Hardrock Canyon Community Blog | Hardrock Canyon Apartments

An Organized Fridge Keeps Your Food Fresh At Hardrock Canyon

Published February 20, 2012

It is common practice to place cold storage food items in a dedicated spot in the fridge, but if you want to keep your food as fresh as possible, there are certain guidelines you will need to follow. Certain foods can be detrimental to each other if stored within the same vicinity, while others can help preserve flavor if they are kept close together.

Also, Keep in mind that it is best to clean out your fridge right before you go to the market so that you have space. This practice will keep your produce fresh, and will get rid of any permeating odors that can spoil a good meal and smell up your apartment. By adopting this practice, you can be sure your cold items have not reached their storage limit so that items do not spoil before you find out the hard way. Here are a few storage guidelines for our Hardrock Canyon residents that are easy to follow:

Door
Because the door is constantly being opened, it is the warmest part of the refrigerator. As such, it’s the perfect place to store condiments and other stable foodstuffs.

Meat Drawer
Many newer fridges now have a designated meat drawer, which (surprise, surprise) is designed for storing and thawing meat. If you don’t have a meat drawer in your fridge, use a rimmed baking sheet to prevent leaks and cross-contamination with other foods. Tip: Unopened lunch meats are safe until their sell-by date but, once opened, shouldn’t be kept for longer than five days.

Top Shelf
Heat rises, even in the fridge, so items that need to be kept particularly cool should be stored elsewhere. Instead, use the top shelf for chill-injury-prone fruits and veggies, such as mango, papaya, avocado, tomato and pickling cucumbers. (Ripen at room temperature before refrigerating.) Snap beans, berries, citrus and melon are other top-shelf fodder. Bonus: You’ll have easy access to healthy snacks!

Middle Shelf
Dairy and eggs are your coolest customers, making the middle shelf your best bet for storing them. Also, it’s important that cheese not be exposed to too much oxygen, so wrap it first in parchment or plastic wrap, then in foil or a plastic bag. Eggs can be stored in their original carton but should be kept away from anything stinky as they can absorb odours through the shell.

Crisper
The crisper’s humid environment provides vegetables with water, which keeps them at their best. Lettuce, asparagus and broccoli are great crisper candidates. Tip: Make sure greens are completely dry before storing; try a salad spinner, which prevents moisture from collecting on the leaves themselves.

Fridge Faux Pas
The following should never be stored in the fridge: garlic, potatoes, sweet potatoes, winter squash, onions and shallots. Stash ‘em in a cold cellar instead. But don’t store onions and potatoes together; they each cause the other to spoil more quickly.

Info courtesy of livewellnetwork.com

Leave a comment on our Facebook page if you have food safety tips to add.

Photo courtesy of click

Posted in Apartment Living, farmers market near Hardrock canyon, Food, food storage safety in austin tx, Hardrock Canyon Apartments, Health & Fitness |

Final Phase of Breast Cancer Vaccine Awaiting Approval in Texas

Published February 19, 2012

With so much advertising and medical misrepresentation these days, it is so hard to tell whether what you are reading is real or just a way to get your attention to sell you something else. With that said, here is some raw truth- Let it be known that there are vaccines that have been proven to prevent and treat breast cancer by making your immune system recognize and battle cancer cells! This specific treatment is in the third and final phase of testing, and is awaiting approval. On a side note, we are all proud to announce that the treatment was developed right here in Texas!

According to a KXAN interview with Dr. George Peoples:

“We have been working in this area for a long time,” said Dr. George Peoples, the director of cancer vaccine development at the military medical center. “It is not a new area, just an area that has begun to show some success.”

According to the National Cancer Institute, more than 230,000 cases of breast cancer are diagnosed in a year. The disease claims about 39,500 lives a year.

The success Peoples mentions is with a vaccine many believe will cut the reccurrence rate of breast cancer from 25 percent to around 10 percent.

“This trial is almost a decade in the making,” said Peoples, an Army colonel who was referring to the third and final phase the vaccine must pass in order to get approval from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration.

Texas definitely has a lot to be proud of, but being a part of something so significant in medical history requires a lot of support and dedication by some true heroes. If you would like to comment on this post, or send out a personal thank you to all of the courageous individuals involved, please visit our Facebook page and share your thoughts.

Image courtesy of alvimann

Posted in Featured, Hardrock Canyon, Health & Fitness, medical treatment in texas |

Proper Recycling Etiquette for Austin Residents

Published February 16, 2012

Many times it is hard to judge what materials can be recycled, and there are many people who are misinformed about what is actually recyclable material. If it looks like cardboard, and bends like cardboard, then it is safe to say that it is cardboard, right? To answer that question you will need to find out what is acceptable to recycle in your community.

There are many variations of materials like glass, cardboard, and paper that simply cannot be recycled, and mixing some of these items (i.e. broken glass and paper) can cause an entire container of recyclable materials to be unusable, and can ruin recycle machines. Fortunately, there are informative resources out there to keep your recycling efforts successful in Austin, TX.

If you are unsure about what materials are recyclable, and want to know how to properly clean and separate recyclable items, check out your local government website, or contact your apartment community office for more info. It is a shame to see all this good intention go to waste, so make sure you are sorting and recycling the correct materials. If you have any info you would like to add, share by commenting to this post on our Facebook page.

Image courtesy of kevinrosseel

Posted in Go Green, go green in austin tx, Hardrock Canyon, Proper Recycling in austin tx |

Plan For A Romantic V-day Dinner At Home in Austin This Year

Published February 10, 2012

Instead of making plans to go out on a date, why not just select a dinner from a cookbook you have never tried, or attempt to prepare a dish from your favorite restaurant at home this year. A successful home date will require a couple to work together, and stay positive in order to make for a special and romantic experience. Celebrating your relationship can be even more fun at home with the right ingredients in Austin, TX.

Create a tentative plan for the evening so that everything goes smoothly to avoid any snags or frustrations.
Then, you will need to be sure everything is prepped and ingredients are easily accessible for your appetizer, main dish, and desert. As always, it is a good idea for you to shop for the ingredients locally to be sure your ingredients are fresh and your dinner is unique.
Finally, change the atmosphere inside your home to coincide with a certain type of cuisine and add themed decorations or dress.

If you have any romantic, and/or unique Valentine’s Day ideas you would like to share With your Austin, TX neighbors, comment to this post on our Facebook page. Good luck, and have a happy Valentine’s Day!

Photo courtesy of dr_evil

Posted in Apartment Living, best date ideas in austin tx, Featured, Hardrock Canyon Apartments, valentine's day in Austin |

Positive And Productive Roommate Communication Guidelines For HardRock Canyon Residents

Published February 9, 2012

Adopting a productive attitude, as well as a willingness to replace complaints with possible solutions can make all the difference in a roommate living situation. The key to understanding and getting along with other personalities is to be proactive and positive. Clarity in our communication is the most important part of any relationship, and there are many ways to get a point across, or to divvy up household chores. Here are some great ways to begin your healthy communication path with a roommate in Austin:

Get prepared with a fill in the blank icebreaker to learn about each other

I like to spend money on…
I like to sleep at these times:
I need approximately _____ hours of sleep each night.
I think drinking alcohol is…
Some things I feel strongly about are….
For me, making friends is….

Then negotiate living standards and house rules

Guests: When can there be guests? How long can they stay?

Use of personal property: What can be shared? What can’t be shared? Must permission be given?
Telephone: Where should messages be written? What’s the preferred policy for answering call waiting?
Cleanliness: How often will the room/apartment be cleaned? Who will do it? What are your definitions of clean and messy?
Privacy: How much privacy is needed? How often? How long?
Space: How much space is needed? Where will things be stored?
Social events: How frequent? What time? Who will clean up?
Security: When will the door be locked? When will it be left open?

Information courtesy of http://www.residentassistant.com

For those of you who are currently in a frustrated position with an incompatible roommate, it may be time to start fresh, swallow some pride, and move on. You do not have to go out of your way for good communication to be effective, but getting started out on the right foot is the best way to avoid most misunderstandings. If you have any good roommate stories or proactive suggestions for roommate conflict resolution, please share your thoughts with your Austin, TX neighbors by commenting to this post on our Facebook page.

Photo by taylorschlades

Posted in Apartment Living, conflict resolution at hardrock canyon, conflict resolution in austin, find a roommate in austin, Hardrock Canyon, healthy roommate communication in austin |

Guest Bedroom Decor Ideas for Austin Residents

Published January 31, 2012

Setting up your guest bedroom for a good night of sleep is the most important concept when decorating, and preparing for extended stay company. Over the winter holidays, many of us in Austin, TX are graced with visitors now and again. If you have ever been uncomfortable during an overnight stay in another home, then you can identify with the importance of feeling welcome and warm as a guest. Here are some simple ideas to consider that can make your guests feel cozy and comfortable in your home:

Make the bed super comfy by adding a thick duvet and lots of fluffy pillows. High thread-count, 100 percent cotton sheets are also a must.

Stock the guest room with magazines and books, and put together a snack tray or basket filled with light snacks and bottled water.

Lay out bathrobes and place rolled bath towels at the foot of the bed in case your guests would like to freshen up upon arrival.

Hang a small mirror in the guest room to provide a spot for touching up makeup or putting on jewelry. A long dressing mirror is also a nice addition.

If your overnight guests are family or close friends, it’s always a nice touch to display photos of time spent together in the past; everyone enjoys a trip down memory lane.

Courtesy of hgtv.com

If you have any pictures of guest bedroom decorating ideas of your own, share them with your Austin neighbors on our Facebook page.

Posted in 2 bedroom apartment in austin, Apartment Living, guest bedroom decorating ideas in austin, Hardrock Canyon |

Save Money and Buy Fresh in Austin, TX

Published January 23, 2012

Expensive, and overly processed foods contain a fraction of the nutrition you can get from fresh foods at your local farmer’s market in Austin, TX. These days, many of us are looking for ways to stay healthy and save money at the same time. There is a common misconception that so-called “health foods” are expensive, but if you take into account the actual cost on your health from eating high production, pre-packaged foods then there is no comparison! Here are some wonderful guidelines to help you save money and eat better quality foods:

Buy in Season- Like most goods and services, foods cost less when they’re abundant. Arm yourself with strategies for eating fresh during any season with the comprehensive resources … at How to Eat Seasonally

Buy Locally- When you spend $1 on supermarket food, not much of it goes to the actual producer. Some of your dollar goes to the person who grew it, while some goes to the person who picked it. Some goes to the companies who processed, packaged and transported it, and some to the firm that designed the packaging and advertising. Finally, some of your dollar ends up in the hands of the grocery store owner, and also in the hands of the store’s employees. The fewer middlemen, the less the seller will have to charge you.

Cook at Home- The absolute fastest route to grocery savings is the path to your kitchen. Avoid eating out or buying packaged foods by cooking your own meals from whole, unprocessed ingredients…You’ll learn quickly that you can make better food than any of those packaged versions at the grocery store.

Information courtesy of motherearthnews.com

If you have any additional suggestions to help your Austin neighbors save money while eating healthier, let us know by commenting to this post on our Facebook Page.

Image courtesy of hotblack

Posted in Food, Go Green, Hardrock Canyon, Health & Fitness, local farmers markets in austin tx, save money on groceries in austin tx |

Proper Dog Training Techniques for Apartment Living in Austin, TX

Published January 18, 2012

Living in an apartment with a dog in Austin, TX requires much more attention than if you live on a large plot of land with open fields. You are responsible for grooming, feeding, walking your dog regularly, and cleaning up after him or her. These tasks require a lot of attention and commitment, and more so if you live in a densely populated area. Staying healthy, and keeping others safe around you and your pet are of the utmost importance to us, so here are some training suggestions for proper dog etiquette if you rent an apartment. Just follow the links to each one:

Potty train your pet
Teach your dog how to walk with a leash
Stop your dog from biting
Control your dogs temper
Stop your dog from chewing up valuables
Keep your dog from barking too much
Stop your dog from jumping on people
Fun tricks to teach your dog- (not a necessity, but can be fun)

If you find that training your pet is an impossible task for you to achieve alone, then sign up for a local dog training class with a licensed professional, and remember there is plenty of room at your local dog park to let your pet get out and run. If you have any tips of your own you would like to share with your neighbors in Austin, please respond by commenting to this post on our Facebook page.

Photo courtesy of jdurham

Posted in Apartment Living, Austin apartment with dog park, dog training in austin, Hardrock Canyon Apartments, pet friendly apartments in austin |

Throw a Chinese New Year Party in Austin

Published January 17, 2012

Happy Chinese New Year in Austin, TX! The Chinese New Year is on Jan. 23 this year, and is a great excuse for a themed party, or outing to get together with family and friends. This particular holiday starts on a different day every year, and is reckoned by the Chinese lunar calendar, so keep an eye on the dates.

In China, people may take weeks off of work to prepare for and celebrate! The event preparations are very intricate, and aesthetically beautiful to see. The color red is symbolizes fire, which the Chinese believe will fight off bad luck, and is the main color for decor and clothing. Happiness and good fortune are main themes of a Chinese New Year Celebration, and there is no reason we could not all use a little more.

Celebrate the year of the Dragon, and take some friends out to your local Chinese restaurant near Austin, or just throw a Chinese inspired party. Any excuse to celebrate and socialize with family and friends will usually invite a good time, and great memories. Be sure and share your party ideas, and pictures on our Facebook page.

Photo courtesy of chamomile

Posted in Apartment Living, Around Town, chinese ne year in austin, chinese restaurant in austin, Hardrock Canyon, party ideas in austin, things to do in Austin |

Tricks to Make Your Apartment Feel Larger in Austin,TX

Published January 14, 2012

Living in an apartment with too much clutter can seem stuffy and small, but with the right lighting and decor you can make any space feel large and airy. If your living area feels a little tight for some reason, there are many ways to create the illusion of more space. Your perception of your space can make all the difference. When you walk into your home, imagine a fresh, clutter-free area you can stretch out and move freely through. If for some reason you cannot put yourself in this situation, you may need to rearrange a bit. Here are some quick and easy tricks to make your Austin, TX apartment look and feel larger:

Open Up Your Living Room

Pick light colors for window curtains and decor.

Declutter your space and leave breathing room around your furniture.

Make sure you have plenty of light. Dark shadows are not inviting, and can be perceived as areas that are not accessible.

Hang a large, decorative mirror to create the illusion of more space.

Freshen up the air! Open your windows, or get some fresh smelling candles. A stuffy apartment can be uncomfortable.

Courtesy of About.com

There are many ways to create the illusion of more living space without spending a lot of money, or relocating to a larger home. We invite you to share your creative, space saving decor tricks with your Austin, TX neighbors on our Facebook page.

Image courtesy of Archives of American Art

Posted in apartment decor in austin, apartment decorating in austin, Apartment Living, apartment living in austin, Hardrock Canyon Apartments |

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