Organic Gardening and Easy Ways To Get Started Today

Growing your own herbs, vegetables, greens and fruit can be both incredibly rewarding and delicious. However, many gardeners rely on pesticides, herbicides and fungicides not to mention chemical fertilizers to help their garden grow. That’s not only unnecessary, it’s also unhealthy. All those nutritious veggies pack a much healthier punch if they’re sans harmful chemicals.

 

Step 1: Prepare your soil. Because your soil is the foundation of your garden, it is important to make sure it’s full of the right nutrients to feed your garden. Mix in organic material like compost or humus and consider having your soil tested. The proper soil conditions can make the difference between a sparse crop and award winning vegetables. 

 

Step 2: Choose your crop. The second step to build an organic garden is to choose your crop. What are you going to grow in your garden?  Initially, in addition to what you’re going to grow, you’ll want to decide if you want to purchase plants or start your garden from seeds. If you start early enough you can use seeds. If not, you can purchase organic plants from your local nursery.

 

Regardless of what you choose, seeds or plants, make sure they’re grown without chemicals.

 

Step 3: Organize your garden. Did you know some plants naturally protect other plants from disease and pests? It’s true. Marigolds for example, drive bugs away and if you plant them around the perimeter of your garden, they’ll help protect your herbs, greens and veggies. 

 

Before transferring your plants into your garden, mark where you’re going to plant them. Make sure there is plenty of room between plants so they have room to grow and thrive. A tiny tomato plant can grow several feet high and several feet wide. Leave room.

 

Step 4: Natural pesticides, herbicides and fungicides. It’s been said that home gardeners generally use more chemicals on their gardens than farmers do. That’s a lot of chemicals!  Interestingly enough, mild detergent and water protect many plants from harmful pests. Hot pepper sprays also work to fend off pests. And natural predators like frogs and ladybugs can keep your garden healthy and full.

 

Step 5: Maintenance. Watering and weeding are all you have in store for you until it’s time to harvest. Take care to not over water. Soil should be moist but not soaking. Weed on a regular basis to make sure your plants have all the nutrients and room in the soil they need to grow.

 

Organic gardening isn’t difficult when you start with a healthy foundation. Before you dive in and start a garden large enough to feed an army, choose a few plants you know your family will eat. Grow those successfully and next year you can grow a bigger garden. 

Making Green Energy Affordable: Steps towards the Future

Making green energy affordable and scalable is going to be one of the most important topics of the next century. Fossil fuels will run out - it's only a matter of time - and we need to be prepared for that eventuality when it happens.

 

How do we make green energy affordable? Let's take a look at the primary challenges, possible solutions and what you personally can do to help.

 

The Primary Challenges

 

The primary challenge of green energy is its cost. At the moment, energy invested into green sources yields a return that's anywhere between three to ten times more expensive than fossil fuels.

 

That's why there's so much more money to be made in fossil fuels than green energy. The return on capital is much higher.

 

The intermittent nature of green energy is also a big challenge. For example, wind doesn't always blow and the sun doesn't always shine, making wind and solar power difficult to handle consistently.

 

In order for wind and solar power to be competitive, there needs to be significant breakthroughs in battery technology, both in price and in storage capabilities.

 

Working Towards a Solution

 

How does one overcome these challenges?

 

Green energy venture capitalist Vinod Khosla has looked at the issue as a matter of experimentation. 

 

In order to make green energy scalable, a new technology that's as profitable (or close to as profitable) as fossil fuels and coal needs to be discovered.

 

As long as green energy is only profitable when subsidized by governments, it won't take off to the scale of fossil fuels. The reason fossil fuels is such a huge industry is because so much money can be poured into it profitably. In order for green energy to get the same amount of investment, it needs to offer the same level of profitability.

 

Khosla views getting green energy to that level as a matter of stepping up to the plate and doing as many ambitious experiments as possible. 

 

The assumption is that nine out of ten experiments will fail and only one will succeed. But the one that succeeds can have a big impact on the planet. 

 

What Can You Personally Do?

 

Chances are, you're not a banker or scientist who's actively working in the green energy industry. How can you personally help progress our future?

 

There are a couple things you can do.

 

The first is to get involved in local politics to get more green energy subsidies. Yes, it's true that energy subsidies are not a scalable way to grow green energy. 

 

However, the more money the green energy earns as a whole, the more money they'll have to experiment with. Subsidies might not be scalable, but they'll help companies get themselves to scalability.

 

Another thing you can do is to vote with your wallet. Buy energy-saving light bulbs, invest in home solar panels and buy a hybrid car rather than a gas guzzler.

 

Getting our planet to a green future doesn't happen overnight. It'll take major breakthroughs, but it'll also take a collective effort on all of our parts.

Green Energy and The Way of the Future

You may have heard a lot about green energy the past year or so. Whether you’ve jumped on the green energy bandwagon or not, it is definitely not a trend. Green energy is the way of the future. Let’s take a look at exactly what green energy is, why it’s important and how you can use it to improve your life and your environment.

 

What is Green Energy?

 

Green energy is energy that produces little if no by products that harm the environment. For example, fossil fuels like oil are expensive to mine, destructive to the environment during the actual drilling process and produce many toxic by-products. These very same by products have been directly contributing to greenhouse gases and global warming not to mention polluting our waterways and air. 

 

Green energy, like solar, wind, and geothermal do not cause destruction to the environment either during their harvesting stage or as a by-product. When you use solar cells for example to store and create energy, you’re using energy directly from the sun. There’s no by product create and no waste. 

 

Benefits of Green Energy 

 

The benefits of green energy are vast. Initially you may think about two primary environmental benefits. They include no waste or pollution from the energy sources or emissions. Eliminating harmful emissions would drastically improve our planet’s outlook and virtually eliminate global warming caused by greenhouse gasses. 

 

Additionally, green energy means no more destruction of the earth as we harvest fossil fuels. No more oil spills, digging in the midst of our pristine wilderness and destroying our natural resources. 

 

However, beyond the immediate and apparent environmental benefits, in the long run green energy is significantly more cost effective. Imagine if your entire home ran on energy from the sun?  How much a month would that save you in heating your home and in your electric bill?  

 

Over the course of a year you’d save a thousand dollars or more, right?  What about over the course of ten years?  Yes, initially it will cost to transfer your energy source from fossil fuels to green energy sources, but that initial expense is usually paid for within a few years. 

 

Green energy is infinitely sustainable and economically sound. That’s why it is the wave of the future.

 

How to Use Green Energy

 

The good news is that green energy can be utilized in smaller increments. You don’t have to change your entire home over to sustainable fuel sources in one fell swoop. You can add a few solar panels, use passive solar, and support sustainable practices. Some energy companies even offer a membership where you can specify a certain amount of your energy come from wind or solar. This depends on where you live but check it out. Finally, you can support businesses that use green energy. 

 

It may take a while to spread throughout the world, however green energy is more than a passing phase, it is the wave of the future.

Energy-Efficient Roofs: Things to Consider

Energy-efficient roofs are a great way to reduce your carbon footprint, keep your home cool and save energy all at once. If your roof is getting to the point where it needs to be maintained anyway, getting energy-efficient roofing could turn out to be a lucrative investment.

 

Here are a few things to consider when you're getting energy-efficient roofs.

 

Rebates and Tax Cuts

 

At the moment, PG&E is offering a $200 rebate for every 1,000 square foot of energy-efficient roof installations. Various states also offer tax breaks. 

 

You may also qualify for the Energy Efficient Tax Breaks with energy-efficient roofing.

 

The tax incentives vary from state to state. If you're on a different utility provider, talk to them about potential rebates. These can go a long way towards offsetting the cost of the roofing.

 

The Different Types of Energy: Efficient Roofs

 

There are a few different common types of energy-efficient roofs.

 

First you have metal roofing. These metal roofs are reflective and will divert the sun's rays from your house, effectively cooling your home without taking up any energy.

 

They're also extremely durable and can survive even in harsh weather conditions.

 

Next you have clay tiling. Clay tiles aren't as reflective as metal, but a special coating can be added to increase their heat reflecting capabilities.

 

Often times clay tiles can be made in a sustainable manner to help reduce your environmental footprint even further.

 

Finally you have membranes. Membrane installation is much easier than the other types and can even be done without a contractor. Unfortunately, the material is much more expensive than other types.

 

Membranes are often used on commercial buildings rather than residential buildings.

 

The Process of Getting Energy: Efficient Roofs

 

The best way to get top-notch energy-efficient roofs at a good price is to talk to several contractors before making your decision.

 

Get at least three different bids for the job before you make your pick. Make sure you talk to the contractor about what roof type will work best for your house.

 

Do you get the sense that this contractor is really knowledgeable about their craft? Remember, doing a roof is a big project. Only hire someone that you really feel you can trust.

 

Try to negotiate a per-job rate rather than a per-hour rate. Per-hour projects almost always go over budget.

 

Energy-Efficient Roofs: Wrap Up

 

In summary, getting energy-efficient roofs can be a great way to help conserve energy and save money. There is a significant upfront investment, but it'll more than pay for itself in the long run. This is especially true if your roofing needs to be replaced anyway. If you're getting a new roof, seriously consider making the extra investment to help your planet and conserve energy.

DIY Solar Panels: Overview of the Buying & Construction Process

Building and installing your own solar panel can help you save a lot of money on electricity, without extravagant upfront costs. Getting a solar panel installed professionally will usually cost you five figures. Doing it yourself, however, can cost just a few hundred.

 

Here's an overview of how the buying and construction process works.

 

Buying the Solar Cells

 

There are a few ways you can buy solar cells. You can buy them as part of a group, in which case you'll be able to buy from a wholesaler directly. Though this is perhaps the cheapest way to do it, it's much more difficult to organize.

 

The easiest way to buy solar cells is to use eBay. eBay has several sellers providing solar cells, which means the competition keeps the price down to inexpensive levels.

 

Constructing the Solar Panel

 

A solar panel is basically a series of solar cells joined together. The electricity generated from the cells flows together until there's enough electricity generated for actual use.

 

To construct the panel, you need a wooden container of some sort to put the cells in. You need wire cutters, strippers and soldering equipment.

 

All you need to do is wire the cells together to create a panel. You might also want to install a diode to make sure that energy doesn't flow from the battery back into the panel when sunlight isn't hitting the panel.

 

Inverters and Batteries

 

Energy generated from a solar panel comes in the form of direct current (DC) power. However, in order for your home electronics to be able to use the power, you need the energy to be in alternating current (AC).

 

Also, unless you plan on immediately using the energy generated by your solar panel in your home, you'll probably want a battery so you can store the energy.

 

Inverters and batteries can cost quite a bit of money. Again, eBay can come in handy when acquiring low-cost or second-hand supplies.

 

Passing Inspections

 

The final step to installing your solar panel is passing inspections.

 

While it's possible to create a solar panel and run it without passing inspections, you're leaving a lot on the table.

 

First of all, you can't qualify for the many tax incentives that come with owning a solar panel if you don't pass an inspection.

 

You also can't wire your solar panel to the grid without passing inspection. If you get permission to attach your panel to the grid, you can "sell" energy to the grid and actually have your electric meter flow backwards while your panels produce energy that you aren't using.

 

That's a basic overview of the entire buying and construction process. Building your own solar panels takes a lot of dedication, but the process can be immensely fun and save you a lot of money at the end of the day.

Different Types of Green Energy

If the human race is to survive, we're eventually going to have to switch over to completely renewable energy. At the moment, most of our energy comes from natural gases, coal and oil based energy sources. These energy sources are both dirty and unsustainable.

 

What other alternatives do we have? These are the five main different types of green energy.

 

Hydropower

 

Hydropower is currently the largest producer of green energy, accounting for over 70% of our renewable energy production.

 

The way it works is that special installations are placed underwater, where strong currents of water will push through a mechanical instrument known as a penstock.

 

This "push" is then converted into electricity and fed into the energy grid.

 

Solar PV

 

Solar energy is another common type of green energy. There are two main types of solar power: solar power for homes and solar power plants.

 

Though solar PV has gotten a lot of press in recent years, there are a lot of problems still. 

 

First of all, though the production of energy is more green than oil, the process of creating the materials solar PV is made of is quite toxic.

 

Also, to make your money back from the savings of a solar panel may take as long as ten to twenty years.

 

Wind Power

 

Wind energy is a stellar renewable source of power. The key to wind power is to place these energy generators in high altitude, high wind velocity locations.

 

The return on wind power is quite substantial. The only downside is that aesthetically they block the view from just about any angle because of their size.

 

That said, wind power is more cost-efficient than solar and easier to construct than hydropower.

 

Geothermal

 

Geothermal energy isn't applicable everywhere, but when it is the amount of energy generated can be very substantial.

 

Geothermal works by tapping into the earth's intrinsic heat. It turns that heat energy into power and uses that as electricity.

 

In order to use geothermal, a high-heat underground spot must be identified.

 

Biomass

 

Biomass is primarily the conversion of manufacturing by-products into electricity. 

 

These by-products can include wood chips and fragments, leftover sugar, animal manure and anything else that's burnable.

 

Biomass can also include materials produced specifically for the production of energy (e.g. corn ethanol).

 

The biomass is burned and the heat energy is turned into electricity. Biomass is a great way of disposing of products that might otherwise become waste; but is unlikely to become a primary producer of our world's energy needs.

 

These are our primary sources of renewable energy. Of course, there are many other fringe sources of energy that are being researched all the time. 

 

However, in order for a renewable energy to truly make sense, it needs to be both scalable and financially sustainable for investors. For the time being, the five listed above are the main sources of renewable energy.

Choosing and Installing Energy-Efficient Doors

Selecting and installing an energy efficient door can help you reduce your electric bill, as well as keep your rooms at a more comfortable temperature without having to turn on the AC or the heater.

 

Some door improvements cost a lot of money. For example, if you decided to completely replace your door, that's going to be a heavy investment. Other improvements, such as weatherstripping, are easy and inexpensive.

 

Here's what you need to know about installing energy-efficient doors.

 

What Kind of Door Should You Choose?

 

There are primarily three types of doors you can choose from: wood, steel and fiberglass.

 

However, if you want to conserve the maximum amount of energy possible, the best kind of door you can choose is a steel door that's wrapped in wood. 

 

This kind of door will give you the great look that a wooden door does, while giving you maximum insulating power.

 

Weatherstripping: Even More Important Than the Door

 

Even more important than the door are the areas around the door. 

 

Most heat in the door area doesn't escape from passing through the door. Instead, it escapes through the gaps under the door or the seams on the side of the door.

 

As a rule of thumb, if you can slide a piece of paper anywhere from inside the house to the outside of the house with the door closed, you have a serious air and energy leak.

 

Weatherstripping is the process of sealing up these gaps to make sure no heat or coolness escapes to the outside. You do this by sealing the bottom of the door and the seams along the door.

 

Weatherstripping costs much, much less than buying a new door and can have a much bigger effect. You can even do it yourself by going down to Home Depot and buying the weatherstripping supplies you need.

 

Understanding R Value

 

One final thing to understand about door energy conservation is "R Value."

 

Your R Value is how heat resistant the glass on your door is. If you have a door panel, glass doors or even just decorative glass on your door, a lot of heat can escape through that glass.

 

The higher the R Value, the less heat escapes. When you're buying your door, make sure you take your R value into account.

 

If everything else in your house is designed to conserve heat but your door has a low R value, you might want to consider getting the glass replaced.

 

Choosing, installing and leak-proofing your door can take several weeks. Remember that all the effort you put into it will pay off in energy saving in the future. You'll also be helping reduce your environmental footprint by using less energy.

5 Health Concerns Men Should Never Procrastinate About

Regular exercise, a healthy diet, and taking care of our emotional wellbeing are all-important elements of living a healthy lifestyle and maintaining an optimal level of health. Medical experts and research has confirmed repeatedly that the lifestyle choices we make are crucial for healthy aging, and preventing various diseases that can result in premature death. 

 

However, prevention goes a step beyond, with preventative medical care that can alert both men and women to various medical conditions that can lead to serious complications that can affect health and shorten one’s lifespan. Early detection and monitoring for high-risk conditions is an essential element of good healthcare.

When it comes to healthcare, men tend to see doctors less and do not pay as much attention to their possible health concerns as women do. They can often go years between doctors’ visits—missing valuable opportunities for screening and detection of possible physical diseases. 

 

Here are some health concerns worth keeping on top of so that you don’t end up with unnecessary complications:

 

• High blood pressure: Men are just as prone to high blood pressure as women. High blood pressure is largely hereditary but can be influenced by environmental factors such as caffeine intake, intake of salt, and obesity. Unless the blood pressure is extremely high, you will have no symptoms and the blood pressure will be left unchecked and unnoticed.  Visit your doctor every five years or so to have your blood pressure obtained.  Try to check your blood pressure at stations found in most pharmacies. Numbers of 140/90 or greater bear a visit to your doctor.

• Colon cancer: Colon cancer is the second largest cause of cancer death among men.  Fortunately, it is largely preventable by being screened for colon cancer, beginning at age 50 (and sooner if it runs in the family). It involves having a colorectal specialist insert a camera at the end of a flexible tube into the colon to look for and remove cancer-causing polyps. This procedure is called a colonoscopy and it should be repeated every ten years as a screening measure, starting at 50 years of age. Keeping a high fiber diet that is low in fat can also reduce the risks of colon cancer.  

• Prostate Cancer: Prostate cancer is the second most common cancer in men, after skin cancer. Doctors know that there are basically two types of prostate cancer—slow growing and fast growing. Either way, it is worth getting screened for prostate cancer through the use of digital rectal examination every five years at the doctor’s office.  Some doctors also draw blood for prostate specific antigen or PSA. This number can be high in enlarged prostate conditions or in prostate cancer.  If it is elevated, doctors can try and determine if it is related to cancer or not.

• Smoking Cessation: Lung cancer caused by smoking is the number one cause of cancer deaths in America. The simplest way to reduce your risk of lung cancer is to never smoke or to stop smoking as soon as possible. There are many ways to quit smoking, including medications like Chantix® or nicotine replacement modalities. Gum, lozenges and patches are available that contain nicotine to help you get off the smoking habit. There are even vapor cigarettes that can provide nicotine but not the harmful carcinogens. The Centers For Disease Control recommend only one screening test for lung cancer, known as the low-dose computed tomography, through the test is not always accurate and has its own risk factors. The LDCT uses an X-ray machine that scans the body and uses low doses of radiation to created detailed pictures of the lungs. 

The CDC recommends yearly lung screenings for those who: have a history of heavy smoking, smoke now or have quit within the last 15 years and are between 55 and 80 years old. Heavy smoking is defined as smoking at least one pack of cigarettes per day for one year. A 30 pack-year history can equate to 1 pack a day for 30 years or two packs a day for 15 years.

• Heart Disease: Men are at a greater risk of heart disease than women are and must begin making strides toward lowering their risk early in life. Things like high cholesterol, high blood pressure, obesity, lack of exercise, and family history contribute to a high risk of heart disease.  Especially with men who have family histories, measures should be taken to reduce the other risk factors.  This means adopting a heart healthy diet high in fruits and vegetables and low in fat.  It means a commitment to exercise at least thirty minutes per day, five days a week.   Finally it means seeing a doctor to find out about risk factors like high cholesterol and high blood pressure.  If these are elevated, your doctor may prescribe medications that can further reduce your risk of getting a heart attack.  

• The Family Connection: Besides all the conditions listed above, it is also a good idea to find out about any medical conditions that run in the family as genetics can play a big role in the development of certain diseases. 

 

Oftentimes, children, parents, and grandparents share similar health problems because inherited factors put family members at risk through genes. Disease often results from the combined effects of minor changes in multiple genes, and each gene then contributes in a small way to the symptoms of and development of disease.

 

Heart disease, diabetes, and cancer account for 7 of every 10 deaths in the United States, and they are considered genetic diseases because they run in families. Gathering a detailed family history can give you important information as to your risk factors and that awareness can be used to monitor for and possibly prevent the onset of problems whenever possible.

Your Best Food Choices To Prevent Cancer

Far too many lives are negatively impacted, or taken too soon by a wide variety of dangerous and relentless cancers. Scientists are hard at work trying to discover the cure to this deadly disease, and all its different varieties but in the meantime, is there anything we can do differently in our diets to prevent cancer? 

 

Diet is well known to play a key role in so many aspects of both good and bad health. Nutrients from food are used by the body for countless internal process, energy, healthy immunity, and brain health. Nutrients are also essential for avoiding disease, including heart disease, the common cold, and even cancer.

 

Research has shown that eating a healthy, balanced diet with fruits and vegetables can help in all aspects of maintaining good health. There are even some specific foods that are considered cancer-fighting powerhouses. Perhaps they are already part of your diet, but if they are not, now is a great time to start incorporating the following cancer preventing, and delicious foods.

 

Garlic

 

Science suggests that the sulfur that is released from this fragrant food can have cancer fighting powers. It can prevent cancer from forming in your body and accelerates the repair of DNA.  Real garlic cloves are a better option than a supplement, and it’s best to peel the cloves and crush or mince them. Then let them sit for 20 minutes before you cook them so the enzymes have time to activate and release the sulfur. Raw garlic can be enjoyed in salads, sprinkled over cooked meats, fish and poultry or steamed vegetables.

 

Broccoli

 

Cruciferous vegetables such as broccoli, kale, and cabbage are all packed with enzyme producing phytochemicals that become active as you chew. Eaten cooked or raw, these veggies help protect against stomach and intestinal cancers.

 

Tomatoes

 

Have you ever wondered what gives tomatoes that lovely red color? It’s a phytochemical called lycopene, and its concentration is higher in tomatoes than any other foods. Tomatoes are most prepped to protect from cancer when they are cooked or processed, because your body can more easily break them down and absorb the vital nutrients. 

 

A wonderful dish with tomatoes is grilled tomatoes parmesan. Cut a whole tomato in half, sprinkle parmesan cheese on top and bake at 375F on a cookie sheet with a little olive oil for about 5 to 6 minutes or until the cheese is golden brown.

 

Cooked Carrots

 

Carrots are loaded with antioxidants, and beta carotene which has been linked to slowed cancer growth. This naturally sweet and well-loved veggie is most beneficial cooked as light steaming releases essential antioxidants, so you’ll help keep all the nutrients intact if you steam them whole, and then cut them before enjoying. Add fresh raw garlic over the steamed carrots to double the cancer fighting benefits! 

 

Strawberries

 

Berries are small, but mighty when it comes to health benefits, and antioxidant-rich strawberries are one of the best in the bunch for cancer prevention. Additionally, they contain Ellagic acids, which have shown the ability to slow tumor growth and protect against mouth and esophagus cancers. Moreover, they are a great food to eat for naturally healthy and white teeth. 

 

Berries make great snacks, powerful breakfast foods over a whole grain cereal or Greek yogurt and they are awesome low-calorie desserts.

 

Spinach

 

Spinach is a great source of nutrients, fiber, and carotenoids. Carotenoids are important in cancer prevention because they flush out the free radicals in our bodies before they have a chance to settle in and do any damage. You’ll get more benefits from eating this green, leafy super hero raw or just slightly cooked and wilted. 

 

You can eat spinach raw in salads or enjoy it sautéed for just a couple of minutes in olive oil with a dash of fresh garlic and a little salt. 

 

Whole Grains

 

Eating whole grains contributes to well balanced and tasty diet. They also contain antioxidants called lignans that can be helpful in prohibiting cancer cells from multiplying. When you’re selecting breads, cereals, and side dishes such as rice or pasta, always go with the whole grain varieties for a healthy dose of fiber and antioxidants to help ward off cancer.

 

Limit Meat, And Choose Hormone Free

 

Meat is a great source of protein, but can often be tinged with growth hormones that were given to the animals to make then larger, faster. These hormones have been linked to cancers, so choosing hormone free options will help protect you. Meat should also be enjoyed in moderation, and not overcooked to the point of charring. 

 

Bottom Line

 

Healthy, fresh, whole natural foods not only contribute to good health, but can also heal and restore balance in our bodies. Conversely, eating junk and processed food can actually do the opposite by depriving the body of the nutrition it needs to function at its best, and to maintain optimal immunity in order to fight disease.

 

Incorporating these powerful foods into your diet will help protect against cancer, and give you delicious and long-lasting health.