Issue Date: January 8, 2006
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Do Disney World wisely
Walt Disney World is more than just a favorite vacation destination. At 47 square miles, it's about the size of San Francisco, with a bewildering array of lodging and entertainment choices. That's why you need a game plan to visit the land of Mickey Mouse.
Start by choosing your season wisely. You'll find slightly lower prices and shorter lines if you can go from January up until mid-February. Other slow times are from late April through early June, Labor Day until Thanksgiving and post-Thanksgiving until mid-December.
You can shop for lower-priced accommodations outside of Disney World, but there are compelling reasons to stay on the property. If you book at a Disney property, you get complimentary airport shuttles and luggage delivery. Each day, one of the four theme parks opens one hour early or stays open up to three hours later for Disney resort guests only. All resorts offer a free bus service, which means car rental isn't necessary. And there are child-care services for a nominal fee.
The resort now has "Magic Your Way" vacations, which offer price reductions for theme-park tickets based on the number of days you stay.
For more information and promotional offerings, go to two non-Disney websites: mousesavers.com and wdwmagic.com.
Everett Potter is an award-winning travel writer in suburban New York.
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For juiciness, sauté meat
Why does all the water come out of pork chops when they cook? Is it because they were previously frozen? And how can I compensate for this?
Fred Becker, New York
It is possible to serve a beautifully brown, juicy pork chop without losing the food's moisture, whether or not it was previously frozen.
First, choose the right skillet size. Use a 12-inch skillet for four chops. If you crowd the pan, you'll end up overcooking the chops to get them to brown.
Sauté with a combination of butter and oil. Butter helps browning; a little oil increases the butter's smoking point so you get great flavor without burning.
Dry the food's surface. Pat with layers of paper towels. Then season the food with salt and pepper, and lightly dredge in flour, shaking off the excess.
Add food only when the pan is really hot. Warm butter and oil over medium-high heat until butter solids turn golden brown and the first wisps of smoke start rising. You want to hear a solid sizzle when the food hits the pan.
Set a timer for three to four minutes, and leave the food alone! To develop a golden-brown crust, it needs to remain stationary. Resist the temptation to turn it before you hear the "ding."
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Go green, get tax credit
If you're not subject to the alternative minimum tax, there are tax credits for home and car owners who go green in 2006. (Note: The total maximum credit for all energy-saving home improvements is $500 per home.)
Heating, Cooling. Buy an energy-efficient air conditioner or water heater powered by gas, propane or oil, and get a credit of up to $300. Ditto for furnaces (up to $150) and fans (up to $50).
Doors, windows, insulation. Take 10% of the cost of energy-saving replacements for any of these on your primary home. (There is a $200 limit for windows.)
Hybrid cars, light trucks. The 2005 tax deduction of $2,000 is replaced with up to $3,400 in tax credits, depending on fuel efficiency. Credits are for a limited time; check with your local car dealer.
For more information. See details at ase.org/taxcredits.
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Soybeans are in
2006 Toyota Prius owners can earn green credits.
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You've heard of biodiesel, right? It's diesel fuel made from renewable resources like soybeans. Soybeans, it seems, can be used for just about anything, from food to industrial solvents (visit soyworld.com).
Biobased products, like the biodiesel fuel, are gaining steam and are used to make household cleaners, bath gels, even cups and utensils. The USDA has announced an initiative to purchase more biobased products for government use. This will help foster production so everyday folks can buy the products and help the environment.
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