#GreenLivingTips: Tips on Preparing for Snow!

As cooler weather approaches, it's important to be prepared for snow! Once fall is over, winter weather can come quickly. Are you ready for a snowstorm? If you're prepared ahead of time, it will make your life much less stressful. That way, you can enjoy a snow day at your apartment! Check out these tips to start preparing for snow! 

Prepare ahead of time: We have all seen the panic set in before a snowstorm: the emptying of the grocery store shelves and everyone filing up their cars with gas. However, you can skip the panic if you plan ahead of time! Save yourself the trouble so that when the time comes for snow, you won't be rushing around.

Stock up: By stocking on food, blankets, and other snow necessities ahead of time, you will save a lot  of time and stress in the long run. Stock up on your apartment with things lie batteries, a battery-operated radio, and flashlights in case the electricity goes out. Additionally, make sure you have plenty non-perishable food, water bottles, and toilet paper.

Dress the part: We all love gong out to play in the snow, but it's important to ensure that you and your children are properly dressed before doing so. Before it gets too cold, check that you and your families winter coats still fit! If your child's coat doesn't fit- consider donating it to a coat drive for these in need. Conveniently, Grady Management is hosting a coat drive in December! Make sure that you also have winter boots with good traction, hats, scarves, and gloves in case you go out in the snow.

Make sure everything works: Before the snow comes, it's important to make sure that your appliances such as your stove and washer/dryer are working correctly. Be sure to charge up all your electronics like phones, computers, and rechargeable batteries once you find out that snow is on its way.

Prepare your home: As the snowstorm approaches, prepare your home for the wintery weather. Bring in your plants from the patio or cover them with sheets. Additionally, you can keep your pipes from from freezing by leaving the water running at a slow drip and keeping the cabinets under the sink open. The on-site management team works hard to keep the parking lots, sidewalks, and stairs as clear as possible.

Service your car: Regardless of whether or not you have 4-wheel or all-wheel-drive vehicle, consider taking your car to be serviced well before the storm hits. If you must venture out into the storm, it's important that everything works properly. The shop you take your car to will know what to check, including your brake pads, fluids, and tire treads.

During the snow storm: Stay safe during a snowstorm by limiting your travel to emergency reasons only. Playing outside in the snow is generally safe as long as you dress properly and the snow isn't coming down too hard. Otherwise, it is important to stay indoors to protect yourself. Stay hydrated, and listen out for weather updates on the radio or TV if you have electricity.

Once you finish preparing for snow, enjoy the snow day! The kids may be off school and you may be off work, so snuggle up with some hot chocolate or build a snowman! 

Show us how you decorated your apartment today!

Grady's GreenLiving Tips was created in 2014 by Grady Management, Inc.  Grady Management was founded in 1965 and continues to provide a full service residential, commercial, and consulting real estate firm in the greater Washington and Baltimore metropolitan area.  Learn more from our website or Facebook page.

#GreenLiving: DIY Decor for the Holidays!

The holiday season is finally here and the joy and cheer of decor is near! With that being said, holidays can get expensive due to parties, gifts and food that come with celebrating. To remain budget friendly, here are a couple of do-it-yourself tips on homemade decor that will look amazing in your home during the holidays!

DIY Ornaments: A very inexpensive and fun for the whole family activity is creating ornaments at home! This is a unique way to put a festive spin on your holiday tree this year. Some fun ideas could be: tie-dying plastic ornaments and paper mache ornaments. 

DIY Wreaths: The wreath is one of the first decoration pieces that you see once you enter your home- you want to make sure this stands out from the rest! Create a snowball wreath by attaching styrofoam balls onto a wreath mold- you can even paint these into any color of your choice. Don't forget to add the bow in the middle!

DIY Garlands: A simple way to create a garland is by using construction paper! Grab any color that will set the perfect holiday mood in your home- cut them into shapes of leaves! Print out a traceable image of different leaves to help speed up this process. Once you're done- use string or yarn to attach the leaves together after you hole punch them. After they're connected hang them up! 

DIY Gift Boxes: Recycle and re-use! During the holidays we receive so many packages and boxes. Instead of throwing these away- recycle them! Grab some gift wrapping paper and cover the plain box. Place the box under your holiday tree for decoration or store it there to re-use to put a gift inside. 

Take a picture of your homemade creations and post them online to inspire someone else! Make sure to enjoy the holidays with your family and friends this year.

Show us how you decorated your apartment today!

Grady's GreenLiving Tips was created in 2014 by Grady Management, Inc.  Grady Management was founded in 1965 and continues to provide a full service residential, commercial, and consulting real estate firm in the greater Washington and Baltimore metropolitan area.  Learn more from our website or Facebook page.

#GreenLivingTips: Pantry And Cabinet Clean-Out!

Your weekly cleaning schedule might include loading the dishwasher, cleaning counter tops and mopping the kitchen floor But have you thought to look into your kitchen cabinets? If you only cook once or twice a week, then checking these out might not be apart of of weekly schedule. However, even if you never cook or use your kitchen regularly, cleaning and organizing your spaces regularly can improve the appearance of your kitchen and also get rid of waste!

Step 1: Find a cabinet or section in your pantry and take everything out. Place everything on the counter or table.

Step 2: Check the expiration dates on each item. We can store items for years without even noticing it. Make sure that everything is up to date or if it is empty throw it away. This would be a great time to donate any unused or unexpired foods to your locate food bank or shelter.

Step 3: Clean the surfaces and areas inside your pantry and cabinets. Sometimes items can spill inside without us knowing. This is a good opportunity to clean these messes away. Dust and scrub the spots that need the most love!

Step 4: Wipe off and all containers you plan on keeping this includes food storage containers. Wipe off any accumulated grease or dust with a warm, soapy dish cloth. Dry with a paper towel.

Step 5: Rearrange the items you have- sort them from shortest tall or from the ones used the most and less. Store your pastas into containers that are clear for  easier access. Place loose items such as seasoning packs into baskets with labels. 

Make everything more convenient for you! 

Step 6: Spice it up! Change the location of your items in your pantry and cabinets for an overall new look. Head online for some inspiration. And remember to let everyone in the house know of the new changes.

Cleaning and organizing can feel like a heavy task. Dedicate a day to tackle this so you won't feel overwhelmed or get interrupted. Make sure you take before and after pictures!

Show us how you organize your kitchen spaces today!

Grady's GreenLiving Tips was created in 2014 by Grady Management, Inc.  Grady Management was founded in 1965 and continues to provide a full service residential, commercial, and consulting real estate firm in the greater Washington and Baltimore metropolitan area.  Learn more from our website or Facebook page.

Pumpkin Inspired Recipes to Try!

It's Fall Ya'll!

With that the start of toasty smelling foods and pumpkin spice everything!

Here are a couple of pumpkin inspired recipes to get you started for this season.

Pumpkin Muffins. These pumpkin muffins are made with oats instead of flour and real maple syrup instead of refined sugars!

Ingredients: 2 cups of rolled oats

1 cup of pumpkin puree

6 ounces plain Greek yogurt

2 eggs

1 teaspoon baking soda

pinch of cinnamon and salt

chocolate chips

Pumpkin Walnut Chili. Yummy vegan instant pot chili featuring red lentils, fire-roasted tomatoes, walnuts, black beans, pumpkin, chipotles, and all the good toppings!

Ingredients: 1 28 ounce can fire-roasted tomatoes

half an onion, minced

3 cloves of garlic

2 poblano peppers, chopped

1-3 chipotle peppers, chopped 

2 cups of walnuts, chopped 

1 cup red lentils

1 cup bulgur

1 tablespoons chili powder

1 tablespoon smoked paprika

1 tablespoon salt

6 cups water or broth 

1 14 ounce can pumpkin puree

2 or 3 14-ounce cans black beans

Pumpkin Coffee Creamer. Make homemade pumpkin spice coffee creamer with incredible flavor thanks to the real pumpkin feel!

Ingredients: 1 and 1/2 cup heavy cream, half-and-half or whole milk

2 tablespoons pumpkin puree

1 tablespoons pure maple syrup

1/2-1 teaspoon pumpkin pie spice

1-2 cinnamon sticks 

Are you excited for pumpkin season? Try out one of these recipes today! 

Grady's GreenLiving Tips was created in 2014 by Grady Management, Inc.  Grady Management was founded in 1965 and continues to provide a full service residential, commercial, and consulting real estate firm in the greater Washington and Baltimore metropolitan area.  Learn more from our website or Facebook page.

Decorate your Apartment for Fall!

The first day of Fall has officially passed us and now it's time to bring on the Fall cheer inside our homes! There's nothing quite like the feeling of fall scents- pumpkin, leaves and hot cocoa. If you're looking forward to getting into the fall spirit, here are a few tips on decorating your apartment for fall! 

Get a Decorative Centerpiece: An easy way to incorporate fall vibes in your apartment is with a centerpiece! Not only can you use a fall centerpiece for holidays like Thanksgiving, it will keep you in the spirit all season long. Purchase some faux pumpkins or some vibrant faux fall leaves to create a beautiful fall masterpiece.

Transform your Fruit Bowl Into a Fall Bowl: If you have a big bowl of traditional apples, bananas, and other fruits up for grabs- switch it up! Take a trip to the pumpkin patch or just your local grocery store, and purchase pumpkins and gourds. These can be used as beautiful fall display bowls for your kitchen!

Bring Some Comfort to the Table: A simple way to transform your kitchen or dining room table into a comfy, fall getaway is to add some blankets or pillows! Make your tale comfortable by placing fall-colored or plaid pillows to the chairs. Additionally, you can even add a cushioned bench! This make dinner time comfy and fun- perfect for a fall meal!

Hang Wreaths: Not only can wreaths be used during the Holiday Season, try using them for fall! Purchase a grapevine wreath at your local craft store and tuck in plenty of festive-fall leaves to decorate your front door. Whether they feature pumpkins, fall-colored flowers, or cobs of corn, wreaths sure to welcome guests to your home with a warm, fall feeling. 

Change Your Pillows: So many colors are associated with fall- orange, yellow, red, and even deep hues of green. Easily transform your living room into a fall hideaway by incorporating some fall- colored pillows! 

Play up the Balcony: The porch is a cozy place to sit in the fall an watch the changing leaves- not without blankets and pillows though! Transform your balcony to a cozy hangout by adding comfy blankets and pillows to your seating. Furthermore, add to the fall decor with pumpkins, corn husks, and anything else you can fine! After this, you'll never want to leave this fall fantasy. 

Fall is a fun time for decorating, from soft blankets an pillows, to the fall wreaths and pumpkin centerpieces. Begin decorating your apartment for fall for an amazing season! 

Show us how you decorated your apartment today!

Grady's GreenLiving Tips was created in 2014 by Grady Management, Inc.  Grady Management was founded in 1965 and continues to provide a full service residential, commercial, and consulting real estate firm in the greater Washington and Baltimore metropolitan area.  Learn more from our website or Facebook page.

#GreenLiving: Celebrate National Drive Electric Week!

#GreenLiving is a major tool for families who are choosing to create a sustainable lifestyle! National Drive Electric Week begins this week! It is a nationwide celebration which started back in 2011 highlighting the awareness of today's widespread availability of plug-in vehicles and spotlighting the benefits of all-electric and plug-in hybrid-electric cars, trucks, motorcycles, and more! Whether you're considering purchasing one or want to know more about them, here is some information on them:

Reduce and eliminate fuel cost.  Driving vehicles can become rather costly from the maintenance, monthly keep up, and you can't forget gas. Weekly trips to the gas station can become quite expensive due to how much you drive, and how much gasoline cost is. By selecting an electric alternative for your vehicle, the days of paying for fuel are over! Electricity is less expensive than gasoline with no rapid price swings.

Convenience. Owning an electric vehicle has its pros when it comes to today's widespread availability of plug-in vehicles. They are fueled by connecting to the electric grid, and electricity can be produced through several generation methods. More importantly, electric vehicles allow you to become energy independent, through the installation of renewable electricity generation such as a solar array to fuel your car.  These charging stations can be installed in your homes garage so that you can charge it before you leave!


Are you considering going the electric route: Find out more information on National Drive Electric Week by clicking here. There are over 300 events all across the United States, be sure to attend one this week!

Grady's GreenLiving Tips was created in 2014 by Grady Management, Inc.  Grady Management was founded in 1965 and continues to provide a full service residential, commercial, and consulting real estate firm in the greater Washington and Baltimore metropolitan area.  Learn more from our website or Facebook page.

Got Pets? 5 Things to Do When Pet-Proofing Your Apartment!

#GreenLiving is a major tool for families who are choosing to create a sustainable lifestyle! Do you need tips for pet-proofing your apartment? A pet can be great company but also come with a lot of responsibility. So you want to treat them well and create a good living environment fir them, whether you have a dog, cat or even a fish! If you're pet-free, but thinking of getting a new pet, it's a good idea to make sure your apartment is pet-friendly prior to bringing them home. If you already have a pet in your apartment, you'll want to ensure that you've done the things below so that your pet is safe.

Remove Choking Hazards.  Dogs, especially, love to chew on things. That's why it's important to keep clutter at bay and to keep potential choking hazards off the floor and higher up and out of reach. Also, be sure that trash cans have lids so dogs can't pull out and choke on food and other items you've thrown away.

Check Your Plants.  If you have house plants, be sure to check whether they are toxic to animals. And keep in mind that cats will chew on plants just as well as dogs. If you have toxic plants, consider moving them to a high place where your pet can't reach them or you may even want to get rid of them altogether if you have a cat, because cats can easily jump up to high places.

Limit the Use of Dangerous Chemicals. Pets like to lick things, from furniture to toilet bowls, so be mindful of the chemicals that you use in your home for cleaning and disinfecting. You may even want to switch over to safer and natural cleaners!

Keep Cords Hidden. Some pets, especially puppies, are prone to chewing on everything they can get their mouths on. That includes electric cords. If you have such a pet, use cable covers to protect the cords and your pet, or keep cords hidden behind furniture out of reach.

Limit Your Pets Space. If there are areas of your apartment where potential hazards exist like the bathroom where a trash can may be uncovered or where you clean with chemicals, consider barring your pet from this space, especially when they're home alone. It's perfectly fine to close off a bathroom or bedroom where your pet isn't allowed or where they're only allowed when you are home. Also, note that most pets enjoy and find comfort in having a designated space that's their own so try to set up a pet area with a bed and some toys just for them, if possible.

Always remember: Your pet is unique, with his or her own personality and tendencies, so your may want to take additional pet-proofing measures bases on your own pet's specific behaviors. Also, keep in mind that the more time you spend with your pet, the less time they'll have for getting into mischief around the house and the happier they will be. And when you do have to be away for work or other reasons, provide your pet with some toys to play with to keep them occupied. For cats, add scratching posts. Sometimes when you're away it's helpful to leave on some music so your pet doesn't feel like they're alone.

When bringing home a new pet that you're just getting to know, be sure to protect your flooring from stains and scratches with plenty of scatter rugs. Use inexpensive furniture covers or flats sheets of fabric on leather sofas and chairs. You may also want to tape the legs of furniture, especially if you're bringing home a new puppy or kitten. Also, try to avoid bringing home your new pet and then leaving them right away. It's always best to spend a day or two at home with them to get to know them and to let them get familiar with their new surroundings while you're there to keep an eye on them and keep them out of harm's way.

Good luck pet-proofing your apartment! 

Grady's GreenLiving Tips was created in 2014 by Grady Management, Inc.  Grady Management was founded in 1965 and continues to provide a full service residential, commercial, and consulting real estate firm in the greater Washington and Baltimore metropolitan area.  Learn more from our website or Facebook page.

#GreenLiving: Back to School Shopping on a BUDGET!

#GreenLiving is a major tool for families who are choosing to create a sustainable lifestyle! With summer coming to a close, we know exactly what you may be thinking. While it's exciting (and possibly relieving) that your kids will be out of the house, they may not feel the same! Furthermore, along with going back to school comes the stress of preparation. New classes mean new school supply lists, and the new school year could leave your kids wishing for a stylist new outfit to debut. The costs of back to school shopping can ad up quickly. But don't panic. We're here to soothe your nerves and have you back to school shopping in no time: on a budget! Check out tips on how:

Shop at home.  We all have the random drawer of abandoned school supplies at our house, whether they went unused all year or they are still in great condition! Be sure to fully evaluate what you have at home before you go spend the big bucks on back to school shopping. After the school year ends, gather all the supplies your kids did or didn't use. If you find something good, store it (in a place you'll remember) for next school year. Not only limited to school supplies, checking on  what clothes your kids have in their closet will also help with saving money. In doing this, you can make sure you don't over buy or just buy something you really don't need. This will keep your money spent from going waste, it will also save you money in the future!

Shop online.  Many stores offer online deals that can be found on their social media sites. Follow your favorite stores on Twitter and Facebook to see what sales they will be promoting on a particular day! Amazon offers several promotional items throughout the year- checking out on the school supply section can get you some discounted items!

Coupons/Sales. Stores like Target, Walmart, Staples and even Office Depot offer back-to-school shopping list based on grades, schools, and districts. In those ads, stores offer coupons and sales for select items. This lets you easily find what you're looking for with the price tag that you love the most. No more buying unnecessary and over-prices supplies!

Get more BANG for your BUCK. Each year, kids are often asked to bring in cleaning supplies or tissues for their classrooms. If you have multiple children, the cost of all of these supplies can add up! Check out your local Dollar Store to stock up on these supplies for cheap. Furthermore, for things like folders and paper try to stick to the generic store-brand supplies. If your children aren't pleased with a solid colored, "boring" notebook or folder, get creative! Have your kids decorate with stickers or markers to make a "generic" notebook the coolest notebook in their class. Lastly, when shopping for snacks and lunches, go to stores like Costco, Bj's or Sam's Club to buy in bulk! All of this could help save money packing lunches throughout the school year should you have to make a trip to the store.

Always remember: This year, back to school shopping on a budget will be a breeze with these tips and tricks! Take on this school year like a pro. Not only will you and your kids be happy, but so will your wallet.

Grady's GreenLiving Tips was created in 2014 by Grady Management, Inc.  Grady Management was founded in 1965 and continues to provide a full service residential, commercial, and consulting real estate firm in the greater Washington and Baltimore metropolitan area.  Learn more from our website or Facebook page.

#GreenLivingTips: Bike Storage 101 for Apartment Living!

#GreenLiving is a major tool for families who are choosing to create a sustainable lifestyle! Lets face it. Whether you ride your bike to work or school or just for fun in the neighborhood, storing it can be tricky! Here are a list of ideas to help you when storing your bicycle for apartment living:

In your closet.  Keeping your bike out of sight and in your closet is a great idea. You can allow your clothes to hang while the bike is tucked under. If you don't have a main closet in your apartment, utilizing the laundry room space or a separate coat closet will work as well.

Garage or bike rails.  If your apartment community offers garage parking; ask your leasing center if you can store your bikes there. Some communities also have bike rails in which you can store your bikes on. Make sure you buy a lock.

Behind large furniture. Consider the storage method of having your bike in a main room, behind a large couch or television. This might be beneficial to someone who utilizes their bike for the majority of the week and needs easy access to take it on the go with them everyday. And it is also a great conversation piece for your guest to see! This method really takes advantage of making the best out of unused spaces.

A-Stand, Clips, DIY. If you and your family own multiple bikes, installing a bike stand and placing it in your bedroom would be a great idea. These stands do not require you to drill holes in your wall. Vertical bike clips are an inexpensive alternative while creating a stylish and minimalist look. And since this method requires the bikes to be elevated, it takes up minimal floor space.

Always remember: Bikes, scooters, skateboards etc are not to be left laying around in the breezeways, parking lots, playground etc. This is a major trip hazard. When not riding your bike you a required to put it away properly. When at a playground or pool house place your bike properly to the side to not impede on the pathway or bike trail.

Grady's GreenLiving Tips was created in 2014 by Grady Management, Inc.  Grady Management was founded in 1965 and continues to provide a full service residential, commercial, and consulting real estate firm in the greater Washington and Baltimore metropolitan area.  Learn more from our website or Facebook page.

10 Things To Do In Your Home Before You Go On Vacation!

#GreenLiving is a major tool for families who are choosing to create a sustainable lifestyle! It's that time of the year where we take a special trip for vacation (yesssss!) However before we pack up our sandals and sunscreen, we must make sure that our apartments are vacation ready too! Here are ten tips to help you prepare before your big trip:

1. Program your thermostat. Energy's largest source of consumption comes directly from heating and cooling. To avoid that additional cost while you're out spending time on vacation, setting your thermostat to maintain a stable temperature; no cooler than 54 degrees and no warmer than 80 degrees. You should keep your home's temperature stable in both summer or winter in order to prevent condensation, frozen pipes or any other damaging effects.

2.Unplug appliances. Unplugging those daily appliances that you use can save you a lot of money on your electric bill, but more importantly since you will be away there's no reason to have them plugged in! This means toasters, coffee pot, televisions, DVD players, and any idle electronics.

3.Take our trash/recycle.  The worst thing about coming home from a vacation is coming home to a not so smelling nice one! Before you leave, take out any trash that is in your homes (kitchen, bathroom and bedrooms). If you have a lot of bananas, apples or fresh fruit sitting on your kitchen counters, move them into the fridge or dispose of them. Dispose of anything that might cause flies or any insects that might want a bite! Make sure you empty out the trash and recycling bins before you depart.

4.Do the dishes. Dirty dishes in a house that is empty can lead to pest and mold in your sinks, not to mention a bad aroma in your house once you come back. Give everything a good wash or throw them in the dishwasher. Make sure you turn off the dishwasher once it is done!

5.Schedule to pay your rent/utilities.  Avoid wondering if you forgot that rent or utilities were paid for before you board your flight by setting up auto-pay or scheduling a reminder a week prior.

6. Mail mail and more mail! If you are expecting deliveries while on the beach, reschedule them to come when you arrive back. If the package is being sent directly to the leasing office; make sure to inform them that you will be away so they will hold it longer for you. If your apartment building offers Package Concierge; make sure you set this up so your packages will be waiting for once you get back. 

7. Secure your home.  Double and triple check the locks of your doors and windows. Close the blinds and draw the curtains. Make sure the leasing office knows that you will be away for a period of time. Provide them with contract information in case of an emergency so they can reach you.

8. Set up pet plans. If you do have pets, and they aren't coming on vacation with you make sure they will be cared properly in your absence. Check availability at pet day cares that accommodate during the time you need or send them to a loved one that will be able to pet-sit until you come back.

9.Plan for your plants. Just like pets, plants need love too! Make sure you take care of them while you're away too. Some plants can stay outside on your balcony to soak up some sun, but make sure there is shade for them too.While other plants require a nicely cool indoor spot. Ask a neighbor of friend to help you water your plants if you are leaving for a longer period of time. Before you take off remember to feed your plants with a nice cup of H2O.

10. Clean Up! It may seem like a lot to handle with the rush of having to get to the airport on time and with the excitement of being away from home, but nothing beats coming back home to a freshly clean home. Find some time to clean your bedroom and switch your sheets for fresh ones. Run a load of laundry so your dirty hamper can be filled with the clothes from your trip.


Always remember to have fun! It's that time to relax and let your hair down. :)


Grady's GreenLiving Tips was created in 2014 by Grady Management, Inc.  Grady Management was founded in 1965 and continues to provide a full service residential, commercial, and consulting real estate firm in the greater Washington and Baltimore metropolitan area.  Learn more from our website or Facebook page.

#GreenLivingTips: How To Maintain Your Apartment Balcony

#GreenLiving is a major tool for families who are choosing to create a sustainable lifestyle! The balcony area of the apartment is one of the spaces we love to fix when the seasons change! Since balconies are exposed to elements such as dirt and trash cleaning is an essential part of keeping up with your space. However here are a few tips and tricks that can make your life easier while keeping your outdoor space looking its best!

Sweep the floors.  The floor surface of your balcony is likely to become extremely dirty, and because of this it requires some special attention. Sweeping and dusting the floors which will help remove trash, leafs, and any other debris that might land on your balcony floors. Routinely doing so will create an atmosphere for any occasion!

Keep it green.  Adding plants to your balcony has a lot of benefits. It creates a nice green space for pants to grow and thrive while being outside in the sun and rain. This is also a great chance to plant your herbs and greenery upwards. This will ensure that your outside space feels more spacious!

Add small furniture. A balcony is a lot easier to clean and tidy if it is clutter free. Out with the old and in with new! Removing anything from the floor of your balcony that takes up space or that is not being used. Adding furniture that can sit down while having room for standing and walking space is essential. Small pieces such as a bench or a lounge chair that provides comfort and mobility would be a great piece to include on your balcony.

Remember to keep your space neat, implement a regular cleaning schedule for your balcony to insure that it is always tidy and clean.


Grady's GreenLiving Tips was created in 2014 by Grady Management, Inc.  Grady Management was founded in 1965 and continues to provide a full service residential, commercial, and consulting real estate firm in the greater Washington and Baltimore metropolitan area.  Learn more from our website or Facebook page.

#GreenLivingTips: Why You Shouldn't Wear Shoes Inside Your Home

#GreenLiving is a major tool for families who are choosing to create a sustainable lifestyle! How many times have you opened your front door, wipe away your shoes on the door mat and continue to walk through your home with your shoes on? Hundreds? Thousands of time? If this sounds like you, here are some good reasons why you should leave your shoes at the doorstep or better yet on a shoe rack and the front door.

Bacteria.  A study shows that germs on shoes found an average of 421,000 bacteria on the outside with nine different strains. Most of the harmful strains on shoes include: Escherichia coli, otherwise known as E coli, which can lead to intestinal infections and diarrhea. Klebsiella pneumoniae, which can cause urinary tract infections and Serrati fiacria that can lead to respiratory infections. But how does the bacteria even get there in the first place? On an average day we can walk through things like bird dropping, dog waste, and germs from public restroom floors which are all sources for E coli. Whats very unique about the shoe environment is that the things you walk on can serve as food for bacteria and cause them to grow. Which can ultimately give bacteria the lifespan of days and weeks. This will lead to bacteria landing directly on your floors or carpets!

Toxins.  Another possible concern is toxins which can be found anywhere from your lawn, and roads. People who live near asphalt roads sealed with coal tar have a greater risk of cancer from these type of toxins. Once these toxins are found they become settled inside the home as dust particles which can be brought in by your shoes. Be cautious when exposed to toxins because of the likelihood of being exposed many times over the course of your life; can get you sick.

Dirt. Surprisingly, dirt isn't harmful on its own. But you should always want to keep it at a minimum especially if you have small children in your home that play on the floor. And if you have carpet, it's probably even dirtier. Organisms can survive longer in carpet, plus bacteria and mold can build up over time. One more plus to keeping your shoes at the door: It can cut down on how often you have to clean.

Similar to how our maintenance staff uses booties to cover their shoes in your home, the easiest and likely the most reliable way to keep floors clean is to take shoes off when entering the house and maybe even put on some cozy slippers!


Grady's GreenLiving Tips was created in 2014 by Grady Management, Inc.  Grady Management was founded in 1965 and continues to provide a full service residential, commercial, and consulting real estate firm in the greater Washington and Baltimore metropolitan area.  Learn more from our website or Facebook page.

#GreenLiving: Get Unplugged!

If you live in an apartment, condo, or house it is likely that you use various amounts of appliances just to make it through the day. But did you know? Most of the appliances that you use consume so much energy just by being plugged in all day even when you are not using them! Which can cost you lots of money.

On average, households tend to spend around $2,000 a year on energy costs. Experts explain that most of our plugged in appliances generally eat up low levels of electricity, almost a watt or two. However, some electronics such as computes and TVs that consume a lot more power, even when they're just in standby mode. And it's the cumulative effect to having several devices plugged in around the clock that can really add up- not only hurting your pockets but the efforts to be eco-friendly.

Here is a list of items that you might have in your home that should be unplugged after use to save both energy and money:

• Desktop Computers
• Laptop Computers
• Televisions
• DVD players, VCRs
• Cable TV boxes
• Cordless phones
• Stereos and radios
• Coffee makers
• Toasters
• Lamps
• iPods or electronic gadgets 

Being more conscious about your household appliances, and your overall energy use, is a tremendous way to help conserve the environment, and help boost your fiances, too.




Grady's GreenLiving Tips was created in 2014 by Grady Management, Inc.  Grady Management was founded in 1965 and continues to provide a full service residential, commercial, and consulting real estate firm in the greater Washington and Baltimore metropolitan area.  Learn more from our website or Facebook page.

#GreenLiving: Energy Efficient Light Sources

#GreenLiving is a major tool for families who are choosing to create a sustainable lifestyle to conserve, preserve and save natural resources. Here are two ways in which you can help your budget and the environment in and outside of your homes.

Replace high-use indoor lights with compact fluorescent or LEDS.  Ranging in different sizes for almost any fixture, compact fluorescents have it all! Between the energy savings and their much longer life spans, they pay for themselves in less than two years of installation. By utilizing LED bulbs for non-dimmable circuits, you can optimize the usage in each room. They are also one of the best energy con servers and will last for as long as you live in your home.

Use high-efficiency outdoor lighting.  Whether it's your porch lights or outdoor walkway lights, a typical 100-watt floodlight can consume over $40 in electricity cost over the course of year, which can produce over 400 pounds of carbon dioxide. Making a switch to compact-fluorescent or LED versions can cut energy use by over 80 percent an last more than 10 years. Lastly, installing motion senor lights can reduce the amount of light that is used throughout the day,



Grady's GreenLiving Tips was created in 2014 by Grady Management, Inc.  Grady Management was founded in 1965 and continues to provide a full service residential, commercial, and consulting real estate firm in the greater Washington and Baltimore metropolitan area.  Learn more from our website or Facebook page.

Tick Advice For Warm Weather

Spring and Summer Pest Care

The spring and summer are great seasons to spend some time outside and in the fresh air.  But with all this outdoor time means an uptick in bees, bugs, ticks, and other pests.  Trying to find preventive pest maintenance that does not include harsh chemicals?  Tick prevention, in many cases, does not necessitate harsh chemicals.

What are ways to prevent ticks?

An easy, cost effective, and efficient way to prevent ticks is to dress in long clothing before spending a lot of time outdoors.  Exposed skin allows ticks to more easily attach to the skin.  An added precaution includes ticking pant legs into socks so there is no easy opening for ticks to find skin.  Ticks are often found in grassy and wooded areas, so avoiding these spots when outdoors is another way to reduce potential conflict with ticks. 

How do I check for ticks?

After spending a significant amount of time outside, it is recommended to take a shower.  Showering shortly after being outside reduces tick related illnesses and also allows an easy search of the body.  Look on the skin for potential insect bites/ live ticks.  Check clothing for ticks.  It may even be best to use a lint roller on clothes after being outside to capture any stray ticks/ insects.  Make sure to check dogs/ pets too as they can carry ticks inside.

What do I do if I find a tick?

After finding a live tick on the skin, use a clean pair of tweezers to try to remove it.  If it is successfully removed, wash the affected area thoroughly with soap and water.  If it is not successfully removed, contact a medical provider.  If you begin to notice a skin rash and/ or fever, contact a medical professional. 

The information in this post, and more information about ticks and tick prevention, is included on the Center for Disease Control website: https://www.cdc.gov/ticks/index.html

Grady's GreenLiving Tips was created in 2014 by Grady Management, Inc.  Grady Management was founded in 1965 and continues to provide a full service residential, commercial, and consulting real estate firm in the greater Washington and Baltimore metropolitan area.  Learn more from our website or Facebook page.

GreenLiving With The Kids

Eco-Friendly Advice for the Entire Family

Trying to live a green life?  Greenliving is a lifestyle choice and it helps to have the entire family on board.  For some families, it may be easiest to teach greenliving practices early so eco-friendly living becomes a routine.  Some green lifestyle options for children include:

Limit single use plastics, and other waste, in lunches: A lot of waste can occur during school lunches.  When packing lunch, try to limit one-use plastics, such a disposable cutlery and straws.  Instead, pack reusable, durable cutlery and limit straws.  Instead of packing a water bottle, pack a washable bottle which is more eco-friendly.  In fact, encourage school aged children/ teens to pack their own lunch to reduce potential food waste.

Promote recycling early: Recycling is a cornerstone of greenliving.  Promote recycling practices to kids early and often.  This can include recycling both in and out of the home.  This can also include explaining why practices like littering are wasteful.  Visit a recycling plant to learn more about recycling.  There are many ways to reduce, reuse, and recycle.

Encourage greenliving curiosity: Greenliving requires a passion and interest in the environment.  Encourage children and teens to learn more about the environment and sustainability efforts.  Find creative ways to make greenliving an every day occurrence.


Grady's GreenLiving Tips was created in 2014 by Grady Management, Inc.  Grady Management was founded in 1965 and continues to provide a full service residential, commercial, and consulting real estate firm in the greater Washington and Baltimore metropolitan area.  Learn more from our website or Facebook page.

A French Toast Recipe That Can Reduce Food Waste: March 2019

A Recipe for A GreenLiving Lifestyle

Trying to reduce reduce food waste?  Combating food waste is one way to live a green lifestyle.  Examples of reducing food waste can include re-organizing the refrigerator and/ or creating lists when shopping at the grocery store.  Another is finding creative ways to utilize leftover food so that food does not need to be thrown away and wasted.

One way to use leftover food in recipes is by utilizing stale or older bread.  Bread that is just a little stale but is in otherwise good condition may not be the ideal choice for sandwiches, but can be used in other dishes.  Instead of throwing it away, this bread can be toasted or turned into a delicious french toast breakfast.  To make french toast, follow the recipe below:

Share a favorite breakfast recipe below!

This recipe is included on the website Canva.com.

Grady's GreenLiving Tips was created in 2014 by Grady Management, Inc.  Grady Management was founded in 1965 and continues to provide a full service residential, commercial, and consulting real estate firm in the greater Washington and Baltimore metropolitan area.  Learn more from our website or Facebook page.

How Meal Prep Can Become a Cornerstone of a Green Lifestyle (February 2019)

Meal Prep Reduces Food Waste

An easy way to live and promote a green lifestyle is by reducing food waste.  Food waste can occur due to several circumstances.  First, food waste can result from food not being stored correctly and, as a result, spoiling.  In addition, food waste can result from people over-buying food and/ or over-preparing food for events and having an excess that is thrown in the garbage.  Food waste is very easy avoid, however.

One solution to food waste is to meal prep in order to plan and schedule out meals for an entire week.  This will save resources and ensure all food is consumed and stored properly.  Three green tips for meal prep are:

1) Plan out recipes in advance: The first step of meal prep is to plan out recipes for the week (or any set amount of time).  This is a great way to reduce food waste because grocery shopping will become more organized and streamlined: no excess ingredients are needed for set recipes.  Try to set up recipes for all meals.  Create a grocery list, or try an app, to even further plan out grocery shopping.

2) Organize and pack all meals at one time: Once the food is bought, the next step is to prepare all recipes.  It is best to cook all food at the same time.  That way, the meals will all be ready at the beginning of the week and food will not spoil before being prepared.  Once the meals are cooked and completed, pack them into containers and store in the refrigerator or freezer to ensure the food remains fresh.  Remember, a big contributing factor to food waste is food going bad and being thrown away.  Storing all meals properly will reduce this kind of waste.  In addition, label all containers with the meal type and date packed to ensure all meals are eaten timely.

3) Remember to incorporate leftovers: Have a birthday dinner, holiday celebration or family gathering to attend?  Occasionally meal prep will not fit into the schedule.  Remember to always incorporate any leftovers from special events and gatherings, if applicable, into future meal prep options.

Have advice for meal prep?  Comment below to let us know.

This blog post was originally published on Grady's GreenLiving Tips on February 6, 2018. 

Grady's GreenLiving Tips was created in 2014 by Grady Management, Inc.  Grady Management was founded in 1965 and continues to provide a full service residential, commercial, and consulting real estate firm in the greater Washington and Baltimore metropolitan area.  Learn more from our website or Facebook page.

#GreenLiving: What Exactly Is Freecycle?

A Website That Makes Recycling Creative, Simple and Efficient

For those interested in GreenLiving and being eco-friendly, the following situations may sound familiar: always recycling water bottles and food cans after use, finding ways to reduce and reuse supplies as often as possible, and sorting trash from recyclables.  While these are all wonderful ways to live a green life, it may seem like there could be more ways to encourage greenlivng.

One way to promote greenliving is through the website Freecycle.

What is Freecycle?

Freecycle is an online platform in which individuals can list items to be "recycled" or picked up by people who want/ need that item.  For example, someone could be moving to a smaller apartment, and may not be able to bring their large couch.  That person can list the couch on Freecycle to be claimed by someone who needs a couch.

Freecycle is made up of "groups" organized by location, so those living in certain areas can see items listed only in their immediate community.

The website also allows members to list items they need, so they can connect with neighbors to schedule any pickups.

How can Freecycle promote greenliving?

While Freecycle is not "traditional" recycling, the website can still promote an eco-friendly lifestyle.  Materials and items, such as furniture, dvds, and pet supplies (that normally would be thrown away in the garbage) can be "recycled" and provided to a new home.  This saves resources and is the essence of the "reuse" motto of recycling.

How does one post on Freecycle?

Those interested in Freecycle can start a member account on the website.

Do you use Freecycle?  Comment below with your thoughts!

Grady's GreenLiving Tips was created in 2014 by Grady Management, Inc.  Grady Management was founded in 1965 and continues to provide a full service residential, commercial, and consulting real estate firm in the greater Washington and Baltimore metropolitan area.  Learn more from our website or Facebook page.

A 2019 Reminder That These Items Cannot Be Recycled

The Following Items Are Often Erroneously Recycled

Is recycling on the list of 2019 resolutions?  Recycling is a simple way to live a greener life and can provide a positive impact to the environment. 

For those recycling more this year, it is important to keep in mind that the following items are often mistakenly recycled even though these items are not recyclable. 

1) Plastic wrap: Even though this material has "plastic" in the name, plastic wrap is a type of material that cannot be recycled and should be thrown away.  This is similar to bubble wrap, gift wrap and plastic bottle caps.  Typically, if the plastic material is labeled with a three or seven, it is not recyclable. 

2) Contaminated food containers: Many food containers, like plastic to-go boxes and pizza boxes, are recyclable.  However, if these items are contaminated (dirty or smeared with old food/ grease) they cannot be recycled.  It is important to wash out food containers before recycling to ensure the containers can be recycled properly.  This is similar to items like pet food cans: the aluminum can be recycled but needs to be cleaned first.

3) Styrofoam: Styrofoam is often found in the recycling bin but Styrofoam containers or packaging can never be recycled in any condition.  Styrofoam should always be thrown away in the garbage.

Recycling can be a great, and simple, way to promote GreenLiving as long as the recycling bin is filled with the correct and appropriate items!

Grady's GreenLiving Tips was created in 2014 by Grady Management, Inc.  Grady Management was founded in 1965 and continues to provide a full service residential, commercial, and consulting real estate firm in the greater Washington and Baltimore metropolitan area.  Learn more from our website or Facebook page.

The Symbols That Everyone Who Recycles Should Know: 2019 Edition

These Symbols Are Used to Organize Plastic Materials

Plastic containers often feature a recycling symbol on the back or bottom of the product with a number in the middle.  But what do these symbols mean?  Read this numeric guide to learn more.

If the container has the following number, it means:

#1- This plastic is the most common plastic found in recycling bins.  Typically, this plastic product is found in soda and water bottle and food containers.

#2- Known for not being transparent, this plastic is typically found in products such as household cleaner bottles, shampoo bottles, and detergent bottles.

#3- This plastic makes up pipes, food wrap and containers, and more.  This plastic is not recyclable.

#4- Found in shopping bags, food wrap and packaging, and fabric materials.  Oftentimes, these plastic materials are not accepted into recycling bins but these products can be recycled if taken to an appropriate recycling plant.