Fuel Efficient Cars
By: Robert Barton
The recent developments with the correlation with global warming and carbon emissions from cars, has prompted large car companies to rethink their strategies and technologies when it comes to selling cars.
With people's choices tending towards environmentally friendly there is overwhelming evidence that the most popular cars are no longer the big V8's or V6's but the smaller 4 cylinder cars and especially diesel 4WD's due to their excellent fuel efficiency. However, hybrid vehicles are also becoming a popular choice for those serious about saving money on fuel.
Fewer and fewer "big 6" cars are being bought and those car companies specializing in this area are putting more and more resources into increase the technology within these bigger engines. Pretty soon we will see big engine cars that have the same fuel economy as the 4 cylinder vehicles we see now.
With fuel prices always increasing and burning a huge hole in our pockets, now is the time to convert to the more convenient 4 cylinder vehicles and save thousands of dollars each year. The price of fuel is always a factor when making a decision on the purchase of a new car. This is evident in our changing tastes in cars.
There is one good thing about the high petrol prices. As things start to hurt the wallet it makes us think of new ways to save money. Cars are by no means an investment, and always cost us more and more money with repairs, services and the unavoidable government charges. So why should our car cost us more to run by constantly filling it up with record high petrol prices.
So where do you start when researching for new cars?
There are heaps of websites that offer access to the range of cars and the features they have like http://www.newcarshowroom.com.au/, http://www.betterdeal.com.au/ and more. By researching online first will give you a rough idea of what you want, and trust me, there are heaps of fuel efficient models that hold the same look and performance of the larger "juice guzzlers".
From this point you should arrange to test drive the cars you are interested in and get a feel and to make sure you are purchasing the car of your dreams. This car will last you for a good 5-10 years normally and you want to make sure it is a good buy.
How do you know you won't get ripped off?
Usually, you will only know this once you have bought the car, after going around to heaps of dealers, and then speaking to a friend or co worker that saw it for $2000 less.
However, there are services that can save you thousands and one in particular http://www.betterdeal.com.au/ actually guarantees you the lowest price on a new car. By utilizing a reverse auction system this company actually makes the dealers bid lower and lower to "win" your business.
Many four cylinder models will give you the features, safety and space you want without sacrificing style and performance, and can be up to 50 percent cheaper to run. Small car design is leading the industry and many four cylinder models these days have more features and benefits than some of the bigger engine models.
Focusing on maximizing interior space whilst maintaining style and comfort, these small car companies are at the forefront of new car development.
A new car in the four cylinder model range these days is probably the smartest decision anyone can make when purchasing a new car. Rest assure your new car will be fuel efficient and have the "zip" to take on even the newest of V6 models based on technology, weight and torque.
Author Bio
Author of "The Sustainable Path". Rob Barton brings you "Fuel Efficient Cars"
http://www.betterdeal.com.au/
Article Source: http://www.articlegeek.com/
Wednesday, June 22, 2011
The Sustainable Path.
Sustainability starts with you, from the smallest change you can make in your own home or office can have a huge effect further up the chain. Simply by buying the right products you can help you and your family save heaps of money, and also help the environment through these purchases.
Natural and alternative health and lifestyle products can really benefit you and your family.
Did you know that the industry in health foods and natural products in their retail and business opportunity form have increased by 75% in the last 5 years alone?
This article has a few simple answers to why the natural more healthy alternatives can deliver much greater health benefits than just going and getting some vitamins from your local drug store.
Many elements and chemicals that help our body function and boost our immune system can only be found in a "stable" form in the foods and drinks that occur naturally. By taking these natural chemicals from their natural states and trying to "bottle" it is virtually impossible without the use of further adding dangerous additives and manmade chemicals.
Furthermore, the organic industry, which seems so new, is coming back after about 50 years of "conventional" farming to boost the sustainability and production needed in agriculture.
For some reason people think that organics has never existed before and it was only about 50 years ago that we didn't have pesticides, fertilisers and herbicides and relied purely on the co-dependant relationships of ecosystems.
People again are realising the benefits of organics only after 50 years of cancer causing chemicals being passed along in our food. It is strange as many people who have had the initial stages of cancer have converted to organics for added support to their immune systems.
From organics to sustainable lifestyles which includes our complete environment from building to water to energy production to health... everything is a dynamic system and will become increasingly important as global warming becomes more of a problem.
This leads me onto the next step, sustainable building. Did you know that your home can become a toxic and uncomfortable environment for you and your family if you don't think consciously about the types of products you use within and around your house?
Many insulation and cabinet maker products use materials that contain a vast amount of formaldehyde which is a very toxic and carcinogenic chemical. Paints and finishes can contain high levels of VOC (volatile organic compounds) which have been proven to cause serious health issues and lead to "sick house syndrome". Building material used for the structure of your home can be cheap and cause the temperature in your home to be very uncomfortable and the air conditioner you use to make up for this costs you hundreds of dollars every year.
Might as well give up hey? No way...
There are so many resources and products available at your request that can dramatically change the negative aspects and will improve your overall wellbeing aswell as your families, whilst at the same time improve the quality of products that are good for the environment also. For instance, there are many paint companies with low to zero VOC products, insulation has been developed using cellulose (recycled paper basically) with no formaldehyde, energy efficient air conditioners exist and many products that are affordable but have the qualities to increase the comfort of your home.
The main point is... If you buy for the health and comfort of you and your family, the results will be beneficial to both you and the environment. This is what I mean by a dynamic system. Sustainability isn't about knowing everything about what does what and where it goes, it is simply about working with your local environment to produce the best possible outcome that WILL save you money, your health and the environment.
I suggest you start to educate yourself in the simple parts of sustainability and even if you save a litre of water a year or have an organic meal at least once every 2 months, you will be on your way to sustainability.
Author Bio
Environmental Scientist, Rob Barton has been involved with the education and empowerment of people to help them understand sustainability. For more information and rights to this article visit or display http://www.onlife.com.au/
Article Source: http://www.articlegeek.com/
Saturday, June 18, 2011
Sustainable Free Recipes.
Start Baking Bread!
Posted in: Jan's Dough, Bread Making
By Jan K., The Proofer
Jan 22, 2008 - 4:12:29 PM
Baking bread is about as "down home" as you can get...and it fills the whole house with the most wonderful smell. It isn't as lost an art as you might think, and actually, making bread from scratch isn't nearly as difficult as you might think. Once you make your first batch of homemade bread, you'll never want to buy bread again!
Making bread dough requires very few kitchen tools or appliances. In fact, you can make bread dough with just a bowl and a wooden spoon. Bread machines are nice, but using a machine robs you of the opportunity to work with the dough and contemplate simpler times when making bread was as essential as plowing the lower 40.
There are a few "tricks" to actually making the bread dough and once you've mastered the concept of "proofing the yeast" and gotten an inside scoop on just how to put bread dough on to rise, you will wonder why you waited so long to learn how to bake bread.
Jan's Dough offers free recipes, illustrated tutorials, and all the tips and tricks you need for making great sourdough bread. The recipes come with free printable recipe and ingredients lists (that you can take to the market to get what you need). The illustrated tutorials help to guide you through the bread-baking process and even give you step-by-step instructions for how to knead bread dough.
Other recipes and valuable tips are available, as well. Many include their own illustrated tutorials.
Start baking bread today! Visit Jan's Dough.
Jan K., The Proofer is a freelance copyeditor and proofreader. Visit Jan’s Portal (http://www.jansportal.com) for more information about Jan's free crafts, recipes, tutorials, other resource sites, and free content articles, as well as Jan’s business services. Be sure to visit Mom's Break (http://www.momsbreak.com//) for free printable crafts and projects. © Copyright 2005 to present. All rights reserved.
Posted in: Jan's Dough, Bread Making
By Jan K., The Proofer
Jan 22, 2008 - 4:12:29 PM
Baking bread is about as "down home" as you can get...and it fills the whole house with the most wonderful smell. It isn't as lost an art as you might think, and actually, making bread from scratch isn't nearly as difficult as you might think. Once you make your first batch of homemade bread, you'll never want to buy bread again!
Making bread dough requires very few kitchen tools or appliances. In fact, you can make bread dough with just a bowl and a wooden spoon. Bread machines are nice, but using a machine robs you of the opportunity to work with the dough and contemplate simpler times when making bread was as essential as plowing the lower 40.
There are a few "tricks" to actually making the bread dough and once you've mastered the concept of "proofing the yeast" and gotten an inside scoop on just how to put bread dough on to rise, you will wonder why you waited so long to learn how to bake bread.
Jan's Dough offers free recipes, illustrated tutorials, and all the tips and tricks you need for making great sourdough bread. The recipes come with free printable recipe and ingredients lists (that you can take to the market to get what you need). The illustrated tutorials help to guide you through the bread-baking process and even give you step-by-step instructions for how to knead bread dough.
Other recipes and valuable tips are available, as well. Many include their own illustrated tutorials.
Start baking bread today! Visit Jan's Dough.
Jan K., The Proofer is a freelance copyeditor and proofreader. Visit Jan’s Portal (http://www.jansportal.com) for more information about Jan's free crafts, recipes, tutorials, other resource sites, and free content articles, as well as Jan’s business services. Be sure to visit Mom's Break (http://www.momsbreak.com//) for free printable crafts and projects. © Copyright 2005 to present. All rights reserved.
Wednesday, June 15, 2011
Sustainability in every aspect of my life, including Health.
Once again the summer sun shows it beautiful face as we bask in its delight. With its warm weather and cool night time temperatures we quickly loose ourselves and set aside important health concerns distracted by summer projects. However, I am going to take this opportunity to write candidly about a very serious topic. If you aren't aware June is Men's Health month. In an effort towards my on going shift in obtaining sustainability in every aspect of my life, I have decided to empower my fellow brother's and sister's to do themselves a service and follow my newly adoptive check list on Men's Health. I do not wish to direct this solely towards men, I also wish to empower the women who just might find themselves reading this post in an effort to persuade the men in their lives to take heed of the health test that men should be aware of. The following idiomatic expression couldn't be more true, "An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure"
With that being said, as men we tend to put aside our health. As if we're supermen. Ladies, you know your man. They will never admit something's wrong. It has been a year to the date, when I was hospitalized for what I thought would be the end of me. It would be the very thing which has inspired this blog post. That event has taught me a great lesson to which I am now sharing with you. I will no longer take my health for granted. I as many men believed, I had been leading a some what healthy life style. As it turns out, the life style I was leading was unhealthier than I realized.
I did exactly what most men do, when their bodies are in pain. I ignored the signs and symptoms my body was given me, letting me know something was wrong. I had been experiencing moderated dizziness for several weeks. However, I brushed it off, I convinced myself, it was stress, or blamed on low blood sugar after doing some heavy yard work. Even though my wife pleaded with me to see a doctor, I still ignored the signs. Yet, the dizziness became more and more frequent. Until one night on June 6, 2010, I experienced what the EMT referred to it as vertigo. As he said the word "Vertigo", I said to myself ,"Oh that's what this is, ok this will pass". The reality was, it turns out it was a little bit more than just vertigo.
It has taken me over a year to recover from that event. I had been diagnosed as having a severe case of vestibular neuritis. I had it all, the dizziness, the migraines, the hearing loss, it affected my cognitive function, I felt brain damaged. It affected my speech, and my ability to walk up right. I had sensitivity to daylight, and no perception of up or down in darkness, I would just literally hit the floor. I had to receive physical therapy in order to retrain my brain to re balance myself, in other words I had to relearn to walk again. The mechanism within my inner ear had been affected by a viral infection which effect my balance and other parts of my brain. It has also left me with a permanent scar, one which will be my constant companion for the rest of my life, tinnitus! I am learning to live with it.
It seems some how a virus was responsible for taking me down. Something so microscopic was able to take down a 250 lb man. As I laid there in that hospital bed I could not help but wonder how this could happen to me. Now I just wanted answers. My doctors could not find anything wrong. The MRI result came back negative. There was nothing wrong within my brain, no signs of damage. Yet, I still could not function normally. I ambulated as if I had Parkinson disease. I remember my Doctor telling me,"The only way to truly know what had happen in my inner ear and the brain was to do an autopsy". Yes, you read that right. An Autopsy! Like that was going to happen anytime soon. I would have to be dead for that to take place, and I was very much alive. With no definite answers to my event as I called it, and only left with a diagnosis of vestibular neuritis , so began my quest.
Therefore, I examined every aspect of my life and started making changes. The first thing on the list was getting myself well again, and so began my Men's Health Check list.
My road to recovery started that very June 2010. I vowed that I will never take my health for granted. I knew that if I went back and continued to live and eat the same way as I did before this event and expected a different out come, that by definition would be insanity. So in order to get well, I had to do things as I never did them before, I had to make radical changes to get better results. I didn't smoke nor did I drink alcholic beverages. Therefore, their was just one thing left, I made a decision to stop eating processed foods which turns out made up a majority of my diet. This may have seemed drastic, but if you had seen what I had looked like when this virus took hold of me you would understand my decision. This was my personnel choice, I decide the only way I was going to get better, and better fast was to only eat real foods, those foods which had not gone through any type of refinement and maintained their nutrients. Therefore, I avoided the following: sodas, frozen TV dinners, everything which contained the words diet, low cal, or enriched, anything made from white flour which included white bread and pasta made from white flour, anything which contained soy products or contained soy oil, products that contained high fructose corn syrup or products containing artificial sweeteners, and stayed away from corn oils, vegetable oil and margarine or fake butter. This was easier said then done.
As I walked through the supermarket ales the majority of the products that are on their shelves are refined and or processed. They also contained ingredients which I was trying to avoid. I thought I was going to starve. So I had two choices, start growing my own produce, or find farmers' markets, organic shops in my local area that carried what I needed. Therefore, I decide to do both. I grew most of vegetables that I needed and what I could not grow, I bought at my local farmers' markets or organic shops. I started a road trip back to the basics of food preparation. I purchase vintage cook books and looked at recipes from the 1930 and 40's before any GMO came into existence. Every recipe from that era called for real butter, and real ingredients not the fake spreads and empty nutrient deprived ingredients which fill today's recipes. I also got in touch with a dairy farmer in Upstate New York, which allowed me to buy Raw Milk. Yep you read that right too, RAW! I love it, its mother's milk to me. I think I am better because of it.
Once I knew I had gotten my food intake straighten out I sat down and listed the major areas where men need to know their status in regards to health.. At this point I laugh at the fact as urban dwellers we are quick to update our facebook status, but when it comes to our Health Status, we are left lacking.
The following are some of the key exams I had scheduled to have done in an effort to make for a more sustainable and healthier me.
I needed to know the condition of my heart, as men this is something we need to know the older we get, knowing the status of our heart is important. Are you fit enough to be doing strenuous activities or even just to start an exercise regimen. I sought out a Cardiologist and he order a stress test and an EKG. Making sure your I was not at risk for a Heart Attack.
Secondly, I now make it a point to know the status of my blood pressure, knowing if I was hypertensive or hypotensive was important to me, both by the way are maintainable.
Third runner up, I also had to know my Cholesterol levels. Both low density LDH and High density cholesterol. Having your levels monitored is important.
Forth knowing if I was at risk for Stroke after this event was crucial. As I have a family history of it, my dad had 6 mini strokes called TIA's. And he's fine now, walking and talking thank God.
Another aspect in men's health which I wasn't even aware until my doctor mention it, is hormonal changes in men. If testosterone levels are found to be lower than normal. It can create mood swings in men or depression. Isn't that a horrifying thing, a moody man. OMG. So I had that check too.
I also scheduled a colonoscopy to check for colorectal cancer which by the way happens to be the second highest cause of men's death, according to Web MD. So you know I was going to get this checked.
I wasn't going to leave anything to chance I asked my PMD to run a prostate specific antigen (PSA) blood test. This is a test done for prostate cancer screening. Even though it is not done to men until the age of 50, I wanted it done it made me feel better.
Men should also be familiar preforming a self testicular test. Testicular cancer is treatable if caught early, if you feel anything that's abnormal get to your Doctor Asp.
Lastly I had my Doctor check me for Diabetes. Unfortunately both my parents have it and most likely I will be predisposition to it later on in life. But it doesn't have to be so. If I follow a specific well balance diet consisting of real food, I hope to never acquire diabetes. With the understanding that the choices I have made today will dictate the life I lead tomorrow. But am also aware there is never any grantees, I am not looking to live forever, that's is not the goal. The goal is to live a longer more productive life and in responsibly good health.
I am hoping as I put this post to a close that I haven't written this in vain. I hope you have taken my experience and have taken the time to schedule a doctors appointment. If you have been ignoring something that's been bothering you for fear of not knowing what it might be. Believe me when I tell you it is better to deal with it earlier than later. Let's give our Dad's, brother's, son's or that special man in your life a special Father Day gift with a clean bill of health. Lets get up to date with our Health Status. Remember as you leave the doctors office with a band aid in hand, pass on the word to your fellow brother's and sister's LETTUCE BEE SUSTAINABLE WITH IN OUR HEALTH.
© 2011 All Rights Reserved
With that being said, as men we tend to put aside our health. As if we're supermen. Ladies, you know your man. They will never admit something's wrong. It has been a year to the date, when I was hospitalized for what I thought would be the end of me. It would be the very thing which has inspired this blog post. That event has taught me a great lesson to which I am now sharing with you. I will no longer take my health for granted. I as many men believed, I had been leading a some what healthy life style. As it turns out, the life style I was leading was unhealthier than I realized.
I did exactly what most men do, when their bodies are in pain. I ignored the signs and symptoms my body was given me, letting me know something was wrong. I had been experiencing moderated dizziness for several weeks. However, I brushed it off, I convinced myself, it was stress, or blamed on low blood sugar after doing some heavy yard work. Even though my wife pleaded with me to see a doctor, I still ignored the signs. Yet, the dizziness became more and more frequent. Until one night on June 6, 2010, I experienced what the EMT referred to it as vertigo. As he said the word "Vertigo", I said to myself ,"Oh that's what this is, ok this will pass". The reality was, it turns out it was a little bit more than just vertigo.
It has taken me over a year to recover from that event. I had been diagnosed as having a severe case of vestibular neuritis. I had it all, the dizziness, the migraines, the hearing loss, it affected my cognitive function, I felt brain damaged. It affected my speech, and my ability to walk up right. I had sensitivity to daylight, and no perception of up or down in darkness, I would just literally hit the floor. I had to receive physical therapy in order to retrain my brain to re balance myself, in other words I had to relearn to walk again. The mechanism within my inner ear had been affected by a viral infection which effect my balance and other parts of my brain. It has also left me with a permanent scar, one which will be my constant companion for the rest of my life, tinnitus! I am learning to live with it.
It seems some how a virus was responsible for taking me down. Something so microscopic was able to take down a 250 lb man. As I laid there in that hospital bed I could not help but wonder how this could happen to me. Now I just wanted answers. My doctors could not find anything wrong. The MRI result came back negative. There was nothing wrong within my brain, no signs of damage. Yet, I still could not function normally. I ambulated as if I had Parkinson disease. I remember my Doctor telling me,"The only way to truly know what had happen in my inner ear and the brain was to do an autopsy". Yes, you read that right. An Autopsy! Like that was going to happen anytime soon. I would have to be dead for that to take place, and I was very much alive. With no definite answers to my event as I called it, and only left with a diagnosis of vestibular neuritis , so began my quest.
Therefore, I examined every aspect of my life and started making changes. The first thing on the list was getting myself well again, and so began my Men's Health Check list.
My road to recovery started that very June 2010. I vowed that I will never take my health for granted. I knew that if I went back and continued to live and eat the same way as I did before this event and expected a different out come, that by definition would be insanity. So in order to get well, I had to do things as I never did them before, I had to make radical changes to get better results. I didn't smoke nor did I drink alcholic beverages. Therefore, their was just one thing left, I made a decision to stop eating processed foods which turns out made up a majority of my diet. This may have seemed drastic, but if you had seen what I had looked like when this virus took hold of me you would understand my decision. This was my personnel choice, I decide the only way I was going to get better, and better fast was to only eat real foods, those foods which had not gone through any type of refinement and maintained their nutrients. Therefore, I avoided the following: sodas, frozen TV dinners, everything which contained the words diet, low cal, or enriched, anything made from white flour which included white bread and pasta made from white flour, anything which contained soy products or contained soy oil, products that contained high fructose corn syrup or products containing artificial sweeteners, and stayed away from corn oils, vegetable oil and margarine or fake butter. This was easier said then done.
As I walked through the supermarket ales the majority of the products that are on their shelves are refined and or processed. They also contained ingredients which I was trying to avoid. I thought I was going to starve. So I had two choices, start growing my own produce, or find farmers' markets, organic shops in my local area that carried what I needed. Therefore, I decide to do both. I grew most of vegetables that I needed and what I could not grow, I bought at my local farmers' markets or organic shops. I started a road trip back to the basics of food preparation. I purchase vintage cook books and looked at recipes from the 1930 and 40's before any GMO came into existence. Every recipe from that era called for real butter, and real ingredients not the fake spreads and empty nutrient deprived ingredients which fill today's recipes. I also got in touch with a dairy farmer in Upstate New York, which allowed me to buy Raw Milk. Yep you read that right too, RAW! I love it, its mother's milk to me. I think I am better because of it.
Once I knew I had gotten my food intake straighten out I sat down and listed the major areas where men need to know their status in regards to health.. At this point I laugh at the fact as urban dwellers we are quick to update our facebook status, but when it comes to our Health Status, we are left lacking.
The following are some of the key exams I had scheduled to have done in an effort to make for a more sustainable and healthier me.
I needed to know the condition of my heart, as men this is something we need to know the older we get, knowing the status of our heart is important. Are you fit enough to be doing strenuous activities or even just to start an exercise regimen. I sought out a Cardiologist and he order a stress test and an EKG. Making sure your I was not at risk for a Heart Attack.
Secondly, I now make it a point to know the status of my blood pressure, knowing if I was hypertensive or hypotensive was important to me, both by the way are maintainable.
Third runner up, I also had to know my Cholesterol levels. Both low density LDH and High density cholesterol. Having your levels monitored is important.
Forth knowing if I was at risk for Stroke after this event was crucial. As I have a family history of it, my dad had 6 mini strokes called TIA's. And he's fine now, walking and talking thank God.
Another aspect in men's health which I wasn't even aware until my doctor mention it, is hormonal changes in men. If testosterone levels are found to be lower than normal. It can create mood swings in men or depression. Isn't that a horrifying thing, a moody man. OMG. So I had that check too.
I also scheduled a colonoscopy to check for colorectal cancer which by the way happens to be the second highest cause of men's death, according to Web MD. So you know I was going to get this checked.
I wasn't going to leave anything to chance I asked my PMD to run a prostate specific antigen (PSA) blood test. This is a test done for prostate cancer screening. Even though it is not done to men until the age of 50, I wanted it done it made me feel better.
Men should also be familiar preforming a self testicular test. Testicular cancer is treatable if caught early, if you feel anything that's abnormal get to your Doctor Asp.
Lastly I had my Doctor check me for Diabetes. Unfortunately both my parents have it and most likely I will be predisposition to it later on in life. But it doesn't have to be so. If I follow a specific well balance diet consisting of real food, I hope to never acquire diabetes. With the understanding that the choices I have made today will dictate the life I lead tomorrow. But am also aware there is never any grantees, I am not looking to live forever, that's is not the goal. The goal is to live a longer more productive life and in responsibly good health.
I am hoping as I put this post to a close that I haven't written this in vain. I hope you have taken my experience and have taken the time to schedule a doctors appointment. If you have been ignoring something that's been bothering you for fear of not knowing what it might be. Believe me when I tell you it is better to deal with it earlier than later. Let's give our Dad's, brother's, son's or that special man in your life a special Father Day gift with a clean bill of health. Lets get up to date with our Health Status. Remember as you leave the doctors office with a band aid in hand, pass on the word to your fellow brother's and sister's LETTUCE BEE SUSTAINABLE WITH IN OUR HEALTH.
© 2011 All Rights Reserved
Tuesday, June 14, 2011
Sustainable Tips on Vaction Planning.
Time Your Trip, Travel Affordably
By Roderigo camposEarly planning is one of the most important things that help one get the best out of a vacation or holiday trip. This is because you will have enough time to gather all the information you need on the destination you are looking forward to visiting hence be in a much better position to make decisions that will be advantageous to you. The planning will also ensure that you travel at the best times managing to get cheap or affordable air tickets to your destination.
Charlotte is one of the hot spots for tourists visiting North Carolina as it is one of the cities facing rapid growth meaning there are great opportunities not just for business but also to have some fun. The museums, recreational facilities and the botanical gardens within the city are some of the attractions calling people from different parts of the world. It is also home to great pieces of architecture some of which are rich in history.
When planning to spend your vacation in Charlotte, one of the things that should be put in mind in getting cheap affordable flights to the region is the weather. This means that you will need to know when the best times are to travel in relation to the weather conditions as well as the events and festivals that could be taking place in the region. For instance, spring is one of the best times you could choose to get to the city.
During this season, the weather is pleasant and there are lots of festivals and events. The same goes for summer. To get cheap flights however can be a challenge as almost everybody wishes to travel during these times when they will get the most out of the destination. In this case, an early flight booking is called for as a way of fighting the huge numbers of travelers. This means that you will have the chance to get a reasonable rate for your flight before the fares shot since the numbers of travelers tend to increase.
The other simple way of getting cheap flights during the time that is best to travel to Charlotte is to compare what different airlines have and the packages and deals available. This can be done online or by directly getting in touch with the responsible people and asking on any available packages that might meet with your budget needs.
About Auhtor-:
Welcome to flylink.ca - Respect and believe in highest levels of commitments, offering you the cheap flight to your top destinations and discount vacations at time of booking. Book a cheap flights to amritsar , affordable airline tickets trip with the best rates online for airline tickets, last minute deals and travel insurance.
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Saturday, June 11, 2011
Organic Dog Food and Making the Right Choice.
Organic Dog Food and Making the Right Choice
By: Hanif Khaki
So what's the deal with Organic dog food? As you know, dog food is available in a wide variety of colours, sizes, flavors, and shapes. The real distinction is obviously the ingredients contained in the products. You may be surprised to know that the ingredient list on dog food labels reads very much like human junk food. Some ingredients are even difficult to pronounce and are borrowed from medical encyclopedias. Then of course there are dog foods that are teeming with artificial ingredients, additives and preservatives that can be harmful to pets. So just what is "Spot" to do when it comes to healthy eating?
Many pet owners are discovering organic dog foods to feed their pets. Just as we humans are conscious of what we put into our bodies, these pet owners take that same consciousness and use it to make wiser decisions about not including chemicals in their dogs' diets. Organic dog treats are the next best thing to all natural dog food, as they are free of the pesticides and insecticides that are present in many foods.
Be aware of food labels however, as they can be very confusing. Natural dog food is not the same as "organic"dog food and this can be quite misleading for many. The fact is, "natural" foods are not held to the same higher standard as "organic" foods. The USDA must certify a food as organic, in order for the food to be labelled as such. Natural dog treats are considerably less costly than their organic counterparts, and as such are not deemed as reliable. Natural foods do however guarantee the absence of food colouring and additives such as sodium metabisulfite or ethoxyquin, which are allergens linked to allergies, cancer and even brain damage.
Even though organic food servings are pricier and contain about half the amount of food in volume compared to non-organic food, dogs are reportedly more satisfied with the lesser amount due to the purity of the healthier ingredients contained. This makes the organic and non-organic dog foods very comparable in price.
The bottom line is that choosing to feed your dog organic food instead of the preservative and chemically rich non-organic food can definitely go a long way in helping your dog live a more healthy and troublefree life free of allergies, skin ailments, diabetes and cancer. An added benefit may be the lower veterinary bills brought on by your healthier dog.
For further information on this topic, be sure to consult the many resources available to you online. Enjoy your dog in good health!
Author Bio
Hanif Khaki is the acclaimed author of numerous health related articles and the founder of the popular pet resource site http://www.dog-treats.inform-about.com/
Article Source: http://www.articlegeek.com/
By: Hanif Khaki
So what's the deal with Organic dog food? As you know, dog food is available in a wide variety of colours, sizes, flavors, and shapes. The real distinction is obviously the ingredients contained in the products. You may be surprised to know that the ingredient list on dog food labels reads very much like human junk food. Some ingredients are even difficult to pronounce and are borrowed from medical encyclopedias. Then of course there are dog foods that are teeming with artificial ingredients, additives and preservatives that can be harmful to pets. So just what is "Spot" to do when it comes to healthy eating?
Many pet owners are discovering organic dog foods to feed their pets. Just as we humans are conscious of what we put into our bodies, these pet owners take that same consciousness and use it to make wiser decisions about not including chemicals in their dogs' diets. Organic dog treats are the next best thing to all natural dog food, as they are free of the pesticides and insecticides that are present in many foods.
Be aware of food labels however, as they can be very confusing. Natural dog food is not the same as "organic"dog food and this can be quite misleading for many. The fact is, "natural" foods are not held to the same higher standard as "organic" foods. The USDA must certify a food as organic, in order for the food to be labelled as such. Natural dog treats are considerably less costly than their organic counterparts, and as such are not deemed as reliable. Natural foods do however guarantee the absence of food colouring and additives such as sodium metabisulfite or ethoxyquin, which are allergens linked to allergies, cancer and even brain damage.
Even though organic food servings are pricier and contain about half the amount of food in volume compared to non-organic food, dogs are reportedly more satisfied with the lesser amount due to the purity of the healthier ingredients contained. This makes the organic and non-organic dog foods very comparable in price.
The bottom line is that choosing to feed your dog organic food instead of the preservative and chemically rich non-organic food can definitely go a long way in helping your dog live a more healthy and troublefree life free of allergies, skin ailments, diabetes and cancer. An added benefit may be the lower veterinary bills brought on by your healthier dog.
For further information on this topic, be sure to consult the many resources available to you online. Enjoy your dog in good health!
Author Bio
Hanif Khaki is the acclaimed author of numerous health related articles and the founder of the popular pet resource site http://www.dog-treats.inform-about.com/
Article Source: http://www.articlegeek.com/
Sustaining it Green.
Green Building and Home Improvement
By: Robert Barton
When building a new home, adding on an extension or even just a simple remodel within your home, you should always consider your local environment to maximize the efficiency of every aspect of your project.
There are four main areas that need to be focused on when planning your building project. They include:
- water
- energy
- building materials
Each of these areas contain specific products and methods that can really benefit your home lifestyle and increase the capital on your house to.
The first area to cover is water, which may or may not be relevant to your project. However, where ever there is plumbing or an outside wall where gutters can be fixed the optimal water conservation methods should be utilized where possible. There are many interior products that can really help to reduce water wastage and improve efficiency which include:
- water saving taps
- water efficient showerheads
- composting toilets
- water diverters (diverters which hold the water while the hot water reaches your tap to save wasting all that water whilst waiting for the hot water to arrive)
Furthermore, by installing a Greywater system you can use all the water that usually runs down your drain, on your garden or lawn. For the exterior, high quality gutters and water storage devices such as water tanks are ideal for harvesting hundreds of litres of water that can be used for a variety of applications.
A strong water budget mixed with an overall highly efficient water system can save you heaps of money on water bills and reduce the impact on your local catchment system.
The second part of this article focuses on energy. Most people immediately think solar and then think "I can't afford it!" but there is much more that can be done to improve the efficiency of the energy usage in your home. If you are doing large scale renovations, the position of your home / room in regards to sun direction is vitally important. A north-south facing house is much more energy efficient in terms of temperature control as the sun has less direct focus on the rooms.
Many different products exist to generate energy or improve the energy usage and overall efficiency of your home. Some of these include:
- a solar panel system, either stand alone, grid connect or hybrid with wind turbines to generate electricity
- high quality insulation, including batts and foil boards
- solar hot water systems
- ventilation and extraction fans
- energy efficient appliances and white goods
- lighting, including CFL's (compact fluorescent lamp)
- hydronic heating
- air conditioners with inverter technology
All of these products will either generate free electricity, use much less energy than other products on the market, or control the temperature of your home to save on running costs to maintain comfort.
Building materials is another important consideration when starting your project. Many materials have good qualities, while others can contain harmful chemicals which can be dangerous for your health. Knowing all these risks is almost impossible, but there are certain things to look for when making these decisions.
- Use as much untreated materials as possible. Most treated materials use very harsh chemicals which contain volatile organic compounds (VOC's) and formaldehyde. Over time, these compounds break down and become part of your indoor breathing space.
- These VOC's can also be found in conventional paints and finishes. Always ask your supplier for brands which use little or no VOC's in their products.
- Concrete that contains high levels of flyash are much better for the environment and lower the use of the toxic concrete powder in construction
- Conventional termite control utilizes the harshest of all chemicals and can be extremely carcinogenic. However, there are many new products that can remove termite problems without the use of harmful chemicals. Always ask your provider about their environmental policy and research the chemical they use.
- Many insulation companies still use the resin based fiberglass insulation which contains high levels of formaldehyde and are damaging to your health. Look for insulation that is glass wool or made from cellulose fibre is your best bet for your families health and the environments.
- Double glazed windows and the utilization of roller shutters and blinds is the best way to reduce heat build up within your home.
- Strawbale and compressed earth homes are becoming more and more popular due to their constant interior comfort levels, and no they don't look like "mud huts", in fact, they are fast becoming a distinguished and stylish home design.
- Finally, cabinets and draws often use the cheap particle board over the solid wood varieties to save money. However, the particle board contains formaldehyde to bind the particles together.
Building and home improvement can be very satisfying when the job is complete. However, it becomes even better if taking into consideration these factors mentioned above to make your home comfortable all year round for you and your family.
Author Bio
Environmental Scientist, Rob Barton author of "The Sustainable Path" showcases sustainable products and services at http://www.onlife.com.au/
Article Source:http://www.articlegeek.com
By: Robert Barton
When building a new home, adding on an extension or even just a simple remodel within your home, you should always consider your local environment to maximize the efficiency of every aspect of your project.
There are four main areas that need to be focused on when planning your building project. They include:
- water
- energy
- building materials
Each of these areas contain specific products and methods that can really benefit your home lifestyle and increase the capital on your house to.
The first area to cover is water, which may or may not be relevant to your project. However, where ever there is plumbing or an outside wall where gutters can be fixed the optimal water conservation methods should be utilized where possible. There are many interior products that can really help to reduce water wastage and improve efficiency which include:
- water saving taps
- water efficient showerheads
- composting toilets
- water diverters (diverters which hold the water while the hot water reaches your tap to save wasting all that water whilst waiting for the hot water to arrive)
Furthermore, by installing a Greywater system you can use all the water that usually runs down your drain, on your garden or lawn. For the exterior, high quality gutters and water storage devices such as water tanks are ideal for harvesting hundreds of litres of water that can be used for a variety of applications.
A strong water budget mixed with an overall highly efficient water system can save you heaps of money on water bills and reduce the impact on your local catchment system.
The second part of this article focuses on energy. Most people immediately think solar and then think "I can't afford it!" but there is much more that can be done to improve the efficiency of the energy usage in your home. If you are doing large scale renovations, the position of your home / room in regards to sun direction is vitally important. A north-south facing house is much more energy efficient in terms of temperature control as the sun has less direct focus on the rooms.
Many different products exist to generate energy or improve the energy usage and overall efficiency of your home. Some of these include:
- a solar panel system, either stand alone, grid connect or hybrid with wind turbines to generate electricity
- high quality insulation, including batts and foil boards
- solar hot water systems
- ventilation and extraction fans
- energy efficient appliances and white goods
- lighting, including CFL's (compact fluorescent lamp)
- hydronic heating
- air conditioners with inverter technology
All of these products will either generate free electricity, use much less energy than other products on the market, or control the temperature of your home to save on running costs to maintain comfort.
Building materials is another important consideration when starting your project. Many materials have good qualities, while others can contain harmful chemicals which can be dangerous for your health. Knowing all these risks is almost impossible, but there are certain things to look for when making these decisions.
- Use as much untreated materials as possible. Most treated materials use very harsh chemicals which contain volatile organic compounds (VOC's) and formaldehyde. Over time, these compounds break down and become part of your indoor breathing space.
- These VOC's can also be found in conventional paints and finishes. Always ask your supplier for brands which use little or no VOC's in their products.
- Concrete that contains high levels of flyash are much better for the environment and lower the use of the toxic concrete powder in construction
- Conventional termite control utilizes the harshest of all chemicals and can be extremely carcinogenic. However, there are many new products that can remove termite problems without the use of harmful chemicals. Always ask your provider about their environmental policy and research the chemical they use.
- Many insulation companies still use the resin based fiberglass insulation which contains high levels of formaldehyde and are damaging to your health. Look for insulation that is glass wool or made from cellulose fibre is your best bet for your families health and the environments.
- Double glazed windows and the utilization of roller shutters and blinds is the best way to reduce heat build up within your home.
- Strawbale and compressed earth homes are becoming more and more popular due to their constant interior comfort levels, and no they don't look like "mud huts", in fact, they are fast becoming a distinguished and stylish home design.
- Finally, cabinets and draws often use the cheap particle board over the solid wood varieties to save money. However, the particle board contains formaldehyde to bind the particles together.
Building and home improvement can be very satisfying when the job is complete. However, it becomes even better if taking into consideration these factors mentioned above to make your home comfortable all year round for you and your family.
Author Bio
Environmental Scientist, Rob Barton author of "The Sustainable Path" showcases sustainable products and services at http://www.onlife.com.au/
Article Source:http://www.articlegeek.com
Sustaining Warm floors.
Radiant Floor Heat: It Warms Your Soles But it Doesn't Empty Your Pockets
By: Harvey Juric
There is no doubt that radiant floor heating is a superior method of heating your home. Its popularity is steadily increasing as people discover that not only is it the most comfortable form of heating, but also the most cost efficient.
Though comfort and cost are the two biggest benefits of this heating system there are many others:
Silent operation - no hum or whistle of a forced air system.
Inconspicuousness of the system - you don't see vents or air blowing.
A healthier home - forced air systems can spread dust, pollen, and germs.
Even, quiet warmth: even with wood, tile, or uncovered concrete floors.
Also, radiant heat is less likely to dry out your breathing passages and skin.
The warmth of the floor on a cold winter morning would probably be enough to convince a lot of people that radiant floor heating is the best thing since sliced bread. However, after discovering the cost savings, there is usually no going back.
Radiant floor heating concentrates the heat in the lower half of a room where the human body needs it most. Since heat is evenly distributed in the floor, the thermostat can be set 2 - 4° less than a forced air heating system. This can reduce energy cost by 10-30%. Homes and building with high ceiling will save even more in heating costs as heat generated by forced air systems quickly rises to the top of these structures, where it is of little use.
Whereas a forced air system delivers heat which quickly rises to the ceiling - a radiant floor heating system radiates heat from the floor and delivers the heat evenly throughout the rooms.
In a radiant floor heating system warm water circulates through tubing beneath the floor. This turns the flooring into an efficient, low temperature radiator.
Though Radiant Floor heating is not a complicated system, there are components which are required, and that the homeowner should be aware of - The Heating Source, The Boiler, The Pump and the Tubing.
The heating source can be electricity, solar, natural gas, propane, oil, wood, or any other heating source.
The boiler, with a certified efficiency rating houses the water to be heated. This same boiler can also be used to heat the pool, snow melting, heating a hot tub, or and domestic hot water needs.
A Pump is required to circulate the water though the tubing located under the floor.
The tubing for a radiant floor heating system is located either in the concrete, under wood subfloors, or on a subfloor of wood, precast concrete or concrete slab-on-grade, then covered with gypsum.
Once a homeowner makes the decision to install radiant floor heating system, contacting the right installer is imperative.
Some companies who design radiant floor heating systems may also install the system. A qualified System Designer and a qualified System Installer will work together and know which components work well together, capacities of various systems, special considerations for installations in your area, and manufacturers' warranties and reliability. The designer should do a room-by-room heat loss analysis of your home or building done as well as a step-by-step system sizing process.
Author Bio
Harvey Juric, ICF Consultant and CEO of ICFhome.ca is a custom home builder in southern Ontario. He has been in the home construction industry for the past 30 years performing a wide variety of tasks related to the building trades. As one of the pioneers of the Insulated Concrete Form industry, he formed ICFhome.ca to take advantage of, at that time, emerging new construction techniques that promised stronger and better and more energy efficient homes. For more information about the model home, Insulated Concrete Forms or Radiant Floor Heating contact ICFhome.ca by telephone 519 843-7612, e-mail info@icfhome.ca, or visit their web site at Ontario Home Builder
Article Source:http://www.articlegeek.com/
By: Harvey Juric
There is no doubt that radiant floor heating is a superior method of heating your home. Its popularity is steadily increasing as people discover that not only is it the most comfortable form of heating, but also the most cost efficient.
Though comfort and cost are the two biggest benefits of this heating system there are many others:
Silent operation - no hum or whistle of a forced air system.
Inconspicuousness of the system - you don't see vents or air blowing.
A healthier home - forced air systems can spread dust, pollen, and germs.
Even, quiet warmth: even with wood, tile, or uncovered concrete floors.
Also, radiant heat is less likely to dry out your breathing passages and skin.
The warmth of the floor on a cold winter morning would probably be enough to convince a lot of people that radiant floor heating is the best thing since sliced bread. However, after discovering the cost savings, there is usually no going back.
Radiant floor heating concentrates the heat in the lower half of a room where the human body needs it most. Since heat is evenly distributed in the floor, the thermostat can be set 2 - 4° less than a forced air heating system. This can reduce energy cost by 10-30%. Homes and building with high ceiling will save even more in heating costs as heat generated by forced air systems quickly rises to the top of these structures, where it is of little use.
Whereas a forced air system delivers heat which quickly rises to the ceiling - a radiant floor heating system radiates heat from the floor and delivers the heat evenly throughout the rooms.
In a radiant floor heating system warm water circulates through tubing beneath the floor. This turns the flooring into an efficient, low temperature radiator.
Though Radiant Floor heating is not a complicated system, there are components which are required, and that the homeowner should be aware of - The Heating Source, The Boiler, The Pump and the Tubing.
The heating source can be electricity, solar, natural gas, propane, oil, wood, or any other heating source.
The boiler, with a certified efficiency rating houses the water to be heated. This same boiler can also be used to heat the pool, snow melting, heating a hot tub, or and domestic hot water needs.
A Pump is required to circulate the water though the tubing located under the floor.
The tubing for a radiant floor heating system is located either in the concrete, under wood subfloors, or on a subfloor of wood, precast concrete or concrete slab-on-grade, then covered with gypsum.
Once a homeowner makes the decision to install radiant floor heating system, contacting the right installer is imperative.
Some companies who design radiant floor heating systems may also install the system. A qualified System Designer and a qualified System Installer will work together and know which components work well together, capacities of various systems, special considerations for installations in your area, and manufacturers' warranties and reliability. The designer should do a room-by-room heat loss analysis of your home or building done as well as a step-by-step system sizing process.
Author Bio
Harvey Juric, ICF Consultant and CEO of ICFhome.ca is a custom home builder in southern Ontario. He has been in the home construction industry for the past 30 years performing a wide variety of tasks related to the building trades. As one of the pioneers of the Insulated Concrete Form industry, he formed ICFhome.ca to take advantage of, at that time, emerging new construction techniques that promised stronger and better and more energy efficient homes. For more information about the model home, Insulated Concrete Forms or Radiant Floor Heating contact ICFhome.ca by telephone 519 843-7612, e-mail info@icfhome.ca, or visit their web site at Ontario Home Builder
Article Source:http://www.articlegeek.com/
On-Demand Water Heating from Efficent Tankless Water Heaters.
On-Demand Water Heating from Efficent Tankless Water Heaters
By: Jack Russell
.
With the rising energy costs there has been an increase in interest for energy saving appliances. Efficent "tankless" water heaters have become very popular for their capability to heat hot water on demand, with no storage tank required. Instead of holding water in a traditional water tank, they circulate the cold water through a series of electrically heated coils that warm the water as it moves pass this heat source. This newer process of warming water requires more expensive equipment than the conventional water heater, but this money is regained in the long term with energy efficiency savings. The energy savings is mainly gained from no longer needing to heat an entire tank of water.
Since the tankless water heaters do not store hot water but rather constantly heat water as it is demanded, they do not run out of hot water. There is one exception, to this "endless" supply of heated water. The flow rate is limited. In other words if you simultaneously use more water than the flow of the water heater (i.e. 3 people showering at one time) you will receive unheated water.
Since conventional water heater stores the water together in a large tank it is able to provide water at a set temperature. Tankless water heaters differ in this aspect since they are dependent upon the incoming water temperature and the flow rate. The incoming water temperature can vary greatly from summer to winter. The capacity of a tankless water heater is generally measured by how many temperature degrees it can increase water temperature by gallons per minute (gpm).
Most tankless water heaters are powered by gas to better handle the heat output and response time required. These gas powered water heaters require proper venting, normally more venting than the older, conventional water heaters required. If you are replacing a conventional electric water heater tank, you may want to add a power vent in the side of the wall. This would be the less costly alternative if there is no existing roof vent. Some of the smaller and more portable single-fixture units are powered electrically.
Author Bio
Jack Russell is a retired construction worker who spends his free time as a freelance writer for sites like http://www.foremansfinder.com/ - an industrial resource site.
Article Source:http://www.articlegeek.com
By: Jack Russell
.
With the rising energy costs there has been an increase in interest for energy saving appliances. Efficent "tankless" water heaters have become very popular for their capability to heat hot water on demand, with no storage tank required. Instead of holding water in a traditional water tank, they circulate the cold water through a series of electrically heated coils that warm the water as it moves pass this heat source. This newer process of warming water requires more expensive equipment than the conventional water heater, but this money is regained in the long term with energy efficiency savings. The energy savings is mainly gained from no longer needing to heat an entire tank of water.
Since the tankless water heaters do not store hot water but rather constantly heat water as it is demanded, they do not run out of hot water. There is one exception, to this "endless" supply of heated water. The flow rate is limited. In other words if you simultaneously use more water than the flow of the water heater (i.e. 3 people showering at one time) you will receive unheated water.
Since conventional water heater stores the water together in a large tank it is able to provide water at a set temperature. Tankless water heaters differ in this aspect since they are dependent upon the incoming water temperature and the flow rate. The incoming water temperature can vary greatly from summer to winter. The capacity of a tankless water heater is generally measured by how many temperature degrees it can increase water temperature by gallons per minute (gpm).
Most tankless water heaters are powered by gas to better handle the heat output and response time required. These gas powered water heaters require proper venting, normally more venting than the older, conventional water heaters required. If you are replacing a conventional electric water heater tank, you may want to add a power vent in the side of the wall. This would be the less costly alternative if there is no existing roof vent. Some of the smaller and more portable single-fixture units are powered electrically.
Author Bio
Jack Russell is a retired construction worker who spends his free time as a freelance writer for sites like http://www.foremansfinder.com/ - an industrial resource site.
Article Source:http://www.articlegeek.com
How To Be a Millionaire On Minimum Wage.
How To Be a Millionaire On Minimum Wage
By: Zigfred Diaz
“Robert Reich, once observed ‘most minimum wage workers aren’t poor.’ He is right.” - Johny Isakson, U.S Senator (Robert Reich is former U.S department of Labor Secretary)
Minimum wage earners keep complaining about their salary. They say they cannot retire rich. Most of them just go through their work and retire relying only on their small SSS pension and the little retirement that their company will be giving them.
For most minimum wage earners, becoming a millionaire when they retire is quite an impossible dream. They contend that they can only be a millionaire if they receive a hefty sum of retirement money from their company.
Is it really possible to achieve millionaire status by your own efforts alone ? (Humanly speaking) Let us consider this actually scenario.
In the Philippines, Central Visayas Region, the current minimum wage is P 241.00. Multiply it by 26 days of work you get P 6,266.00. Let’s just say that you are 30 years old and you faithfully saved that P 266.00 per month and spent the rest of the P 6,000.00, that would amount to P 3,192.00 per year
Do the math. If you put that P 3,192.00 in an investment vehicle that would give you 10 % interest per month in interest (compounded), do you know how much your money would become in 30 years, that would be P 1,052,001.00. If you started this kind of savings program when you were 30 years old you will retire a millionaire at 60 years old by your own savings program alone, add to that the retirement benefits from your company, your monthly pension from the SSS and your PAGIBIG “savings.”What if you decided to add another P 500.00 in your monthly investment and invest P 766.00 instead? This would amount to P 9,192.00 per year and at the end of 30 years it would amount to a whopping amount of P 3,029,447.00 (At 10 % interest per year compounded).
Perhaps later on you would increase your savings to P 1,766.00 a month if you receive a salary increase. If you do that even on the 10th year after you start saving only P 266.00 a month, you will retire with P 4,472,777.00. The growth of your money is possible because of what we know in the world of finance as the Rule of 72.
Albert Einstein’s greatest discovery was not the theory of relativity, it was the Rule of 72. (Although some people say that the rule existed long before he was born, most would agree however that he has popularized it). What has the Rule of 72 have to do with investing and growing your money ?
Basically knowledge of the Rule of 72 is the basic building block of learning that each budding investor should have. Simply stated the Rule of 72 helps you determine the following:
1.) What interest rate you should avail of in order for your money to double quickly.
2.) How many years does it take for your money to double.
In a nutshell the Rule of 72 is stated as follows:
72 divided by interest rate return = No. of years it takes for your money to double.
So, if you put P 100,000.00 in a bank account, it will take 72 years for your money to become P 200,000.00 since the bank only offers a 1 % percent interest rate. (72 divided 1 = 72)
Let’s say you get a little wise and you put your P 100,000.00 in a time deposit account it will take 18 years in order for your money to become P 200,000.00 (72 divided by 4 = 18) Basically the higher the interest rate the less number of years your money will it take for your money to double. So if you put your P 100,000.00 in an instrument that would give you a 12 % interest rate it will only take 6 years for your money to double (72 divided by 12 = 6)
However take note that the Rule of 72 is more accurate with lower interest, the higher the interest rate rises the more inaccurate it becomes. (An example of this is that if you earn have P 100.00 an invest it in an instrument at 72 % interest rate per year according to the Rule of 72 your money will become P 200.00 in 1 year. However this is not entirely accurate since you will need a 100 % interest rate in order for it to become P 200.00 in 1 year time)
Interested in how many years would it take for your money to TRIPLE and what should be the interest rate that you should avail of? Then you should use the Rule of 115. It works basically the same way as the Rule of 72, just substitute 72 with 115.
Earning the minimum wage? No problem with the Rule of 72, You could be a millionaire!
Author Bio
Zigfred Diaz is a Registered financial & Real estate broker. He is also a practicing lawyer & a law professor. Recently he has involved himself with internet marketing. If you would like to know more about investments, how to handle your money, take charge of your financial future and earn extra income visit his blog at http://www.moneysmartpinoy.blogspot.com/
Article Source:http://www.articlegeek.com/
By: Zigfred Diaz
“Robert Reich, once observed ‘most minimum wage workers aren’t poor.’ He is right.” - Johny Isakson, U.S Senator (Robert Reich is former U.S department of Labor Secretary)
Minimum wage earners keep complaining about their salary. They say they cannot retire rich. Most of them just go through their work and retire relying only on their small SSS pension and the little retirement that their company will be giving them.
For most minimum wage earners, becoming a millionaire when they retire is quite an impossible dream. They contend that they can only be a millionaire if they receive a hefty sum of retirement money from their company.
Is it really possible to achieve millionaire status by your own efforts alone ? (Humanly speaking) Let us consider this actually scenario.
In the Philippines, Central Visayas Region, the current minimum wage is P 241.00. Multiply it by 26 days of work you get P 6,266.00. Let’s just say that you are 30 years old and you faithfully saved that P 266.00 per month and spent the rest of the P 6,000.00, that would amount to P 3,192.00 per year
Do the math. If you put that P 3,192.00 in an investment vehicle that would give you 10 % interest per month in interest (compounded), do you know how much your money would become in 30 years, that would be P 1,052,001.00. If you started this kind of savings program when you were 30 years old you will retire a millionaire at 60 years old by your own savings program alone, add to that the retirement benefits from your company, your monthly pension from the SSS and your PAGIBIG “savings.”What if you decided to add another P 500.00 in your monthly investment and invest P 766.00 instead? This would amount to P 9,192.00 per year and at the end of 30 years it would amount to a whopping amount of P 3,029,447.00 (At 10 % interest per year compounded).
Perhaps later on you would increase your savings to P 1,766.00 a month if you receive a salary increase. If you do that even on the 10th year after you start saving only P 266.00 a month, you will retire with P 4,472,777.00. The growth of your money is possible because of what we know in the world of finance as the Rule of 72.
Albert Einstein’s greatest discovery was not the theory of relativity, it was the Rule of 72. (Although some people say that the rule existed long before he was born, most would agree however that he has popularized it). What has the Rule of 72 have to do with investing and growing your money ?
Basically knowledge of the Rule of 72 is the basic building block of learning that each budding investor should have. Simply stated the Rule of 72 helps you determine the following:
1.) What interest rate you should avail of in order for your money to double quickly.
2.) How many years does it take for your money to double.
In a nutshell the Rule of 72 is stated as follows:
72 divided by interest rate return = No. of years it takes for your money to double.
So, if you put P 100,000.00 in a bank account, it will take 72 years for your money to become P 200,000.00 since the bank only offers a 1 % percent interest rate. (72 divided 1 = 72)
Let’s say you get a little wise and you put your P 100,000.00 in a time deposit account it will take 18 years in order for your money to become P 200,000.00 (72 divided by 4 = 18) Basically the higher the interest rate the less number of years your money will it take for your money to double. So if you put your P 100,000.00 in an instrument that would give you a 12 % interest rate it will only take 6 years for your money to double (72 divided by 12 = 6)
However take note that the Rule of 72 is more accurate with lower interest, the higher the interest rate rises the more inaccurate it becomes. (An example of this is that if you earn have P 100.00 an invest it in an instrument at 72 % interest rate per year according to the Rule of 72 your money will become P 200.00 in 1 year. However this is not entirely accurate since you will need a 100 % interest rate in order for it to become P 200.00 in 1 year time)
Interested in how many years would it take for your money to TRIPLE and what should be the interest rate that you should avail of? Then you should use the Rule of 115. It works basically the same way as the Rule of 72, just substitute 72 with 115.
Earning the minimum wage? No problem with the Rule of 72, You could be a millionaire!
Author Bio
Zigfred Diaz is a Registered financial & Real estate broker. He is also a practicing lawyer & a law professor. Recently he has involved himself with internet marketing. If you would like to know more about investments, how to handle your money, take charge of your financial future and earn extra income visit his blog at http://www.moneysmartpinoy.blogspot.com/
Article Source:http://www.articlegeek.com/
Sustaining Your Health.
Why Omega-3 Fatty Acids are so Essential to our Health
By: Aaron Wilmont
The long chain omega-3 fatty acids EPA and DHA, found in the greatest abundance in fish and fish oil but also in some other foods as well, play a key role as components of cellular membranes. During the regular aging process, cell membranes become much more rigid. This can adversely effect the function of tissues throughout the body, including the brain.
Perhaps the top asset to the brain of them all is DHA, the principal polyunsaturated fat in the central nervous system. DHA is appears to have a very direct effect on brain chemistry, development and functioning. DHA is essential for both kids and adults, but DHA is as vital to a kid's diet as sitcoms are to prime time television. The top source of omega-3 fatty acids of them all is cold-water fish and fish oils, but omega-3 fatty acids can also be found in varying quantities in other foods such as certain vegetable oils walnuts, almonds, sunflower seeds, peanuts, flaxseed and also eggs.
The bottom line is, Omega-3 fatty acids appear to protect the brain, which is why many physicians recommend taking an omega-3 supplement, usually fish oil because of it's high
concentration of readily absorbed dha and epa (flax and other sources have to be converted in the body instead of being directly assimilated).
Even our President and Governer Shwarzenagger take omega-3 supplements. There have been a considerable amount of clinical research studies conducted related to the benefits of omega-3 dietary supplements (especially fish oil) in certain inflammatory and autoimmune diseases in people, including but not limited to arthritis, ulcerative colitis, lupus erythematosus, multiple sclerosis and heart disease. This research goes back to 1970's Greenland and beyond. Some if not most of the placebo trials of fish oil in inflammatory conditions show substantial benefits such as for example a lessened disease activity and a lower overall requirement of various anti-inflammatory drugs.
Because omega-3 fatty acids are a very key component of development during the entire course of a person's life cycle, they should be included in the diets of each individual.
Author Bio
Aaron Wilmont is a Health Writer and Researcher. More info about omega-3's and Fish Oil may be found at http://www.omega3fishoil.org/
Article Source:http://www.articlegeek.com/
By: Aaron Wilmont
The long chain omega-3 fatty acids EPA and DHA, found in the greatest abundance in fish and fish oil but also in some other foods as well, play a key role as components of cellular membranes. During the regular aging process, cell membranes become much more rigid. This can adversely effect the function of tissues throughout the body, including the brain.
Perhaps the top asset to the brain of them all is DHA, the principal polyunsaturated fat in the central nervous system. DHA is appears to have a very direct effect on brain chemistry, development and functioning. DHA is essential for both kids and adults, but DHA is as vital to a kid's diet as sitcoms are to prime time television. The top source of omega-3 fatty acids of them all is cold-water fish and fish oils, but omega-3 fatty acids can also be found in varying quantities in other foods such as certain vegetable oils walnuts, almonds, sunflower seeds, peanuts, flaxseed and also eggs.
The bottom line is, Omega-3 fatty acids appear to protect the brain, which is why many physicians recommend taking an omega-3 supplement, usually fish oil because of it's high
concentration of readily absorbed dha and epa (flax and other sources have to be converted in the body instead of being directly assimilated).
Even our President and Governer Shwarzenagger take omega-3 supplements. There have been a considerable amount of clinical research studies conducted related to the benefits of omega-3 dietary supplements (especially fish oil) in certain inflammatory and autoimmune diseases in people, including but not limited to arthritis, ulcerative colitis, lupus erythematosus, multiple sclerosis and heart disease. This research goes back to 1970's Greenland and beyond. Some if not most of the placebo trials of fish oil in inflammatory conditions show substantial benefits such as for example a lessened disease activity and a lower overall requirement of various anti-inflammatory drugs.
Because omega-3 fatty acids are a very key component of development during the entire course of a person's life cycle, they should be included in the diets of each individual.
Author Bio
Aaron Wilmont is a Health Writer and Researcher. More info about omega-3's and Fish Oil may be found at http://www.omega3fishoil.org/
Article Source:http://www.articlegeek.com/
Friday, June 10, 2011
Sustaining Memories.
Leaving Secrets: How to Create a Personal Instruction Manual for Life
By: Joe Vitale
Imagine if your great, great grandfather or grandmother had left you a book with their secrets for living. Maybe it contained nuggets of wisdom, yummy recipes, favorite jokes, or just insights for how to lead a good life. Ever since people learned of my next book, Life's Missing Instruction Manual, people are curious how to create their own "manual" for life.
You can leave such a book for your own family. What are the key lessons you've learned in your life? Are you ready to share them with your children and grandchildren - or with your friend, siblings, parents, and grandparents?
What you've gleaned from your life experiences can make things easier for your children or your relatives. In fact, the lessons you've earned from trial and error can be the perfect gift for everyone in your life - or for one person who matters to you. Here's how to commit your insights to writing and share them with your fellow life travelers.
Carry a pad of paper around with you everywhere for a week.
Jot down your thoughts and observations as they occur to you. Don't judge them. Just make note of them.
Add personal stories and memories, as they come to mind. Again, don't edit your thoughts. Just commit them to paper.
Take a few days to go through your notes, and underline the most important passages, and make additional comments in the margins. From this, distill the lessons you most want to share with others: your perspective, your values, what matters most to you, and your reactions to the world around you.
Find a beautiful journal or blank book - one that you feel a strong connection with. You might find it at a bookstore, an antique store, an online auction site, a craft store, or even a flea market. Where you find it doesn't matter. How you feel about it does.
Fill the journal with your own instruction manual for life. Make sure to include a title and your name.
Find a special person to share it with, and turn the presentation of the journal into a celebration.
If you don't feel comfortable writing your notes and stories, you can dictate them into a portable tape recorder, and later, you can transcribe them into a journal. You don't have to be a bestselling author, academic, or philosopher to create a instruction manual that can helped your loved ones every day of their lives... and be passed on to future generations as well.
Author Bio
Joe Vitale is the author of the forthcoming book, Life's Missing Instruction Manual (Wiley, March 2006). Read more about it at http://www.missingmanual.blogspot.com/.
Article Source:http://www.articlegeek.com/
By: Joe Vitale
Imagine if your great, great grandfather or grandmother had left you a book with their secrets for living. Maybe it contained nuggets of wisdom, yummy recipes, favorite jokes, or just insights for how to lead a good life. Ever since people learned of my next book, Life's Missing Instruction Manual, people are curious how to create their own "manual" for life.
You can leave such a book for your own family. What are the key lessons you've learned in your life? Are you ready to share them with your children and grandchildren - or with your friend, siblings, parents, and grandparents?
What you've gleaned from your life experiences can make things easier for your children or your relatives. In fact, the lessons you've earned from trial and error can be the perfect gift for everyone in your life - or for one person who matters to you. Here's how to commit your insights to writing and share them with your fellow life travelers.
Carry a pad of paper around with you everywhere for a week.
Jot down your thoughts and observations as they occur to you. Don't judge them. Just make note of them.
Add personal stories and memories, as they come to mind. Again, don't edit your thoughts. Just commit them to paper.
Take a few days to go through your notes, and underline the most important passages, and make additional comments in the margins. From this, distill the lessons you most want to share with others: your perspective, your values, what matters most to you, and your reactions to the world around you.
Find a beautiful journal or blank book - one that you feel a strong connection with. You might find it at a bookstore, an antique store, an online auction site, a craft store, or even a flea market. Where you find it doesn't matter. How you feel about it does.
Fill the journal with your own instruction manual for life. Make sure to include a title and your name.
Find a special person to share it with, and turn the presentation of the journal into a celebration.
If you don't feel comfortable writing your notes and stories, you can dictate them into a portable tape recorder, and later, you can transcribe them into a journal. You don't have to be a bestselling author, academic, or philosopher to create a instruction manual that can helped your loved ones every day of their lives... and be passed on to future generations as well.
Author Bio
Joe Vitale is the author of the forthcoming book, Life's Missing Instruction Manual (Wiley, March 2006). Read more about it at http://www.missingmanual.blogspot.com/.
Article Source:http://www.articlegeek.com/
One more Step Towards Sustainablity.
Secrets the Debt Card, Oops! I Mean the Credit Card Companies Don't Want You to Know
By: Pat Hicks
Where large sums of money are concerned, it is advisable to trust nobody. Agatha Christie (1890-1976)
You notice I called credit cards by their real name. Make no mistake, the outcome of using a credit card is to create debt. It would be a lot more difficult to market a "Debt" card but that is what they are. In case you weren't aware of it, Federal regulators are pressuring banks into raising the minimum credit card payment from 2% to 4% to "help" consumers get out of debt quickly but somehow failed to address the usury interest rates charged by these companies.
Here are a few things you might not know about the credit card industry.
Credit Card Industry Facts:
The credit card industry earned $1,200,000,000,000 last year. That is $1.2 TRILLION in profits.
In 2004 consumers were charged $14.8 BILLION dollars in late fees.
Here's a cute little tactic used often by our credit card brethren. Not posting your payment on the day it is received so that they can charge you the late fee. They made millions using this technique last year.
Changing the due date or mailing the bill so that it is difficult at best to meet the deadline and there by charging another late fee. With two late charges on your 'record' your interest rate goes up as much as 10 points. This can be done without notifying you, by the way.
These companies have even resorted to not mailing out statements so that you will pay late and therefore be charged at least $29 in late fees and sometimes more.
Signing you up without your permission for credit insurance that virtually never pays out.
Checking your credit reports to see if you are charging on other cards and if it is 'deemed excessive', raising your interest rate by as much as twice your current rate.
Charging you a $25 fee for NOT USING your credit card.
Capital One has been sued because their customers mailed in the checks a full two weeks before the due date but were deemed late, charged the late fee and the interest rate was hiked to double digits.
Citibank paid a $45 million dollar settlement because they improperly assessed late fees and raised the interest rate up to 24% if the customer was late on any payments to other creditors, even if you are current on every payment to them.
The largest settlement by far against a credit card provider was against Providian for $300 Million dollars! Why? For improperly assessing late fees and charging customers for things they never ordered like credit insurance. The amount of the fine was proportional to the amount of abuse.
Sometimes because of the stress associated with these fees and abuses, people go out and try to borrow their way out of trouble with debt consolidation loans. This only adds to the problem if they don't tear up the cards.
Credit card debt has gotten to the point that it is not like owing the general store and not paying off the bill at the end of the month or when you get your next pay check. This is loan sharking at its worst and some say the rights of individuals were taken away by the changes in the bankruptcy laws made recently due to the efforts of lobbyists from the credit card companies. I think the little guy needs help and that is why I wrote this book. There is a term used often in Real Estate: "Operating from a position of superior knowledge". One can get sued for taking advantage of another for just this reason. Seems to me, the credit card companies mentioned above along with many others, are operating from a position of superior knowledge.
According to Robert Hinsley, a Houston attorney, "Being a good customer is not going to protect you," says Hinsley. "Nor will paying your bill on time each month protect you. Many of the major cards -- First USA, Chase, Capital One, Providian, Citibank, Penney's -- have been sued over practices regarding unfair billing practices and blatantly using tactics to cheat you out of your money. There is plenty of evidence that indicates most credit card companies think you are dumb and helpless and will not take any action. So they can easily use dirty tricks to cheat you out of your money."
Now are you ready to fight back and negotiate a settlement with these people? Don't be discouraged because the good news is, you can fight back. You can negotiate and you can reach a settlement advantageous to you! Pull yourself up to your full height, take a deep breath, know you are not alone and let's get started!
*This is an excerpt from "The Negotiate Your Way To Financial Freedom From Credit Card Debt Ebook" found on www.iwantafreecreditreport.com.
Author Bio
Pat Hicks is the Managing Partner for www.Iwantafreecrediterport.com, a web site providing competitive priced credit reports and scores with no tricks or misleading advertising. "The Negotiate Your Way to Financial Freedom From Credit Card Debt Ebook" is found there.
Article Source: http://www.articlegeek.com/
By: Pat Hicks
Where large sums of money are concerned, it is advisable to trust nobody. Agatha Christie (1890-1976)
You notice I called credit cards by their real name. Make no mistake, the outcome of using a credit card is to create debt. It would be a lot more difficult to market a "Debt" card but that is what they are. In case you weren't aware of it, Federal regulators are pressuring banks into raising the minimum credit card payment from 2% to 4% to "help" consumers get out of debt quickly but somehow failed to address the usury interest rates charged by these companies.
Here are a few things you might not know about the credit card industry.
Credit Card Industry Facts:
The credit card industry earned $1,200,000,000,000 last year. That is $1.2 TRILLION in profits.
In 2004 consumers were charged $14.8 BILLION dollars in late fees.
Here's a cute little tactic used often by our credit card brethren. Not posting your payment on the day it is received so that they can charge you the late fee. They made millions using this technique last year.
Changing the due date or mailing the bill so that it is difficult at best to meet the deadline and there by charging another late fee. With two late charges on your 'record' your interest rate goes up as much as 10 points. This can be done without notifying you, by the way.
These companies have even resorted to not mailing out statements so that you will pay late and therefore be charged at least $29 in late fees and sometimes more.
Signing you up without your permission for credit insurance that virtually never pays out.
Checking your credit reports to see if you are charging on other cards and if it is 'deemed excessive', raising your interest rate by as much as twice your current rate.
Charging you a $25 fee for NOT USING your credit card.
Capital One has been sued because their customers mailed in the checks a full two weeks before the due date but were deemed late, charged the late fee and the interest rate was hiked to double digits.
Citibank paid a $45 million dollar settlement because they improperly assessed late fees and raised the interest rate up to 24% if the customer was late on any payments to other creditors, even if you are current on every payment to them.
The largest settlement by far against a credit card provider was against Providian for $300 Million dollars! Why? For improperly assessing late fees and charging customers for things they never ordered like credit insurance. The amount of the fine was proportional to the amount of abuse.
Sometimes because of the stress associated with these fees and abuses, people go out and try to borrow their way out of trouble with debt consolidation loans. This only adds to the problem if they don't tear up the cards.
Credit card debt has gotten to the point that it is not like owing the general store and not paying off the bill at the end of the month or when you get your next pay check. This is loan sharking at its worst and some say the rights of individuals were taken away by the changes in the bankruptcy laws made recently due to the efforts of lobbyists from the credit card companies. I think the little guy needs help and that is why I wrote this book. There is a term used often in Real Estate: "Operating from a position of superior knowledge". One can get sued for taking advantage of another for just this reason. Seems to me, the credit card companies mentioned above along with many others, are operating from a position of superior knowledge.
According to Robert Hinsley, a Houston attorney, "Being a good customer is not going to protect you," says Hinsley. "Nor will paying your bill on time each month protect you. Many of the major cards -- First USA, Chase, Capital One, Providian, Citibank, Penney's -- have been sued over practices regarding unfair billing practices and blatantly using tactics to cheat you out of your money. There is plenty of evidence that indicates most credit card companies think you are dumb and helpless and will not take any action. So they can easily use dirty tricks to cheat you out of your money."
Now are you ready to fight back and negotiate a settlement with these people? Don't be discouraged because the good news is, you can fight back. You can negotiate and you can reach a settlement advantageous to you! Pull yourself up to your full height, take a deep breath, know you are not alone and let's get started!
*This is an excerpt from "The Negotiate Your Way To Financial Freedom From Credit Card Debt Ebook" found on www.iwantafreecreditreport.com.
Author Bio
Pat Hicks is the Managing Partner for www.Iwantafreecrediterport.com, a web site providing competitive priced credit reports and scores with no tricks or misleading advertising. "The Negotiate Your Way to Financial Freedom From Credit Card Debt Ebook" is found there.
Article Source: http://www.articlegeek.com/
Thursday, June 2, 2011
An Appreciation for Sustainablity.
In an effort to achieve a sustainable life style, I have pondered many venues in order to find the right mix of elements that would fit into an urban setting without disturbing my neighbors, or my natural surrounding. However, still allowing me to peruse my soical experiment in an urban sustainable life style. I am finding that it is harder than I thought. First and formost I must give credit to full fledged farmers' who do this for a living, getting up at the crack of dawn, maintaining livestock, corn fields and equipment. Is not easy. Thanks, to all of you that have chosen to be farmers, you have all of my respect and admiration. It takes a lot of time, energy and sacrifice in order to feed America. I am trying to do it on a small scale and still find it a bit overwhelming. I am still new at this, working towards self sufficiency is not going to come easy.
Nevertheless, this what I have managed to accomplish. I have already written about my chickens in a previous post. Though it may not be much right now, I am laying down the foundations of what will be a working Urban Homestead. I have installed a rain barrel, which by the way was a free gift from the Department of Water Conservation. It collects all the rain water from one of the down spouts on our home. The water is then used to water all of vegetables in our garden beds which I had planted earlier this season. What is in these beds? You will find bell peppers, basil, cucumbers, lettuce, squash and a few tomato plants. I already harvested the lettuce for salads, and it is delicious. I still haven't worked out how much space is needed to be set aside to grow enough vegetables to sustain us through the growing season. That's still a work in progress. I still have to buy produce from my local farmers' market, and I love going there. This keeps my local farmers' in business. However, the plan for this season is to plant a couple of fruit tress, 2 apples, 1 peach, 1 pear, and about 8 blueberry shrubs. This should be enough fruit for a family of 4.
I have also started a crop of ornamental lavenders, in which I plan to propagate and continue to produce rooted cuttings. With the intention of starting a wholesale nursery. I have selected four cultivars from a wholesale propagator in California, for their ability to with stand northern winters, their blooming time, color, fragrance and their uses in crafts. The lavenders also compliment my next project, which I will get to in a minute. However, I am nowhere near ready to be a wholesale distributor, nevertheless, the potential is there. This is just one more step towards sustainability. An urban home with the ability to produce a saleable crop. Well, that remains to be seen, at least that's the plan. I will keep you posted on my progress and see how far I get. There is still the issue of licensing and business details that need to be addressed before this project comes operational. For now I am content with just the growing of the lavenders.
I have taken the very same skills I apply as a healthcare provider along with the ethics of first do no harm and applied it to the very land I live on. I am a caregiver, taking great pride in the nurturing of patients back to health. Now I am taking that very same concept and applying it to the community in which I live. It is a well documented fact, for several years now the bee population has been in decline. By creating a habitat for honey bees I would be in essence helping the bees, and the local community, it's a win win situation.
Nevertheless, this what I have managed to accomplish. I have already written about my chickens in a previous post. Though it may not be much right now, I am laying down the foundations of what will be a working Urban Homestead. I have installed a rain barrel, which by the way was a free gift from the Department of Water Conservation. It collects all the rain water from one of the down spouts on our home. The water is then used to water all of vegetables in our garden beds which I had planted earlier this season. What is in these beds? You will find bell peppers, basil, cucumbers, lettuce, squash and a few tomato plants. I already harvested the lettuce for salads, and it is delicious. I still haven't worked out how much space is needed to be set aside to grow enough vegetables to sustain us through the growing season. That's still a work in progress. I still have to buy produce from my local farmers' market, and I love going there. This keeps my local farmers' in business. However, the plan for this season is to plant a couple of fruit tress, 2 apples, 1 peach, 1 pear, and about 8 blueberry shrubs. This should be enough fruit for a family of 4.
I have also started a crop of ornamental lavenders, in which I plan to propagate and continue to produce rooted cuttings. With the intention of starting a wholesale nursery. I have selected four cultivars from a wholesale propagator in California, for their ability to with stand northern winters, their blooming time, color, fragrance and their uses in crafts. The lavenders also compliment my next project, which I will get to in a minute. However, I am nowhere near ready to be a wholesale distributor, nevertheless, the potential is there. This is just one more step towards sustainability. An urban home with the ability to produce a saleable crop. Well, that remains to be seen, at least that's the plan. I will keep you posted on my progress and see how far I get. There is still the issue of licensing and business details that need to be addressed before this project comes operational. For now I am content with just the growing of the lavenders. Having all of those lavenders growing in such a small space in an urban setting must look remarkable. The above picture is one of the lavenders growing in front of our home in bloom. I am hoping the fragrance will be intoxicating. I have the honor of living in one of the greenest boroughs of New York City, Staten Island. It is located just 25 minutes away from the City itself. Yet it lends itself nicely to a suburban feel. Every where you look you are surrounded by trees, grass, and urban gardens. I am surrounded by parks in every direction, you can't live here with out driving past one. Keeping this in mind, my next project is to establish a colony of working honey bees for the production of raw honey. I have been fascinated by the health benefits of raw honey and find myself wondering if I can produce my own, with the help of honey bees. I have ordered the necessary supplies to make this possible. I have also made it a point to plant perennials and flowering shrubs that will produce the most nectar for a good honey flow. I have taken careful considerations in maintaining a balance within my eco system by planting native flowers indigenous to New York. A benefit of having a working bee hive in an urban setting would be the dramatic improvement in fertilization and pollination. There will be more fruit to pick when the bees pollinate the trees and vegetables plants in the local community. I would be doing my community a service by sustaining and establishing a local working hive.
I have taken the very same skills I apply as a healthcare provider along with the ethics of first do no harm and applied it to the very land I live on. I am a caregiver, taking great pride in the nurturing of patients back to health. Now I am taking that very same concept and applying it to the community in which I live. It is a well documented fact, for several years now the bee population has been in decline. By creating a habitat for honey bees I would be in essence helping the bees, and the local community, it's a win win situation. The next time your shoping for produce at your local market, give thanks to those who have made it possible for getting it there. From the farmers' to the working bee's, which do what comes natural to them. Let us give thanks to the one's that, "LETTUCE BEE SUSTAINABLE".
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