Monday, December 27, 2010

About Multi Services Residential & Commercial Cleaning

Saturday, December 11, 2010

The True Meaning of Christmas

Christmas[3] or Christmas Day[4][5] is a holiday observed generally on December 25[6] to commemorate the birth of Jesus, the central figure of Christianity.[7][8] The date is not known to be the actual birthday of Jesus, and may have initially been chosen to correspond with either the day exactly nine months after some early Christians believed Jesus had been conceived,[9] the date of the winter solstice on the ancient Roman calendar,[10] or one of various ancient winter festivals.[9][11] Christmas is central to the Christmas and holiday season, and in Christianity marks the beginning of the larger season of Christmastide, which lasts twelve days.[12]


Although nominally a Christian holiday, Christmas is also widely celebrated by many non-Christians,[1][13] and many of its popular celebratory customs have pre-Christian or secular themes and origins. Popular modern customs of the holiday include gift-giving, music, an exchange of greeting cards, church celebrations, a special meal, and the display of various decorations; including Christmas trees, lights, garlands, mistletoe, nativity scenes, and holly. In addition, several similar mythological figures, known as Saint Nicholas, Father Christmas and Santa Claus among other names, are associated with bringing gifts to children during the Christmas season.[14]

Because gift-giving and many other aspects of the Christmas festival involve heightened economic activity among both Christians and non-Christians, the holiday has become a significant event and a key sales period for retailers and businesses. The economic impact of Christmas is a factor that has grown steadily over the past few centuries in many regions of the world.

Etymology

The word Christmas originated as a compound meaning "Christ's Mass". It is derived from the Middle English Christemasse and Old English Cristes mæsse, a phrase first recorded in 1038.[8] "Cristes" is from Greek Christos and "mæsse" is from Latin missa (the holy mass). In Greek, the letter Χ (chi), is the first letter of Christ, and it, or the similar Roman letter X, has been used as an abbreviation for Christ since the mid-16th century.[15] Hence, Xmas is sometimes used as an abbreviation for Christmas.

Celebration

Further information: Christmas worldwide

Christmas Day is celebrated as a major festival and public holiday in most countries of the world, even in many whose populations are mostly non-Christian. In some non-Christian countries, periods of former colonial rule introduced the celebration (e.g. Hong Kong); in others, Christian minorities or foreign cultural influences have led populations to observe the holiday. Countries such as Japan and Korea, where Christmas is popular despite there being only a small number of Christians, have adopted many of the secular aspects of Christmas, such as gift-giving, decorations and Christmas trees. Notable countries in which Christmas is not a formal public holiday include People's Republic of China, (excepting Hong Kong and Macao), Japan, Saudi Arabia, Algeria, Thailand, Nepal, Iran, Turkey and North Korea.

Among countries with a strong Christian tradition, a variety of Christmas celebrations have developed that incorporate regional and local cultures. For many Christians, participating in a religious service plays an important part in the recognition of the season. Christmas, along with Easter, is the period of highest annual church attendance. In many Catholic countries, the people hold religious processions or parades in the days preceding Christmas. In other countries, secular processions or parades featuring Santa Claus and other seasonal figures are often held. Family reunions and the exchange of gifts are a widespread feature of the season. Gift giving takes place on Christmas Day in most countries. Others practise gift giving on December 6, Saint Nicholas Day, and January 6, Epiphany.





The Nativity by Charles-François Poerson, 1667.

Date of celebration

For many centuries, Christian writers accepted that Christmas was the actual date on which Jesus was born.[16] In the early 18th century, scholars began proposing alternative explanations. Isaac Newton argued that the date of Christmas was selected to correspond with the winter solstice,[10] which the Romans called bruma and celebrated on December 25.[17] In 1743, German Protestant Paul Ernst Jablonski argued Christmas was placed on December 25 to correspond with the Roman solar holiday Dies Natalis Solis Invicti and was therefore a "paganization" that debased the true church.[11] According to Judeo-Christian tradition, creation as described in the Genesis creation narrative occurred on the date of the spring equinox, i.e. March 25 on the Roman calendar. This date is now celebrated as Annunciation and as the anniversary of Incarnation.[18] In 1889, Louis Duchesne suggested that the date of Christmas was calculated as nine months after Annunciation, the traditional date of the conception of Jesus.[19]

The December 25 date may have been selected by the church in Rome in the early 4th century. At this time, a church calendar was created and other holidays were also placed on solar dates: "It is cosmic symbolism...which inspired the Church leadership in Rome to elect the winter solstice, December 25, as the birthday of Christ, and the summer solstice as that of John the Baptist, supplemented by the equinoxes as their respective dates of conception. While they were aware that pagans called this day the 'birthday' of Sol Invictus, this did not concern them and it did not play any role in their choice of date for Christmas," according to modern scholar S.E. Hijmans.[20]

However, today, whether or not the birth date of Jesus is on December 25 is not considered to be an important issue in mainstream Christian denominations;[21][22][23] rather, the belief that God came into the world in the form of man to atone for the sins of humanity is considered to be the primary purpose in celebrating Christmas.[21][22][23]

Starving Children Eat Bugs to Survive!

Starving Children Eat Bugs to Survive!


Globalization Will NOT End World Hunger



This is an excerpt from Anita Roddick's book "Take it Personally."

"The globalization of agriculture fails to address the world's hunger crisis. In fact it makes it worse. During the past two decades, the total amount of food in the, world has increased, but so has hunger.

The main problem is that globalization of food production pushes small, self reliant farmers off their lands and replaces them with large chemical and machine-intensive corporate farms. It does not emphasize food for hungry local communities. Instead, it encourages exports resulting in monocultures - a single crop grown over thousands of acres. These crops are usually luxury items cultivated for export and are notoriously vulnerable to insect blights and bad weather, and cause soil infertility.



Starving children searching for insects to eat in Sudan

From 'Take it Personally' Anita Roddick.

Global biotechnology companies claim they have the answer to world hunger. But biotech production does nothing to solve local hunger problems. Does anyone believe that the invention of biotech plants whose seeds are sterile - forcing farmers to buy new seeds every year - has anything to do with stopping hunger? The biotech industry's goal is not to feed the hungry, only to feed itself."

A recent United Nations study confirms that the world already has enough food. The problem is one of distribution. Global trade rules put food production and distribution in the hands of agribusiness giants, supplanting the traditional system of local production for local consumption.

The world is producing the wrong kind of food, by a process that leaves millions of people landless, homeless, cashless, and unable to feed themselves.

Is it any wonder that there is huge resentment against the west?

END

________________________________________

Eating Mud Cookies to Survive

Researchers have found that the average American family throws away 1.28 pounds of food per day, for an annual total of 470 pounds per household, or 14 percent of all food brought into the house.

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The Reason Why You Shouldn't Give Money to Big Charities



I am disgusted with America's charities, who pay their executives 6-digit salaries. Children International asks for donations of $22 per child to provide food, medical, education and other needs. Yet, their CEO was paid $347,381 in 2007! It is appalling to me that an organization that stresses how far a mere $22 will go per month, pays their CEO $347,381 a year! That's just plain wrong in my opinion. Anything can be justified, but that doesn't necessarily make it proper or ethical.

The Salvation Army isn't quite as bad, they only paid their CEO $175,050 in 2004. No doubt, they have all kinds of excuses to justify such outrageous salaries; but no one needs that kind of salary, and it is certainly unbecoming of a so-called “charitable organization.” I realize that top executives are often paid high salaries for their fund-raising abilities and expertise; yet, it's just inconsistent with all the plethora of ads we see begging for our donations, which might mean “life or death to some child.” If that's the case, just think how many more children's lives could be saved if the CEO's of these fat cat charities were to give back 80% of their salary, God forbid, and actually have to live on $75,000 a year! My, oh my, how would they survive?

What gets me is that a charitable organization can actually pay their CEO $375,000 a year and still be rated by the BBB as a great company. Not in my book! The BBB is a joke in America! Many companies who support the BBB are given preferential treatment. In my opinion, you can't trust information from the BBB, nor from America's big charities.

Red Cross and United Way are even worse. The top CEO at Red Cross pulled down a $651,957 salary in 2003! According to Forbes, United Way's top executive made $629,950 in 2004! Why do people support these fat cat charities?

A lot of people give money to charities to boost their public image, feel good about themselves or to find a tax write-off. It is a sore evil in America. While an estimated 18,000 children continue to starve to death daily throughout the world, and others eat bugs to survive, America's biggest charities continue to pay their top executives outrageous salaries. It is a false balance in God's eyes. Few people realize these days that America's charities have become lucrative businesses.

My advice to people is to find some poor person and give the money directly to them. There are many poor people today, and others who have lost their jobs, or are homeless, and you can be a blessing to them directly. And best of all, you know that 100% of the money is going to charity, and not helping to pay someone's $600,000 salary! Really, it is insane to pay someone that kind of money in a so-called “charity.”

Who do you think will appreciate your money more... some fat cat charity or a struggling family who has no income?

If you DO decide to support any charity, demand a financial report of where the donations are being spent. This way you can see first hand where your money is going, and can make sure that you're not buying someone a mansion in the suburbs. Don't accept a vague summary, kindly ask for specifics. If they don't disclose such information, give elsewhere. Honestly, too many people are abusing the system today, living extravagantly on donations, because people don't think.

I just can't in good conscience drop my money into a Santa Claus's bucket at Christmas time, when I know the top dog at the Salvation Army is getting paid $175,000 a year!

I cringe when I hear ads telling people how much their $22 a month can do to better a poor child's life, knowing that the CEO of that charity got paid $347,381 in 2007! Yet, so many people sit at home, staring at some picture of a child they're supporting for $22 a month, failing to realize that the CEO of that company makes 15-TIMES what the average American family gets paid annually. No CEO of a charitable organization ought to be paid more than $47,381 a year, which leaves $300,000 remaining from this guy's salary. For $22 per month, $300,000 can help an additional 1,136 poor children! Yet, the charity appeals to the American public, from families who are struggling financially to live on $30,000 a year, to give $22 per month. The whole charity scene in America is enough to make one want to go vomit.

Please stop giving to big charities and start giving money directly to the poor.

Furthermore, most of those big charities don't share the Gospel with the people being helped. Even the Salvation Army is more Army than Salvation these days. When you give money directly to the poor, you can witness to them concerning Jesus Christ, or give them a Gospel of John. Just think how much further your money can go by giving it directly to the poor. I am a firm believer in helping the poor, but not through some fat cat organization that keeps back $600,000 a year for it's CEO. That's crazy!

Sunday, November 14, 2010

Frizz or formaldehyde? Trendy 'do poses a hairy dilemma

Frizz or formaldehyde? Trendy 'do poses a hairy dilemma


Testing finds compound in Brazilian Blowout (but it sure makes hair look fabulous)
Nathan Weber / for msnbc.com



Jennifer Dooley's hair was transformed from frizz-prone to perfectly smooth and straight when she underwent a Brazilian Blowout two months ago. The product is labeled "formaldehyde-free" but recent tests conducted in Oregon and Canada suggest otherwise.

By Diane Mapes

“Suffer for beauty” has been taken to a whole new level with recent controversy surrounding a trendy hair treatment called the Brazilian Blowout.

The product, used in pricey salons, turns frizzy, unmanageable locks into the luxurious pin-straight looks made popular by celebrities like Jennifer Aniston and Gwyneth Paltrow.

The catch? Tests conducted by the state of Oregon earlier this month determined that the product contains unsafe levels of formaldehyde — as in, embalming fluid — a known carcinogen.

But that’s not deterring some from the pursuit of fabulous wash-and-wear locks.

“Chemicals are a way of life now,” says Stefeny Anderson, a 36-year-old event planner from Renton, Wash., who got her first Brazilian Blowout two weeks ago in an effort to tame “corkscrew curls” that frizz at the slightest hint of rain (a given in Washington state). “It’s not like you’re putting it in your hair every day.”

Introduced at salons a few years ago, the Brazilian Blowout costs about $250. But after the two-hour treatment — which involves coating the hair with the chemical, then flat-ironing it — coarse, kinky hair becomes soft, smooth and straight for two to three months. Sort of an anti-perm, the Brazilian Blowout has been touted as more effective and less time-consuming than other hair-straightening methods such as conventional relaxers, Japanese thermal processing or other keratin-based treatments (there are several available), although concerns have been raised about the product’s possible formaldehyde content in the past, when Allure magazine did an exposé.

These concerns soon dissipated, though, once the company reformulated the products and began distributing bottles labeled “formaldehyde-free.”

Formaldehyde-and-seek

Earlier this month, though, Oregon Health & Science University issued two public alerts after tests performed by the state’s Occupational Safety and Health Administration found up to 10.6 percent formaldehyde in the product (.2 percent formaldehyde is considered safe by the Cosmetic Ingredient Review Expert Panel).

Brazilian Blowout disputes the finding. "We have no formaldehyde in our formula," spokesperson Dana Supnick said.

In other tests a couple of weeks ago, Canada's health department found up to 12 percent formaldehyde and warned people to stop using it, citing consumer complaints of “burning eyes, nose, and throat, breathing difficulties, and one report of hair loss associated with use of the product.”

According to the National Cancer Institute, formaldehyde has been classified as a known human carcinogen with research suggesting an association between formaldehyde exposure in workers and several cancers including nasopharyngeal cancer and leukemia. Short-term exposure is no picnic, either; adverse effects include watery eyes, burning sensations in the eyes, nose and throat, coughing, wheezing, nausea and skin irritation.

Health complaints from stylists who’ve performed the Brazilian Blowout on clients have prompted at least one class action lawsuit against the manufacturer. The FDA has also announced it’s received “a number of inquiries from consumers and salon professionals concerning the safety of this product” and are currently looking into the issue.

Godsend or health gamble?

Despite these hair-raising headlines, the Brazilian Blowout has proved to be such a godsend for those with frizzy, unmanageable hair that health-conscious women are left in a tangled dilemma.
Courtesy of Jennifer Dooley


Jennifer Dooley says surviving this year's annual Jimmy Buffet concert without frizz is the true test of the Brazilian Blowout. On the left, she's at last year's show, with "curly hair as big as the stadium he played in." At this summer's show (right), Dooley's hair stayed sleek through the encore.

“I keep debating with myself,” says Jennifer Dooley, a 31-year-old hospital public affairs officer from Romeoville, Ill., who got a Brazilian Blowout two months ago. Dooley says her new stick-straight hair requires no maintenance whatsoever, as opposed to her kinky curls which made her hair look like a “football helmet” in Chicago’s humidity.

Dooley says the true test of the Brazilian Blowout came at the end of the summer, when her formerly frizzy hair withstood eight hours of tailgating in 100-degree heat at a Jimmy Buffet concert. At last year's concert, she ended the night with "curly hair as big as the stadium he played in."

“I’d probably be doing infomercials for it if there weren’t so many concerns about it right now,” she says. She goes to a reputable salon and trusts her stylist so says when the solution was touted as “formaldehyde-free” she decided to give it a try. “But it does make you think, ‘What did they really do to my hair to make it do that?’ I know how curly it is. I’ll think twice before I’ll do it, but I wouldn’t say no to doing it again.”

Others, like Anderson, believe the formaldehyde issue has been blown out of proportion.

“I think people tend to freak out about things and don’t know all the details and then all of the sudden, something gets banned,” she says. “It’s totally worth it. I love the way my hair looks.”

Video: Sesame Street's 'I love my hair' video goes viral

Better safe than sorry?

Despite customer demand, Vasken Demirjian, owner of the Vasken Demirjian Salon in White Plains, N.Y., stopped offering the treatment.

“I pulled it off the menu the second I found out about the test in Oregon,” he says. “I’ll probably lose some clients but I could care less at this stage. The whole thing is alarming.”

Alarming, but perhaps not totally unexpected.

“One of my stylists said it made her eyes water when she was using it so she started wearing a mask,” he says. “When I saw her wearing that mask, I asked myself, ‘Does that look good? No.’”

Thursday, November 11, 2010

Remembrance Day

Canadians in the Great Wars


In World War I, Canadians fought in historic battles such as the battles of Ypres, Passchendaele, and Vimy Ridge, and Canada’s “Hundred Days” offensive which ended the War on November 11, 1918. Canadian soldiers became known around the world as an elite force, and were nicknamed “storm troopers” by those who feared them.

In World War I (1914-18), World War II (1939-45) and the Korean War (1950-53), more than 1,500,000 young men and women bravely served overseas. More than 100,000 of these soldiers never returned home.

If you would like to learn more about the role Canadians have played in major wars, visit the Veterans Affairs Canada website at:

http://www.vac-acc.gc.ca/ or the Royal Canadian Legion website at http://www.legion.ca/

What is Remembrance Day?

The signing of Armistice occurred at 11am on November 11, 1918, marking the official end of World War I. On November 11th by remembering the soldiers lost in World War I. Since then, we pause for a moment of silence on the eleventh hour of the eleventh month , promising to never forget.

Why Do We Wear The Poppy?

While stationed near Ypres, Belgium in April of 1915, a Canadian soldier, Lieutenant-Colonel John McCrae, wrote the famous poem, In Flanders Fields.

Those who read the poem were inspired to wear poppies in memory of the soldiers lost during the war. The poppy has since became a national symbol of remembrance for Canadians.

Where Can I attend a Remembrance Day Ceremony?

Sunrise Ceremony – 7:30am, Prospect Cemetery, 1450 St. Clair Avenue West (St. Clair Avenue & Lansdowne Avenue)

York Civic Centre – 10:45am, York Memorial Collegiate, 2690 Eglinton Avenue West

Toronto City Hall – 10:30am, Cenotaph, 60 Queen Street West

North York Civic Centre – 10:45am, George Weston Recital hall at the Toronto Centre for the Arts, 5040 Yonge street

For updates on times and locations, visit http://www.toronto.ca/lestweforget/remembrance-city.htm or contact Mike Colle’s office at 416-781-2395

Tuesday, November 9, 2010

The History of Rememberance Day

MULTI SERVICES REMEMBERS

The Royal Canadian Legion suggests that poppies be worn on the left lapel, or as close to the heart as possible.[39] In Canada, the poppy is the official symbol of remembrance worn during the two weeks prior to November 11, after having been adopted in 1921.

The Canadian poppies consist of two pieces of moulded plastic covered with flocking with a pin to attach them to clothing. The head portion of the pin is bent at an angle in a simple unusual design that requires a unique machine at manufacturing. Originally the poppies were manufactured with a black centre ever since their original design in 1922. From 1980 to 2002 the centres were changed to green to represent the green hills of Flanders. Current designs are black only; this reversion caused notable confusion and controversy to those unfamiliar with the original design.[40]

An older poppy design, in use until c. 1970, involved three pieces: red, then a black piece in the current style but made of felt, then a small circle of green felt in the very centre.

Until 1996, poppies were made by disabled veterans in Canada, but they have since been made by a private contractor.[41]

In 2007, sticker versions of the poppy were developed for children, the elderly, and health care and food industry workers. The stickers were not designed to replace the lapel pin poppies, but merely to allow those who could not normally wear one to do so safely.[42]

Saturday, November 6, 2010

Start with Trust

Start with Trust
MULTI SERVICES
Residential & Commercial Cleaning Service

Professional Cleaners without the Professional Price

We’re fully Licensed, Trained Certified and are Safety Certified, Bonded & Insured

Our company has been a BBB Accredited business since December 2009. This means it supports BBB's services to the public and meets the BBB Accreditation standards.

We welcome all homes, businesses and establishments:

At Multi Services we understand that your satisfaction means a job well done.

Call for a Free Estimate Today

416-782-3417

Saturday, October 30, 2010

Dirty Places#3 Your Salt and Pepper Shaker

Dirty Places#3 Your Salt and Pepper Shaker




Could one of the dirtiest places in your home be right on the table where you eat?

Unfortunately, yes, according to a 2008 study by researchers at the University of Virginia. In the study, researchers asked 30 adults who were beginning to show signs of a cold, to name 10 places they’d touched in their homes over the previous 18 hours. The researchers then tested those areas for cold viruses. The tests found viruses on 41% of the surfaces tested, and every one of the salt and pepper shakers tested were positive for cold viruses.

Quick fix to banish bacteria:

When you wipe the kitchen table after eating, wipe off the salt and pepper shaker too. But your best protection against spreading or picking up germs when you reach for seasonings is to wash your hands -- before and after.

______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

The summer has passed us and winter is here and it's time for cleaning

So get your homes looking SHINY and CLEAN for winter

Your NEEDS come first

We listen to you and respond to your needs

We’re Fully Licensed, Trained Certified and are Safety Certified, Insured & Bonded

Our company has been a BBB Accredited business since December 2009

Guarantee

We guarantee our work and stand behind our promises.

MULTI SERVICES

Residential & Commercial Cleaning

CALL NOW FOR YOUR FREE ESTIMATE

416-782-3417

www.multiservices-janitorial.com

2181 Avenue Rd North York ON M5M 4B8

Saturday, October 23, 2010

Hiring for a professional cleaning service

Hiring for a professional cleaning service is perceived as lavishness by most people. This is because hiring for a cleaning service to do the cleaning in your workplace or just in your home would partake a portion in your budget allocated for regular bills. Although you might hesitate to hire a cleaning service because of the added expenses, your will see the benefits when you get one. This is particularly so when you are moving in to a new house.

When you have decided to finally hire a professional cleaning service, you can choose from the basic or regular cleaning to cleaning anything that needs to be cleaned. The services that you will get depends on how much is your budget and what would you like to be cleaned.

Deciding on whether you want to hire a professional cleaning service or doing the task yourself can be tough especially when you do not want shell out additional cost. Ask about other people’s experiences in hiring a cleaning service and you will know that you too can experience the benefits. Most importantly, you can have the convenience of doing other more relevant and urgent things for you than cleaning. This is absolutely the case to many working mothers who do not have time to spare for house cleaning. And this is also the case in many companies who do not want to allocate budget on a single employee who will do only the cleaning.

There are many benefits which you can get from hiring a professional cleaner do your home or office cleaning.

In many families who are moving in to a new house and moved out from their old house, getting a cleaning service is the most practical and convenient way to clean the house. It is required that when you leave your old home or apartment the family moving out should do the cleaning for the benefit of the next occupants. When moving out of an old house, your mind is already preoccupied of the tasks waiting for you in your new home. Rather than getting involved in the house cleaning, which may really be exhausting for you, grab the convenience of having someone do it. On that way, you can focus on doing other more important things.

This applies the same when moving in a new house left unclean by the previous occupants. This can be disappointing and you would not like to add more stress to the feeling by cleaning it up yourself. Get a cleaning company do the labor for you so you can sit back, relax, and enjoy your new home!

Services offered by cleaning companies may vary. The services that you want from one company may not offered by another. Some cleaning professionals do only certain services and they stick to it. This is why you need to look into the services of more than company so you can choose the best. Think about the services that you need and start looking for which company can give you exactly what you need.

Although the cleaning services you want done may be provided by a particular company, some of the things you want may not be done. It is then important that you make a list of what exactly are the things you want to be cleaned and how precisely you want the work to be done. Have your cleaners be guided by this list so you can be comfortable to anticipate a quality output.

You may personally conduct an interview with the cleaning company. Ask questions which you think are relevant in how capable they are in providing quality services. You have the right to ask all possible questions that should be asked so you can have a secure feeling that you entrusted your home to a credible and trustworthy cleaning company. An interview is necessary for you to be able to get a feel of how the company executes its job and how can it satisfy your expectations as a client. By getting the best company, you will be happy that you really exerted effort in finding one.

Be assured of only quality cleaning service

For busy people especially to parents who do not have time to spare for house cleaning because of a very demanding schedule at work, cleaning gets too little attention. Time is very important for these types of people and cleaning would take the back seat in their list of priorities.

In many places that are required to be clean as frequent as possible such as places for entertainment like auditorium and theaters, industrial places, work areas, and other public facilities such as the toilet, getting someone to clean is given due importance. To these places that are frequently used by many people, cleaning should be done at a high quality level. Professional cleaners can do this. No ordinary person can clean such wide and frequently used areas with expected efficiency in a short time. Cleaning companies have the solution to this consistent problem. They offer far more practical answer that is your money’s worth. Companies offering professional cleaning also have high criterion on a clean place. The cleaning services offered range from industrial to residential cleaning.

Commercial cleaning can be practical because it is charged at reasonable fees and is done with high efficiency such that it can be accomplished in a short period of time. Cleaning companies will send you a rational number of cleaners at a sensible price quotation. You can be assured that they are trained to work under pressure and to execute their duties at a professional level. Their quality service is aided by high-end and expensive cleaning materials and equipment that are not feasible for you to purchase for your own use.

Professional cleaners are very careful in cleaning areas that normally require sanitation and most proper handling. You can also be assured that their mission is to satisfy your expectations and to be cautious in handling your valuables or damages will be on the company. Responsibility is what these cleaning experts carry out along with quality cleaning service.

Thursday, October 21, 2010

Finding the right cleaner

Finding the right cleaner isn't the easiest job in the world and you're bound to have questions. Well, you've come to the right place for answers! Below you'll find a few of the frequently asked questions that we receive here at MULTI SERVICES. If you have a question that isn't on the list, feel free to give us a call!

Questions & Answers


Are you bonded and Insured?
Yes, we believe anyone working in your home should be covered. Our insurance is covered up $1,000,000. A copy of our insurance is available upon request.

Do you screen your employees?
Yes, we carefully screen all of our employees and check references. We also do a police check. All of our employees are covered under our insurance and worker's comp. Also, all of our employees must go through training before becoming a professional cleaner. They also must speak and read English and have a good professional manner and wear our Multi services uniform for cleaning.

Is your Service guaranteed?
Yes, satisfaction guaranteed, what’s your guarantee?
We have a stellar track record; however, if you are dissatisfied with your cleaning you are given a 24 hour period to contact us and have that particular area re-cleaned at no cost to you. A note will also be made on your file so that we know to pay particular attention to it next tim

Are your cleaning jobs checked?
Yes, (In home cleaning we go over with the customer and in the professional office we have customer service who call the clients to check if their satisfied with their clean. We also send our supervisor to periodically check the cleaning for quality control

How do you accept payment?
We accept cash, cheque or money order. Cheques accepted by regular customers only and they can pay once a month. Your cleaner will provide you with a written receipt after payment. Commercial clients can be invoiced once a month.
For one time cleans payment is due at the end of the service.

How many cleaners do you send?
After we estimate it, which is a free quote. We send two or more cleaners for your home or office cleaning. For regular cleaning, we do our best to send the same cleaner for your preferred day and time

Benefits of hiring a professional cleaning company!
y Hiring for a professional cleaning service is perceived as lavishness by most people. This is because hiring for a cleaning service to do the cleaning in your workplace or just in your home would partake a portion in your budget allocated for regular bills. Although you might hesitate to hire a cleaning service because of the added expenses, your will see the benefits when you get one. This is particularly so when you are moving in to a new house.

What is the risk of hiring a private cleaning lady?
Your homeowner's insurance should cover if she is injured in your home. Same for theft and if she damages your property, but you'd have a deductible and they would attempt to go after her for damages she caused. If she has no business liability insurance, she'd end up in some serious financial trouble. But that's a risk you take.

Do you Have References?
Yes, we will bring references upon request.

What kind of services do you offer?
We specialize in provisions of the following areas and welcome all homes, business and establishments.
Professional office buildings such as Banks, call centers, offices, design companies, art stores, Medical Buildings such as Hospital, doctor & dental surgeries, foot doctors, medical clinic, chiropractic, optometrist, learning facilities such as college, schools, child care centers).
Contract cleaning houses, apartments and move in & out clean ups, one time cleaning, commercial stores, supermarket, cinema theatre, memorial hall and churches. Construction renovation cleanups, new home and office clean ups, spring cleaning, emergency services, windows and much, much more

Is Multi Services Licensed?
Yes, we are fully licensed to work in Ontario

How do you Determine rates?
We first view the property, determine the size and amount of work needed to be completed, consider clients budget and determine what we believe to be fair on both ends of the deal

Do I have to home when you clean?
No, you may either give us a copy of your key, which we keep safe in a file or can leave an entrance open. Which ever makes you more comfortable?

Why does a one time or first time house cleaning take longer?
It always takes longer because the cleaners will do a thorough cleaning for when going in the next time they will keep up and improve the clean

I've never had cleaning services, how do I start?
We first come in and view the property, we sit and go over what needs to be done, set up dates and time, and sign a contract together.

How do I get ready for the cleaners?
Clutter is the #1 thing that slows us down, so we ask our clients to have the newspapers, toys, laundry, and scattered items to be picked up, dishes out of the way before we come, so that we can start immediately when we get there.

What days do you work?
Our office is open Monday to Saturday from 9:00am to 8:00pm but our cleaners will work till needed.

What time will you arrive?
We set up a time to your preferences or will come in after office hours so we are out of the way.

Do you send a team or an individual to clean?
We always send a team, depending on the size of your property or amount of work to be done.
Can I leave a note for the team?
Yes, we always welcome any input the client has.

What if I am unhappy with the clean?
We always go over the clean with the client, if something is not clean, we will be happy to do it over.

What if I forget the team is coming to clean my house/office?
There is a $20 fee if our cleaner is unable to gain access to your home/office at no fault of ours

Do you offer cleaning specials, discounts or coupons?
Yes, we have specials for seniors and single parents; we have offers for our current clients and also hand out coupons for anyone interested.

Can I get a gift certificate?
Yes, if requested we will print and hand out a certificates with no problem.

Do you use our supplies or yours?
Mostly we use the customer’s supplies as the customer prefers their cleaning products for a specific scent or we can supply all the materials for an additional $5 flat rate. If you would like to supply your own materials and are not sure what to have on hand, we can e-mail you a list of suggested products and materials. Really, all you need is the basics and we can achieve wonders from that!



Please call if you have any more questions and we would be happy to answer all your questions.

416-782-3417
www.multiservices-janitorial.com

Wednesday, October 20, 2010

The history of toothbrush and toothpaste

Toothbrush

Natural bristle brushes were invented by the ancient Chinese who made toothbrushes with bristles from the necks of cold climate pigs.
French dentists were the first Europeans to promote the use of toothbrushes in the seventeenth and early eighteenth centuries. William Addis of Clerkenwald, England, created the first mass-produced toothbrush. The first American to patent a toothbrush was H. N. Wadsworth and many American Companies began to mass-produce toothbrushes after 1885. The Pro-phy-lac-tic brush made by the Florence Manufacturing Company of Massachusetts is one example of an early American made toothbrush. The Florence Manufacturing Company was also the first to sell toothbrushes packaged in boxes. In 1938, DuPont manufactured the first nylon bristle toothbrushes.
Hard to believe, but most Americans did not brush their teeth until Army soldiers brought their enforced habits of tooth brushing back home after World War II.
The first real electric toothbrush was produced in 1939, and developed in Switzerland. In 1960, Squibb marketed the first American electrical toothbrush in the United States called the Broxodent. General Electric introduced a rechargeable cordless toothbrush in 1961. Introduced in 1987, Interplak was the first rotary action electrical toothbrush for home use.

Toothpaste

Toothpaste was used as long ago as 500 BC in both China and India; however, modern toothpastes were developed in the 1800s. In 1824, a dentist named Peabody was the first person to add soap to toothpaste. John Harris first added chalk as an ingredient to toothpaste in the 1850s. In 1873, Colgate mass-produced the first toothpaste in a jar. In 1892, Dr. Washington Sheffield of Connecticut manufactured toothpaste into a collapsible tube. Sheffield's toothpaste was called Dr. Sheffield's Creme Dentifrice. In 1896, Colgate Dental Cream was packaged in collapsible tubes imitating Sheffield. Advancements in synthetic detergents made after WW II allowed for the replacement of the soap used in toothpaste with emulsifying agents such as Sodium Lauryl Sulphate and Sodium Ricinoleate. A few years later, Colgate started to add fluoride to toothpaste.

www.multiservices-janitorial.com

Dirty Places # 2: Your Toothbrush

Dirty Places # 2: Your Toothbrush
You put it in your mouth twice a day, but do you ever think of all the germs lurking on it? “You rinse it off after using it and put it away damp,” says Abruzzo. “Bacteria like the moist area and grow on it.”
If the germs from your own mouth weren’t enough to contaminate your toothbrush, the germs from your toilet certainly are. Research in the 1970s by Charles P. Gerba, PhD, of the University of Arizona Department of Soil, Water and Environmental Science, found that flushing the toilet sends a spray of bacteria- and virus-contaminated water droplets into air. These germs, he found, can float around in the bathroom for at least two hours after each flush before landing on surfaces -- including your toothbrush.
Quick fix to banish bacteria:
Abruzzo recommends placing your toothbrush where it can air out and dry between uses -- but not too close to the toilet. Also, replace your toothbrush often, particularly after you’ve been sick, and close your toilet lid before flushing.
Or
So now you know the facts
Hire a cleaner to clean your house and your washroom twice a month
Call now for a Free Estimate 416-782-3417
www.multiservices-janitorial.com

Tuesday, October 19, 2010

Dirty Places: The Kitchen Sink

Dirty Places: The Kitchen Sink
Although the mere thought of retrieving anything from your toilet bowl may be enough to make you sick, your toilet may be cleaner than your kitchen sink, says Eileen Abruzzo, director of infection control at Long Island College Hospital of Brooklyn, New York. Food particles from plates left to soak or rinsed from dishes on their way to the dishwasher can serve as a breeding ground for illness-causing bacteria, including E. coli and salmonella. They can get on your hands or spread to foods.
Although most people take steps to disinfect their toilet bowls, few give their kitchen sink the same consideration, Abruzzo tells WebMD. “They rinse their sinks with water and assume they are clean -- but they’re not.”
Quick fix to banish bacteria:
To sanitize your sink and prevent the spread of bacteria, Abruzzo recommends washing it with a solution of bleach and water once a day and then letting the solution run down the drain. Remember to remove the drain plug and clean it, too, she says. Then wash your hands.
Or
Hire a cleaning service to clean your house twice a month to clean all those dirty places.
Call now for a Free Estimate 416-782-3417
www.multiservices-janitorial.com

Sunday, October 10, 2010

Thanksgiving history

Thanksgiving
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Jump to: navigation, search
For other uses, see Thanksgiving (disambiguation).

Thanksgiving Day

Observed by Canada, United States

Type National

Date 2nd Monday in October (Canada)
4th Thursday in November (U.S.)
2010 date October 11, 2010 (Canada);
November 25, 2010 (U.S.)
2011 date October 10, 2011 (Canada);
November 24, 2011 (U.S.)

Thanksgiving Day is a harvest festival celebrated primarily in the United States, Canada and increasingly so in Australia. Traditionally, it is a time to give thanks for the harvest and express gratitude in general. While perhaps religious in origin, Thanksgiving is now primarily identified as a secular holiday.[1]


Origins

The date and location of the first Thanksgiving celebration is a topic of modest contention.

The history of Thanksgiving in Canada goes back to an explorer, Martin Frobisher, who had been trying to find a northern passage to the Pacific Ocean. Frobisher's Thanksgiving was not for harvest but homecoming. He had safely returned from a search for the Northwest Passage, avoiding the later fate of Henry Hudson and Sir John Franklin. In the year 1578, he held a formal ceremony in Newfoundland to give thanks for surviving the long journey.[2] French settlers who came to New France with explorer Samuel de Champlain in the early 1600s also took to celebrating their successful harvests. They even shared their food with the indigenous people of the area as well as setting up what became known as the "Order of Good Cheer."[3] As many more settlers arrived in Canada, more celebrations of good harvest became common. New immigrants into the country, such as the Irish, Scottish, Germans would also add their own harvest traditions to the harvest celebrations. Most of the American aspects of Thanksgiving (such as the turkey) were incorporated when United Empire Loyalists began to flee from the United States during the American Revolution and settled in Canada.[3]

The traditional origin point for Thanksgiving in the United States is the celebration that occurred at the site of Plymouth Plantation, in 1621. The Plymouth celebration occurred early in the history of what would become one of the original thirteen colonies that became the United States. This Thanksgiving, modeled after celebrations that were commonplace in contemporary Europe, is generally regarded as America's first. Author and teacher Robyn Gioia and Michael Gannon of the University of Florida have argued that the earliest attested "thanksgiving" celebration in what is now the United States was celebrated by the Spanish on September 8, 1565 in what is now Saint Augustine, Florida.[4][5] According to historian Jeremy Bangs, director of the Leiden American Pilgrim Museum, there may have been an influence of the annual services of thanksgiving for the relief of the siege of Leiden in 1574, which the Pilgrims witnessed during their stay in Leiden.[6]

Thanksgiving in Canada did not have a fixed date until the late 19th Century, when it was typically held on November 6th. After the end of World War I, Thanksgiving Day and Remembrance Day ceremonies were usually held during the same week. To avoid the two holidays from clashing with one another, in 1957 the Canadian Parliament proclaimed Thanksgiving to be observed on it's present date.[3] Thanksgiving in the United States had typically been observed on different dates throughout history; by the beginning of the 20th century, the final Thursday in November had become the standard day of Thanksgiving in most U.S. states. It would not be until December 26th, 1941 when President Franklin D. Roosevelt, after pushing to move the date earlier to give the country an economic boost, signed a bill into law making Thanksgiving a national holiday fixed to its current date.[7] Today, Thanksgiving is celebrated on the fourth Thursday of November in the United States, and on the second Monday of October in Canada.

Observance

Canada
Main article: Thanksgiving (Canada)
Thanksgiving, or Thanksgiving Day (Canadian French: Jour de l'Action de grâce), occurring on the second Monday in October, is an annual Canadian holiday to give thanks at the close of the harvest season. Although the original act of Parliament references God and the holiday is celebrated in churches, the holiday is also celebrated in a secular manner.
Grenada
In Grenada there is a national holiday known as Thanksgiving Day celebrated on October 25th. Even though it bears the same name, and is celebrated around the same time as the American and Canadian versions of Thanksgiving, it is unrelated with either. Instead the holiday marks the anniversary of the U.S.-led invasion of the island in 1983 in response to the deposition and execution of Grenadian Prime Minister Maurice Bishop.[8]
Netherlands
Many of the Pilgrims who would end up at the Plymouth Plantation had resided in the city of Leiden from 1609-1620, many of whom had recorded their birth, marriages and deaths at the Pieterskerk church.[9] To commemorate this, a non-denominational Thanksgiving Day service is held each year on the morning of the American Thanksgiving Day in the Pieterskerk, a Gothic church in Leiden, to commemorate the hospitality the Pilgrims received in Leiden on their way to the New World.[10]
United States
Main article: Thanksgiving (United States)
Thanksgiving or Thanksgiving Day, currently celebrated on the fourth Thursday in November, has been an annual tradition in the United States since 1863. Thanksgiving was historically a religious observation to give thanks to God.[1]
Australia
Thanksgiving Day in Australia, celebrated on the 29th of May is increasingly becoming an annual tradition by the younger Middle to Upper Class in Australia. The day is dedicated to saying "thanks" to current and former Australian troops for serving Australia and is also to pledge thanks giving to the God.

Thursday, September 23, 2010

Hydro worker dies in storm accident

A 27-year-old hydro worker in Port Elgin, Ont., was electrocuted Tuesday night while working on a repair as severe thunderstorms swept southern and central Ontario.

Saugeen Shores police said the Westario Power employee was working at a hydro station when he was involved in an accident just before midnight.

Reports from the scene suggest the worker was hit with 2,400 volts of electricity.

He was taken to Southampton Hospital with a chest wound and third-degree burns to the right side of his body and pronounced dead a short time later.

The Ministry of Labour and the coroner's office are investigating the death.

In the Toronto area, the storm snapped hydro poles, felled tree branches and caused some problems in areas where traffic lights malfunctioned.
Mayfield Road in Brampton was closed for safety reasons after a number of power poles came down.

By early Wednesday morning, power had been restored in most parts of the city, except for a neighbourhood stretching from Bayview Avenue in the west, Don Mills Road in the east and from Finch Avenue in the south to Steeles Avenue in the north.

Toronto Hydro emergency repair crews have been sent, but there is no estimated time for when power will be fully restored.
There are also isolated outages across Peel, Newmarket, Aurora and as far east as Peterborough.

Also Tuesday, two people were injured when a severe storm knocked down trees and left much of the Huntsville region without power.
A woman was taken to hospital with non life-threatening injuries, and a man suffered serious injuries, after a tree fell on their car in Port Sydney.

Ontario Provincial police said the storm hit quickly, downing trees and hydro wires and leaving the detachment operating on generator power.
Hydro One has restored power to a few of the 33,000 customers affected, but some won't get their electricity back until Wednesday afternoon.
Environment Canada said a line of thunderstorms hit the region with wind gusts of up to 100 kilometres an hour and heavy downpours.


Read more: http://www.cbc.ca/canada/toronto/story/2010/09/22/toronto-storm.html?ref=rss#ixzz10OshyqzX

Saturday, September 18, 2010

Eating Abroad With Diabetes

Eating Abroad With Diabetes

By The Adventure Worthy Team on July 27th, 2009

Diabetes is a disease that affects the body’s ability to use blood glucose, also known as blood sugar. Glucose is necessary to the body as it is what fuels the cells of tissue and muscles. Actually, it’s the body’s main source of energy. When people are diabetic this means they have too much glucose in the blood, which can lead to serious problems with their health. Both type 1 and 2 diabetes is chronic and needs constant attention.

The common symptoms associated with both type 1 and type 2 diabetes can include increased thirst, extreme hunger, fatigue, blurred vision, frequent urination and frequent infections that often affect the skin, gums, bladder or vagina.
Typically, diabetes type 1 affects children and adolescents, although it can develop at any age. Type 2 diabetes is the more common type and is often preventable. This type can affect anyone at any age.

Diabetes, depending on the type, normally require blood sugar levels to be checked and either oral medication or insulin to be taken. It’s also very important, no matter if the individual has type 1 or 2 that they exercise regularly, manage their weight and eat a healthy diet. Diabetics are not put on a certain diabetes diet, as there is none. What diet they do need to follow is one of foods that are highly nutritious and low in calories and fat along with avoiding sweets and reducing animal products.

When traveling abroad, diabetics don’t have to worry about eating if they stay focused on eating healthy foods. Vegetables, fruits and whole grains are foods that are low in fat and calories and if choosing a good variety of these, there is no need to feel deprived from enjoying delicious well rounded meals. Eating at buffets can allow the individual to enjoy a number of foods that are low in fats and calories and highly nutritious. Carrying around cheese crackers or peanut butter crackers can help keep glucose levels stable or carrying small boxes of raisins can help provide a good snack, especially when it’s hard to find a place to get something nutritious to eat.

Travelers with diabetes must check their blood sugar often as the stress of traveling and the change in normal routines can cause problems with glucose levels.
Having saltine crackers kept close by can come in handy if getting proper food is difficult and blood sugar levels act up. Saltines can stabilize the levels and not disturb the appetite. Also carry extra test strips and test often as many countries abroad have hidden sugars or carbs added to their foods that could cause a problem with blood sugar.

No matter where the travel designation may be, there are healthy nutritious meals that are offered all around the world. Thai food mainly consists of vegetables with lean meats. Asking for extra helpings of vegetables and brown rice can provide a highly nutritious meal. Japanese food such as sushi is a very good choice of food for diabetics, although ask for it without rice added. Visiting Italy can be more difficult when it comes to eating foods low in calories since pasta is their main diet. There are restaurants there that do include healthy choices on their menus such as salads or mozzarella cheese with grilled vegetables. If going to China, although they cook with plenty of vegetables, they also tend to use MSG and fats that are not healthy. Choosing a Chinese dish that has chicken with low sodium can be a healthy meal or when visiting Mexico and dining at a Mexican restaurant choose beans and perhaps fajitas that are loaded with vegetables, but avoid to many tortillas.

If the diabetic feels like their food choices are too limited for eating properly while vacationing abroad, a good option would be to find a fresh market that sells a good selection of vegetables and fruits and find a place to grill along with some fresh chicken or fish with fresh fruit for dessert. This is an ideal meal and can be fun to do while vacationing. Or make some sandwiches that consist of turkey, chicken, tuna or lean roast beef, which can easily be made in a hotel room or outdoors at a picnic area.

Foods that should be avoided whether at home or traveling abroad are foods high in saturated fats such as butter, cheese and fatty meats. Also avoid salty snacks and use different spices to replace the flavoring of salt when cooking. Eat plenty of foods high in fiber such as whole wheat breads, vegetables and high-fiber cereals and try not to miss meals. When dining out while abroad try to choose restaurants that have a wide selection of dishes to choose from. If portions are large, eat half and take the other half back to the hotel if there is a refrigerator there. And when eating at a restaurant, ask the server about the ingredients and the cooking methods.

Thursday, September 9, 2010

Battling bedbugs a big business



“It’s not like you can pick up a spray tank and start spraying, but there are companies that cut corners” michael goldman, structural pest management association of ontario

They are the scourge of urban dwellers and suburbanites alike. A blood-sucking pest that lives, loves, breeds — and most disturbingly feeds — in our beds.

For most people the mere mention of a bedbug causes involuntary scratching and an overwhelming urge to put as much distance as possible from any potential infestation.

But for those who deal in pest removal, bedbugs are a highly lucrative business opportunity — one that has soared as the bedbug scare spreads.

Michael Goldman, education co-ordinator for the Structural Pest Management Association of Ontario, said in the past two years work being done by Ontario pest control companies has doubled. But industry growth is controlled because companies must be licensed through the provincial environment ministry, he said.

“It’s not like you can pick up a spray tank and start spraying, but there are companies that cut corners,” he said, estimating there are hundreds of individual licence owners in Ontario.

His company, Purity Pest Control Ltd., charges about $385 to treat a bachelor apartment with inspection, removal and chemical applications. It costs $400 to $600 for a one bedroom apartment; a four-bedroom home costs up to $1,500.

More about Bed Bugs

How to avoid the dreaded scourge of the bedbug

Are you bugged by bed bugs?

Saturday, September 4, 2010

5 Tips For a Less Stressful Moving House Experience

Today’s guest post comes from Authority Blogger Chris Garrett, who opened the door and promptly got pounced upon! No, truly, I felt the poor hard-working man really needed a friendly space in which to offload a bit of stress from his family’s recent move to a new house. And perhaps we can all learn from Chris’ tips for a “moving experience”… ~ Jen
5 Tips For a Less Stressful Moving House Experience
We just moved house and while the new place is wonderful, the moving experience itself was not.
Here are my top 5 tips for a more relaxed move:
1. Make sure you have backup plans —
If you leave anything to chance you can pretty much be sure it will go wrong in all the worst ways. As well as moving house we had a cat with a broken leg and a small child with a sickness bug to contend with. On top of all that I work from home but couldn’t because our old line was disconnected early while the new line was fitted with a fault. Make sure you have plan B, C and for good measure Z

2. Use professional movers OR over-recruit on the help —
We had three hours to move and only two able-bodied men to do the lifting. Somehow we did it but the stress would have been half with double the time or double the people. Even better a professional crew who just knew how to do everything efficiently.
3. Do not throw every bit of clutter away; some of it might come in handy —
Portable televisions, old style telephones, camping equipment. You name it. We threw out and gave to charity perfectly good rugs only to find a lot of our flooring won’t be fitted for two weeks.
4. Plan your day as best you can —
You don’t want people tripping over each other. We had a guy trying to fit satellite television while another gang was trying to lay carpet, not good!
5. Keep essentials close —
A lot of stress can be saved if you can lay your hand on what you need without hunting for it. Everything from milk and kettle through to power tools. Don’t throw everything into boxes without at least marking what it is, where it should go and how.
This was our third house but we had made all the same mistakes as before. I’m ashamed to say one of my professional skills is supposedly project management! I hope you can learn the lessons it took us so many mishaps to finally grasp.
Do you have any house moving tips to make the whole thing less stressful?
Please share in the comments …

What are some tips for reducing moving stress?

Planning ahead is the key to lowering the stress of moving day.
Moving is the third most stressful life event, following death and divorce according to the Employee Relocation Council. Moving disrupts your normal routine and generates feelings of uncertainty as you enter uncharted waters. The following suggestions may help make the move less stressful - and save you from needing a bottle of aspirin on the big day.


Prior to the Move
Be Prepared - Advance planning and organization will make your move go smoother. Keep all documents related to your move in one, easily accessible location. Use a folder, notebook, or even a daily planner to keep track of important phone numbers and documents. Referrals for new physicians, maps of your new town and contact information for old friends are just a few more things that you may want to stash in your organizer.
Make a schedule of appointments to turn on and off your electricity, gas, water, cable and other fundamentals for your home. This is also a good time to do some online research on your new community. Make notes about restaurants and other places in the area.
Label each box with the name of the corresponding room. You can write directly on the box or to make it even easier, print out large computer labels and stick them to the box.

Fill out the United States Postal Service change of address form six to eight weeks prior to your move to make sure you receive your mail when you relocate. The form can be found at www.usps.com/moversguide/welcome.htm. And make sure you let the IRS know, too. A change of address form (Form No. 8822) is available on their Web site (www.irs.gov).

On Move-In Day
Try to keep children occupied. Have coloring books or other toys readily available to fill the children's time while the movers are bringing items into the home. Ask if your new neighbors have children that your children can play with during this time or if they know of a babysitter that would be available to help out.
If you have a pet, put he/she in an isolated room with food, water and bedding. Post a note reminding everybody to keep the door shut; otherwise, your pet could get injured or even lost.
Begin by opening boxes that you will need first, such as ones that contain necessities like paper towels, trash bags and light bulbs. The easiest way to recognize these boxes is to mark them with a bright colored sticker or a special notation that makes them stand out from the rest. Take care of the bathroom and bedrooms first, and then move on to the kitchen and other living spaces. Keep a trash bag in every room, so packing materials can be discarded as you go.
Trying to fix a meal while still unpacking causes undue stress. Take this chance to find a new and different place to eat, or if you are feeling homesick, find an old favorite and enjoy a meal. If you don't feel like going out, check your new telephone directory for restaurants that will deliver or look back to the list you made from Internet research before you moved.
After Move-In
Time, effort and courage will help you integrate yourself into your new community. Remember - it's a gradual process, but your patience will be rewarded in the long run. Go for a drive, walk or bicycle ride to learn your way around and meet your new neighbors and see your new town.
Look for clubs that match your interests. Running, reading, sewing...there are unlimited possibilities of organizations that can help you meet people in your new community. Check the local library or grocery store bulletin boards for notices of meetings. Don't forget that children's sports leagues, churches, and other parts of your life in your old community will still be available in your new one.
Make sure you have "me time" everyday. Take a moment for yourself to figure out what you need to feel better during this emotional time. And, try not to sweat the small stuff. Remember that it is OK to miss the way things were, but take time to appreciate the new things in your life. Staying positive and keeping an optimistic attitude will help you adjust to your new home more quickly.


How does cross-country moving differ from a cross-town moving?

Often you will find people want to move themselves, when its just a cross-town, they think it will be cheaper and easier that way, when it is something that is cross-country, its much more orchestrated event and it helps to have a professional mover come in and pretty much take care of things for you so you can relax and you can focus on things like finding your new home, learning about you new community things like that. We do offer services locally and they really not that pricey, they are not that expensive, but often a lot of people think they can do it themselves when it's in their own hometown and they don't have the other things to focus on.

Friday, August 6, 2010

Home Cleaning Services

Home Cleaning Services


There is really no substitute for thorough home cleaning on a regular schedule. Why? Because it's the most efficient way to ensure all the cleaning duties in your home get done instead of just the standard fare. If you can add one extra cleaning chore a week to your regular vacuuming and dusting regimen (say, wiping down the ceiling fans, cleaning the baseboards, or wiping down the sinks), you'll be amazed at how much cleaner your home feels.
Sounds Easy Enough, Right?

The catch, of course, is making the time and sticking to the routine. With today's busy schedules, most homeowners simply can't keep up. There's taking the kids to soccer practice, surprise visits from friends and family, those late evenings spent catching up at the office. Eventually something's got to give, and cleaning is an easy thing to put off. The trouble is that once you get off of your routine it gets tougher and tougher to catch up again. That's why many homeowners look into home cleaning services to take care of their cleaning needs.

Is it Really Worth It?
Some homeowners have doubts about whether hiring someone to clean their house is worth the money. The answer is: absolutely. For starters, good cleaning companies come into your home on a regular schedule with a set cleaning routine, guaranteeing you a spotless residence. Nothing gets neglected and no chore gets skipped. Besides that, home cleaning services know tricks and strategies that the average homeowner doesn't, meaning your house will be actually be cleaner than if you stuck to your guns and did it yourself. Finally, think about all the other things you'd rather be doing instead of scrubbing the toilet. Whether it's running errands, getting some work done, or simply putting up your feet, you're not just paying for cleaning services, you're buying a little extra time for yourself.

Get some time back! Use this link to hire a local, prescreened
House Cleaning Service

Your Home Will Thank You, Too
Of course, while the personal benefits are convincing in and of themselves, hiring someone to perform home cleaning services for you is an investment in your home as well. The most important factor in keeping household surfaces and materials looking and functioning like new is regular cleaning, pure and simple. Be it keeping your bathroom tile shiny, your carpet soft and plush, or your furniture looking beautiful, regular cleaning is exactly what the doctor ordered.

Whether you're looking for weekly, bi-monthly, or monthly cleanings, or just a good once over, hiring a cleaning service is an excellent investment for both you and your home.

Thursday, July 22, 2010

Bring out the Shears for better blooms

- Flowers in your backyard garden are ephemeral - They vanish without a trace at the end of each season - Doesn't mean you shouldn't prune

Pruning can help make more flowers, make the plants bushier or increase the size of individual flow ers.
So grab your hand shears and sharpen your thumb nail for a stroll among the flowers.
Start with a pinch, for bushiness
Pinching out the tips of growing stems stops, at least temporarily, their growth, in so doing coaxing growth of side shoots. The result Bushier plants. Even though plants such as lavat-era, marigold and zinnia are naturally bushy, pinch ing out the tips of their stems makes them more so. Don't carry pinching to excess, though, because it does delay flowering; pinching is something you want to do mostly at the be ginning of the growing sea son. And plants with more side shoots will have more-— but smaller — flowers.

A pinch might make bigger Flowers
Just as pinching the tips of stems makes bushier plants with more but small er flowers, limiting the number of stems or flowers has the opposite effect. This is how you grow "football" mums and "dinnerplate" dahlias. Create a plant with fewer but larger flowers by pinching off side shoots, pinching off flower buds forming along a stem, or re ducing the number of stems sprouting from ground level


Deadhead for more flowers
— called deadheading — is yet another way pruning gets the best out of your flower plants. Deadheading does double duty, keeping plants tidy and preventing seed formation. Seed for mation can drain enough energy from a plant to slow or stop flowering.
Deadheading is especial ly effective at keeping an nuals energetic because all they live for is to flower enough to set some seeds. Then these plants slow down or die, all in one season.
Pruning flowers at the right time and in the right circumstances can mean either bigger blooms for bushier plants.



Cut the spent flowers
Cutting individual, spent flowers from mounded plants bear ing small flowers would be much too tedious. Deadhead alyssum, nasturtium, petunias and other such plants by shear ing the whole plant back with either grass or hedge shears after a flush of bloom. Give mound ed perennials like basket-of-gold, cottage pink, edging candytuft and spike speedwell similar treatment. All these plants will look ragged for a while, but soon cover shorn stems and leaves with new growth and flow ers.

Deadheading also keeps plants tidy by preventing unwanted self-seeding.

Monday, July 5, 2010

Hints and Tips On Cleaning
Helpful Hints
House cleaning is not at the top of most peoples list of fine things to do but if you let your mind wonder too much, you'll spend even more time cleaning.
Focus on what your doing, make every move counts, and you'll finish more quickly.
Household organizing and cleaning can be done quicker than you think.

Get help.
If there are others living and breathing in the house with you, who are most certainly contributing to the mess, get them to help. My favourite is to assign task to each child for a week at a time, and rotate tasks. Don't forget to throw in deep cleaning items, like the mess under the sink, or spraying dowm and wiping the trash compactor

Dust first, vacuum last. Start dusting from the top of the highest shelves, the tops of cabinets. These tend to be less dusty than lower shelves. Even if you dust quickly, you'll be moving the dust down to a lower level, usually the floor, where it is easily vacuumed away.

Use the right product for the job. Use natural cleaning products if possible. We don't use fancy cleaning product that but it's important to use good quality, heavy duty cleaning products that do a great job. This doesn't mean you have to spend a lot of money either. We use a solution of vinegar and water to damp mop linolium or vinyl floors. It works great.
____________________________________________________________________________

Helpful Tips

Stinky Sink?
The sink, for whatever reason, can stink.
After you make sure nothing too terrible is hidden in there (last night's dinner, perhaps?) you can use this trick to make it smell as fresh as can be:

1. Pour 1/2 box of baking soda down the drain
2. Add 1/2 cup of white vinegar
3. Cover drain tightly for 5 minutes
4. Run the cold water to clear out
5. Easy and effective, there you go
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For Business and Offices Heres some helpfull hints

Learn now to prevent one of the most common workplace accidents before you end up paying out in huge claims!

Make sure workers are wearing proper footwear for their work area. If necessary, provide them with the correct footwear.

Use mats and rugs where spills of liquids are likely. Make sure the edges are beveled to prevent tripping and the mat has slip resistant backing.

Make sure stairs are in good working order. Handrails are secure and step edges are easy to see. Avoid using colorful carpet patterns on indoor stairs. Outdoor stairs must be slip resistant and should have striping on each step.

Buy the right flooring for the right work situation. Different flooring has different slip resistance. Ask about slip resistance when buying.
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RESTROOM CLEANING TIP

The speed at which a restroom gets cleaned is so important because it is a big part of any routine cleaning. You don't want anyone spending any more time getting it done than they have to, yet you still want to do a very good job of it........


Toilet bowl ring removal
The earlier you attack this problem, the easier it will be to remove the ring. A thorough cleaning with a commercial acid-based bowl cleaner may do the trick. If the bowl cleaner doesn't work, try using a green, nylon-backed scrub sponge along with the acid. For an old ring, use a pumice stone. Wet the stone with the water in the bowl and rub it on the ringKeep the stone wet the entire time you're scrubbing. Pumice stones should only be used on vitreous china toilets - never on colored, enamel or plastic fixtures. Once you've gotten rid of a ring, weekly cleanings should keep it from coming back
____________________________________________________________________________
150 Tips and Tricks on Cleaning

Cleaning is the most time consuming job in house keeping. Worse of all, some stains are hard to clean out. Even if you are spending all your efforts or energy, you may not clean them probably. So how to combat with all those difficulties and save your time on these cleaning tasks? Do It Yourself.com has some (well over 150) tips, tricks and how-to on cleaning stains, items and rooms. Just love the site and those information – the best ones in my opinion maybe the Chewing Gum Removal Tips (I tried it and it works nicely), How to Clean Soy Stains, Lipstick Stain Removal, Kitchen Cleaning Tips etc…Keeping a clean home is a key part to having a happy home. Cleaning a home can be a painstaking and exhaustive process

visit our site
http://www.multiservices-janitorial.com

Thursday, June 17, 2010

About Multi Services Video

Check out this SlideShare Presentation:

Airborne Allergens Avoidance Tips




POLLEN AVOIDANCE MEASURES:
1. Close windows during pollen season; use air conditioning in car.
2. Remove shoes and clothing when coming indoors.
3. Do not dry clothes outside during the pollen season.
4. Avoid being outside in the morning if possible or on windy days.
5. Use antihistamine before exposure.
6. If very symptomatic when coming from outside take a shower and wash hair.
7. Rinse nose with salted water many times during the day if you are exposed to pollens.

DUST MITE ELIMINATION MEASURES:
1. Wash bedding in hot water once a week.
2. Get new pillow once a year or cover pillow with a dust mite proof cover.*
3. Get dust mite proof mattress cover.*
4. Get vinyl cover for box spring.
5. Keep humidity between 30-45% (get dehumidifier).
6. Keep only new washable teddies on the bed.
7. Keep no dust collectors in bedroom.
8. Use double bag or HEPA filter on vacuum or use central vacuum.
9. Remove carpets especially in patient's bedroom.
10. Get vinyl or leather covered furniture in house and car.
* can be ordered through www.quorumallergy.com or 1-800-501-5115. Look for "allergen barrier" listed on the packaging and a zipper all around the cover.

PET HAIR ELIMINATION MEASURES:
1. Keep pet outdoors.
2. If not possible to keep pet outdoors, keep pet confined to one room. At least keep pet out of patient's bedroom.
3. Wash pet once a week with Allerpet or with warm water on a cloth; a shower or going in the rain is also very good.
4. Cover pillow and mattress with impermeable dust mite covers.
5. Use HEPA filter in bedroom and family room, and on vacuum or use central vacuum system.
6. Wipe surfaces with damp cloth
7. Non-carpeted floors prevent accumulation of pet hair.

Saturday, June 12, 2010

What is allergy?

What is allergy?
Allergies occur when the immune system becomes unusually sensitive and overreacts to common substances that are normally harmless, such as pollens, molds, dust or food. Genetic tendency plays a role since allergies tend to run in families. Allergy develops when exposure to certain substances leads to sensitivity. These substances that cause allergic reactions are called allergens.

The immune system produces various antibodies. The antibody that is involved in allergic reactions is called IgE. During an allergic reaction allergens come into contact with special cells called "mast cells" that are found in the lining of the nose, lungs, skin and intestinal tract. The IgE antibodies that are attached to these cells cause the release of many chemicals, including histamine, which results in inflammation and symptoms of allergy.

Depending on the individual and the particular allergen, allergy symptoms can occur in the upper and lower respiratory tracts, the skin, digestive system and other organs. Each individual is different. For example in the case of cat allergy, one person might have symptoms affecting the nose while another might have wheezing in the chest.

Some allergies develop after a long period of exposure while others often seem to develop after a relatively short exposure. Some are life-long while others may subside over time. Once sensitization occurs, avoidance of allergens is the best way to prevent symptoms.

Dust, Pet and Mold Allergies
Our multipage brochure about several common allergies.
Atopic Dermatitis - Eczema
by Dr. Liliane Gendreau-Reid, MD, FRCPC Pediatrics; FRCPC Clinical Immunology & Allergy; Clinical Assistant Professor of Pediatrics UBC, Victoria, BC
Eosinophilic Esophagitis
by Dr. Harold Kim, Allergist, Kitchener, Ontario
Cosmetic Allergies — Is Soap Really Good for You?The first of a series of articles designed to help AAIA members better understand cosmetic allergies. [read more...]
Allergic Rhinitis
by Dr. Harold Kim, Kitchener, Ontario
Learn the link:
Managing your asthma and your seasonal allergies. [read more...]
Rhinitis: The Facts
by Liliane Gendreau-Reid, MD, Victoria, BC
Airborne Allergens Avoidance Tips
by Liliane Gendreau-Reid, MD, Victoria, BC
Hives (Urticaria)
Hives are a common occurrence, affecting up to 25% of the population at least once in their lives. They can be short term, lasting only a few days to six weeks, but they can be chronic and last for months or years. [read more...]
Allergy Season — It can affect your thinking !!!
by George Luciuk, MD, FRCPC
Does Allergy Protect Against Cancer?
by Dr. Susan Waserman, MD, FRCP, Hamilton, Ontario
Drug Allergy: How You Can Help Your Allergist Make the Diagnosis
by Amin S. Kanani, MDCM, FRCPC
The Positive Side of Being Allergic
by Robin Bayley, Victoria, British Columbia
Are you allergic to cats?
from an article by Thomas A E Platts-Mills, Asthma and Allergic Diseases Center, University VA Medical Center, Charlottesville, VA
Scents in the Workplace
Individuals who are affected by allergic rhinitis and asthma may find that strong scents trigger their symptoms. [read more...]
The Hygiene Hypothesis
At the CSACI Annual Scientific Meeting held in Ottawa in October 2004, there was an interesting debate on the Hygiene Hypothesis by two experts in the field of allergy. These are some of the main arguments. Reported by Mary Allen. [read more...]
Tips to reduce mold exposure
Ten things you can do. [read more...]

Monday, May 24, 2010

Benefits When You Hire a Professional Cleaning Service

Most people think that seeking and having professional cleaning service to handle the cleaning task for their house is a luxury and not worth spending for especially nowadays that the money is hard to earn. Yes, It may be costly but if you are going to compare the benefits when you employ a cleaning company, you will find out that benefits can outweigh the cost. This service will handle the entire cleaning job that you are tired of doing.

Although many people are still in doubt if a cleaning service is worth spending for, there are numerous advantages when a home owner hires a cleaning services provider.
Enhance Health and Sanitation
Normally, germs most likely breed in the place that is full of mess - dirty. Now, with the help of cleaning service, you don't have to worry about these matters. Cleaning your house will be handled by cleaning service providers. The cleaning task that you don't like to do will be done by cleaning service for you. If the sanitation and cleanliness inside of your house will be maintained, this, of course, will improve the health aspect of your family.

Make a Good Reflection
Since our home is a reflection of us, we want it to be clean and well-maintained. Although you may have hard time maintaining the cleanliness of your house, but you need to think about what people or your visitors would think about you if they happen to see a cluttered and messy house of yours. But that's not a problem anymore since professional cleaning service is there to help you ease those burdens. You can be assured anytime that a guest or a friend visits you as your house will reflect fine on you.

Protect your Home Investment
Our home can lose its value as investment if it is messy and untidy. Since our house serves as our investment, we have to protect it. With the help of professional cleaning company, we will be able to keep the value of our house by maintaining its tidiness.

Save your Precious Time
Hiring a cleaning service is beneficial for a busy person. Yes, you may be busy and no time cleaning the house because you have more other things to do. But you still want to maintain the cleanliness of your home without having your precious time to suffer. Hiring a cleaning company will be such a great help for you then. They will take care all the cleaning job for you therefore you can have more time to do what you want or need to do.

Professional cleaning company can be beneficial to any of us. If you are a person that has no time cleaning your house, you can have a cleaning maids come to your house at weekly schedule. They can also be helpful if you happen to move out or move in from one place to another. You don't have to spend your time cleaning your new place by yourself as professional cleaning service is always there for a help.
No time to clean your house because you are busy with your work, providing for your family, or studying for the coming exams

Improving your Memory



Tips and techniques to help you remember...

...you know, that thing... I forgot.
Having problems forgetting appointments, to-dos, errands, feeding your children and pets, picking up after yourself, getting out of bed... not to mention forgetting birthdays, and even anniversaries?
If you are like many people, you will often find yourself forgetting something. In an age of computers, PDA’s, and many other devices - this my be ok for some folks, unless you forget where you put those devices. Others may want to increase their ability to memorize things - luckily there are a few creative ways you can improve your long and short term memory.

Use your Senses & Be Aware
Practice creating vivid images/concepts in your head - using all of your senses. Analyze your surroundings by sound, sight, smell, taste, and touch. Being aware all of your senses will give your mind more ways to associate (and thus remember) when it is time to recall something.
This is like form of meditation -- which is good for your brain in a variety of ways. (see our article: Interesting Ways to Improve Your Brain for more info).
Practice this tip of simply being more aware of your surroundings everyday and you will find your general memory greatly improved.

Humor & Vulgarity
If you need to memorize something specific try using humor or vulgarity as a memory aid. Make a nasty or funny limerick about something that needs to be remembered and you'll have a hard time forgetting. (Great tip for students).

Don't worry, be Mindful
There has been a lot said about the power of positive thinking. Recently, a huge bandwagon of new-age positive thought = positive outcome theories have been on tips of everyone's tongue from Oprah to your local convenience store clerk. Just do a google search for "Law of Attraction" or "The Secret" if you aren't in the cult loop.
Negative thoughts fog our minds, but clearing out the negative and focusing on the positive also improves memory & concentration.
Stress is a big brain buster, so minimize stress and negative thoughts to keep your wits.
Apt Quote: “What to do if you find yourself stuck in a crack in the ground underneath a giant boulder you can't move, with no hope of rescue. Consider how lucky you are that life has been good to you so far. Alternatively, if life hasn't been good to you so far, which given your current circumstances seems more likely, consider how lucky you are that it won't be troubling you much longer.”

See the Future
Have trouble remembering to-dos, appointments, meetings, deadlines, birthdays and other future events?
Here is the secret: When you know you have an upcoming event you don't want to forget, picture yourself at the event. What are you doing, who is there, what does it smell like? Imagine the event...even better: imagine yourself taking the steps that lead to the event.
For example... let's say tommorrow you have to call the someone. Picture yourself in your home/office, picture yourself picking up the phone, imagine dialing the number and talking to the person of the other end.

Associate
Association is among one of the easiest and most used tools in learning. This is the process of taking the information you wish to memorize, and linking it mentally to something else that is natural to you. When learning something new, try to associate the new concept with one to which you are already familiar.
Couple association with being aware using all of your senses and you will have a higher rate of successful recall.

Chunky like your mom
Chunking information is a great mnemonic method to remember multiple items. Many people naturally use chunking to remember phone numbers: Instead of thinking "17342876642" we chunk it as 1-734-287-6642.
The concept of chunking comes from a famous 1956 paper by George A. Miller: The Magical Number Seven, Plus or Minus Two: Some Limits on our Capacity for Processing Information. If you are a sucker for classic works in the history of psychology (I know, who isn't?) you can read the whole original paper here.

Write it Down
We generally think of "writing things down" as a means to NOT have to remember something. The paper does the work for -- we just need to remember where we put that piece of paper...
But, writing things down has another effect: you clear your mind and take away the stress of "having to remember", and by doing so you actually have more room in your noggin for remembering stuff. I know that explanation wasn't scientific, but it works.
To-do lists are championed by business gurus and soccer moms alike. Try writing everything down for a week or two and see how much this improves your memory & focus. A great digital tool for "writing things down" is provided by a website called Nozbe.com -- I recommend it for clearing your head and also organizing your thoughts.


Memory and Concentration Games on Blifaloo.com:

Memory 3
Memorize color patterns to test your short term memory.

Music Memory
Test your memory while training your musical ear with this game.


Balls & Boxes Memory Game
Use your memory and put the balls back into their original boxes.


Classic Memory Game
Old-school card matching memory game.