Archive for May, 2008

The world makes such a big deal about Mother’s Day but Father’s Day seems to be always left behind,as if an after thought. Well this year make Father’s Day as important as Mother’s Day. Let Dad know that he plays just as important a role in your life as Mom has.

Start by going to 1-800-flowers. Yes, you heard right, Men like flowers too. How about a Sunflower vase arrangement, Sunflowers that remind him of your beautiful smile. Or how about a Margarita Happy Hour Bouquet, white margaritas and yellow roses “served” in a Jumbo Margarita glass, that can later be used to drink the real stuff. That’s bound to get a chuckle out of him. If he’s a beer drinker, send him a Beer Mug of Blooms, another in a series of Happy Hour Bouquets. It a giant Beer Mug with acrylic rocks with the look of beer topped with mini white carnations to mimic the look of the foam.

If dad is a gardener and prefers to get his hands in the dirt, how about a Seeds for Life Tree Kit, or a planting of favorite foliage varieties set in an attractive planter that he can plant in his yard and tend to for time to come.

But if your Dad is not into ornamental type gifts than there are other type gifts to choose from. Does he have a sweet tooth? How about a Junior’s Famous Cheesecake, or a Celebrate Tin from the Popcorn Company, Virginia Peanuts or Bourbon and Whiskey Fudge, these and many more food packages are available.

Maybe he would enjoy some time to relax, send him the “Pamper Him Spa Gift Set “.

Whatever you decide to send your Dad on Father’s Day you can be sure that a gift from 1-800-flowers will be a quality gift. So make it a special day for Dad, he deserves it.

Sponsored post…

1 800 flowers fathers day

bibi

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GPS Vehicle Tracking has come a long way from the day that we were using it to find our way to the nearest IKEA store. Now a days they have become small and easy to carry around or conceal, easy to use, and are even compatible with Google Earth. GPS systems can be used to keep an eye on where your kids are, keep track of your commercial vehicles, trucks, taxis or limos, or even a roving partner.

One of the best systems I’ve heard of is LandAirSea Systems, they make the GPS Tracking Key which is a pocket-sized device. The accuracy of the device is to within 2.5 meters, that’s within about a little over 6 feet, and it keeps tracking every second. So with the provided tracking software you can gather data about where the car goes, where it stopped, how long it stopped, how fast it went and much more. All this data can be displayed in a report, over a map or a satellite image. The small size of the device makes it easy to hide, with a strong magnet it can easily be concealed in any inconspicuous place anywhere in the car, even outside because it’s waterproof.

The GPS Tracking key receives the signals from satellites orbiting the earth and so it works anywhere in the world, it can store about a months worth of data and it’s ready to go right out of the box, just pop in two batteries and your GPS is in business.

Check out this story where the police is using the data gathered by a GPS Vehicle Tracking Key by LandAirSea Systems to help solve a murder, read the story here.

Or take a look at the video story about it:

gps tracking system landairsea.com vehivle tracking key

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With the busy lives we lead these days time is precious, and if we can find ways to cut back on the time it takes to do our errands it leaves us more time to enjoy our families and friends. When you have a toddler or two around it’s even harder to get out and shop for the things you need. Online shopping is probably one of the greatest innovations that has come along in many years, especially for the busy mom or dad, and it is also great for those looking for gifts.

Recently I ran across an online shop called Netkidswear.com, that really impressed me. It calls itself the Baby and Kids Superstore, and that it is. They carry everything you can imagine for baby’s and Toddlers, from Toddler Bedding to Disney Furniture to Wall art to Car seats and Strollers, supplies for nursing and potty training, to gift packages for someone who doesn’t know what to give newborn parents.

Here are some of the other categories:

Bedding

• Baby Blankets
• Cradle Bedding
• Crib Bedding
• Portable Crib
• Round Crib
• Sleeping Bags
• Toddler Bedding

Furniture

• Art
• Baby Pillows
• Bassinets
• Bunk Beds

Baby Gear

• Baby Carriers
• Baby Clothing
• Baby Swings
• Baby Walkers
• Bike Trailer

Clothing

• Baby
• Boys
• Girls
• Toddler

Toys

• Baby Dolls
• Pedal Car Toys
• Perego Ride-Ons
• Play Tents
• Playtime Lofts
• Dirt Bikes

Take the time to check it out, it will be worth your time…

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baby netkidswear.com toddler toddler bedding

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If you are planning a trip to Europe or any other place in the world and would like to make it a green vacation, why not consider biking through your destination. Many countries are bicycle friendly but especially Europe and there are hundreds of tours that can be taken, from seaside rides to mountain top climbs. You can arrange tours that provide you with the rented bicycles. There are self-guided tours or completely guided tours depending on your budget and preference. Just Google “European Bike tours” for example and you’ll find many tour companies that will provide many choices.

Contact a travel agent that can hook you up with some cheap hotels, and one of the hundreds of bike tours available throughout Europe. Just imagine yourself on a bike through Venice, or the beauty of the Tuscan hills and vineyards. Landscapes that can only truly be appreciated on two feet or two wheels. And at the end of a fruitful ride ending up in one of the beautiful Roma hotels.

There is no better way to enjoy the sights than doing it up close and personal. There is so much that we miss while touring in a car. But I realize that we cannot possibly get everywhere we want to go on foot or on a bike. So a drive and bike plan can work when we are considering long distances. Nowadays they even make bikes that you can fold up and stick in the trunk for just that kind of situation.

Being green on vacation can be a fun adventure, it can be a healthy way of seeing the world, and it’s environmentally friendly. What better way to go.

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bibi

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My previous post covered public transportation and how the gas prices of the day are pushing people to look for alternatives to driving. In this post we will cover even greener ways of transporting oneself.

Let’s look at walking. What happened to the days when people walked everywhere. We have gotten so lazy that the thought of walking to the corner store makes us break out in a sweat. We would rather spend a couple bucks, in gas, so that we don’t have to move so much. But the consequences stemming from our inactivity is catching up with us. Obesity is rampant in our society, look at these Obesity Statistics:

USA Obesity Rates Reach Epidemic Proportions

• 58 Million Overweight; 40 Million Obese; 3 Million morbidly Obese
• Eight out of 10 over 25’s Overweight
• 78% of American’s not meeting basic activity level recommendations
• 25% completely Sedentary
• 76% increase in Type II diabetes in adults 30-40 yrs old since 1990

Now that looks scary to me. If we could only understand that regular physical activity is essential to good health and that simply walking can get us there, will benefit our pocketbooks, and is better for the environment too, we’d all be better off.

Another option is something a reader over at Swiss Bikes brought up to me which is the Drive and Cycle commuting option. In situations where it is too far to bike all the way but there is a possibility to drive part of the way and then bike the other part, why not take advantage of that. It kills three birds with one stone. You can take care of your daily dose of exercise, save money on gas and help save the environment.

Again this is something that is commonly done in Europe, where gas prices are double that of the US. In England for example, parking is very popular and sought after. People park their cars somewhere, pull out their fold up Swiss Bike from their trunk and ride the rest of the way on their bikes.

Those are my thoughts on greener and healthier forms of transportation.

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With the price of gas going through the roof the importance of public transportation is now becoming a topic of conversation among drivers. Their pocketbooks are getting hit so hard that they are beginning to consider alternative ways of getting around. Like taking the bus or the underground, something that many people have never done in their lives.

We are just now seeing the economic toll our dependence on foreign oil is taking and we are scrambling for cheaper ways to get around. But in many cities, the alternative is not there, or it’s just not efficient. In large cities, like NY, Chicago,San Francisco or Los Angeles, there are mass transit systems in place. But if you live in the medium to small size cities, then you might be in for an adventure. I know for example in my small beach town in Florida, it takes me twenty minutes to drive to Daytona, but if I want to use public transportation, I would have to take 4 buses and it would take me 2 and 1/2 hours one way. Now I don’t know of too many people that have 4 hours to spare in their day.

In Europe, public transportation is number one. The price of gasoline in Europe is about double the price we pay, and it’s been like that for years. And so they have learned to make transportation a priority. If you’ve ever been in England you’ll notice that London Garages are very popular. People would rather leave their cars in the garage and take a bus or a train, one because it’s cheaper and two because it’s more efficient. Like Europe, we need to step up public transportation. As cities make it easier and cheaper for people to get around, people realize the advantages of using public transportation and will start leaving their cars at home.

The use of public transportation, will not only diminish our dependence on oil, but also help the environment by taking more cars off the road. If you are one of the lucky ones to have it available to you try it out, you’ll not only be helping your pocketbook but also your stress level.

foreing oil dependence public transportation

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Life is hard enough as it is. Without having to deal with some crazy man that wants to play God, such as the ruler of cyclone hit Myanmar formerly known as Burma. By his latest actions it is obvious that his main concern is for himself and the preservation of his power over the Burmese people and not their welfare. “Myanmar’s government claims that it needs no help in efficiently providing and distributing food and aid to victims, but UN agencies, independent observers, and international and local humanitarian workers speak with growing urgency of deteriorating conditions for hundreds of thousands of people displaced by Cyclone Nargis.” from Amnesty International.

How you can help…

bloggers unite human rights

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Next time you think about remodeling any part of your home or maybe even building your new home, Think Green first. Whether you will be putting down a new foundation or changing the Blinds in your home there is always a Green alternative. Here’s a checklist that can help jog your imagination.

• In the Bathrooms, use high performing shower heads which use 1-1.5 gallons per minute/ 60% less than traditional shower heads.
• Thinking of repainting the house? Think No-VOC Paints. VOC stands for Volatile Organic Compounds which are toxic.
• Keep your attic cool by installing a radiant barrier to keep the heat out.
• If you are building new or gutting rooms, remember proper Insulation is key to energy savings.
• Taking into consideration your window coverings is often overlooked, but good Blinds or room darkening curtains can help keep the heat out and keep you cooling bills down.
• Remodeling the kitchen? How about a recycling center in the kitchen making it easy and a good habit for everyone to learn. These can usually be installed right in the cabinets. And if you want to get fancy there are even Kitchen Composters out there.
• Changing your flooring? Consider engineered wood, especially ones that use recycled materials.
• Redoing the landscape? Think water conservation in your new garden. Use indigenous plants whenever possible, and consider a drip system to compliment your sprinkler system for those areas that don’t need quite that much water. Check out Xeriscaping and also remember to capture and reuse rainwater.
• Consider a Tankless Water Heater. They heat water on demand rather keeping the whole tank of water hot constantly. A lot of savings there.
• Use Solar Energy where you can, even for heating the pool.

Please leave any other suggestions in the comments…Thanks…

http://www.smithandnoble.com/sn/home.jsp

energy efficient green building

bibi

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Often times when someone has fallen into the pitfalls of Substance Abuse , taking that first step is the beginning of the recovery. But recognizing that the drugs or alcohol have taken over their life and that they are no longer in control is the hardest part. There are times when the person cannot get there on their own and a friend or loved on has to intervene. Getting the addicted person to that place and time where they can see the reality of the situation, is key to not only their future, but many times the future of their families and friends.

Substance Abuse touches so many more people than the abuser. It’s a disease that affects everyone around them, their families, their friends, their Co-workers, their communities as a whole. The destruction is far reaching, financially, psychologically, physically, and spiritually. It’s a disease that if left unchecked will mean the destruction of that person and much more.

Getting the person help is essential to the recovery of everyone concerned. A good rehab program will provide them with the help they need to overcome this disease, and be able to start their way to a new life. A good rehab program will also recognize the help that is needed by those close to the person and be able offer the help necessary to get everyone one on the road to recovery.

http://www.AmbrosiaTreatmentCenter.com

AmbrosiaTreatmentCenter.com substance abuse

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When you don’t have a huge bankroll and you are starting out and trying to make it through school, knowing how to handle your credit is extremely important. It’s also very important for parents to try to teach kids about how to handle their credit before they take off for college. Student credit cards are available in all shapes, colors and sizes, and kids start getting offers sometimes even before they officially turn 18 and have left the nest. The problem is not getting a credit card, the problem is does the student know the responsibility of owning one.

Knowing the basics about developing good spending habits and paying bills in a timely manner is essential to having a good credit score. A good credit score means everything to your financial future. Once you ruin your credit score, it affects all financial decisions and opportunities that will come their way in the future. It will affect their decision to buy a car, a home, even the applications for Student credit cards or Student loans.

A bad credit score doesn’t necessarily mean that they will not be able to get what they are trying to purchase , but it will certainly mean one thing and that is that they will for sure pay more for that same credit than will a person with good credit. Bottom line, once you ruin your credit you pay through the nose. Just following some simple rules will ensure a good credit score.

• Know your finances. How much goes in every month, how much goes out. If there is anything left, that’s how much you can spend.
• Pay bills on time. Every time you are late, it goes on your record. You may not get a letter, but it still goes on your record.

Those 2 rules will keep your credit score good to go.

http://www.studentcreditcards.com/

credit score student credit cards

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Every little bit that we can do to conserve helps the environment and saves money too. Here are some tips for Greening your machines.

• Power Management: he power consumption from leaving our computers on all the time, is staggering. If your in the habit of turning off the computer when you go home from the office that’s great, but we forget about the energy that is still being used when the computer is not being used, while you go to lunch, or are doing something else. “the biggest savings come from enabling Monitor Power Management (MPM) and Computer Power Management (CPM) to put monitors and PCs into low power states when not in use. This saves between $20 and $100 per PC per year, and requires little staff time and capital expenditure.” Read More
  • Tips for reducing power consumption in computers and peripherals: from EDTECH.com
  • Check your computer manual to find out how to turn on your energy-conservation settings.
  • Screen savers do not reduce energy use for monitors. Instead of screen savers, automatically switch to sleep mode or manually turn off monitors to save power.
  • Energy Star computers and monitors only save energy when power management is activated on the computer.
  • To maximize power savings with notebook PCs, put the AC adapter on a power strip that can be turned off because the transformer in an AC adapter draws power even when the notebook PC is not plugged in.
  • Don’t forget peripherals and components — printers, copiers, scanners, processors, motherboards and power supplies all have potential energy-saving features
• Bamboo, Crank and Solar Powered cell Phones: With all the millions of cell phones out there only about 10% get recycled.
  • How about a phone made out of sustainable Bamboo with a cranking charger
    • The case of the phone is totally degradable, after removing the battery, antenna and the print board it can be thrown in the compost bin. The “Bamboo” is made out of bio-plastics of renewable raw materials such as corn, and bamboo which is also a renewable resource.
    • The battery can be recharged with muscle power. It comes equipped with a cranking charger and a monochrome display for maximum efficiency. Read More
    • Check out this great Solar Powered Charger
• Energy Star Appliances: When you need to replace appliances, of course go with the Energy Star Label, it will save you about a third on your energy bill. That’s a significant savings.
• How good is your HDTV at saving Energy: Before you buy your new HDTV, consult the following chart to see how energy efficient the new TV will be. HDTV power consumption compared
• Get Paid to Recycle Electronics: There are companies out there that will pay you for mailing in old electronic devices and others have buy back program. Here is a list of a few.
  • BuyMyTronics
  • SecondRotation
  • CellforCash
  • SimplySellular
  • SellYourCell
• Mail-In Program Free of Charge: The Post Office has come out with a pilot program that allows customers to recycle small electronics and inkjet cartridges by mailing them free of charge. Check it out: USPS
• Find a Responsible Recycler: Recycle your old electronics with an Environmentally Responsible Recycler:
  • Electronics Take Back Coalition

That’s all for now…

electronics environment ewaste green machines high tech trash recycle

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According to Wikipedia, “Aromatherapy is a form of alternative medicine that uses volatile liquid plant materials, known as essential oils (EOs), and other aromatic compounds from plants for the purpose of affecting a person’s mood or health.” It’s a practice that has been used for 6000 years and more.

Perfumes are a mixture of fragrant essential oils and aroma compounds, fixatives, and solvents used to give the human body, objects, and living spaces a pleasant smell. They are described in musical terms as having a set of notes, that make up the “chord” of the scent.

I never really thought about it but the fragrance that we use on ourselves are a sort of aromatherapy not only for ourselves but also for those who come near us. It hit me just the other day when going to a meeting, as I was greeting some of the participants we hugged and exchanged pats on the cheek, and was surprised at the reaction of my friend who exclaimed “Wow, what a whiff of fresh air, what is that you are wearing?” She said it with such enthusiasm that it really took me aback, that a mere scent would cause such a reaction. And when it happened again the next week, I decided to find out what it was that was in my particular fragrance, that was causing this reaction.

I went on their site BOSS FRAGRANCES , to find out what is in my perfume.

• Top Note: Fruity blend of Tangerine and Black Currant
• Middle Note: A smooth creamy- soft floral bouquet, with the texture of whipped cream.
• Base Notes: The musky notes of Apricot and soft amber combined with the warm woody background of satinwood.

Doesn’t that sound wonderful, no wonder I got those reactions. From now on I will pay more attention to what is in the fragrances that I use to help myself and others achieve a better mood.
http://www.bossfragrances.com/us

aromatherapy boss fragrances perfume

bibi

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Eco Tripping / Ecotourism, also known as ecological tourism, is a form of tourism that appeals to ecologically and socially conscious individuals. Generally speaking, ecotourism focuses on volunteering, personal growth, and learning new ways to live on the planet; typically involving travel to destinations where flora, fauna, and cultural heritage are the primary attractions.(According to Wikipedia)

If your looking for that cushy vacation with all the comforts of home, Eco Tripping may not be right for you. But if you are into roughing it and enjoying nature at it’s most pristine, than this is the thing for you. There are companies out there that can provide you with the adventure of your life, to ecologically fragile areas that maintain a healthy respect for the footprint that we leave as tourists.

The goal of Eco Tripping is to connect communities with conservation and sustainable travel. Responsible Ecotourism and tourists make sure that their experience not only has a minimal impact on the environment, but also provides a fabulous experience for both the tourists and the community, while providing financial benefit for conservation, and the community as a whole by using as many local services as possible. Building on the awareness about the environment and the cultures of those countries is helping natural areas that are under threat and also helping combat poverty in many of these impoverished areas.

Eco Tripping is available in many corners of the world, it might be worth consideration next time when planning a vacation.

Some Resources for Ecotourism:

• Ecotourism.org
• Planeta.com
• GoNomad.com
• Gapadventures.com
• Ecotourism Associations Worlwide

eco tripping ecotourism

bibi

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