TOUT CONSERVATION WHILE PUSHING `GREEN’ AGENDA

While pushing citizens to invest in clean-energy technologies

Gov. Deval Patrick and top lawmakers are snapping up energy-saving light bulbs and hybrid vehicles to reform their own polluting ways. For more details: Home Appliances

Since taking office, Patrick has outfitted his primary home and State House office with more than 170 compact fluorescent light bulbs, which use 75 percent less energy than regular incandescent bulbs. He is also driving a 2006 Toyota Highlander hybrid for his personal travel, as opposed to the gas-guzzling Cadillac he uses for official business.

House Speaker Sal DiMasi, whose official car is an inefficient Lincoln Navigator SUV, has also begun to purchase cleaner technologies. An aide to DiMasi said the speaker has installed compact fluorescent bulbs in his State House office and is moving to do so in the cavernous House chamber and hearing rooms.

The measures by both leaders come as they seek to implement sweeping reform legislation to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 20 percent and quintuple the use of renewable energy sources.

“For the most part, the people making public policy are not living very modest lifestyles,” said David Merrill, founder of globalwarmingsolution.org. “We need to cultivate a new ethic of modesty, and that must apply to our public officials.”

Former Vice President Al Gore

Who won the Nobel Peace Prize and produced the documentary “An Inconvenient Truth,” came under sharp criticism after it was revealed that his 20-room mansion in Nashville consumes more energy in one month than most American homes do in a year. Gore has since installed solar panels.

The Bay State’s top officials have a mixed record on energy use, pursuing strong reforms but struggling to make progress with their personal pollution.

In office, Patrick passed a “Leading By Example” executive order requiring state agencies to cut energy use 20 percent by 2012, but he still occasionally uses a fuel-chugging helicopter for his official travel as well as a Cadillac that gets only 18 miles per gallon. His Toyota hybrid gets 27.

The federal Environmental Protection Agency rates the Cadillac a 10.2 on a carbon footprint scale that goes from 3.5 to 16.2, with the higher number indicating greater emission levels. The agency estimates the car’s average annual fuel cost to be $2,327 per year, compared to just $1,444 for a Honda Civic.

Patrick spokesman Kyle Sullivan

Said the governor’s agenda and personal measures significantly offset his vehicle pollution. “This administration has made energy efficiency and greenhouse gas reduction a top priority,” he said. “The governor has followed suit both in his office and at home.”

DiMasi’s Lincoln Navigator gets only about 13 miles per gallon and receives a carbon footprint rating of 14.1 on the EPA Scale. An aide said the speaker has “eagerly incorporated energy efficiency” into his home, but did not provide specifics.

GRAPHIC: CLEANING UP THEIR ACT: Gov. Deval Patrick and legislative leaders are urging citizens to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by using clean-energy technologies in their daily lives. Here are some steps the governor has taken to cut energy use in his homes and at the State House:

** INSTALLED SPRAY FOAM INSULATION: in his Richmond home. The insulation makes a home air tight and fills in all cracks in exterior walls, therefore saving on home heating costs and energy use. Cost: $1,500 for 500-square-foot project, compared to $500 using fiberglass. The foam can save up to 30 percent on energy bills.

** INSTALLED COMPACT FLUORESCENT LIGHT BULBS: in his office and Milton home. They use 75 percent less energy and last up to 10 times longer than ordinary incandescent bulbs. If every American installed just one, it would reduce greenhouse gas emissions by the equivalent of 800,000 cars, according to government estimates. Cost: Initially more expensive, $3 compared to 50 cents for an ordinary bulb, but save up to 75 percent on energy bills.

** PURCHASED A 2006 TOYOTA HIGHLANDER HYBRID as his personal vehicle instead of the gas-guzzling Cadillac he uses for his official car. The hybrid gets 27 miles per gallon, compared to just 18 for the Cadillac. Cost: $30,000 for Toyota hybrid. Can visit http://homeappliances9.tumblr.com/

 

BEEF BARGAIN SUPREME

What’s the guiltiest pleasure at club stores? For GH Food Director Susan Westmoreland, it’s not the giant wheel of Brie–it’s the slab of beef known as a whole rib eye. Not only does it taste great but it’s a bargain lover’s dream: Typically, for the price of four rib eye steaks at the supermarket, you get ten steaks’ worth of meat (11 to 14 pounds). Pat with a dry-spice rub, then grill. Or, in winter, coat beef with the flavors of bearnaise (shallots and tarragon) and roast it whole.

PAINT THAT WEATHERS ANY STORM

It’s all the buzz in the painting world: Duration Exterior Coating from Sherwin-Williams. This paint stands up to the elements–from heat waves to blizzards. One coat forms a flexible layer that’s twice as thick as that of other paints, so it won’t crack, peel, or blister. And the paint is backed by a lifetime guarantee.

PERFECT POTLUCK DISH

You’ll be the hit of the party if you bring this hearty sausage-and-pepper baked ziti, a new twist on a classic. It’s easy to make: You can assemble it a day ahead, refrigerate, and bake just before serving. Recipe on page 208.

MOST SURPRISING LOVE STORY WE EVER PUBLISHED

“Mrs. Anderson’s Daughter Gets Married,” by frequent fiction contributor Faith Baldwin, first appeared here in August 1951. Decades later, it still delight us.

Mrs. Horace Anderson, her daughter, Grace, and cousin Eleanor were closing the Andersons’ summer home in the Thousand Islands at the east end of Lake Ontario. Mr. Anderson had already returned to their New York house, and Grace’s fiance was in Chicago. Her wedding was scheduled for early December, and it was now October.

A couple of days before they left, Mrs. Anderson decided she’d like to take a short car trip. Before her lay the frantic wedding preparations: invitations, trousseau, the purchase of household gear, the general confusion of giving her only child in marriage.

She said, sitting on a window seat and easing her feet from her shoes, “Let’s go to Ottawa!”

“Why Ottawa?” inquired Eleanor, yawning. She was a tall, spare woman, ten years younger than Mrs. Anderson, with whom she had made her home for some time.

“The weather’s beautiful,” said Mrs. Anderson, “and I’m too tired to plunge into the wedding. Besides,” she added wistfully, “I might just happen to pick up a few pieces of my Wedgwood.”

So the three women drove to Ottawa and checked in to a hotel. The following morning, they walked up a steep hill and entered an antiques shop. Mrs. Anderson went straight to the Wedgwood collection, leaving Grace and Eleanor to wander around the shop, bored but compliant.

Many years before, when her husband’s aunt died, Mrs. Anderson had inherited a few pieces of Wedgwood in a hard-to-find pattern. It became her ambition to own a complete dinner set. Her happy hunting on both sides of the Atlantic had severely tried her family’s patience and had put considerable strain on Mr. Anderson’s bank account.

Mrs. Anderson was overjoyed when the proprietress produced a gravy boat, a soup tureen, and three plates in her pattern.

As the package was being wrapped, Grace plucked at Eleanor’s tweed sleeve and pointed to a tea tray standing alone in a corner. It was a large tray decorated with stylized flowers.

2. In large bowl, with mixer

at medium speed, beat sugar

and butter 5

minutes or until

light and fluffy.

Reduce speed to

low. Add eggs,

1 at a time, beating

well after each

addition. Beat in extracts.

3. Beat in flour mixture

alternately with buttermilk,

beginning and ending with

flour mixture. Beat just until

blended, scraping bowl

frequently with rubber

spatula. Stir in half of

coconut (2 2/3 cups).

4. Spoon batter by level 1/3

cups into paper liners, filling

almost to top. Bake 25 to 30

minutes or until cupcakes are

golden brown and toothpick

inserted in centers comes out

clean. Let cupcakes cool in

pan 10 minutes. Remove

cupcakes from pan and cool

completely on wire rack.

5. When cupcakes are cool,

prepare Cream Cheese Icing:

In large bowl, with mixer at

medium speed, beat cream

cheese, butter, and extracts

until smooth. Reduce speed

to low; add confectioners’

sugar and beat until blended.

Increase speed to medium-high;

beat until icing is

smooth and creamy,

frequently scraping bowl

with rubber spatula.

Makes about 5 cups.

6. Frost tops of cupcakes

with icing. Sprinkle with

remaining coconut.

>> Each cupcake: About 500 calories, 6 g protein, 64 g carbohydrate, 26 g total fat (17 g saturated), 1 g fiber, 107 mg cholesterol, 180 mg sodium.

 

A Variety of Kitchen Food Scales Are Available

Good chefs are aware that they cannot succeed without functional kitchen food scales. Lacking a scale increases the odds of failing while trying different recipes. Those who desire to succeed should try the available scale designs. One can buy either the classic models or the new era models. Each option is okay because it has a variety of scales. The older models are relatively cheap than the latest models are. However, one has to search properly to get the most appropriate prices.

Some vendors always try to increase their rates. A shopper could even decide to become a collector for antique kitchen scale collectibles. Then, he or she can open a good online store to sell the items later on. If not, a person can simply buy the scales for his or her kitchen. Friends or family members can enjoy receiving an elegant classic food scale as a gift too. Those who have a restaurant may want to find the large scales for commercial uses. These might be difficult to find, but one could explore the antique stores.

The rich and the famous once used the Victorian era antique scales. These are either balance or mechanical scales. They can add into the beauty of most modern kitchens even now. The modern kitchen food scales are the alternatives. These scales have advanced features that allow the user to fulfill many things. Some of these scales are able to measure the fat content on the food as well. These electronic scales feature both analogue and digital buttons. You simply have to touch the buttons gently, and the scale is ready for use.

Another common part on them is an LCD screen display to allow an easy read. They also come with a bowl or a container made of stainless steel. It could be made of other strong metals as well. Another thing is that food scales have different capacities, in terms of pounds or kilograms. Thus, one should first determine the quantities of work he or she has in the kitchen on a daily basis. Some scales can handle smaller tasks and others can handle bigger tasks. Another factor one should consider is the price.

The more features a scale has, the higher its rates are likely to get. Shoppers can freely buy the scales they can pay for. The best shopping hub is the Internet for both antique and modern kitchen scales. Many stores are now selling these products on the web, making the search quick and convenient. An important detail to ensure is good quality. One must always pay for high-quality kitchen scales.

Certain groups of unscrupulous online vendors do sell inferior scales to customers. For this reason, a customer must always take his or her time to choose the best item. Conducting a search is essential as it allows a potential buyer to find the best web stores available. For instance, Amazon web site has won many shoppers’ trust, and it is a huge shopping place. Make sure the shipping rates for the kitchen food scales are affordable too.

 

The Benefits of Installing a Power Monitoring System

Making the decision to invest in a facility’s infrastructure is never easy, but when the investment will offer cost-saving benefits in the future, it makes the decision a bit easier. One such venture is a multi-purpose power monitoring system. A power networking system is a network of meters that is connected to the Internet. This connection allows for continuous up-to-date, real-time data on the power system of a facility. The meters feed the information to an online system that will allow system operators to identify and easily address potential problems throughout the system. Basically, it will let you see what you can’t by notifying you when the power system is functioning outside of its normal parameters.

As energy prices continue to increase, they continue to have a bigger impact on the bottom line. Taking advantage of a power monitoring system can help to drive down energy costs and in turn, lead to higher profits. A power monitoring system can protect large motors from current and surge distortions as well as prevent conductors and other prominent components from overheating. This system can also locate and identify equipment malfunctions before the malfunction even occurs. A power monitoring system when installed properly can be a major benefit to most large-scale users of energy. For most energy consumers, the cost and reliability of the electrical system is the biggest concern.

Monitoring systems can also provide a benefit for consumers that have a low tolerance for electrical perturbations because they need a reliable energy source. Monitoring systems can operate on a 24/7 basis. The continuous logging of the data related to energy will provide data on the operational characteristics of the electrical system. This can tell operators where the most energy is being consumed, when the energy is being consumed, and how the energy is being consumed. The quality of the energy that is supplied to a facility can be critical. Not only can it adversely affect operation, it can also lead to loss or degradation of the equipment or product, and can potentially lead to degradation in revenue and reputation.

Finding an experienced power monitoring system manufacturer that can work to your specifications can benefit your business on a number of levels. Power management systems can save money and energy not only making your business environmentally sustainable, but also economically sustainable. In the end, this is an investment that will pay for itself in dividends.

 

Indoor Grilling at Its Best

It seems that even though we all have good intentions about getting outside as much as we can during the summer months, sometimes it just doesn’t happen. Do you ever feel that you don’t have the time to really enjoy all, or any of the wonderful summer activities that you experienced in your youth? One of the most cherished memories I have from the summers of my youth is grilling outside and enjoying a nice burnt hot dog. That’s right, I said, “BURNT”. That is the fun of a grilled hot dog, chomping into something that is charred, a little dry and full of that grilling flavor. In the house, sure, you can burn your hot dogs in a frying pan if you choose to, or stick it in the microwave and eat a rubberized hot dog, or the other alternative is that you can buy an indoor grill. Although, with an indoor grill you won’t get the authentic flavor of an outdoor grill, at least you are still able to grill. There are many electric grills out there in the marketplace to choose from. I myself have a George Foreman Grill and I just absolutely love it!

Cooking with an indoor grill may not replace the outdoor fun of barbecuing on a big grill, but it sure comes in handy when you have no other alternative. You can grill just about any type of meat on an indoor grill that you can on an outdoor one. You can grill steaks, hamburgers, hot dogs, chicken, kabobs, fish, vegetables; you name it! You can even cook up a Panini or other grilled sandwiches in no time at all!

When purchasing an indoor grill, here are some tips on what to look for. Some of these units are open grills that will allow you to cook in a similar way as an outdoor grill. Sanyo makes a nonstick smokeless, open grill that has a large cooking surface, which sells for around $40.00 (depending on the size of the grill). Others are called contact grills (like the George Foreman Grill) that have a lid that heats up and cooks as well as the bottom plate, so that you are able to grill on both sides at the same time. Before making your purchase, think about how many people you will be cooking for. If you are just cooking for yourself, you can purchase one of the smaller grills, but if you have a medium to large size family, you might want to consider finding a grill that has a larger cooking surface. Keep in mind though, that these grills heat up fast, cook the food very quickly, so that you are able to continuously reload the cooking surface in a minimal amount of time. Another thing to watch for is that the cooking plates on the grill are easy to remove for cleaning. All grills should come with a drip pan to catch the grease and prevent a mess on your counter top.

Just remember that you don’t always have to do things the traditional way in order to get enjoyment out of a grilled meal. Besides, cooking on an indoor grill is an easier, faster and healthier way to grill your food!

 

How to Choose the Best Appliances For Your Kitchen

One of the most exciting things about moving into a new home is decorating it. The kitchen is no exception. In fact, the kitchen may very well be the most important room in your entire home, so it is a good idea to spend a little extra time thinking about how you should choose your kitchen appliances.

There are three main considerations that you should take into account when choosing your kitchen appliances. These are:

1. The overall theme, style, and color of your kitchen

2. Your space requirements and allocation

3. Budget

Let’s go through these one at a time.

1. Overall color and theme – The best kitchens have a single theme throughout all the appliances, countertops, cabinets, and trash cans. A well designed kitchen looks much better than one that was haphazardly thrown together. Some popular color themes are black, red, and stainless steel. However, some people even go for pink or green. You should decide on one theme and stick to it. You don’t want to buy a black refrigerator and then decide that you really wanted a stainless steel theme.

2. Space Requirements – How many appliances will you be able to fit in your kitchen, and how big should they be? If you don’t know the dimensions of your countertops and cabinets, then how are you going to decide whether a particular blender or toaster will even fit when you are looking at it in the store? That’s why it is always a good idea to take a lot of measurements of your kitchen before you go poking around at appliance stores.

3. Budget – Although this is an important consideration, it shouldn’t be the number one reason that you buy any particular appliance. What you really want to aim for is high quality at an affordable price. $5 for a toaster may seem like a good deal, but then you will have a dingy toaster that you have to look at every day (and that will probably burn your toast!). Often, more expensive high quality appliances can save you money in the long run, especially if they have been designed to save energy. Buying an energy-saving device is almost always a great choice because it helps the environment, and it saves you money every month on your electricity bill.

If you keep the above tips in mind, then you will undoubtedly put together a fantastic looking kitchen in no time. Also, when choosing appliances for your kitchen, don’t forget the kitchen trash can. It should fit completely within your theme. A fantastic modern trash can is the new Touchless trash can.

 

How to Choose the Best Coffee Makers

Every coffee lover will tell you that there is a difference on the way that your coffee tastes according to the type of coffee maker that you purchase. If you are in the market to get a brand new machine; then you have come to the right place. We are going to discuss how to choose the best coffee maker without breaking the bank.

It does not matter how much you enjoy starting your day with a dose of caffeine; the truth is that most people do not want to spend a lot of money when it comes to choosing the best coffee maker. While you may enjoy starting your day off with a cup of caffeine you do not want to go into debt trying to pay for that perfect machine.

With all the available models on the market; how can one decide which one is going to brew the best cup? Well the truth is it all depends on what you are looking for in a machine. Todays models come with many different features that you as a consumer have to decide what is important to you.

1. Safety: Many of today’s models now come with an automatic safety feature that allows the machine to turn off automatically after brewing coffee. You can set the automatic feature to turn off an hour after brewing coffee or any other time length that you want. This is perfect for those people who seem to always forget to turn off the appliances when they rush out the door early in the morning.

2. Pause: Does it seem like your current coffee maker takes too long to brew a cup of coffee that you can hardly wait until it is done. If you are tired of waiting in front of your machine hoping that it will brew faster; you will be pleased to know that some of the newer models come with a “pause” feature. This will allow you to pour yourself a cup a coffee even if the brewing process is not complete.

3. Programmable: Do you want to wake up to the smell of coffee in your home; knowing that your coffee is waiting for you the minute you get out of bed? Well then I would recommend one that has a programmable feature that will enable you to program the coffee to be ready as soon as you wake up.

These are some of the things you have to consider when you are find the way to choose to best coffee makers. If you want more valuable information about choosing your next coffee maker and other information that will help make your mornings more enjoyable; click here.

 

Beyond Kitchen Cabinets – Tips for Your Kitchen Improvement Project

We shall explore your next home kitchen improvement proposition. As the experts in Ottawa home improvement we have assisted thousands of home owners create the kitchen of their dreams. When planning your next kitchen renovations it is a good idea to picture your dream kitchen in your head first. By looking through examples from websites, showrooms, home depot, etc. you get a better idea of what you want your kitchen to look like.

Kitchen Cabinetry:
Do you want oak? Vaneer? Pressed wood? Pine? The type of cabinets you choose create the look/feel of your new kitchen. If money is tight in your situation then it would be recommended that you go with a special non-oak cabinet that gives the appearance of oak. This vaneer material gives your kitchen renovation the look and feel of oak without the price of oak, which is perfect for budget conscience customers. The type of wood you choose dictates the wood grain and textures that your kitchen’s character will display. If you are looking for a modern look then perhaps a pine kitchen will suffice if you are looking for a rich looking kitchen then maybe oak is your choice, or maybe you want a contemporary look therefore birch wood would be perfect for you.

Countertop:
The type of countertop you choose will set the overall tone of your new kitchen remodeling project, so it is critical to make the right choice. Whether you go with granite, laminate, or any other stone/solid there is always a cost associated with each material choice. The most costly would be the stone countertops and least costly would definitely be the laminate kitchen counters. Granite and Quartz are the highest you can go for a granite countertop solution. Going with a vinyl/laminate still provides a nice look without hurting the wallet, it would be the cheapest material for countertops.

Kitchen flooring and Accessories
The last, but not least, items to check off your list would be the kitchen floor, the kitchen backsplash, and the kitchen faucets. Choosing wisely will make your kitchen upgrade look like it was made for a prince. Let’s start with the floor, a very common installation for kitchen flooring would be ceramic or porcelain tiles. Installing ceramic stones ensures durability, water protection, and a beautiful kitchen that you will be happy with. It is recommended not to use hardwood flooring due to water damage because of high water exposure. After you have tackled the kitchen tiles you have to decide on what faucets to go with, which is usually very easy because a simple trip to your local hardware store will give you more than enough kitchen ideas to work with. Last but not least the backsplash you choose will dictate the accent of your kitchen; you can either go with a simple tile design or a beautiful mosaic finish.
The most popular type of backsplash would definitely the standard ceramic tile with the occasional accent here and there, if you wish to go higher end then mosaic tiles or glass tiles would suit your fancy.

Armed with knowledge about kitchen cabinets, kitchen counter-tops, and kitchen tiles as well as accessories you are well on your way a kitchen design that you can be happy with. If you are thinking of a classic kitchen design or a new kitchen system then the kitchen design ideas expressed in this article should give you some tips/tricks to help you better understand your upcoming kitchen renovations. When planning your next kitchen renovations please consult a trained professional to assist you in avoiding a kitchen nightmare.