scripps networks

I recently stepped back in time a few hundred years.

Green building products do work. In the past, products like low-flow showerheads and toilets weren't optimal, which caused a lingering bad reputation. These days, most new green products work as well if not better than traditional products.X...X...X

Here a few of our favorite recipes that will kick-start your next football party.HERB ROASTED NUTS1 cup each pecan halves, walnuts, cashews and almonds1 tablespoon finely chopped fresh rosemary1 teaspoon dried thyme leaves1 teaspoon dried oregano1/2 teaspoon cayenne pepper2 tablespoons brown sugar2 teaspoons sea salt

Chantal and Jeff moved into their 1960s-era house four years ago with two kids, loads of energy and big plans to start renovating. But soon after settling in they found out they were expecting child number three. When little James came into the world with serious heart complications, renovations were put on hold and all energies went into supporting him.

A continuing compendium of tips and tricks from Home & Garden Television:Here's a quiz to help you determine what type of tile is best for your house:Q: My living room and dining room are:A. Formal and lovely, used mostly for entertainmentB. Casual enough for the kids to hang out and play

Q: Why did my angel-food cake fall? -- Mary Fletcher, St. Paul, Minn.

Now that you've got all this zucchini, what are you going to do with it?It's best to stick to cooking methods that will concentrate its natural flavors. Grill long slices and serve with a simple dipping sauce, or skewer 1-inch chunks with other vegetables and grill as kebabs.

Gardeners deal with an interesting dichotomy.First, we undoubtedly possess some appreciation and respect for deferred rewards; otherwise, we wouldn't be gardening. On the other hand, we manage to exhibit several behaviors that provide an outlet for that all-important instant gratification. And that's where the trouble begins.

A continuing compendium of tips and tricks from Home & Garden Television:Here are design ideas from Kim Myles of HGTV's "Myles of Style":Design Dilemma: You've chosen colors for every room in your home, but you don't know how to make them "flow."Kim's DIY Solution: Forget the flow!

Use energy-efficient settings on dishwashers. Use the water-miser and heat-free dryer settings on your dishwasher to help save energy.X...X...XBuy the proper-sized dishwasher. Small households that don't use many dishes can cut energy use with drawer-sized dishwashers. If you create a lot of dirty dishes, one big model is best.X...X...X