Too Cool for a Halloween Costume?

We get it; you’re so over dressing up for Halloween. You don’t want to wear a big goofy getup or wig that you have to tote around all night, but you don’t want to be a party pooper and show up to the festivities without a costume. No problem. Here’s what you do:

Pick a Pun

In a pinch, embrace your punny side and use it to create a costume that requires little to no energy. Here are a few examples to get you started:

• Wear some glasses. Stick a small stack of post-it notes to one side. You’re an eye-pad. “iPad.” Get it?
• Find some mini cereal boxes. Eat the cereal (optional). Stab the boxes with plastic knives and attach them to your shirt. You are a “cereal killer.” Har-har.
• Attach a leaf with a string to a baseball cap. Wear the baseball cap. Occasionally blow on the leaf, and you are a “leaf-blower.” Look at you; your costume is both hilarious and appropriately themed for fall.

You’ll definitely get some groans with these options, but don’t worry. It’s not because your costume is lame. It’s clearly because everyone else does not appreciate your witty, effortless sense of humor.

Channel your Inner Jim Halpert.

Get a marker. Make sure it isn’t permanent. Double check that it isn’t permanent. Write “book” across your face. Facebook. Bam.

Sushi in a Snap

This one will look like you actually tried. Dress in all white, and grab a colorful pillow and some black cloth or duct tape. Attach the pillow to your back using your chosen black implement and voila, you are a piece of nigiri (fish over sushi rice). Finish off the look by sticking some chopsticks in your hair.

Hello! My name is…

Fill in the blank of a “Hello! My name is…” sticker with a name that is not your own. This option is all about commitment and delivery. You can play the role of one of your good friends, a significant other, or choose to create your own character. Say you choose to write “Tom.” Who is Tom? What are his greatest fears, regrets, passions, and aspirations? What are his most delightful childhood anecdotes? Does he like crunchy or creamy peanut butter? Really get into the role. Or don’t, if that’s your style.

Error: Lack of Effort

This one is for all you techies out there. Take a piece of paper and write “Error 404: Costume not Found” in red or black marker on the paper, then stick it to your shirt. Cheeky.

There you go! No more excuses. Now you’re ready to enter any costume party prepared, without losing your cool, low-maintenance attitude. 

Don't Trust These Kitchen Tools

Whether it’s stocking the fridge with fresh produce or wiping down the counters to keep critters away, a home’s healthy lifestyle depends on a clean, healthy kitchen. If you haven’t updated these essential kitchen tools, however, they could be counter-intuitive to clean-up, and might even be endangering your health. Take a look at this list and make sure your kitchen safety is up to snuff.

Smelly Sponges

Even if it doesn’t smell yet, the porous and damp nature of sponges makes them perfect homes for nasty bacteria you’ve worked so hard to avoid. If you’re using an old sponge to wipe down your kitchen counters, guess where all that bacteria goes? That’s right, everywhere. You can quickly disinfect a sponge by rinsing with hot water and sticking it in the microwave for 30 seconds, but you should still be replacing your sponges every two weeks, at least.

Dirty Dish Towels

Everything about sponges applies to dish towels as well, except towels have a greater surface area, all the better to soak up even more yummy bacteria. You also normally use a dish towel both to clean up and wipe your hands, which means lots of bacteria spreading. Wash dish towels as often as possible, and replace them sooner rather than later.

Cut-up Cutting Boards

You might think little nicks and cuts on an old cutting board are harmless, but they’re actually perfect venues for bacteria parties. Worst of all, it’s really difficult to clean a razor-thin cut made by a very sharp knife thoroughly. Regardless of their material make-up, cutting boards should be replaced if they’re damaged and scarred. Good cutting boards are fairly inexpensive, so a replacement is a small price to pay for safety.

Plastic Containers from the Past

You’ve probably heard of a little something called bisphenol A, or BPA, a compound found in manufactured plastics that has been linked to a long list of health problems that would make any physician shudder. If you’ve had your plastic containers for a long time, this compound could be seeping into your food and endangering your health. Luckily, companies are phasing BPA out of production, so it’s easier nowadays to find BPA-free plastic products, once you toss your old ones.

Nasty Nonstick

This is a relatively controversial issue, but research has shown that heating nonstick pans to temperatures higher than 500 degrees Fahrenheit possibly releases toxic fumes that can make you sick. They’re not deadly, and normal cooking won’t necessitate a temperature that high, but scratched nonstick surfaces are more likely to release fumes at a lower temperature. If you’re cooking with scratched and outdated nonstick pots and pans, it might be worthwhile to upgrade.

Grisly Grill Brushes

If you’re firing up the grill for a cookout, make sure to check your grill brush bristles. If your brush is old, these bristles can detach from the brush and attach to your food, posing a significant health risk. Swallowing sharp, dirty bristles is bad news for your body. Grill brushes should be replaced every two to three months, especially if you’re an enthusiastic griller.

It’s never a bad time to track down and toss out the kitchen tools that could be harming your health. Take the time for a quick update, and you’ll have a happier, healthier, kitchen in no time. 

Nissan Leads the Industry in Fuel Economy Improvement

Here at Sheehy Nissan Mechanicsville, we're proud to represent a brand dedicated to sustainability. We've always known Nissan is at the forefront of environmentally-friendly vehicle technology with lightweight body styles across its lineup and hyper-efficient vehicles like the award-winning LEAF, but we're proud to announce that Nissan is also the fastest-improving brand when it comes to fuel economy.

According to a study conducted by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Nissan has made the biggest leap forward in fuel economy in the industry since 2012, growing by double digits, a full 11.2 percent. The U.S. average for fuel economy gains between 2012 and 2014 was 2.5 percent, so it's safe to say that Nissan is leading the pack.

For more information on Nissan's dedication to efficiency, or any current or future Nissan vehicles, contact us at Sheehy Nissan Mechanicsville today.

Horror-free Classic Halloween Movies

It’s that spooky time of year again - time to embrace all that goes bump in the night. There’s no better way to get into the Halloween spirit than with a movie marathon. For horror lovers, this is the perfect opportunity to break out all the best slashers and thrillers, but horror isn’t for everyone. If horror flicks are likely to leave you at the end of the night in a cold sweat gripping the poor soul’s arm next to you out of sheer terror, don’t worry. There are plenty of lighter must-see Halloween classics that won’t strip you of your dignity.

Ghostbusters

This quintessential 1980’s classic is pure, ghost-laden, comedy. Do yourself a favor: pop this masterpiece into the DVD player, embrace the 80’s special effects, and let Bill Murray and Dan Aykroyd show you who ain’t afraid o’ no ghost.

Young Frankenstein

Based on the 1930’s Frankenstein adaptations, this parody is a must-see. While it’s a little older and slower paced, it’s pure Mel Brooks and Gene Wilder combined genius. The only thing frightening about Young Frankenstein is how many quotable one-liners are incorporated into the script.

The Nightmare Before Christmas

Co-written and produced by Tim Burton, this visually stunning stop-motion film has generated a growing cult following since its release in 1993. It’s creative, creepy, and only moderately scary for younger kids. The story follows Jack Skellington, “The Pumpkin King,” who pursues his obsession with Christmas by opening a portal to “Christmas Town” from “Halloween Town.”

Zombieland

Who doesn’t like a good ol’ zombie apocalypse? This gem is quite possibly the most hilarious account of an extended encounter with the undead out there. While this film has its fair share of violence, its constant quips, Bill Murray cameo, feature of a crazy Woody Harrelson, and heart-warming love story make for an apocalyptic comedy that’s downright delightful.

Beetlejuice

If you haven’t seen this movie, please get in your car right now, go pick it up, and watch it. Do it for you. Do it for comedy. Do it for Michael Keaton. Keaton’s role as a freelance “bio-exorcist” ghost in Tim Burton’s ghoulish comedy is arguably one of his best. The plot of Beetlejuice centers around a ghost couple who, desperate to oust the annoying new tenants of their home, employ “Beetlejuice” (Keaton) to scare them away. Chaos and hilarity ensue.

The list doesn’t stop here. Other solid contenders for a winning Halloween movie night include: Hocus Pocus, Monsters, Inc., It’s the Great Pumpkin, Charlie Brown, Casper, Little Shop of Horrors, The Addams Family, The Rocky Horror Picture Show, and Gremlins. So, pop some popcorn, grab some candy corn, and embrace your inner Halloweenie this weekend with a (relatively) horror-free marathon.

Nissan LEAF Drivers Help Set New Guinness World Record

On September 20, a new Guinness World Record was set in Cupertino, CA—and hundreds of Nissan LEAF drivers helped make it happen. A procession of EV drivers set the new world record for number of electric vehicles in a parade with 507 vehicles involved, beating the previous world record by 26. The event took place as a part of Plug-In America’s National Drive Electric Week.

Out of the 507 cars, most were Nissan LEAFs. As Nissan LEAF sales continue to climb since its launch four years ago, this event was great exposure for the LEAF and the EV market in general. Toby Perry, Director of Nissan EV marketing, said, “The fact that there are more manufacturers coming in now proves that it is a viable alternative out there and that we are doing the right thing.” Nissan, as a national and international leader in EV vehicles, looks even stronger as more brands are coming into the EV market.

National Drive Electric Week is a nationwide celebration of electric vehicle technology and is sponsored by Nissan. The event shows the fun and convenience of clean-air technology while simultaneously showing the cost-saving benefits associated with electric vehicles. Activities have been taking place across the United States, even from states as far away as Hawaii.

If you’re interested in driving into the future with a Nissan LEAF, come visit us at Sheehy Nissan Mechanicsville today to test drive one today! Congratulations to everyone in that participated in the parade in Cupertino on September 20 for their new world record!

Do Naps Help or Hurt Productivity?

Remember when you were a kid and your mom made you take a nap and you got really mad and threw a fit, hoping she would change her mind? Now you only wish someone would send you to your room so you could take one. A look at whether naps help or hurt productivity will give you something to think about as you're falling asleep at work.

The length of the nap. The length of the nap has the largest impact on whether or not you'll be more or less productive afterwards. Naps lasting 30 minutes or less—sometimes called power naps—have been shown to increase alertness and compensate for a nighttime lack of sleep. Naps lasting longer than 30 minutes, in addition to taking up more productivity time, can make the napper groggy and tired.

Time of day. Sometimes the gained productivity from a nap sacrifices long-term productivity for short-term gains. A nap too late in the day, for example, will make it more difficult to fall asleep on time at night, which will cause the napper to be more tired and less productive the following day, which will lead to another nap, and so on. The late afternoon nap/late bed-time cycle is a vicious one that should be halted before it reduces long-term productivity.

Benefits of power naps. Specific benefits from power naps that lead to increased productivity include the following:

• Less stress. A short nap can leave you feeling refreshed. Those who are refreshed are less likely to succumb to stress. If you've been irritable and grouchy all day, your nap will also lessen others' stress.
• Increased alertness. An alert worker or parent is a productive worker or parent.
• Improved memory and learning. It's never too old to learn, which means you're never too old to take a nap.
• Increased cognitive functioning. You put your kids in time out when they're having trouble focusing. Similarly, a nap gives your brain a time out.

When and where to nap. The perfect nap time varies by individual and is subject to one's schedule. For most, morning naps and just after lunch will be most efficient. A short nap can be had just about anywhere. For best results, find a clean, quiet place, preferably dark.

Nap restrictions. There are certain individuals who should avoid naps. Insomniacs will only make it more difficult to sleep at night by napping. A better option is to reduce and manage stress. Those suffering from depression will only make things worse by napping.

What is the Difference between Summer and Winter Fuel?

Gas prices fluctuate day to day, but have you ever noticed that they also seem to change with the seasons? As summer approaches, you can usually expect a slight price hike on gas, while winter is usually marked by lower prices at the pump. Here's why.

The seasonal gasoline transition

The seasonal gasoline transition occurs twice every year in the United States. Although it sounds like an ancient oil festival, it is not accompanied by wild celebrations and revelry in oil producing states, such as Texas and Oklahoma. Instead, it is simply when oil companies switch their gas supplies from summer grade fuel to winter grade fuel or vice versa. The seasonal gasoline transition is one of the reasons gas prices rise in the summer and go down in the winter.

The Reformulated Gasoline Program

The Reformulated Gasoline Program (RFG) owes its existence to the 1990 Clean Air Act Amendments. The switch from winter to summer gasoline blends began in 1995 as an attempt to reduce pollution. Summer gasoline uses different fuel additives to prevent it from evaporating too quickly. How quickly a gas evaporates is based on its Reid Vapor Pressure (RVP). The higher a gasoline's RVP, the quicker it evaporates. All gasoline has to be below 14.7 psi or it would no longer be liquid. Summer gasoline is usually between 9.0 and 7.8 psi. That's something to think about the next time you're filling up the tank.

Higher gas prices in the summer

The ultimate question when it comes to the differences between summer blend and winter blend gasoline is why it goes up so much in the summer. The truth is that there are many factors. Lower RVP gasoline costs more because of the additives that are needed to keep the RVP low. Demand is also higher in the summer. In addition, during the spring months, most energy companies in the United States conduct maintenance on their refineries, which limits their capacity. These maintenance shut downs are part of the seasonal gasoline transition and lead to a limited supply of fuel. This lessening of supply while demand is greater has a large effect on gas prices.

The environmental impact

The justification for lower RVP gasoline blends stems from the desire to lower emissions and smog during the summer months. With less gasoline evaporating into the atmosphere, air quality increases.