Ebikes in today's economy

E-bikes have become increasingly popular in today's economy, as they offer a convenient and cost-effective way to get around. An e-bike is a bicycle with an electric motor that assists the rider in pedaling. This type of bike is becoming increasingly popular due to its convenience, affordability, and environmental friendliness.

E-bikes are becoming more popular due to their convenience. They are easy to use and require minimal effort to operate. This makes them ideal for commuters who want to get to work quickly and easily.

E-bikes are also becoming increasingly popular due to their environmental friendliness. They are powered by electricity, which is a renewable energy source. This means that they do not produce any emissions, making them a great choice for those who want to reduce their carbon footprint.

The cost of e-bikes has also decreased in recent years, making them more accessible to a wider range of people. This has led to an increase in the number of people using e-bikes, as they are now more affordable than ever before. Additionally, many cities are now offering incentives for those who choose to use e-bikes, such as discounts on public transportation and access to bike lanes.

E-bikes are becoming increasingly popular in today's economy due to their convenience, affordability, and environmental friendliness. They are a great option for those who want to get around quickly and easily, without breaking the bank. Additionally, they are a great way to reduce one's carbon footprint, as they do not produce any emissions. As the cost of e-bikes continues to decrease and more cities offer incentives for their use, it is likely that their popularity will continue to grow.

Story about bicycle

Bicycles have been around for centuries, but they have become increasingly popular in recent years. From commuters to recreational riders, more and more people are turning to bicycles as a way to get around. Whether you're a seasoned cyclist or just getting started, there's something special about the freedom and joy of riding a bicycle.

The history of the bicycle is a fascinating one. The first bicycles were created in the early 1800s, and they were made of wood and iron. Over the years, the design of the bicycle has evolved, with the introduction of the chain drive, the pneumatic tire, and the derailleur. Today, bicycles come in a variety of styles, from mountain bikes to road bikes to electric bikes.

Riding a bicycle is a great way to get around. It's a low-impact form of exercise that can help you stay fit and healthy. It's also an environmentally friendly form of transportation, as it doesn't produce any emissions. Plus, it's a great way to explore your surroundings and experience the outdoors.

When it comes to safety, bicycles are a great option. Wearing a helmet is essential, and it's important to follow the rules of the road. It's also important to make sure your bicycle is in good working order, with properly inflated tires and functioning brakes.

For those who are just getting started, there are plenty of resources available to help you learn the basics. From online tutorials to local bike shops, there are plenty of ways to get the information you need.

Whether you're a commuter, a recreational rider, or just looking for a fun way to get around, bicycles are a great option. With a little bit of knowledge and the right safety gear, you can enjoy the freedom and joy of riding a bicycle.

The future of E-Bikes in The U.S.

Electric bikes in United States have certainly gained in popularity in recent years and are certainly expected to have a better future ahead of them.

A growing number of countries on the globe are embracing simple electric bikes as the most effective and proven safe mode of alternative transport and the commuting trend. The sales figures from a number of different countries in the world support this fact strongly. According to a recently published research report the world market for electric bikes is growing at an impressive rate of 50 billion units every year.

New laws  United States concerning  electric bicycles have been recently introduced restricting electric bikes to have a motor capable of generating 750 watts of continuous power or less and to restricted to 20mph without pedaling. Compared to Segway or YikiBikes, electric bikes available in United States are a lot more cost effective and being street efficient can also maintain a more or less constant speed both uphill and on flat lands. Most electric bikes available in United States are found to have a minimum travel distance of 20 to 30 miles before they require recharging. It is clearly observed that electric bikes are the best alternative mode of transport available worldwide and United States is not being an exception.

The highest quality electric bikes available in United States with their effective design and performance efficiency are expected to provide an enjoyable ride to the cyclists and the foldable bikes that are also available in the market make storing and parking them much easier too. Outdoor electric bikes capable of withstanding harsh and demanding weather conditions and dirt roads are also available, but it is advised to the owners to maintain the bikes in good condition for the electric mechanism involved in them for making sure of hassle free rides.

Though with the advancement of technology in a variety of sophisticated and fully automated modes of transport but still electric bicycles have their own advantages and the most prominent of these major advantages is that they are a lot less expensive than typical motorcycles and the rechargeable batteries also allow these bikes to achieve a maximum speed of 20 miles per hour. Another beauty of these electric bicycles is that they can provide the users advantages of both a motorcycle and a bike as they can be easily switched from one mode to another and these bikes are also not subjected to regular insurance and motor vehicle laws in United States.

Using bikes always results in better cardiovascular activity and also improve the stamina of an individual. The electric bicycles available in United States provide a number of health benefits for the users. With the recent modifications and moderations maneuvering them is also easy and convenient and in many different parts of United States electric bikes have come up as the new trend in rehabilitation programs for cardiac patients. Moreover, as they do not emit any harmful gas electric bikes are more environmentally friendly than most other modes of personal transport and that certainly make them the transport of the future.

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Ecomat's LEGO-Like Building Bricks Let You Create Your Own Castle | Inhabitat - Sustainable Design Innovation, Eco Architecture, Green Building

Need a style lift? Begin with neutral flooring for ultimate design versatility

(ARA) - Do you pin your favorite bathroom makeover ideas on Pinterest, look for inspirational kitchen designs or dream about new decorating styles for your home? If so, you're not alone. Many homeowners are opting to makeover their homes this year instead of upgrading to a new one.

According to a recent survey by Better Homes & Gardens magazine, consumers rank "style upgrades" as the most important component of their upcoming home improvement plans, followed by storage. For future projects, consumers said their top style upgrades include flooring, countertops, faucets and fixtures.

Laminate flooring experts from Quick-Step suggest beginning a style upgrade project by installing neutral-colored flooring. Neutral floors create the perfect canvas to help tie all of a room's design elements together.

What is a fresh, new and widely-popular neutral color within interior design circles? That would be grey. Some of the hottest hardwood flooring designs for 2012 offer traditionally American brown tones that are delicately infused with a grey influence.

Quick-Step offers a variety of styles and options with grey undertones - from rustic oak plank designs and floors with wire-brushed detailing to the same visuals and charm of a hardwood floor constructed from reclaimed, vintage wood. Quick-Step's Reclaime Heathered Oak flooring complements a wide range of decorating styles. Grey-toned floors provide the ideal backdrop to let your style and favorite colors shine through, and they also transition well as interior design styles and trends change.

Grey is the new brown
Grey is no longer viewed as a trend color in design circles, but is now viewed by professional designers as the new neutral.

"Grey is the new brown," says Erinn Valencich, L.A.-based interior designer and blogger for HGTV's Design Happens. "I used a grey-based floor in my new design studio because it goes well under a myriad of other wood tones. You don't have to use grey-based furniture on top of it - grey looks great with all wood tones." Another benefit to grey-based flooring, Valencich adds, is that it's very forgiving.

Just look to large furniture retailers to see how their offerings now highlight grey-based tones. The bleached-out, weathered Scandinavian look is very popular right now, Valencich says. It's perfect to pair with a new grey floor.

Colors that complement
Don't be afraid of color when designing a room with a grey-based floor, Valencich says. She suggests one of these color palettes to make a room shine:

* 50 shades of blue - Grey looks beautiful with any shade of blue, from soft powder blue to vibrant turquoise to charming daisy blue.

* Bananas Foster - A favorite color trio of Valencich's is yellow, chocolate and cream on top of a grey-based floor. The subtle flooring highlights the rich colors for a bold, decadent look.

* Lovely with lavender - Lavender is one of this year's hottest colors and a long-time partner for grey. Valencich suggests adding any color of purple to a grey floor for standout results. "Consider creating a focal point around a muted lavender wall and add some deep, rich, regal purple accents to bring it all together."

Need help choosing your colors? Try out Quick-Step's "Design A Room" online tool that allows you to select different flooring options and see how they look with hundreds of different Valspar paint colors.

Or search "The Idea Gallery" on Valspar.com for ideas to spark your room makeover, like Valspar's "organic elements" color trend. Inspired by the calming energy of nature, this palette of chalky hues, earthy browns and mineral greys creates balance and stability. Then add a bright honeysuckle beige for an unexpected pop.

Getting started
When beginning a room makeover project, the first step is choosing a clear color palette. Wall color is a great place to begin, Valencich says, but any object - a rug, chair or artwork - can serve as your inspiration.

Next, think of the design process in layers - the trick is to coordinate and contrast. "If your paint, accessories, furniture and flooring are all the same color, the room will feel flat," Valencich advises. "So create drama by using a pop of color or by layering varying shades of the same color for a refined tone-on-tone look."

A well-executed color palette can transform any space with great results. For more flooring ideas and style tips, visit quickstepstyle.com.

More Americans looking to food as a source for everyday wellness

 

(ARA) - It was about 60 years ago that processed foods and fast-food outlets started to become mainstays of the American lifestyle. The fast-food culture that developed tended to view eating as an inconvenience, providing basic fuel for the day and not much else.
More than half a century later, many Americans are more particular about the foods they choose for themselves and their families. In fact, people are seeking out the added health benefits that can be provided by functional or "super" foods. According to the 2011 IFIC Functional Foods Survey, as many as 90 percent of Americans can match at least one food with its associated health benefit. Popular functional foods like fruits and vegetables, fish and fish oil, whole grains, tea and green tea were among the foods Americans look to the most to maintain or improve their health.
This apparent increase in the awareness of good nutrition bodes well for the future, and may partly explain the recent uptick in discussions about health-related concerns. However, while knowledge of functional foods is increasing, health care costs and astronomical obesity rates seem to demonstrate that knowledge doesn't always reflect action.
"The good news is that nutrition education is working to raise awareness of the health benefits of nature's ingredients, but the ongoing challenge is to translate awareness into behavior modification," says registered dietician Ashley Koff, whose nonprofit tool, "Ashley Koff Approved", helps people identify products that meet a high standard of nutrition and marketing integrity. "A major impediment to making change continues to be the perception that it will require an expensive and complicated total diet overhaul. I strive to communicate that dietary improvements are very simple, affordable and enjoyable. For example, add a cup of tea to your day - all you need is water and a tea bag."
Koff's easy-to-follow tips for improving wellness through dietary habits include:
* Minimize the added sugar - Many products that you may not expect like tomato sauce and breads have added sugars, so make sure to check the label before you make a purchase.
* Start your day off right - Eat a complete, well-balanced breakfast and try adding a cup of tea - white, green, black, oolong or herbal - for antioxidants (nature's clean-up crew) and other health benefits. Celestial Seasonings offers a variety of green teas and wellness teas that are delicious, natural and healthful.
* Focus on a balanced diet - The best bet for optimal energy is a nutrition plan comprised of four pillars: quantity, quality, frequency and balance.
* Think evolution, not revolution - It will seem less stressful to think about making exchanges rather than omissions to your diet (and stress reduction puts another check on your health report). You get the biggest health benefits by improving the quality of the items you consume most frequently, so focus on upgrading your daily staples. For instance, select items that do not use potentially harmful pesticides, choose to eat raw, whole (versus processed) vegetables, drink water with lemon or eat a piece of fruit instead and limit fruit juices.
* Incorporate color - Count the colors you consume and challenge yourself to see how many colors you can include in a single meal. Of course, it's important to remember that the good colors are those found naturally in fruits and vegetables.
It's safe to say that Americans will occasionally indulge in nutrient poor meals this year. But perhaps we'll be enjoying more healthful foods, too, as many of us strive to achieve a more optimal wellness level.
For more information about Celestial Seasonings teas, visit Facebook.com/celestialseasonings.

More Americans looking to food as a source for everyday wellness

Five ways to eat local throughout the year

 

(ARA) - Fall is a great time for enthusiasts of fresh and local food. Farmers' markets are overflowing with tasty produce at harvest time, and if you've worked long and hard on your home garden, it's time to reap the rewards. Fresh food is harder to come by once the last leaves fall and the frost sets in, but there are still a number of ways you can keep your commitment to eating locally alive year-round.
While getting fresh produce from nearby sources isn't a year-round option for many Americans, it's still possible to continue to enjoy healthy regional, seasonal food in a number of other ways. Whether it's buying a basket of fresh tomatoes, green beans, or peaches, and canning or blanching and freezing them for future use, or dining at a restaurant that focuses on using local ingredients, it's possible to continue your green dining habits throughout the year.
Engaging people who are interested in living healthier and greener, Good Housekeeping partnered with LG Electronics this fall on a "Living Greener" initiative, showing consumers across the country how to make the most of local produce and other healthy foods. The program encourages a greener lifestyle, providing consumers with tips and ideas for efficient products, such as LG's new refrigerator. The refrigerator recently earned the Good Housekeeping Seal, and includes a Smart Cooling System that maintains superior humidity and temperature levels to help keep food fresh longer. And at 31 cubic feet, it has the largest storage capacity available in its class and can easily accommodate bushels of produce.
Susan Westmoreland, food director of the Good Housekeeping Research Institute offers these tips to keep eating local even after the growing season is done:
* Support year-round CSAs and farmers markets. To join a Community Support Agriculture you pay a set amount of money for a portion of what the farm or group of farms produce, usually delivered every week or so. Farmers' markets may feature meat, cheese and eggs in addition to colder weather vegetables that keep well, like winter squash and onions. Since both of these are relatively new concepts, you may not be fortunate enough to have both options in your neighborhood. Check out localharvest.org for more information. Then, embrace your luck, shop and eat well.
* Make good use of your refrigerator and freezer. When you are bringing home a bunch of produce, you know the importance of finding space in your refrigerator to preserve the veggies you won't use right away. But at the end of the season, a great way to make your veggies last longer is to blanch (cook in boiling water for 1 minute) then cool completely, bag and freeze them for later use in stir fries and pasta dishes. To freeze berries, simply rinse and freeze in a single layer until hard, transfer to zip seal bags and freeze for desserts or add a handful to brighten any winter cereal bowl.
* Can and preserve. Another great way to preserve your fresh-picked produce for the colder months is to can, pickle or process it. Your surplus tomatoes can be turned to salsa or tomato sauce for winter and your bounty of cucumbers can be transformed into tasty dill pickles. For both freezing and canning, do some research to make sure you are safely preserving your food. In addition to some great books on the subject, Internet resources like the Daily Green are a great place to start.
* Stock up on hearty vegetables. Vegetables like onions, potatoes and squash are not only some of the last to be picked during the growing season, but also some of the heartiest and longest lasting produce available. Even if you don't have a root cellar, you can extend the life of these vegetables even further by storing them in a cooler part of your home like the basement or a garage.
* Patronize restaurants that focus year-round on the freshest, healthiest ingredients. These days, many restaurants aim to get as many ingredients as possible, from vegetables to fish and meat, from local sources. Visiting these restaurants is a great way to help sustain your local food industry.
By firming up your commitment to eating local throughout the year, you'll help your local economy while also decreasing your carbon food print. And on top of it all, you'll be rewarded with delicious meals for every season.

Five ways to eat local throughout the year

7 Natural Stone Pebble Projects For Every Home

Natural stone pebbles are becoming extremely popular in homes because of their wide range of colors and uses. Here are a few ideas for use in your own home. Japanese Gardens Japanese Gardens and known for their peacefulness and tranquillity. This style of garden uses specific plants as well as rocks and water to create this effect. Often these gardens are small in scale and are incorporated into an overall garden design rather than being the whole garden. Decorative Pots Placing some pebbles around the top of a potted plant can make indoor plants more attractive. Consider what part of the potted plant you want to make the focus. You can use a decorative ceramic pot as well. Decide whether you want matching or contrasting colors in the pot and the pebbles you choose. The pebbles and chosen pot should help focus your eye on the plant you have chosen. Vases Pebbles are also very effective used in the bottom of vases. Glass vases in particular look superb with some colored natural stone in the bottom. The pebble base also helps hold the arranged flowers in place. Decorative vases make great table decorations for dinner parties. Paths and Drives Paths and drives become very low maintenance when covered with a topping of small natural stone pebbles. The pebble size you choose needs to take into account how the path or drive will be used. Heavy car traffic or foot traffic areas need smaller stones as they are more comfortable underfoot and better for cars to drive over. Gravel drives and paths should have retaining edging to hold the stones in place. Drives and paths need to be topped up with extra stone occasionally. They are very durable and much nicer looking than a plain old concrete driveway. Water Features It seems now that everyone wants a garden water feature. They can be very small or quite large and bold but always add an element of tranquillity to any garden. When planning a water feature you can incorporate natural stone in a variety of ways. Larger stones around the edge of the feature can add character. Pebbles can also be used to cover the base of the water feature and to cover up any cords or pumps that are used to power it. Before choosing your stone remember to wet a sample as this is how it will look in your water feature. Ponds The same rule applies with ponds to wet your sample and check the colour of the stone. Natural stone is normally dusty when collected and when the dust comes off the real color is revealed. Ponds look great with built-up edging. You can use a variety of materials including feature rocks, wood, metal and many others. You can also mix and match various sized stones for a more natural look. Pebbles as Mulch Mulching is something more gardeners are doing in the garden. Basically it involves adding a layer of material over the top of your soil to aid with water retention. This means less watering which saves time and also water supplies. Not everyone has an endless supply of water or the enthusiasm to maintain lawns and pebbles are a great alternative, particularly in naturally dry areas. Weeding in garden beds is greatly reduced. It is quite easy to pull the few weeds that attempt to grow among the pebbles. As the plants mature and fill up the planting spaces there is less room for weeds to find a place to grow. To stop the grass from coming up through the pebble mulch paths we have found that a heavy layer of newspaper and then a layer of plastic or weed mat on top works very well. The newspapers and the plastic help to retain moisture, another important reason for mulching. On top of this plastic the pebbles that were recently in the planting holes are spread in a thick layer. Larger flat rocks are used as edging.

Ways to make 'going green' fun for kids

 

The latest generations of kids are rapidly growing up in a modern world full of wonders and challenges that couldn't have been imagined in decades past. They're often referred to as "natives" in regard to technology - and to watch a young child maneuver their way around a smartphone or iPad, it's amazing just how intuitively children can operate technologies that mom and dad had to make an effort to learn. For kids today, learning to live sustainably from the start is as much a part of growing up as surfing the Internet, but by making it fun and easy to comprehend, parents can ensure that the lessons of today will last a lifetime.
The science and studies behind environmental conservation might be a bit too complex for children to understand, but the practical ways to make changes toward a "greener" lifestyle are easy enough that even the youngest family members can participate. Putting environmental awareness in child-friendly terms will encourage kids to participate.
A relatable character -- such as the animated Pocoyo, whose show airs on Nick Jr. and who was named the first Global Kids' Ambassador for the World Wildlife Fund's Earth Hour "Beyond the Hour" campaign -- can make it easier for kids to understand why protecting the environment is both fun and necessary. And by taking a creative approach to "green" household chores, you'll help your children form habits that benefits your own home and the world.
Try these helpful tips from Pocoyo to help your kids be eco-friendly from the start.
* Turn off the energy. Explain to kids that lights, televisions and computers use energy, which uses up precious natural resources and creates pollution. Make a game of turning off lights before bed: Whoever shuts off the most unnecessary lights is the winner. You can also make a special occasion out of saving energy: have an energy-free family night, using flashlights and fun activities like playing board games or storytelling.
* Make recycling fun. There are lots of ways to make recycling an activity your kids will look forward to. Try a short-distance toss game with non-breakable items, or simply make a game of sorting items the day before you set them out for collection. You can also reinforce the value of recycling by reusing materials for craft projects; try making masks out of cardboard from old boxes or paper planes from excess paper.
* Look for ways to cut waste. Disposable items like plastic water bottles and shopping bags take up a lot of space when you save them up, making it easy for a child to understand just how much room they might take up in a landfill. Instead of wasting all those bottles and bags, have your child help pick out reusable bottles and shopping bags for the whole family to re-use.
* Try new ways to travel around town. It's easy to rely on cars to get around, but they're the cause of a lot of pollution and use up natural resources as well. The fun of simply being together on a walk or a bike ride can make for an exciting alternative to the standard car ride. Or, if you need to go a longer distance, try taking public transportation - kids will love the opportunity to get on a big bus or a train that will deliver you to your destination.
* Take it to the table. The way we eat can have a big impact on the environment, so teaching kids to be thoughtful about where their food comes from is important. Try instituting a meatless meal one day a week and get kids involved in picking recipes and the cooking process. You can also have fun getting your hands dirty by planting a backyard garden, in which you can grow herbs, fruits and vegetables.
When kids get an early start on learning to be earth-friendly, it'll simply become a part of how they live. To learn more, visit www.pocoyo.com and watch Pocoyo on Nick Jr. on Saturdays and Sundays at 1 p.m. EST or 10 a.m. PST and visit www.earthhour.org for more information.

Ways to make 'going green' fun for kids

Lumens, CFLs and LEDs: A light bulb guide for new regulations

 

(ARA) - You've probably been hearing the talk of federal light bulb regulations for years, but in January 2012, the talk will become reality, and these regulations will begin to take effect. While California residents began the transition in January 2011, the federally mandated phase-out of less efficient incandescent light bulbs begins with the 100-watt light bulb on Jan. 1, 2012, so now is the time for the rest of the country to make the switch to more efficient bulbs.
Before you begin considering your options, here's a quick review of how the new regulations will work:
* Incandescent, or traditional, 100-watt light bulbs for general purpose, household shape lamps will no longer be available in stores beginning January 2012. Retailers will be able to sell-through any existing inventory, but the traditional 100-watt incandescent bulbs will not be replaced on the shelf.
* Incandescent 75-watt light bulbs will be unavailable in 2013.
* Incandescent 40-watt and 60-watt light bulbs will be phased out in 2014.
As these rules phase in gradually, it's a great time to educate yourself on the different types of energy-efficient light bulbs available. Lowe's is joining the effort to advise consumers on the types of options available. In addition to offering a comprehensive light bulb buying guide on its website, Lowe's offers the following tips as you bring your lighting into the future.
Learning about lumens
As we transition away from incandescent bulbs, the lingo used to describe the brightness of the light bulbs is changing. We've become accustomed to identifying the brightness of a light bulb by the amount of power - watts - that it uses. However, more efficient light bulbs emit the same amount of light - measured in lumens - while using less electricity.
For example, the following light bulbs all produce roughly the same amount of light (450 lumens): 40-watt incandescent, 29-watt halogen, 11-watt compact fluorescent (CFL) and 9-watt LED. It's still important to pay attention to wattage to make sure you don't exceed the recommended level for your lamp, but it's increasingly unlikely that you'll exceed that level as you purchase more efficient bulbs.
Types of bulbs available
As you move on from incandescent bulbs, you'll want to familiarize yourself with the different types of more energy-efficient bulbs available. These bulbs will consume less energy and last longer, saving you money on monthly utility bills.
Compact fluorescent: CFL bulbs are more expensive than incandescent bulbs, but use up to 75 percent less energy and last up to 10 times as long, making it easy for you to quickly recoup the money you spend on them. You can save up to $70 per year by placing CFLs in your five most commonly used lamps, according to the Environmental Protection Agency. You've likely seen them in spiral or tube-like shapes, but CFLs also come in the A-line form common in most incandescent bulbs.
Halogen: These bulbs use the same technology as incandescent bulbs but last up to three times longer and are about 50 percent more efficient. Halogens are known for producing the highest quality light but aren't as efficient as CFLs. When changing halogens, you'll want to make sure you use a rag because oil from your skin can reduce the bulb's longevity.
LED: Lowe's began offering the industry's first Energy Star-qualified LED bulb this year - the GE Energy Smart 9-watt LED light bulb. LED bulbs take the efficiency and durability of CFLs even further, as this bulb is rated to last more than 22 years and uses slightly less energy than a CFL bulb that also produces 450 lumens.
For more information on what the light bulb legislation means for you, visit the Lowe's YouTube channel for a light bulb tutorial.

Lumens, CFLs and LEDs: A light bulb guide for new regulations

Three green trends for 2012 home remodeling

 

(ARA) - For some homeowners, remodeling projects are regular occurrences to keep their homes looking fresh. Sometimes, that means smaller changes like a new coat of paint or changing a light fixture. Other times, more substantial changes are needed. Determining those changes can be a challenge, but looking at the potential return on investment is a great way to prioritize.
Bathroom remodeling offers a 68.7 percent return on investment, according to a National Association of Realtors survey. One way to add value to a bathroom remodel is to pick bathroom fixtures that are more efficient than what you currently have installed. Americans are going green in many areas of life, whether with more energy-efficient light bulbs, hybrid cars or by recycling more regularly. Bathroom fixtures are no different.
Here are three reasons why you should consider going green with your bathroom modeling project:
* Products may be outdated. Toilets made before 1994 use anywhere from 3.5 gallons to 8 gallons per flush (gpf), while new EPA WaterSense labeled high-efficiency toilets can work beautifully on a modest 1.28 gpf. Not sure of your toilet's vintage? Look at the underside of the tank lid - the date of manufacture is often stamped into the porcelain. In the shower, the typical showerhead installed in California homes built after 1994 uses as much as 2.5 gallons per minute. At that rate, your eight-minute shower consumes a whopping 20 gallons of water.
* Savings to be had. Compared to 3.5 gpf toilets, TOTO's Aquia One-Piece Dual Flush High-Efficiency Toilet has a flushing system that enables homeowners to select the level of water used each time the toilet is flushed - 1.6 gallons for bulk waste or .9 for liquid. The approach provides exceptional water savings paired with outstanding performance. A family of four can save more than $90 annually on their water bill, and $2,000 over the lifetime of the toilet.
If you replace a typical 2.5 gpm showerhead with a TOTO high-efficiency Trilogy Showerhead, you will experience the same luxurious shower, yet consume a responsible 14 gallons, saving 20 percent of the water used by older models.
Even something like a faucet can contribute to water savings. TOTO's Silas Widespread Lavatory Faucet is a WaterSense labeled lavatory faucet that consumes a responsible 1.5 gallons per minute without sacrificing an ounce of performance. Its design has a classic contemporary elegance with a graceful, curved spout.
* Be a trendy homeowner. A whopping 68 percent of builders surveyed by the National Association of Home Builders say that energy-saving technologies and features including low-E windows, energy-efficient appliances, and LED lighting will be common along with other green features like engineered wood products, and water-saving plumbing fixtures such as dual-flush toilets and low-flow faucets by 2015. Start now and you'll be ahead of the curve.

Three green trends for 2012 home remodeling

A blanket for your house: energy-efficient, insulated siding

 

(ARA) - With a growing emphasis on eco-conscious living, homeowners recognize the importance and value of having an energy-efficient home. One essential factor for saving energy and maintaining indoor air comfort is sealing the exterior of the home. Insulation and energy-efficient windows play important roles in preventing air leaks where obvious holes are present, however, one hidden area susceptible to energy leaks is the home's framing.
"Homeowners are looking for ways to improve their home's energy performance," says Jery Y. Huntley, president and CEO of the Vinyl Siding Institute (VSI), the trade association for manufacturers of vinyl and other polymeric siding and suppliers to the industry. "A common problem with homes today is the thermal bridging effect, which can rob a home of heat and waste energy and money."
In thermal bridging, the studs act as a passageway for heat to escape. Most insulation helps seal wall cavities, but the wall studs on either side of the cavities are often left exposed, reducing the insulating value of the entire wall.
"Continuous wall insulation is crucial to fully seal the exterior and protect against heat loss," says Jerry Blais, vice president of marketing for Ply Gem, a leading manufacturer of home remodeling and building products. "Insulated siding is one solution that helps reduce the impact of thermal bridging, adding a blanket of insulation over the exposed wall studs."
Backed with polystyrene foam insulation that is integral to the panel, insulated siding can increase a wall system's R-value, or thermal resistance. The continuous insulation the siding provides over the entire wall can contribute to reducing the energy needed to heat or cool a home.
In fact, ENERGY STAR and other programs now recognize insulated siding as a valid material to reduce thermal bridging. Therefore, insulated siding is included in the checklist of products that help homes qualify to earn the ENERGY STAR Qualified Homes label.
"The recognition of insulated siding as home insulation in energy codes and energy efficiency programs legitimizes a benefit we've known for some time," says Huntley.
Beyond energy efficiency, insulated siding offers many other benefits:
* Because it is made with vinyl, insulated siding is low maintenance. It provides the look of real wood, but does not require painting or staining.
* Insulated siding is an exceptionally dry wall system, making it resistant to mold growth and deterioration due to moisture absorption.
* The foam insulation backing and wide-style clapboard design options make insulated siding an extremely durable and impact resistant cladding, while improving the exterior wall flatness for added aesthetic appeal.
Today's vinyl siding manufacturers offer insulated siding options at various price points and in an assortment of colors. Blais recommends Mastic Home Exteriors by Ply Gem Structure EPS for superior performance and a wide selection of coordinating designer accents and accessories, which can be found on www.mastic.com. Options such as Napco by Ply Gem American Essence or Variform by Ply Gem CSL 600 also offer classic styling in numerous colors.
If you are considering insulated siding for your next home improvement project, ask your contractor to download a free copy of Insulated Siding as Home Insulation: Guide for Users and Energy Raters, published by the VSI. Available at www.insulatedsiding.info, this guide offers information on how insulated siding contributes to building energy performance, as well as proper installation techniques.

A blanket for your house: energy-efficient, insulated siding

Six Types Of Meditation

There are so many different types of meditation. How many? Who knows, but enough so that you can find the one that's right for you. To get your search started, here are six types of meditation you can try.

1. Breath watching. Can meditating be as simple as paying attention to your breath for a few minutes? You bet. Relax in whatever position works best for you, close your eyes and start to pay attention to your breathing. Breathing through your nose gets your diaphragm involved and gets oxygen all the way to the bottom of your lungs. As your mind wanders, just re-focus your attention on the air going in and out of your nose. Just do this for several minutes, or longer as you get used to it.

2. An empty mind meditation. Meditating can create a kind of "awareness without object," an emptying of all thoughts from your mind. The techniques for doing this involve sitting still, often in a "full lotus" or cross-legged position, and letting the mind go silent on its own. It can be difficult, particularly since any effort seems to just cause more business in the mind.

3. Walking meditations. This one gets the body involved. It can be outside or simply as a back and forth pacing in a room. Pay attention to the movement of your legs and breathing and body as you walk, and to the feeling of your feet contacting the ground. When your mind wanders, just keep bringing it back to the process of walking and breathing. Meditating outside in this way can be difficult because of the distractions. If you do it outside, find a quiet place with level ground.

4. Mindfulness meditation. A practice Buddhists call vipassana or insight meditation, mindfulness is the art of becoming deeply aware of what is here right now. You focus on what's happening in and around you at this very moment, and become aware of all the thoughts and feelings that are taking your energy from moment to moment. You can start by watching your breath, and then move your attention to the thoughts going through your mind, the feelings in your body, and even the sounds and sights around you. The key is to watch without judging or analyzing.

5. Simple mantra meditation. Many people find it easier to keep their mind from wandering if they concentrate on something specific. A mantra can help. This is a word or phrase you repeat as you sit in meditation, and is chosen for you by an experienced master in some traditions. If you are working on this alone, you can use any word or phrase that works for you, and can choose to either repeat it aloud or in your head as you meditate.

6. Meditating on a concept. Some meditative practices involve contemplation of an idea or scenario. An example is the "meditation on impermanence," in which you focus on the impermanent nature of all things, starting with your thoughts and feelings as they come and go. In the Buddhist "meditation on the corpse," you think about a body in the ground, as it slowly rots away and is fed on by worms. The technique is used to guide you to an understanding that your rationalizing mind might not bring you to.

There are many other meditations you can try, such as the "meditation on loving-kindness" or "object" meditation, and even meditating using brain wave entrainment products. Each type has its own advantages and effects. For this reason, you may find that at different times and for different purposes you want to use several different types of meditation.

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How To Meditate

How to meditate? Breath, and watch your breath.

Among the documented benefits of meditation are less anxiety, decreased depression, reduction in irritability and moodiness, better learning ability and memory and greater creativity. That's just for starters. Then there is slower aging (possibly due to higher DHEA levels), feelings of vitality and rejuvenation, less stress (actual lowering of cortisol and lactate levels), rest (lower metabolic and heart rate), lower blood pressure, and higher blood oxygen levels

<B>How to Meditate Right Now</B>

Here's a simple technique that will give you results in minutes. Sit comfortably, close your eyes, and tense up your whole body. Sigh deeply, then breath deeply through your nose and release the tension from every muscle. Just feel each part relaxing, watching for parts that may hold onto tension, like a tight jaw.

If you still have tension somewhere, tense up that part again, then let it relax. It may also help to repeat silently "relax" as the tension drains. This will train your body and mind to recognize relaxation. Later you may be able to relax more easily just by repeating "relax" a few times.

Breath through your nose. This is important because it brings in more oxygen by involving your diaphragm more. You can test this. Breath with your mouth and you'll notice that your breathing is shallower. Then breath through your nose and you'll notice that your abdomen extends more. Air is being drawn deeper into your lungs.

Allow your breathing to fall into a comfortable pattern, and pay attention to it. Pay attention to your breath as it passes in and out of your nose. Your mind may wander endlessly, but all you have to do is continually bring attention back to your breath.

If your mind is still too busy, try naming the distractions as a way of setting them aside. For example, say in your mind, "itchy leg," "worried about work," or "anger," and then immediately return attention to your breathing. Use any way you can to identify and set aside distractions.

That's it. Continue for five or ten minutes, or for 100 breaths. Afterwards, open your eyes and sit there for a few seconds. You'll feel relaxed, and your mind will feel refreshed. And you'll be better prepared for any mental challenges. That's how to meditate.

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Balancing Hope And Reality To Plan A Dignified Death

Dealing with the end of life and the decisions that accompany it bring critical challenges for everyone involved-patients, families, friends and physicians. In fact, "managing" the progression toward death, particularly when a dire diagnosis has been made, can be a highly complex process. Each person involved is often challenged in a different way.

Communication is the first objective, and it should start with the physicians. In their role, physicians are often tasked to bridge the chasm between lifesaving and life-enhancing care; thus, they often struggle to balance hopefulness with truthfulness. Determining "how much information," "within what space of time" and "with what degree of directness for this particular patient" requires a skillful commitment that matures with age and experience.

A physician's guidance must be highly personalized and must consider prognosis, the risks and benefits of various interventions, the patient's symptom burden, the timeline ahead, the age and stage of life of the patient, and the quality of the patient's support system.

At the same time, it's common for the patient and his or her loved ones to narrowly focus on life preservation, especially when a diagnosis is first made. They must also deal with shock, which can give way to a complex analysis that often intersects with guilt, regret and anger. Fear must be managed and channeled. This stage of confusion can last some time, but a sharp decline, results of diagnostic studies, or an internal awareness usually signals a transition and leads patients and loved ones to finally recognize and understand that death is approaching.

Once acceptance arrives, end-of-life decision-making naturally follows. Ongoing denial that death is approaching only compresses the timeline for these decisions, adds anxiety, and undermines the sense of control over one's own destiny.

With acceptance, the ultimate objectives become quality of life and comfort for the remainder of days, weeks or months. Physicians, hospice, family and other caregivers can focus on assessing the patient's physical symptoms, psychological and spiritual needs, and defining end-of-life goals. How important might it be for a patient to attend a granddaughter's wedding or see one last Christmas, and are these realistic goals to pursue?

In order to plan a death with dignity, we need to acknowledge death as a part of life-an experience to be embraced rather than ignored when the time comes. Will you be ready?

Mike Magee, M.D., is a Senior Fellow in the Humanities to the World Medical Association, director of the Pfizer Medical Humanities Initiative, and host of the weekly Web cast "Health Politics with Dr. Mike Magee."

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10 Diet Rules You Can Break

There are actually diet rules out there that are meant to be broken? Yes, recently many dated diet guidelines and myths are up for speculation. You've probably heard all these silly rules before, but experts weigh-in on the worthiness of these supposed truisms - most of which won't help you lose weight or make dieting any easier.

10 Food Rules You Can Ignore:

1. Eating at night will pile on the pounds. The total calories you consume over a 24-hour period or over a week is what causes you to gain weight, and when you eat these calories doesn't matter.

2. It's best to eat at the same times every day. Eat when you're hungry, not when the clock says it's time to eat.

3. Dieting with a buddy always makes weight loss easier. Common goals may pay off but weight loss is a personal journey.

4. Dietary fat keeps you feeling full longer, so you'll eat less. Fat does take longer to digest, but it will not help you control your appetite. Foods likely to fight off hunger the longest are protein foods, followed by carbohydrates, then fats.

5. When you blow your diet, you might as well wait until the next day to get back on track. Nothing could be farther from the truth- always try to get right back on track with your next meal.

6. Refusing food at a party or when visiting is rude. Turning down food that you know will blow your diet is socially acceptable.

7. Skipping a meal every now and then will help you lose. Skipping a meal means you will be so hungry at the next meal that you are likely to overeat. This can also help lead to a slowdown of your metabolism.

8. Bread is fattening, nuts are fattening, pasta is fattening. Whole-wheat bread/pasta is a great source of nutrients, and it won't make you gain weight more than any other food with the same number of calories.

9. All calories are equal. This is somewhat true, however; you'll get more nutrients from a 100-calorie apple than from a 100-calorie portion of white bread. Choose healthier items if you are losing weight, or controlling your hunger.

10. If you don't clean your plate, you're wasting food. If you just don't feel right leaving the table until you've cleaned your plate, underestimate your hunger and put less food on your plate to begin with, or you may overeat.

Don't believe everything you hear! Much of it is just superstition. Now you can tell your friends the real truth. In the end, nutrition experts say, many of the food and dieting rules we hold dear are meant to be broken - without guilt!

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Tips to prevent illness this winter

 

(ARA) - The colder winter months are notorious for sniffling noses, deep coughs, achy bodies and fevers. It's cold and flu season, which means it's a good time to reduce your exposure to germs and stock up on supplies that will help you escape any illnesses, or at least help you tolerate any symptoms.
Preventive care is key to avoiding the traditional winter illnesses of cold and flu. Here are some tips to keep those icky germs at bay:
* Hand washing is very important, so stock up on soap and antibacterial cleansers and have them ready by every sink in your house. Also consider using disposable towels to reduce the potential for germs to transfer between family members.
* Starting off healthy can help you be strong against invading viruses. You might be in need of extra fortification like fish oil or calcium, so ask your doctor about adding a vitamin regimen to your diet.
* Get plenty of sleep. A lack of sleep can wear down your energy and immune system, leaving you more susceptible to viruses and germs. Make sure you have a comfortable pillow so you don't wake up sore or spend the night tossing and turning. And if you struggle with letting your brain relax, a white noise machine or fan running on the lowest setting can calm you down.
* Keep the house clean. Wash door handles, the phone and even the handles on your appliances frequently to avoid the transfer of germs. Keep a good supply of sanitizing cleaners on hand to help speed up the cleaning process.
* Get the flu shot. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommends everyone over the age of 6 months gets a flu shot. The nasal spray flu vaccine is also now available for people who qualify.
As you're making a list of all the supplies you'll need to help prevent your family members from getting sick, make sure you look for discounts and coupon codes online at sites like CouponHeaven.com. Many stores listed on this time and money saving site offer discounts on vitamins, health supplements, cleaning supplies and even pillows, which in the long run can save you a good amount of money.
If you do end up catching a virus, stay home from work to prevent the virus from spreading to your coworkers, and try to get plenty of sleep and liquids to help build your strength back up.
Don't let the seasonal flu or cold keep you from enjoying the winter months this year. Spend your time discussing the fun you had sledding down a tubing hill or cross country skiing through the quiet countryside - rather than talking about fevers, aches and pains.

Tips to prevent illness this winter

7 Reasons to grow your own organic vegetable garden

During the last decades there has been a change towards mechanization and homogenization of farming, which uses pesticides, additives, herbicides, synthetic fertilizers and mass-production techniques. All this is clearly affecting mankind's health, and new diseases are spreading rapidly amongst humans and animals (bird's flu being the most recent one).

The World Health Organization produces reports to show how the use of chemicals and other products on food, coupled with the manufacturing processes involved, are actually a threat for our health.

If you have space for a few pots or even a small piece of land, it is a wise decision to grow your own organic vegetable garden. Today I'm presenting you with seven reasons for doing this:

1. You will have no additives in your vegetables. Research by organic food associations has shown that additives in our food can cause heart diseases, osteoporosis, migraines and hyperactivity.

2. There will be no pesticides or synthetic fertilizers used. These chemical products are applied to obtain crops all the time regardless plagues or weather conditions, and affect the quality of the vegetables. Besides, pesticides are usually poisonous to humans.

3. Your vegetables will not be genetically modified (GM). Antibiotics, drugs and hormones are used on vegetables to grow more and larger ones. One of the consequences of this practice are vegetables which look all the same and are usually tasteless. Besides, we end up consuming the hormones that have been used on the vegetables, with the potential risks for our health.

4. Eating your own organic vegetables will be much more healthy for you. They will not contain any of the products or chemicals named above, and they will be much more natural than any ones you would find at the supermarket. Your health will not be at risk because you will then know that nothing has been added to your vegetables.

5. Your own organic vegetables will be much more tasty. The use of pesticides, synthetic fertilizers, hormones and antibiotics make vegetables grow unnaturally and take the taste away from them. With organic vegetables, your cooking will be enhanced as their flavour will show fully.

6. Organic farming is friendly to the environment. Because you won't use pesticides or other equally harming products on your vegetables, you will not damage the soil or the air with the chemical components.

7. When you grow your own organic vegetables you are contributing to your own self-sustainability and the sustainability of the planet. Small communities have been founded where members exchange products that they grow naturally, thus contributing to create a friendly and better place for us all.

In the end, eating organic products only means that we do not add anything else to them than they would naturally have. As you can guess, additives, fertilizers, pesticides or hormones are not components of naturally grown food. To better care for your health, grown your own organic vegetables -and a few pots is all you need.

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Americans Get Serious About Recycling

At home, at work and at school, Americans have successfully engaged in recycling programs--and one of the best success stories is paper.

In 2005, a record-high 51.5 percent (51.3 million tons) of all paper consumed in the U.S. was recovered for recycling. The American Forest & Paper Association (AF&PA) hopes to increase that number and has set an ambitious goal of 55 percent recovery by 2012.

Every American can do his or her part. Although each community's recycling programs may be different, you can generally recycle newspapers, corrugated containers (cardboard), direct mail, magazines and catalogs. Check with your local municipality to find out what you can and cannot recycle.

The AF&PA Recycling Awards were created to recognize outstanding individual, business community and school paper recycling efforts. In 2006, the program was expanded to include a category for schools.

"This year's Recycling Award winners have exhibited innovation and social responsibility," said AF&PA President & CEO W. Henson Moore. "Their accomplishments in recycling have set new precedents."

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Items to put on your home winterization checklist

 

(ARA) - Preparing your home for cold weather is important for your comfort this winter as well as your utility bills. When you're making your winterization to-do list, be sure to include these simple updates that will help prevent costly damage to your home and provide you with the peace of mind that you're saving energy, water and money.
Give your furnace a tune-up: Schedule an appointment to have your furnace inspected and serviced. Annual maintenance by a professional will help ensure your furnace is in prime condition for the long winter and operating as efficiently as possible. Plan ahead and get a preseason check-up before HVAC crews get backed up during the busy winter months. In addition to a professional inspection, don't forget to inspect the furnace filters on a monthly basis. A dirty filter obstructs air flow in the home and reduces efficiency.
Check your insulation: Snuggling under a heavy blanket or layering on extra socks and sweaters may feel like a cozy way to watch your favorite holiday movie, but it could also be a sign that it's too cold in your house. You may need more insulation to keep that warm, conditioned air your furnace is cranking out in all the right spots.
A good place to start is the attic. All it takes is a quick peek at the floor of your attic to know if you need more insulation. If your attic floor is insulated, but the floor joists are still visible, then you probably don't have enough. The U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) reports that the recommended level of insulation for most attics is approximately 10 to 14 inches or an R-value of R-38, depending on insulation type. Check out the Energy Star website to find a chart indicating the recommended level of insulation per region.
Install energy-efficient windows: A significant amount of heat can escape through older, less efficient windows. Installing Energy Star-qualified windows can reduce heat loss and increase comfort during extreme weather. According to the DOE, some Energy Star-qualified windows feature more than three panes for increased efficiency and sound insulation. Take the time to research which type of window is the best fit for your climate before making a purchase, as different models are available to fit the needs of different performance zones.
Install a water-efficient showerhead: A warm shower during the winter doesn't have to be a guilty pleasure. The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency WaterSense Program water-saving specifications for showerheads require a flow rate of no more than 2 gallons per minute (gpm).
As the 2011 WaterSense Manufacturer Partner of the Year, Delta Faucet Company strives to help people use water in smarter and more environmentally responsible ways. A 1.5 gpm Delta showerhead featuring H2Okinetic Technology uses up to 36 percent less water than the industry standard of 2.5 gpm.
"We understand how much people value their shower routine, so we worked hard to develop a technology that can make the showerhead water-efficient without sacrificing the user's experience," says Paul Patton, senior product development manager at Delta Faucet Company.
Patton says the H2OKinetic Technology employs fluid dynamics to produce larger droplets that retain heat longer and create a denser spray pattern. Together, these effects create a feeling of a drenching, luxurious shower while using less water. Using less hot water not only conserves Earth's most precious resource, but also helps manage utility costs by using less energy from the hot water heater.
Prevent plumbing freezes: Insulate the water lines that run along any of the exterior walls in your home so the water will be less likely to freeze and cause the pipes to burst. It's also a good idea to make sure your entire family knows where the main shut off valve is located and how to turn it off in the event that a pipe develops a leak or bursts.
Winter forecasts look grim with many meteorologists predicting harsher weather conditions compared to what we experienced in many regions across the U.S. last year. A few updates to the interior and exterior of your home can safeguard it from potential damage and keep you and your family comfortable throughout the season.

Items to put on your home winterization checklist