December 2008 - Posts

Eco Friendly
Monday, December 01, 2008 9:21 AM



Safe recycling

If you've ever thrown away batteries, kept old paint cans in your garage or kicked that old computer to the curb this is news you can really use. All these things and more are recyclable if disposed of properly.

Paint

There is hardly a home in America that doesn't have a can of paint or two stored away in its garage, attic or basement covered in an inch of dust. Instead of hiding old paint away for the next homeowner to find, track down your nearest paint recycling facility. Most paint can be remixed and reused or if the paint is fairly new and has been properly stored it can be donated to your community or a local charity.

 

Batteries

It may seem harmless to simply throw away dead batteries, especially the 1-time use ones. Unfortunately batteries have a tendency to leak environmentally hazardous elements when not disposed of properly. With so many different types of batteries required to run our automobiles, cell phones, laptops and watches all of these batteries can't simply be thrown away without environmental consequences. Some disposal facilities only accept certain types of batteries so do your homework before heading out.

 

Computers

Advances in technology move fast. Even if you purchased the latest in computer technology it seems that in the time it takes you to get it out of the box a better computer is already out on the market. So what happens to all those unused computers? Some follow the old-paint scenario while others wind up in landfills. If your computer is still usable, remove all of your personal information and donate it to charity. If not, most major computer retailers have recycling programs in their "about us" sections on their home page.

 

For additional information on the proper disposal of these items and more visit www.earth911.org. There you'll find details specific to drop-off centers in your area as well as information on how you can help protect our environment.

by Katie | with no comments
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Eco Friendly
Monday, December 01, 2008 9:19 AM



Recycle your old electronics

It seems like today’s electronics are constantly updated and consumers jump at the first opportunity to upgrade their gadgets. Newer, faster, smaller and cheaper products hit the market every day. Other than donating to schools or charity, what to do with your old computers, notebooks, televisions and printers, working or not?

 

We should make sure our obsolete electronic equipment is handled responsibly. Less than 10% are collected for recycling, the rest are stored in homes and offices, disposed in landfills or burned in incinerators.

 

Many local programs are happy and willing to accept old computers and consumer electronics but it’s up to you to search them out. They pride themselves on being environmentally friendly and assist you through the process.


The most responsible way to get rid of electronic equipment that’s no longer in use is to re-sell or donate if it’s fairly new and in good shape. You should bring it to an environmentally responsible recycler if the product is too old or no longer working.

 

Contact the product’s manufacturer if you have questions about recycling your electronics. Many computer manufacturers will take back your old equipment by mail, and some will offer trade-in credit towards future purchases.

 

The Rethink Initiative offers a fresh perspective on the challenge of e-waste, with information, tools and solutions that make it easy to sell, donate or recycle used computers and electronics, including cell phones. See www.collectivegood.com for more information

Earth 911 offers environmental hotlines, Web sites and other information sources nationwide, and consolidated them into one network. Once you contact the Earth 911 network, you will find community-specific information on eCycling and much more. Visit Earth 911 at www.earth911.org.

 

Electronics improve the way we live, work and play, but there's one place where electronics should have no impact—the environment. Through responsible use, reuse and recycling, the consumer electronics industry and consumers can protect and preserve the environment—together.

by Katie | with no comments
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Trend Setting
Monday, December 01, 2008 12:22 AM

Deck out your pet! 

Pets don’t know how good they have it. These days loving pet owners have lots of options for spoiling their pets with accessories. While cost may be an important factor pet owners consider, there are other factors that can play a part in purchasing pet accessories.  Is the product environmentally friendly? Do the proceeds from purchasing the product go to a charity organization? Is the product outrageous and perfect for little (or big) Fido or Fluffy? Take these options into consideration when purchasing your next pet accessory, either in a store or on the Internet.

 

Most pet stores welcome you, and your pet, to peruse the aisles of pet products. Having your pet with you sometimes makes shopping easier. You can try collars on your cat or dog, let your pet choose a new toy, or you can just show off your animal friend. While this may sound fun, there are definitely options to shop for pet products from the comfort of your home, with your pet on your lap or at your feet.

 

Web sites like www.greenhome.com make sure pets can “go green,” too. Dog beds made of 100% cotton, colored with low-impact dyes and stuffed with organic materials are safe for the environment and pets. You can also find hemp dog collars on this Web site, and according to the product description, hemp is much stronger than cotton and is resistant to tears, soiling, shrinkage and deterioration.  Also, according to the description, hemp doesn’t need any dangerous pesticides during cultivation, and it actually helps the soil. Food and water bowls made from recycled plastic bottles, and biodegradable pet waste bags are eco-friendly accessories to consider. While safe for the environment, however, these products require more green from your wallet than ordinary products.

 

Some sites like www.jaxandbones.com offer products that benefit animal organizations. Good Karma Toys® are made of rope, and the proceeds go to The Rescue Train Organization. This group rescues animals and gives the animals to good homes.

 

Sites like www.uptownpaws.com have outrageous pet accessories that show how much pet owners love to spoil their furry friends. Pet strollers, apparel and costumes are just the beginning!  You can also find an Ultrasonic Outdoor Cat Deterrent, a cat toilet-training kit, and a Cat Sitter DVD. This continuous DVD consists of objects floating around the TV screen for cats to watch and swat, occupying their time while their owners are at work.

 

While pets don’t always appreciate added benefits of eco-friendly, charitable or outrageous accessories, their owners may think otherwise.

What are your favorite pet accessories?

by tinadh | with no comments
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The Welcome Mat
Monday, December 01, 2008 12:20 AM

How to be a good host 

Let's face it, some houseguests are more welcome than others. I mean, we've all seen Houseguest starring Sinbad, and some of us even own it on Blu-ray disc. But as a hostess with the mostest it's courteous to take the time to prepare your home and make it equally as comfortable for all guests (unless they're pop-ins, in which case you have no time). Here are 5 things you can do for your guests to make them feel at home away from home.

 

Try to give guests their own private space.

It's easy if you have a separate guest room, but if not, consider making your kids give up their room. Or maybe turn the laundry room into a cozy little bunk with a cot. It depends on your guests, but some may prefer a room with a door to a comfortable bed. You might want to ask their preference in advance. Then before your guest arrives, clear out everything you think you might need from their room.  You don't want to keep going in and out of their temporary personal space.

 

Make sure you've provided enough pillows and spare blankets.

Some people are always cold. Some people like to build a wall of pillows around their sleeping bodies. You never know.  Leave a few extra pillows and blankets out just in case.

 

Put a few bottles of water in the guest room and/or in the bathroom.

This is a nice touch, and something my family does for me (I'm a very discriminating guest). It's convenient to have water on hand – that way guests won't have to walk to the kitchen and go through every cupboard looking for a glass.

 

Set up night lights in the bathroom and/or hallways.

Your house is unfamiliar to guests, especially at night in the dark. Plug in some night lights that lead the way to the bathroom. You don't want guests blindly feeling their way in the middle of the night and leaving a trail of fallen wall hangings and broken vases in their wake.

 

Send a note to tell them you enjoyed their visit.

Traditionally the guest sends a note to thank the host for his or her hospitality.  But to be extra kind, especially if you actually liked having your guests in your home (and would like to be invited to their home some day), send a little note to express your thanks for their company.

 

What nice things do you do for your houseguests?

by tinadh | with no comments
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Supply Cabinet
Monday, December 01, 2008 12:18 AM

 

GPS Devices

 

Throughout history people have often gone to extreme measures to keep from getting lost by erecting impressive landmarks, making detailed maps and learning to read the stars in the night sky. Today, things are much easier. For less than $100 you can get a pocket-sized device called a GPS that will tell you exactly where on earth you are at any given moment.

 

The Global Positioning System (GPS) is actually a network of 27 satellites orbiting the planet (24 in operation and 3 reserves as backup in case one fails), providing worldwide coverage in all weather—24 hours a day, 7 days a week. The U.S. military developed and implemented this satellite network as a military navigation system, but in 1993 made it available to civilians and other friendly powers as an essential component for modern navigation on land, water and air. GPS technology has also found useful applications in the fields of mapping and surveying.

 

A GPS receiver calculates its position by carefully timing the signals sent by the network of GPS satellites high above earth. They circle the planet twice a day in a very precise orbit and transmit signal information down to the surface. GPS receivers then take this information and use triangulation to calculate the user’s exact location. The GPS receiver compares the time a signal was transmitted by a satellite with the time it was received. This time difference tells the receiver how far away the satellite is. With distance measurements from a few more satellites, the receiver can then determine the user’s position and display it on the unit’s electronic map.

 

GPS systems can be very accurate in measurements, generally have an error rate of only a few meters and require no subscription fees or setup charges. So, as long as you have a GPS receiver with power and a clear view of the sky, you'll never be lost again.

by tinadh | with no comments
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Media Mix
Monday, December 01, 2008 12:16 AM

The Story of Edgar Sawtelle 

The best narratives are often the simplest. And while The Story of Edgar Sawtelle by David Wroblewski contains soothsayers, suspected murderers, deadly fires and tornados over Lake Superior, it can be described most succinctly as a story of a boy and his dog.

 

Born without the power of speech in the mid-20th Century, Edgar Sawtelle’s earliest and dearest companion is Almondine, one of the dogs bred and trained on his family’s Wisconsin farm. But the Sawtelles are no ordinary dog breeders, employing controversial methods (in the dog-training world at least) to raise super-intelligent canines. Thus Alamondine is able to become a sort of “hearing-ear” dog for Edgar, forming a bond that acts as the central thread through a dense narrative.

 

Much like the Sawtelle dogs and farm, the story evolves slowly as first-time author David Wroblewski takes his time to establish the world that Edgar, his parents, his prodigal uncle and the dogs inhabit. We learn about the man who first built the farm, about Edgar’s grandfather and the impetus for establishing the dog-training enterprise, and about the origin of the story’s tragic, Shakespearean events.

 

The past is ever-present in The Story of Edgar Sawtelle. Whether it’s the extensive records kept on every Sawtelle dog, Edgar’s early obsession with the man who built his home or the simmering feud between Edgar’s father and uncle, preceding events often have as much impact – if not more – on the present than current ones. 

 

It’s no surprise to find that Wroblewski grew up on a Wisconsin farm, which his mother used to breed dogs. And while the tragic events that make up the thrust of the narrative most likely did not happen on the Wroblewski farm, the details and familiarity of the time and setting help create a world in which readers can become lost.  

 

And while the narrative can at times seem to dote too much on those details, it's a testament to Wroblewski that his 562-page debut novel tells a compelling story with enough pizzazz to move the reader through its long page count, while keeping at its core a relationship that any present or previous pet owner can relate to.

by tinadh | with no comments
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Healthy Living
Monday, December 01, 2008 12:14 AM

The cost of energy

Energy drinks are carbonated beverages that contain large amounts of caffeine and sugar with additional ingredients, such as B vitamins, amino acids and herbal stimulants. Many people like the boost of energy they provide and feel they are no more harmful than other drinks such as soda, coffee or tea. Yet, others feel that energy drinks are dangerous and should be controlled or banned.   My question is are they really that bad or are some people overreacting? Let’s break it down with some facts and you can decide for yourself. 

 

Most energy drinks contains about 80mg of caffeine per 8-oz. can. That is about the same amount of caffeine as a cup of brewed coffee and twice the caffeine as a cup of tea. However, other energy drinks contain several times this amount. The amount of caffeine in an energy drink isn't always indicated on the label. Also, common ingredients, such as guarana or yerba mate, boost the level of caffeine so it is difficult to gauge how much one is consuming.  It's common for typical energy drink consumers to drink large amounts quickly, which is not the case for coffee or tea drinkers who sip their drinks slowly. Still another concern is that many ingredients in energy drinks are believed to work synergistically with caffeine to boost its stimulant power. These ingredients include taurine, glucuronolactone and ginseng.

 

The effect of these ingredients varies from person to person. Some people who are sensitive to caffeine can experience anxiety, heart palpitations, irritability, difficulty sleeping and indigestion with relatively small amounts. Others do not have any negative side effects; they show increased alertness, more energy and improved mental and physical performance. Still, others feel positive for a few hours, and then feel more tired than they did before consuming the drink.

 

Studies have shown that energy drinks can lead to the consumption of excessive caffeine. Therefore, it is recommended that healthy adults drink no more than one can per day. Experts also advise children, pregnant or nursing women, or anyone who has any health issues such as heart disease, high blood pressure or diabetes to avoid energy drinks.

What do you think – are energy drinks harmful to your health?

by tinadh | with no comments
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Etc...
Monday, December 01, 2008 12:11 AM

The art of the Thank You note

Your mother may have taught you early on that writing a proper thank you note is as important as eating your veggies. But as an adult, with e-mailing being the quickest and most popular way to communicate with everyone these days, the ability to write a formal thank you note may have fallen by the wayside. Though it may seem archaic, thank you notes still hold a very important place in our culture. So how do you write one? Read below to find out how!

 

Before you put any words on paper, make sure the paper or card you are using is appropriate. Unless you are a 5-year-old, steer clear of crayons and clown stationery. Go for simple and tasteful. Also, always hand write a thank you note. Nothing more shows a lack of warmth like a type-written thank you note.

 

Greet the giver. Start with, “Dear XX.” Consider how you want to greet them. Are you close friends? If so, use their first name. If this is a friend of your parents, stick with a more formal greeting and use “Mr. or Mrs.”

 

Express gratitude. Thank them for the gift and be specific about the gift. What did they give you? By just saying, “Thank you for the gift,” you’re showing a lack of respect by not acknowledging exactly what they gave you. Think of it this way. If you spent a great deal of time and thought picking out a gift for someone and when you received the thank you note, they only referenced it as “the gift,” rather than “the really incredible digital picture frame that I’m sure you spent days trying to find,” you’d wonder if they even remembered what you gave them.

 

Discuss use. Explain what you plan to do with the gift. Did your mother-in-law give you a new piece of china that matches your set? If so, perhaps you can tell her how excited you’ll be to show it off next Thanksgiving when you have her over for the big meal. By describing its use you are showing that you have thought about the gift and how you will integrate it into your life.

 

Mention the past, allude to the future. Mention how nice it was to see them at the event you received the gift and speak of an upcoming event that you will see them at. For example, “It was so nice seeing you at our anniversary party. I look forward to seeing you during the holidays and catching up again!”

 

Say thank you again. Though this may seem redundant, it’s not. It’s a great way to conclude your letter and show your appreciation one last time.

 

Regards. This is where you end your letter. Use “Love,” “Sincerely,” “Yours Truly,” or whatever word feels most appropriate. Sign your name below and you’re done!

by tinadh | with no comments
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