In the United States, the cold season begins in October and runs through May. There's never a bad time to strengthen natural defenses like washing your hands, staying hydrated, getting enough vitamins and sunlight, and considering alternatives like homeopathic remedies.
The common cold is the most frequent infectious disease in people, averaging two to four infections a year in adults and up to six to twelve in children. Good Morning America interviewed Dr. Lawrence Rosen. Here's the link to the entire article, or read below for the summary of tips.
The best defense is a strong offense. Be proactive; simply washing your hands with soap and water should be at the top of anyone's list.
There are plenty of foods that help support natural immunity to help you avoid the cold and flu. Multi-colored foods like berries, kiwi, papaya, and oranges that are high in antioxidant nutrients like vitamin C are a good first line of defense. It's important to include them in your diet.
Also make sure to get plenty of vitamin D. Natural sunlight is the best source for vitamin D, so go outside and get some fresh air whenever possible in Erie.
Probiotics, found in cultured foods like organic yogurt, are another option to boost immunity.
Always remember to hydrate. Drink water. Drink tea with lemon and honey. Eat chicken soup (low sodium kinds).
To aid congestion without medication saline nose drops are a good choice. They can offer quick relief without the risk of side effects like drowsiness or hyperactivity. A humidifier may be helpful for congestion or dry coughs.
The combination of camphor, menthol, and eucalyptus oils can reduce cold symptoms and help those with upper-respiratory infections sleep better.
Homeopathic medicines are generally considered a safer option for treatment. Defined by their therapeutically active micro-doses of mineral, botanical and biological substances.
Oscillococcinum has been found to be a good homeopathic treatment for children and adults with flu-like symptoms (two brands: Boiron's Chestal and ColdCalm).
Stay healthy this cold season!
Monday, November 29, 2010
Wednesday, November 24, 2010
Dining Room - Complete
Aside from one more art piece (a beach photo I need print), I have completed my dining room. Back in April, I blogged the picture below of my house's dining room before its makeover.
The only thing that stayed in the dining room is the carpet and curtain rods, which someday will both get replaced.
The first thing that needed done (aside from all the wall patching), my dad and I replaced the ceiling fan with a fun pendant light. I am not a fan of chandeliers, but I was concerned that just one pendant wouldn't fill the space with light. Boy, was I wrong! I put a 100-watt-equivalent bulb in this light fixture and it is incredibly bright. Plus I aligned the height of my IKEA wave mirror so the light can bounce off and illuminate the room even more.
The second thing I did was take down the hideous floral curtains and valance. I replaced them with energy-saving, black-out curtains. The faux-silk window treatments are not only lined to help keep the warmth inside during winter and the cool inside during the summer, but they are also machine washable. Originally, I wanted to get four panels, but the store only had three. Now, I love the look of having three. At some point, I want to replace the curtain rod with a brushed silver rod with decorative finials made of shell.
Of course, I also painted the room. The "aged-beige" color that is painted on three walls is carried through to my kitchen (and also is in my bathroom). The "meander blue" is only painted on the archway wall. Originally, the entire room was going to be the blue color, but I decided that it looked too juvenile and/or too bright for the entire space. While choosing the paint colors, I didn't realize how similar these two colors combined recreated the colors at the beach. Once I became aware of this fact, the room's decor was easy.
Coincidentally, my dining room set's chairs, I think, resemble beach chairs the way they are woven. I chose the pendant light because it has ridges like a shell. I already owned the IKEA wave mirror, but it became clear which room to hang it. And living in Erie, PA, it is easy to find beach-inspired art (and easy to create your own).
The only thing that stayed in the dining room is the carpet and curtain rods, which someday will both get replaced.
The first thing that needed done (aside from all the wall patching), my dad and I replaced the ceiling fan with a fun pendant light. I am not a fan of chandeliers, but I was concerned that just one pendant wouldn't fill the space with light. Boy, was I wrong! I put a 100-watt-equivalent bulb in this light fixture and it is incredibly bright. Plus I aligned the height of my IKEA wave mirror so the light can bounce off and illuminate the room even more.The second thing I did was take down the hideous floral curtains and valance. I replaced them with energy-saving, black-out curtains. The faux-silk window treatments are not only lined to help keep the warmth inside during winter and the cool inside during the summer, but they are also machine washable. Originally, I wanted to get four panels, but the store only had three. Now, I love the look of having three. At some point, I want to replace the curtain rod with a brushed silver rod with decorative finials made of shell.
Of course, I also painted the room. The "aged-beige" color that is painted on three walls is carried through to my kitchen (and also is in my bathroom). The "meander blue" is only painted on the archway wall. Originally, the entire room was going to be the blue color, but I decided that it looked too juvenile and/or too bright for the entire space. While choosing the paint colors, I didn't realize how similar these two colors combined recreated the colors at the beach. Once I became aware of this fact, the room's decor was easy.
Coincidentally, my dining room set's chairs, I think, resemble beach chairs the way they are woven. I chose the pendant light because it has ridges like a shell. I already owned the IKEA wave mirror, but it became clear which room to hang it. And living in Erie, PA, it is easy to find beach-inspired art (and easy to create your own).I think this, so far, is my second favorite room in the house. And while I rarely eat at my dining room table, I always walk through the room and can almost hear the waves crashing and seagulls squawking.
Tuesday, November 23, 2010
Green Your Thanksgiving
If you’re grateful for the natural world this Thanksgiving, you’ll appreciate Sierra Club's tips, which aim to help you preserve the planet while planning your holiday festivities.
Tip #1: Consider Vegetarian Options
In years past, Sierra Club suggested skipping the bird — but if you’re not there yet, or know you never will be, you might consider choosing to forgo livestock for the rest of your holiday spread; the New York Times just published a beautiful online compilation of vegetarian and vegan Thanksgiving recipes. Those for whom Tofurky just doesn’t cut it can also think about sticking it to the factory farms by buying from free-range family operations, or by “offsetting” your main course by adopting one of Farm Sanctuary’s gregarious turkeys.
Tip #2: Plan Your Food Prep
There’s lots you can do while preparing that massive meal to save energy and prevent waste. For one thing, when using the stove top, you don’t have to keep the burners on as long as you think (you also don’t need to use as much water). Even before the holiday ingredients arrive at your kitchen, though, make sure what you’re cooking is local, seasonal (requisite for Thanksgiving staples anyhow), and organic.
Tip #3: Appreciate the Natural World
Thanksgiving traditions vary, but most celebrations include some form of appreciation for the year's blessings. When expressing gratitude, take note of nature's gifts. You may feel thankful for a beautiful sunrise, a bountiful harvest, clean water, or colorful autumn leaves. By nurturing your connection with the planet, you will energize your environmental activism.
Tip #4: Set it Off
We’ve already told you how you can offset your turkey — but will you be offsetting your Thanksgiving travel as well? Unless you’re planning to walk, bike, carpool, or take public transit to your Thanksgiving destination, you'll likely be taking a plane. And though it’s controversial, offsetting is currently one of the only ways to make flying greener. If you’re in the it’s-better-than-nothing camp, check out this list of worthy carbon-offsetting sites.
Tip #5: Manage Leftovers & Cleanup
After the feast is finished, there are two inevitables: leftovers and cleaning. When storing what’s left, eschew Saran wrap and aluminum foil, which get used a time or two before heading to the landfill; opt instead for reusable containers. Consider, too, asking guests to bring their own containers so they can take home leftovers — that way, you won’t get caught trashing days-old turkey (or Tofurky!) in early December. As for cleaning, go for green products (or make your own), and choose cloth instead of paper towels.
Tip #1: Consider Vegetarian Options
In years past, Sierra Club suggested skipping the bird — but if you’re not there yet, or know you never will be, you might consider choosing to forgo livestock for the rest of your holiday spread; the New York Times just published a beautiful online compilation of vegetarian and vegan Thanksgiving recipes. Those for whom Tofurky just doesn’t cut it can also think about sticking it to the factory farms by buying from free-range family operations, or by “offsetting” your main course by adopting one of Farm Sanctuary’s gregarious turkeys.
Tip #2: Plan Your Food Prep
There’s lots you can do while preparing that massive meal to save energy and prevent waste. For one thing, when using the stove top, you don’t have to keep the burners on as long as you think (you also don’t need to use as much water). Even before the holiday ingredients arrive at your kitchen, though, make sure what you’re cooking is local, seasonal (requisite for Thanksgiving staples anyhow), and organic.
Tip #3: Appreciate the Natural World
Thanksgiving traditions vary, but most celebrations include some form of appreciation for the year's blessings. When expressing gratitude, take note of nature's gifts. You may feel thankful for a beautiful sunrise, a bountiful harvest, clean water, or colorful autumn leaves. By nurturing your connection with the planet, you will energize your environmental activism.
Tip #4: Set it Off
We’ve already told you how you can offset your turkey — but will you be offsetting your Thanksgiving travel as well? Unless you’re planning to walk, bike, carpool, or take public transit to your Thanksgiving destination, you'll likely be taking a plane. And though it’s controversial, offsetting is currently one of the only ways to make flying greener. If you’re in the it’s-better-than-nothing camp, check out this list of worthy carbon-offsetting sites.
Tip #5: Manage Leftovers & Cleanup
After the feast is finished, there are two inevitables: leftovers and cleaning. When storing what’s left, eschew Saran wrap and aluminum foil, which get used a time or two before heading to the landfill; opt instead for reusable containers. Consider, too, asking guests to bring their own containers so they can take home leftovers — that way, you won’t get caught trashing days-old turkey (or Tofurky!) in early December. As for cleaning, go for green products (or make your own), and choose cloth instead of paper towels.
Monday, November 22, 2010
Erie Zoo Polar Bear Might be Pregnant
As reported by Gerry Weiss of The Erie Times-News:
A new bear might be on the way to the Erie Zoo, as officials there believe Patches the polar bear is pregnant.
Last week officials said they are "cautiously optimistic" that Patches, who is in her 20s and has had two stillborn cubs in the past, could deliver later this month or in early December.
The polar bear was taken out of her exhibit and placed in a special cubbing den inside the zoo. Patches has gained weight and shown behavioral changes, and in the spring had exhibited breeding behavior with Norton, a zoo polar bear who died in September.
"We're hoping," Erie Zoo Director Scott Mitchell said this afternoon. "Patches doesn't have many more breeding seasons left, and she's never had a cub survive."
Patches had a stillborn cub at a zoo in Nebraska several years ago, and another in Erie in 2009.
A new bear might be on the way to the Erie Zoo, as officials there believe Patches the polar bear is pregnant.
Last week officials said they are "cautiously optimistic" that Patches, who is in her 20s and has had two stillborn cubs in the past, could deliver later this month or in early December.
The polar bear was taken out of her exhibit and placed in a special cubbing den inside the zoo. Patches has gained weight and shown behavioral changes, and in the spring had exhibited breeding behavior with Norton, a zoo polar bear who died in September.
"We're hoping," Erie Zoo Director Scott Mitchell said this afternoon. "Patches doesn't have many more breeding seasons left, and she's never had a cub survive."
Patches had a stillborn cub at a zoo in Nebraska several years ago, and another in Erie in 2009.
Above is the photo I took on my first trip in at least a decade to the Erie Zoo in August. At the time of the photo Norton was still alive, so I don't know which bear this is.
I do think it would be wonderful news if Patches could birth a cub. It would be a wonderful way to memorialize Norton. And be such positive news for our Polar Bear exhibit, which has been plagued with sad news in recent years.
Friday, November 19, 2010
what your e-mail address says about you
At the risk of flirting with internet snobbery, here is a look that CNN took at the place where ISPs and personalities meet. These are stereotypes gathered in the name of fun and, like all stereotypes, there are exceptions. That said, let the stereotyping begin!
Here's a breakdown of what e-mail addresses may signify about their users:
@aol.com
You probably have the same e-mail address you had in 1997.
You also might be 70.
Fair or not, if you send an e-mail from an Aol account, the recipient is likely to expect it to be spam, a forward of some thoroughly debunked conspiracy theory or pictures of kittens.
"I get the sense that people with Aol addresses have just been too lazy to upgrade, i.e., their e-mail address is still: IHeartKittens81@aol.com," says Brenna Ehrlich, a co-creator of the "Stuff Hipsters Hate" blog and writer for tech-blog Mashable.
Aol's new upgrades are actually getting some good reviews -- although some of the revamped service's e-mail address options -- @ygm.com (for "You've Got Mail"), @wow.com and @love.com have raised a few eyebrows. YourName@love.com -- really?
The Oatmeal blog points out the venerable internet portal still has a long way to go to shake the stereotype that its users are prone to direct you to a website by saying, "OK, go to h ... t ... t ... p ... colon ... slash ... slash ... w ... w ... w ... ."
@hotmail.com
Not much different than Aol.
Hotmail is another ISP that was huge in the Web's earlier days but has lost cache among the technorati.
(We'll pause here to point out that Hotmail remains the world's most popular e-mail provider, with more than 360 million accounts. But a lot of that is outside the United States -- it's in 10 languages -- and its longevity can be attributed to its link to the long arm of its provider, Microsoft).
Stuff Hipsters Hate co-creator Andrea Bartz, who along with Ehrlich writes a "netiquette" column for CNN, points out a potentially surprising subset of users. Some of the very hipsters she documents, she said, camp out on a Hotmail address the same way they wear their scruffy skateboarding shoes from high school.
"It's like a silly cat sweater," she said, "Ironic on a hipster, awkward and anachronistic on a middle-aged housewife."
@yahoo.com
We ended up with a hung jury on Yahoo mail.
Many folks in our incredibly nonscientific polling said they have Yahoo accounts, which they only use as an address to provide on sites they expect to flood them with spam.
But, to be sure, Yahoo has stayed more aggressive with its updates, spam filtering and the like than some of its competitors. And it's continued to grow -- it has 273 million users -- while services such as Aol floundered.
We'll call this one a no-decision. But be aware that there are those out there who will judge you for Yahoo. (Same goes for addresses from cable/phone/Web providers, such as @comcast.net or sbcglobal.net).
@gmail.com
What doesn't Google do?
The search giant/e-mail provider/phone system and map maker vies with Facebook for "king of the internet" honors. And its e-mail system, with 193 million users, is one of the reasons.
Gmail, its supporters point out, is free, boasts tons of storage, has a strong chat feature and acts as a portal to many of Google's other services.
The Oatmeal says a Gmail user "most likely knows their way around a computer" and "when the internet stops working, actually tries rebooting the router before calling a family member for help."
Only one problem, really.
"Too bad it will probably gain free will some day and kill us all," Ehrlich said.
me@mywebsite.com
Owning your own domain name pretty much puts you at the top of the e-savvy stack.
No one will think you're a rube when they get your e-mail. They may, however, think you're self-centered. And possibly a megalomaniac.
Not that you care.
Work/school e-mail
In this day and age, nothing that proves you actually have a job can be a bad thing, right?
Same for the whole higher-education thing. In its earliest days, Facebook was an uber-exclusive club that required a Harvard e-mail account to join. Nothing wrong with some school spirit, and if it brought a healthy dose of Ivy League self-importance along with it, all the better.
But if you insist on using your work e-mail for all your personal messages, then people may make two assumptions about you:
1. You spend too much time at work.
2. You want everyone to be impressed by your @whitehouse.gov e-mail account.
Here are a couple of tips: Keep a close eye on your office policies before relying too heavily on your work e-mail. What the internet at large thinks of you might become rapidly less important than what your boss thinks of you if they decide to take a look over your digital shoulder.
And if you're more than a few years out of school, dump the alma mater's account. If you're still using @harvard.edu 20 years after graduation, you'll just be the digital equivalent of the middle-aged guy still trying to squeeze on his letterman's jacket.
This article cracked me up! What email domain do you use? Do you think these characteristics are true?
Here's a breakdown of what e-mail addresses may signify about their users:
@aol.com
You probably have the same e-mail address you had in 1997.
You also might be 70.
Fair or not, if you send an e-mail from an Aol account, the recipient is likely to expect it to be spam, a forward of some thoroughly debunked conspiracy theory or pictures of kittens.
"I get the sense that people with Aol addresses have just been too lazy to upgrade, i.e., their e-mail address is still: IHeartKittens81@aol.com," says Brenna Ehrlich, a co-creator of the "Stuff Hipsters Hate" blog and writer for tech-blog Mashable.
Aol's new upgrades are actually getting some good reviews -- although some of the revamped service's e-mail address options -- @ygm.com (for "You've Got Mail"), @wow.com and @love.com have raised a few eyebrows. YourName@love.com -- really?
The Oatmeal blog points out the venerable internet portal still has a long way to go to shake the stereotype that its users are prone to direct you to a website by saying, "OK, go to h ... t ... t ... p ... colon ... slash ... slash ... w ... w ... w ... ."
@hotmail.com
Not much different than Aol.
Hotmail is another ISP that was huge in the Web's earlier days but has lost cache among the technorati.
(We'll pause here to point out that Hotmail remains the world's most popular e-mail provider, with more than 360 million accounts. But a lot of that is outside the United States -- it's in 10 languages -- and its longevity can be attributed to its link to the long arm of its provider, Microsoft).
Stuff Hipsters Hate co-creator Andrea Bartz, who along with Ehrlich writes a "netiquette" column for CNN, points out a potentially surprising subset of users. Some of the very hipsters she documents, she said, camp out on a Hotmail address the same way they wear their scruffy skateboarding shoes from high school.
"It's like a silly cat sweater," she said, "Ironic on a hipster, awkward and anachronistic on a middle-aged housewife."
@yahoo.com
We ended up with a hung jury on Yahoo mail.
Many folks in our incredibly nonscientific polling said they have Yahoo accounts, which they only use as an address to provide on sites they expect to flood them with spam.
But, to be sure, Yahoo has stayed more aggressive with its updates, spam filtering and the like than some of its competitors. And it's continued to grow -- it has 273 million users -- while services such as Aol floundered.
We'll call this one a no-decision. But be aware that there are those out there who will judge you for Yahoo. (Same goes for addresses from cable/phone/Web providers, such as @comcast.net or sbcglobal.net).
@gmail.com
What doesn't Google do?
The search giant/e-mail provider/phone system and map maker vies with Facebook for "king of the internet" honors. And its e-mail system, with 193 million users, is one of the reasons.
Gmail, its supporters point out, is free, boasts tons of storage, has a strong chat feature and acts as a portal to many of Google's other services.
The Oatmeal says a Gmail user "most likely knows their way around a computer" and "when the internet stops working, actually tries rebooting the router before calling a family member for help."
Only one problem, really.
"Too bad it will probably gain free will some day and kill us all," Ehrlich said.
me@mywebsite.com
Owning your own domain name pretty much puts you at the top of the e-savvy stack.
No one will think you're a rube when they get your e-mail. They may, however, think you're self-centered. And possibly a megalomaniac.
Not that you care.
Work/school e-mail
In this day and age, nothing that proves you actually have a job can be a bad thing, right?
Same for the whole higher-education thing. In its earliest days, Facebook was an uber-exclusive club that required a Harvard e-mail account to join. Nothing wrong with some school spirit, and if it brought a healthy dose of Ivy League self-importance along with it, all the better.
But if you insist on using your work e-mail for all your personal messages, then people may make two assumptions about you:
1. You spend too much time at work.
2. You want everyone to be impressed by your @whitehouse.gov e-mail account.
Here are a couple of tips: Keep a close eye on your office policies before relying too heavily on your work e-mail. What the internet at large thinks of you might become rapidly less important than what your boss thinks of you if they decide to take a look over your digital shoulder.
And if you're more than a few years out of school, dump the alma mater's account. If you're still using @harvard.edu 20 years after graduation, you'll just be the digital equivalent of the middle-aged guy still trying to squeeze on his letterman's jacket.
This article cracked me up! What email domain do you use? Do you think these characteristics are true?
Thursday, November 18, 2010
Is Our Drinking Water Safe?
This past Sunday the Sierra Club's Executive Director Michael Brune went on "60 Minutes" to highlight the Sierra Club's strong position that we need tougher regulation of the natural gas industry.
Find out how poorly regulated natural gas drilling contaminated local water supplies across America, and then take action to protect other at-risk communities.
Drilling processes like irresponsible hydraulic fracturing or "fracking" have led to thousands of documented cases of air and water pollution violations and human health and safety hazards.
But Congress has a chance to fix the loopholes that allow companies to inject toxic fracking chemicals into the ground by passing the Fracturing Responsibility and Awareness of Chemicals Act (FRAC ACT).
The next step is holding natural gas companies accountable to strong national and state safeguards. Tell our members of Congress to protect our air, our water, and our communities by supporting the FRAC Act.
I am proud to support Americans working hard to hold the natural gas industry to the highest set of standards. Together we can accelerate the move from dirty coal and oil to clean renewable energy and efficiency.
Find out how poorly regulated natural gas drilling contaminated local water supplies across America, and then take action to protect other at-risk communities.
Drilling processes like irresponsible hydraulic fracturing or "fracking" have led to thousands of documented cases of air and water pollution violations and human health and safety hazards.
But Congress has a chance to fix the loopholes that allow companies to inject toxic fracking chemicals into the ground by passing the Fracturing Responsibility and Awareness of Chemicals Act (FRAC ACT).
The next step is holding natural gas companies accountable to strong national and state safeguards. Tell our members of Congress to protect our air, our water, and our communities by supporting the FRAC Act.
I am proud to support Americans working hard to hold the natural gas industry to the highest set of standards. Together we can accelerate the move from dirty coal and oil to clean renewable energy and efficiency.
Wednesday, November 17, 2010
Green Your Junk Mail
Junk mail can ruin your day: 5.6 million annual tons of ads choking mailboxes isn't pleasant for mail-getters, and it's even harder on the environment. Here are the Sierra Club's tips to help you curb the volume of waste piling up in your real-life inbox.
Tip #1: Stop it at its Source
Visit sites such as OptOutPrescreen to remove yourself from the hit lists of insurance and credit-card services, two of the largest sources of junk mail. If a particular corporate culprit is harassing you with unprovoked offers, call the company directly and politely request that they knock it off. But the biggest step you can take is to add your name to "Do Not Mail" lists via the Mail Preference Service.
Tip #2: Recycle It
Just a ton of recycled paper can keep 3.3 cubic yards safe from landing in a landfill. Tossing all that "direct mail" into the trash is a useless gesture; sure, it feels gratifying to throw away that credit-card offer without even opening it, but its much better for the Earth if you participate in the U.S. Postal Service's lobby recycling program, started in 2008 and expanded in 2009. Or just recycle paper via your municipal pick-up to give your junk mail a new life as a magazine or a roll of toilet paper.
Tip #3: Escape the System
We've given you tips about how to get off the lists of relentless ad campaigns, but how do you get on them in the first place? Whenever a cashier or website asks for your address or phone number for a company's rewards program, you're probably being added to a list of other victims soon to be dealing with said company's direct-mail campaign. Corporations track your purchases to identify what products you are more likely to buy, but a resounding "no" to their original offer can save you some postal harassment.
Tip #4: Make it Law
In 2008, 18 states were tinkering with laws regarding junk mail. A Vermont legislator, Chris Pearson, actually made it one of his campaign's focal points. While the USPS countered that direct mail was its life blood and helps maintain jobs, it kills 100 million trees each year. Such responses have caused the debate to dwindle to a single voice in Spokane, Washington. However, if you hear of candidates, initiatives, or proposed legislation to reduce junk mail, consider lending them your support.
Tip #1: Stop it at its Source
Visit sites such as OptOutPrescreen to remove yourself from the hit lists of insurance and credit-card services, two of the largest sources of junk mail. If a particular corporate culprit is harassing you with unprovoked offers, call the company directly and politely request that they knock it off. But the biggest step you can take is to add your name to "Do Not Mail" lists via the Mail Preference Service.
Tip #2: Recycle It
Just a ton of recycled paper can keep 3.3 cubic yards safe from landing in a landfill. Tossing all that "direct mail" into the trash is a useless gesture; sure, it feels gratifying to throw away that credit-card offer without even opening it, but its much better for the Earth if you participate in the U.S. Postal Service's lobby recycling program, started in 2008 and expanded in 2009. Or just recycle paper via your municipal pick-up to give your junk mail a new life as a magazine or a roll of toilet paper.
Tip #3: Escape the System
We've given you tips about how to get off the lists of relentless ad campaigns, but how do you get on them in the first place? Whenever a cashier or website asks for your address or phone number for a company's rewards program, you're probably being added to a list of other victims soon to be dealing with said company's direct-mail campaign. Corporations track your purchases to identify what products you are more likely to buy, but a resounding "no" to their original offer can save you some postal harassment.
Tip #4: Make it Law
In 2008, 18 states were tinkering with laws regarding junk mail. A Vermont legislator, Chris Pearson, actually made it one of his campaign's focal points. While the USPS countered that direct mail was its life blood and helps maintain jobs, it kills 100 million trees each year. Such responses have caused the debate to dwindle to a single voice in Spokane, Washington. However, if you hear of candidates, initiatives, or proposed legislation to reduce junk mail, consider lending them your support.
Tuesday, November 16, 2010
Green Your Kitchen
The kitchen is at the heart of many American households. But waste there can be a real problem. The Sierra Club offers tips on how to green your food-prep space.
Tip #1: Rethink the Fridge
Refrigerators account for about half of a typical kitchen's total energy usage, and much of that could be reduced. If you're shopping for one, look for the Energy Star logo. Other ways to reduce your fridge's carbon footprint: Keep its temperature between 35 and 38 degrees, check the door to make sure no air is escaping, and set it at a distance from hot appliances.
Tip #2: Compost Biodegradable Waste
Many people just let the in-sink garbage disposal take care of their food waste. Convenient though that may be, the practice overburdens water-treatment facilities with viscous sludge, which in turn requires additional water to treat. Instead, do your own treatment: Collect your organic kitchen waste in a bin or bucket. When it's full, tote it to your backyard compost bin, or start a compost-exchange program with your neighbors.
Tip #3: Know What's in Your Pots and Pans
Avoid cookware and small appliances made from polycarbonate plastic, which contains BPA. Though studies (disputed by chemical companies) have proven the substance's harmfulness, only Canada has declared BPA toxic. Plus, plastics are petroluem-based. Instead, opt for clay cookware or scavenge for secondhand cast-iron or stainless-steel pots and pans. Try bamboo for your cutting boards and flatware.
Tip #4: Clean Up With Cloth
Paper napkins and towels are often made from virgin forests. If you don't feel like wiping your face or counter with ancient trees, opt instead for organic cotton or hemp cleaning wipes. Or reuse an old shirt or jeans for scrubbing purposes.
Tip #1: Rethink the Fridge
Refrigerators account for about half of a typical kitchen's total energy usage, and much of that could be reduced. If you're shopping for one, look for the Energy Star logo. Other ways to reduce your fridge's carbon footprint: Keep its temperature between 35 and 38 degrees, check the door to make sure no air is escaping, and set it at a distance from hot appliances.
Tip #2: Compost Biodegradable Waste
Many people just let the in-sink garbage disposal take care of their food waste. Convenient though that may be, the practice overburdens water-treatment facilities with viscous sludge, which in turn requires additional water to treat. Instead, do your own treatment: Collect your organic kitchen waste in a bin or bucket. When it's full, tote it to your backyard compost bin, or start a compost-exchange program with your neighbors.
Tip #3: Know What's in Your Pots and Pans
Avoid cookware and small appliances made from polycarbonate plastic, which contains BPA. Though studies (disputed by chemical companies) have proven the substance's harmfulness, only Canada has declared BPA toxic. Plus, plastics are petroluem-based. Instead, opt for clay cookware or scavenge for secondhand cast-iron or stainless-steel pots and pans. Try bamboo for your cutting boards and flatware.
Tip #4: Clean Up With Cloth
Paper napkins and towels are often made from virgin forests. If you don't feel like wiping your face or counter with ancient trees, opt instead for organic cotton or hemp cleaning wipes. Or reuse an old shirt or jeans for scrubbing purposes.
Monday, November 15, 2010
FREE Giveaway : CSN!
My awesome friend and former roommie is giving away a free gift card from CSN Stores on her blog!!
Go HERE to try to win it. There are three things you can do to win.
This is for real people. I won last time Amy did a giveaway from CSN.
Go HERE to try to win it. There are three things you can do to win.
This is for real people. I won last time Amy did a giveaway from CSN.
Sunday, November 14, 2010
Finding Miss Daisy
Since before I bought my house, I knew I wanted a dog. As a matter of fact, my former roomie and I joked that we had an invisible dog. When we dropped food on the floor we called "Snowball" over to clean up our many messes. If only she was real, she would have had a feast with us messy girls.
Actually one of the things I was looking for when buying my house was a fenced yard, even though I didn't have a dog yet.
And while searching for a dog, I had a specific vision of what I wanted my dog to be. Young, female, spayed, yellow lab mix. I didn't want to buy a puppy from a breeder; I wanted to rescue one from a shelter. I didn't want a puppy, because I don't have the time, patience, or knowledge to care for and train a puppy. I didn't want a male dog, because, well, just because I grew up with female dogs and loved 'em. And I wanted one who was already trained, housebroken, and friendly.
I searched online an Erie's Humane Society, the ANNA Shelter, and Because You Care all summer and fall. Labrador mixes are very common breeds at shelters, but yellow labs are hard to come by. I never saw any all summer.
Then on September 25, I visited the Humane Society and met with a cute, hyper, 2-year old, lab. She was a surrender. The family couldn't find the time to train her and struggled to house break her. She was very sweet and loved to retrieve tennis balls. But she didn't really sit still to be petted. My mom and I went to visit with her again during my lunch hour that next week. My mom thought the dog might have A.D.D. or something since she was so hyper. My mom helped me realize she was not the dog for me.
Then on Saturday, October 23 my mom and I went to the ANNA Shelter on our way downtown to see the Erie Art Museum's new space. I fell in love with a 1-year-old, female, yellow lab. She was a stray they named Utoo (stupid name). She had been at the shelter since September 29. We spent more than an hour with her. But I decided I would like to get things in order before I adopted her. The ANNA Shelter was only going to be open for another 1.5 hours. My mom and I decided to go to the Art Musuem as we originally planned, and I would spend Sunday getting my home ready for Gracie (I renamed her in my head).
On Sunday, I boughts toys, food/water dish, treats, and borrowed a crate from my aunt and uncle. I called early Monday morning to find out if Utoo was still available and left a message. I didn't hear from the shelter all day (its Monday hours are from 5-7pm). But I checked its website and saw that Utoo's pictures had been removed. Oh no. Oh no. Oh no.
I tried to remain optimistic, but I am a realist. There was no reason her photo should have been removed from the site other than the fact that she was adopted. With no call by 5 pm, I decided to just go to the shelter and I took my parents as mental support.
Sure enough, as luck would have it, Utoo had not been adopted for a month, but she was scooped up within 1.5 hour that Saturday after my mom and I left.
Monday night and Tuesday morning I was feeling very defeated.
So my mom and I decided to drive to Ashtubula to get cheered up by the cutest puppies I have ever seen. They were a litter of 10-week-old Samoyed and Golden Retriever mix pups. When we arrived at the Ashtubula County Animal Protective League the entire litter (of eight or nine puppies) had already been spoken for. Which was okay be me, I didn't want to adopt a puppy anyway.
There was one other dog I wanted to see at the ACAPL after scouting its website, but she wasn't in any of the cages. She was in the adoption room. Of course, I drive all the way from Erie to look at the puppies and one other dog and wouldn't you know it, someone arrived right before me. So my mom and I tried to act uninterested, while waiting around for this woman to decide.
The woman didn't fill out an application and left to think about her, which meant I could meet the dog - Heather.
The staff person brought her into the room, and I loved her instantly!
Such a friendly spirit and so cute, Heather (the name of my childhood baby sitter) was a stray. She had a collar but no tags. She was a bit younger than what I originally wanted, but I felt like 6 months was a good age for her to learn commands and forget whatever tragedy may have happened to her.
So on Tuesday, October 26, I filled out my application for Heather. I couldn't take her home that day because she was getting spayed Friday. Officially the cutie became mine on Saturday, October 30 and I renamed her Daisy.
Daisy has lived with me for two weeks and we are having fun bonding and learning how to live together. She is doing great with house training and is picking up commands. She is so curious and is my shadow who follows me around the house. She doesn't like her crate yet, but we are working on it. She has definitely changed the way I live. I hope that we both add joy to each others life for many, many years to come.
Actually one of the things I was looking for when buying my house was a fenced yard, even though I didn't have a dog yet.
And while searching for a dog, I had a specific vision of what I wanted my dog to be. Young, female, spayed, yellow lab mix. I didn't want to buy a puppy from a breeder; I wanted to rescue one from a shelter. I didn't want a puppy, because I don't have the time, patience, or knowledge to care for and train a puppy. I didn't want a male dog, because, well, just because I grew up with female dogs and loved 'em. And I wanted one who was already trained, housebroken, and friendly.
I searched online an Erie's Humane Society, the ANNA Shelter, and Because You Care all summer and fall. Labrador mixes are very common breeds at shelters, but yellow labs are hard to come by. I never saw any all summer.
Then on September 25, I visited the Humane Society and met with a cute, hyper, 2-year old, lab. She was a surrender. The family couldn't find the time to train her and struggled to house break her. She was very sweet and loved to retrieve tennis balls. But she didn't really sit still to be petted. My mom and I went to visit with her again during my lunch hour that next week. My mom thought the dog might have A.D.D. or something since she was so hyper. My mom helped me realize she was not the dog for me.
Then on Saturday, October 23 my mom and I went to the ANNA Shelter on our way downtown to see the Erie Art Museum's new space. I fell in love with a 1-year-old, female, yellow lab. She was a stray they named Utoo (stupid name). She had been at the shelter since September 29. We spent more than an hour with her. But I decided I would like to get things in order before I adopted her. The ANNA Shelter was only going to be open for another 1.5 hours. My mom and I decided to go to the Art Musuem as we originally planned, and I would spend Sunday getting my home ready for Gracie (I renamed her in my head).
On Sunday, I boughts toys, food/water dish, treats, and borrowed a crate from my aunt and uncle. I called early Monday morning to find out if Utoo was still available and left a message. I didn't hear from the shelter all day (its Monday hours are from 5-7pm). But I checked its website and saw that Utoo's pictures had been removed. Oh no. Oh no. Oh no.
I tried to remain optimistic, but I am a realist. There was no reason her photo should have been removed from the site other than the fact that she was adopted. With no call by 5 pm, I decided to just go to the shelter and I took my parents as mental support.
Sure enough, as luck would have it, Utoo had not been adopted for a month, but she was scooped up within 1.5 hour that Saturday after my mom and I left.
Monday night and Tuesday morning I was feeling very defeated.
So my mom and I decided to drive to Ashtubula to get cheered up by the cutest puppies I have ever seen. They were a litter of 10-week-old Samoyed and Golden Retriever mix pups. When we arrived at the Ashtubula County Animal Protective League the entire litter (of eight or nine puppies) had already been spoken for. Which was okay be me, I didn't want to adopt a puppy anyway.
There was one other dog I wanted to see at the ACAPL after scouting its website, but she wasn't in any of the cages. She was in the adoption room. Of course, I drive all the way from Erie to look at the puppies and one other dog and wouldn't you know it, someone arrived right before me. So my mom and I tried to act uninterested, while waiting around for this woman to decide.
The woman didn't fill out an application and left to think about her, which meant I could meet the dog - Heather.
The staff person brought her into the room, and I loved her instantly!
Such a friendly spirit and so cute, Heather (the name of my childhood baby sitter) was a stray. She had a collar but no tags. She was a bit younger than what I originally wanted, but I felt like 6 months was a good age for her to learn commands and forget whatever tragedy may have happened to her.
So on Tuesday, October 26, I filled out my application for Heather. I couldn't take her home that day because she was getting spayed Friday. Officially the cutie became mine on Saturday, October 30 and I renamed her Daisy.
Daisy has lived with me for two weeks and we are having fun bonding and learning how to live together. She is doing great with house training and is picking up commands. She is so curious and is my shadow who follows me around the house. She doesn't like her crate yet, but we are working on it. She has definitely changed the way I live. I hope that we both add joy to each others life for many, many years to come.
Tuesday, November 2, 2010
Politics - Something We All Agree On
I have NEVER missed an election day. Primary or General Election. It is every one's right and duty. Blah Blah Blah.
People are frustrated. Frustrated with the ineffective Congress. Frustrated with the division in the parties. Frustrated with the direction of our economy, environment, and country. But most of all, they are frustrated with the political ads.
A record $4 Billion was spent on campaign advertisements this mid-term election season.
Say what?
$4 Billion.
It's obscene. Especially since EVERYONE hates the ads whether it's for someone they support or someone they dislike. The one thing our citizens can agree upon -- political ads are annoying, invasive, and ineffective. If only we could find other topics that unite our country. Sigh.
But let me get back to the point - $4 Billion.
Do you know what you could buy for $4 Billion?
TWO Penn State 7-year fundraising campaign goals.
BP Oil Spill Clean-Up.
43,384 Toyota Priuses.
One third of the world donations to the Global Fund - to help reduce mortality rates associated with AIDS, malaria, and tuberculosis.
FarmVille Company.
33,333 Students' College Debt
South Africa's Massmart.
400 Million Happy Meals.
AIG's Debt to United States.
Marvel Entertainment.
Navy's Phone Bill.
Super High Speed Rail for China.
Save 297,6190 Children this year.
Fly from New York City to Paris and back 1.6 million times.
7.19 Million Kindles.
Adopt 8 million dogs from the Humane Society.
Can't we find something better to spend that money on?
What else can be bought for $4 Billion? What better ideas do you have to spend that money on?
People are frustrated. Frustrated with the ineffective Congress. Frustrated with the division in the parties. Frustrated with the direction of our economy, environment, and country. But most of all, they are frustrated with the political ads.
A record $4 Billion was spent on campaign advertisements this mid-term election season.
Say what?
$4 Billion.
It's obscene. Especially since EVERYONE hates the ads whether it's for someone they support or someone they dislike. The one thing our citizens can agree upon -- political ads are annoying, invasive, and ineffective. If only we could find other topics that unite our country. Sigh.
But let me get back to the point - $4 Billion.
Do you know what you could buy for $4 Billion?
TWO Penn State 7-year fundraising campaign goals.
BP Oil Spill Clean-Up.
43,384 Toyota Priuses.
One third of the world donations to the Global Fund - to help reduce mortality rates associated with AIDS, malaria, and tuberculosis.
FarmVille Company.
33,333 Students' College Debt
South Africa's Massmart.
400 Million Happy Meals.
AIG's Debt to United States.
Marvel Entertainment.
Navy's Phone Bill.
Super High Speed Rail for China.
Save 297,6190 Children this year.
Fly from New York City to Paris and back 1.6 million times.
7.19 Million Kindles.
Adopt 8 million dogs from the Humane Society.
Can't we find something better to spend that money on?
What else can be bought for $4 Billion? What better ideas do you have to spend that money on?
Monday, November 1, 2010
Miss Daisy
Introducing my new puppy, Daisy! A six-month-old, yellow lab mix rescued from the Ashtabula County Animal Protective League.
Here's a dollop of Daisy's photos:
Here's a dollop of Daisy's photos:
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