party and help guest intermingle.

As the party winds down, get a head start on the clean-up effort and send your final guests home with the remaining holiday goodies. This will serve as your party favor to help avoid being faced with those lingering leftovers, and will give you more time to start planning your next healthy gathering with family and friends.

Happy Holidays!

(ARA) – Every fall, the wind picks up, the leaves fall to the ground and the grass gets a little browner. It’s the time of year when the weather is unpredictable and storms can make even the neatest yards a mess.

Remington, a leading manufacturer of battery and electric power tools, has some tips to help make your fall cleanup greener and easier:

Clearing leaves from your yard can be a daunting task, but it’s an important one to keep your yard alive and green come spring. Using an electric leaf blower or blower vacuum versus using a rake or a heavy gas blower can help reduce the effort. While electric leaf blowers are limited in mobility, they require less hassle.

If you find more than just leaves in your yard after a storm, you may consider doing most of the cleanup yourself using a chainsaw, such as the RM1415A Limb N Trim, a 14-inch chainsaw that’s ideal for cleanup of fallen branches and logs less than 13 inches in diameter. Keep in mind there are many safety concerns to take into account when using a chainsaw to clean up the mess. Here are a few tips on how to use a chainsaw to help keep you safe this season:

• First, read the operator’s manual and follow suggested guidelines to remove fallen trees.
• Ensure the saw’s chain is properly tensioned before each use and all fasteners, controls and safety features are functioning properly.
• Make sure the bar and chain are always lubricated to prevent the saw from wearing out or cutting poorly. Check the bar and chain oil reservoir frequently to make sure it’s full or it will ruin your chain.
• Start the saw while standing on the ground and always hold the handle securely.
• Clear debris and small tree limbs from the chainsaw’s path, and beware of nails and other metal before cutting.
• Avoid saw “kickback” to prevent a serious chainsaw injury. Never let the tip of the bar come in contact with anything. Always reference the operator’s manual for proper chain saw operation.

Here are a few other tips to prepare your yard for fall:

• Cut your grass short right before the season ends.
• Don’t forget to water. Early in the morning is the best time in order to avoid evaporation and disease development.
• Fertilize in order to maintain root health and replenish the nutrients that were lost during the hot summer.
• Once the watering season is over, make sure to drain and store your garden hose and turn off the water supply to keep your pipes from freezing.
• If you use a battery-powered mower, make sure to remove the battery before putting it away. Also, store the battery on the charger to keep it from slowly draining over the winter, which can damage the battery over time.

The home builder developed lots at Park at Merryfield and built around 300 homes at Morey’s Landing. They are currently constructing homes at Villebois that range from 1.600 square feet to 2,900 square feet.

What makes Legend Homes stand out are the steps they take to ensure the buyer has a well-constructed home that will be easier on the pocketbook in the long run..

“We focus on homes that help pay for themselves with energy efficiency. We don’t just wave a green hand and call it sustainable,” said Legend Homes President Jim Chapman. “It might cost a couple of extra bucks for the house but you get so much more for your money. It is much cheaper to run and live in than if you just build it to code.”

All home builders that construct homes at Villebois are required to have Earth Advantage Certification. Legend Homes goes beyond that level with Energy Star Certification and have flirted with a Platinum Rating for some of their homes.

New homes that meet strict guidelines for energy efficiency can qualify for Energy Star certification. An Energy Star qualified home uses at least 15% less energy than standard homes built to the 2004 International Residential Code (IRC). They usually include properly installed insulation, high performance windows, tight construction and ducts, energy efficient cooling and heating systems, and Energy Star qualified appliances, lighting, and water heaters.

Legend Homes provides training programs, not only for their employees, but also for contractors they work with. They have redundant inspection processes to ensure all work is done properly and have third party certifications for energy, air loss, indoor air quality, and other elements of the sustainability program.

The company is so confident their homes are energy efficient that they back them up with an extended warranty. Based on all accumulated scores through design and execution, the Energy Trust of Oregon does a projection of what the annual utility bills will be for energy, both electricity and gas.

“We just take the state’s tally for that certification and guarantee it,” said Chapman. “So if your utility bills run more than projected by the state of Oregon we pay the difference for three years.”

Legend Homes also offers a three year warranty on everything in the home and another two years on plumbing and electrical.

“I approach every house as if my mom was to move into it,” said Chapman. “I love my mom but I don’t want to come back and work on her house every day, so we build it right for the long term.”

View the Legend at Villebois neighborhood page.

• 9.2 million veterans are over the age of 65.
• 1.9 million veterans are under the age of 35.
• 1.8 million veterans are women.
• 7.8 million veterans served during the Vietnam War era (1964-1975), which represents 33% of all living veterans.
• 5.2 million veterans served during the Gulf War (representing service from Aug. 2, 1990, to present).
• 2.6 million veterans served during World War II (1941-1945).
• 2.8 million veterans served during the Korean War (1950-1953).
• 6 million veterans served in peacetime.
• As of 2008, 2.9 million veterans received compensation for service-connected disabilities.
• 5 states have more than 1 million veterans in among their population: California (2.1 million), Florida (1.7 million), Texas (1.7 million), New York (1 million) and Pennsylvania (1 million).
• The VA health care system had 54 hospitals in 1930, since then it has expanded to include 171 medical centers; more than 350 outpatient, community, and outreach clinics; 126 nursing home care units; and 35 live-in care facilities for injured or disabled vets.

When gifting plants:

 
Give care:

Always include care instructions for the plant gift. Even the most experienced indoor plant grower appreciates a little help. Most live goods come with suggested light feeding and watering recommendations. If the plant selected does not have these care instructions, ask before leaving the nursery so the recipient can keep this lovely gift green.

Customize the plant to the person:

Flowers, succulents, cacti, tropicals and even bulbs can make great presents. The varieties and combinations are as endless as the personalities on your gift list. It is important to match the plant to the recipient. For instance, a plant needing daily watering would not make a good gift for a constant traveler. Instead, give them an interesting cactus or succulent, which needs less frequent care. For an artistic friend, try a terrarium that can be customized to their tastes. The more sophisticated giftee may appreciate a colorful and delicate orchid. For those with asthma or allergies, plants like palms, peace lilies and ferns do an excellent job of improving air quality and filtering out toxins.

Containers make a difference:

Those boring, plastic pots that house most plants are not very attractive or personal. Pop your plants into colorful ceramic, glass, wood or even metal containers for a more interesting and personal touch. Inexpensive terra cotta pots can be painted in bright or metallic-colored paint, large coffee cups as containers can add a quirky element or baskets can be lined with plastic and used to hold small pots. When repotting plants yourself, make sure to use a high-quality potting mix such as Miracle-Gro Potting Mix or Miracle-Gro Organic Choice Potting Mix. Also, keep in mind that specialty plants like cacti, African violets and orchids may perform better in special potting mixes. When in doubt, ask the nursery for recommendations. For presentation, wrap foil, paper or cellophane around the outside of the container and use fabric bows or raffia to add a finishing touch.

Plants at the party:

Little gifts from nature go a long way in spreading the holiday cheer to friends, family and neighbors. When hosting a party, offer little mementos for your guests to take home. Try a small terra cotta pot painted gold and planted with rosemary or thyme and tied with a lovely ribbon Or, maybe small, colorful pots filled with soil and a bulb to add a pop of spring to the winter months. Add a photo of the flower your guest can expect and directions on forcing the bulb to the gift tag. Whether paying a call on friends or attending a party, host or hostess gifts are another fun way to spread holiday cheer. Poinsettia, amaryllis and Christmas cactus are seasonal favorites.

Plants make excellent gifts and will be a reminder of the good times you shared.

2,903 Sq. Ft., 4 Bed – 3 Bath, 3-car garage

MLS# 642626

SOLD

Guest suite on main with full bath. Extensive use of hardwood floors throughout home. Office/den on main floor, great room with gas fireplace and hardwood floors. Kitchen with stainless appliances, granite slab island, and ceramic tile countertops with full tile backsplash. Spacious Master Suite with sitting room/retreat, master bath with double sinks, soaking tub and walk-in shower. Oversized bonus room with double doors and built-in closet.

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1932 Sq. Ft., 3 Bed – 2.5 Bath

MLS# 643248

SOLD

Open floorplan with office/den on the main, great room with gas fireplace. Kitchen has pantry, gas cook top, full backsplash and breakfast bar. Big bonus room upstairs over looking the back yard. Master bath has double sinks, walk-in shower, huge master closet with cedar.

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To get the most enjoyment out of the fall months this year, venture out with your family and friends to enjoy some of these scents and sounds:

• Apple and pumpkin picking. Apple trees are heavily laden with crisp and delicious apples this time of year. Head out to an orchard to pluck the perfectly grown fruits off trees bearing your favorite variety of apples. Or take your children on a ride to a pumpkin farm. Let them run through the patch, inspecting every pumpkin for the perfect carving medium. Tall and skinny for a witch’s face or round and plump for more of a clown face.

• Celebrate your favorite sport, family activity or just tailgate at any outdoor setting with finger foods that are quick cooking and easy-to-pack. Save on the utensils and use Old London Melba Snacks as the key ingredient to add any topper or perfect scoop for dip.

• Participate in a good cause. Fall is an excellent time to direct your energies and donations toward nonprofit organizations and charities. For example, October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month, and you can participate in a fundraiser for any breast cancer organization or donate funds during this special month. Old London is helping to find a cure by donating $0.75 to Breast Cancer research for each proof of purchase from any Old London product received through Feb. 6, 2012. Enter the UPC at oldlondonfoods.com.

• Get lost in a corn maze. Fall is the perfect time for long walks because temperatures aren’t overbearingly hot and the humidity levels are much more tolerable. Dress appropriately for the cooler weather and see what fun you can have getting lost in a corn maze, or while taking an autumn nature hike.

• Feed the autumnal appetite. All of fall’s exciting activities will leave members of your family feeling voracious. Satisfy their hunger – and create a delicious smell in your house – with a fall favorite of Apple Pan Strudel with Dried Cherry Puree, which brings together classic fall flavors and spices in one delicious dessert.

Apple Pan Strudel with Dried Cherry Puree

Cherry Puree Ingredients:

1 cup dried cherries

1 1/2 cups water

2 tablespoons kirsch (clear cherry brandy)

Pan Strudel Ingredients:

3 cups 100 percent apple juice

1 box of Old London Melba Toast Salt Free Whole Grain

2 pounds various apple varieties (such as Braeburn, Granny Smith and Fuji), peeled, cored, sliced thin in a food processor

1/4 cup fresh lemon juice

1 cup sugar

2 teaspoons ground cinnamon

1 teaspoon ground ginger

1/4 teaspoon allspice

1/4 teaspoon nutmeg

Directions:

For cherry puree

Combine cherries and water in a saucepan. Bring to a boil, and then simmer two minutes. Stir in kirsch (clear cherry brandy). Cool to lukewarm and puree in a blender.

For pan Strudel

In a small bowl, mix sugar and spices, set aside. Mix apple and lemon juice in medium bowl. Add sugar spice mixture and toss to coat. Lay the Melba Toast in a single layer on a cookie sheet, and pour two cups of apple juice over each toast, allowing toasts to soak up the juice. In a separate 8×8 pan, cover the pan with a thin layer of apples. Using a spatula, lift the toast from the cookie sheet and place a single layer over the apples in the 8×8 pan. Repeat until layering process until done. Finish by spreading cherry puree over apples. Cover with one cup of apple juice poured evenly over finished pan. Bake at 350 degrees for 45 minutes. Garnish with light whipped cream if desired.

The fall months are a perfect time to enjoy spending time with family and getting outside to enjoy the final warm days of the year. For additional recipes, visit Old London on Facebook at www.facebook.com/OldLondonFoods.