Green Living

Wood Heaters Perks

Since the discovery of fire, man has relied upon heat for fuel.  It has cooked our food, lit our spaces and heated our environs.  But in these times of heightened sensitivity to pollution and depletion of natural resources, is wood heating environmentally correct? Walk in any grocery or hardware store in the fall or winter and you are likely to find a number of wood-based heating options.  Wax infused fire starters, split kindling and synthetic wood tubes nestle amongst bundles of rustic logs tantalizingly packaged to keep the home fires burning.  How do you know which choice is right? Much of the world’s available firewood comes from unrenewable sources such as ancient forests being leveled to free the land for other commercial use.  The origin of the wood is not always apparent, so be ready to ask questions of the retailer and read the fine print.  In some cases you might even research the retailer’s products online to determine whether they obtain their wood products from renewable sources. Synthetic and wax infused wood simulated products are typically manufactured as a byproduct of timber production.  Mills began introducing wood byproducts when sawdust was mixed with glues and binders to create “particle board.”  This is ...

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Solar Water Heating Systems

Heating water is responsible for probably the largest amount of energy usage in most homes today.  Not only are you spending a large portion of your energy bills for heating water, but your power usage creates large amounts of carbon dioxide emissions.  When people begin considering greener, renewable energy options, the obvious choice is solar hot water. By using solar water heating systems you able to reduce your water heating bill dramatically for years to come and you’re also able to generate your own power using our largest natural resource – the sun. When you generate your own renewable energy with solar hot water heating systems, you’re not creating any harmful emissions.  You’re reducing the amount of fossil fuels you use and reducing carbon emissions you would otherwise be creating by heating your water with other traditional methods. There are two different technologies available for solar hot water systems. – Flat plate collectors and evacuated tube collectors. Flat plate solar collectors work using copper pipes that run through a reinforced glass plate.  These pipes are attached to a water storage tank installed in the roof-space of your home.  Water is able to move in and out of the tank and heats the water. Evacuated tube collectors ...

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Overview of Used Clothes

Who ever said used clothing went out of style?  The proliferation of used clothing shops throughout the globe would indicate both a need and an appreciation for used clothing. Yes, times have changed.  This is evidenced by the popularity of “retro fashion”.  It wasn’t all that long ago that some would wince at the mention of 1970’s clothing.  Television stations even ceased airing certain movies because the apparel worn by the actors would initiate unintentional laughter.  This sentiment has changed significantly as 1970’s style clothing is hot again.  And, no, this does not refer to modern reproductions of 1970’s styles.  People are flocking to “70’s Retro” shops to purchase authentic used clothes from the “Me Generation”.  This had led some to take a second look at purchasing all types of used clothing.  It has also shown many the value of donating clothes to these types of shops. At one time, purchasing used clothing had a number of unfortunate, negative stereotypes.  Namely, it was assumed only the “indigent” purchased “second hand” items.  This is a somewhat flawed assessment because people of all economic backgrounds purchase used clothing.  Also, it infers something is wrong those that need affordable clothing.  Really, there is nothing wrong ...

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Genetically Engineered Animals and Your Family’s Diet

As we round the corner on yet another contamination scare – this time, peanut butter – the world has gained heightened awareness of the lax standards imposed by governmental agencies charged with the task of keeping the public safe.  Safe from improper handling, safe from unintended chemical and biological contamination, and safe from overt efforts to taint the food chain.  So where do we draw the line? The scientific world has been testing the limits of genetic engineering for decades.  They’ve been charged with the task of finding ways to improve the genetic resistance of crops to insects, bacteria and fungi.  As knowledge and understanding of imposed genetic mutations grew, it was only a matter of time before they would turn their attention to feed animals, and that time has crept upon us. Traditional genetic engineering took generations to perfect.  Breeding stock was selected for specific characteristics and the offspring were monitored to determine the relative success of the experiment.  The difficulty with traditional breeding trials, however, is firmly grounded in the root of genetics.  Selective breeding intensifies breed traits: size, function, appearance and temperament, but while one desired element may improve, an undesirable trait may be magnified, as well. Selective breeding has ...

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Is Shampoo a Poison to Us and Environment?

We all wash our hair to clean dirt and styling products out of it and to reduce the oiliness from our scalp.  While the lovely lather and nice smelling shampoo we use might make our hair feel clean, the chemicals we use to create these effects could be harming ourselves as well as polluting and poisoning the environment. Take a look at the list of ingredients on the label of your shampoo bottle.  The list reads more like a chemistry class and that’s even for the shampoo products that claim to be ‘herbal’ or moisturizing. One of the primary ingredients in most shampoos is Sodium Laureth Sulfate, which is known to be a major skin irritant.  Studies and testing have also shown this chemical compound may also cause mutagenic effects in animals. Another chemical ingredient in many shampoos is Ammonium Chloride, which is also known to be a respiratory irritant.  This chemical cocktail is extremely harmful if swallowed and can cause serious eye irritation if you get it near your eyes. The chemical compound Methylchloroisothiazolinone is supposed to be a preservative with antibacterial and antifungal properties.  It’s also a potent immune system toxin.  If this compound is used in high concentrations, it can cause ...

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