Thursday, September 30, 2010

Tips for Growing Vegetables in a Small Space or City Garden

Publisher: Earl Williams
The Affiliate Mini Mall

Something to start working on for next year.

Would you just love to grow vegetables, but you don’t have the space? While a big sprawling garden may be the ideal, quality vegetables can be grown even in the absence of a yard. Many people who live in apartments in crowded cities still manage to grow great veggies to enjoy.

When you don’t have a yard to plant in, you can turn to container gardening to grow your fresh fruit and vegetables. It’s easy to find pots and other containers, both large and small that work great for apartment gardens. Plastic gardening containers can be purchased fairly cheaply and work well in most cases. If you’re looking for something more stylish, you can buy or make wooden containers.

These keep the soil temperature from fluctuating as much, but require more watering because they’re very porous. If container gardening seems just a little too boring for you, there are plenty of products on the market to make gardens more catchy and cool. One example is the garden sock. This looks like a giant hosiery sock that you can use to plants various vegetables or flowers.

If you’re totally lacking a yard or balcony, you can use more decorative pots or containers. If you place your vegetables correctly in your apartment, they can act as decorative pieces as well as great food. The key for decorating with vegetables is to get creative. Wrapping a vine from a vegetable plant around a post or railing can make a nice accent. Just be sure indoor plants are getting plenty of direct sunlight and do not over water.

You’re probably still thinking “what kind of vegetables could I possibly grow in such a small space?” While there are certain fruits and veggies that grow in small spaces, like strawberries, the real key is picking the right variety of vegetables to grow. Many vegetables have smaller versions that don’t need as much space as their full size counterparts. When picking plants to grow, look at how much room they need to have and how far apart they need to be.

Hopefully one or more of these tips has gotten your imagination growing. Just remember, instead of concentrating on how your small space limits you, think of the fun and creative things you can do with vegetables in the area you do have.


About the Publisher: Earl Williams is a real entrepreneur who is making money with his online marketing business using some of the largest Affiliate programs on the Internet. He uses the affiliate programs to setup Affiliateminimall.com where you can fine discount shopping along with great coupon deals. To learn more visit: www.shoptamm.com

Smart Driving Tips to Get More Mileage out of Your Tank

Publisher: Earl Williams
The Affiliate Mini Mall

Why You Should Have the Right Amount of Pressure in Your Tires


There are all kinds of good reasons to have the correct pressure in your vehicle's tires. With the proper tire pressure, you will get better mileage and save fuel, your tires will experience less wear and tear, and your vehicle will emit less pollution. Perhaps most importantly, you will be safer in a vehicle with tires that have the right amount of pressure. Here are some helpful tips and reasons to keep the tire pressure at the right level in your vehicle.

1. More is not better

Some people think that inflating your tires to maximum capacity is the way to achieve the benefits of properly inflated tires, but the key is to inflate them according to the manufacturer's recommendations for your specific vehicle. If you are having someone else put air in your tires, make sure you let him or her know this.

The manufacturer's recommendations for your vehicle can be found on the tire information placard label, usually located on driver's side doorjamb. This information is also in your vehicle's owner's manual. Always make sure your tires are cool before checking your tire pressure. When you drive your vehicle your tires get warm and they will stretch which gives a different reading then when they are cool.

2. Better gas mileage

Having the correct tire pressure saves fuel, which is good for the planet and easier on your finances. Tires that are underinflated will "drag" along the pavement as too much of the tires' surface area comes in contact with the road. This increase in friction forces your engine to work harder - and therefore use more gas - to overcome the friction and maintain speed.

3. Less wear and tear

Tires that are under-inflated are, as noted above, prone to greater friction against the road. This friction not only increases gas usage; it also increases the chance of the tires overheating, which can cause their treads to separate.

Overinflated tires increase the tendency of the vehicle to bounce, making your ride uncomfortable and causing uneven wear - the center of the tire is disproportionately pressed against the pavement while the edges don't hit the road surface much at all. Overinflated tires are also more prone to puncture.

4. Fewer emissions

The engine of a vehicle traveling on correctly inflated tires does not have to work so hard, thus cutting down on emissions. You use less gas, and less carbon dioxide gets into the air.

5. Safety

Maintaining the correct tire pressure is crucial to vehicle safety. Tires without enough air will compromise your ability to brake in time and turn corners. Not being able to handle your vehicle accurately can be the difference between a dangerous accident and no accident at all.

Also, tires that do not have the correct pressure are more prone to damage - either by overheating such as occurs with under-inflation, or by puncturing which is more likely with overinflated tires. A tire that "blows out" while you are driving can put you and your passengers in great danger.


How to Reduce the Carbon Footprint of Your Car


You do not have to purchase a hybrid or electric car in order to reduce your automotive carbon footprint (although it's ideal if you can!). There are ways you can reduce the carbon footprint of your existing car. Here are some tips.

1. Maintain your car

Keeping your car in top working order makes it work more efficiently, thereby keeping emissions and gas usage at a minimum. Some things to keep in mind when taking your car in for maintenance are:

* Tire pressure - Keeping the tire pressure at the optimum level for your specific car can make a great deal of difference in your gas mileage. Be sure to tell the mechanic or technician to inflate the tires according to the manufacturer's standards. It should be printed on the inside of one of your car's doors, and/or in your owner's manual.

* Filters - Clean oil and air filters use a lot less gas than dirty ones, because the engine does not have to work as hard to draw oil or air through clean ones. If the filters are dirty, the engine has to work harder and therefore uses more gas.

* Oil - Keeping your oil fresh is important for maintaining your engine performance. A well-lubricated engine is much more efficient.

* Tune-ups - This is one of the most basic and significant means of effective car maintenance. Regular tune-ups keep your car running efficiently and will extend the life of your car.

2. Turn it off

When you are waiting in your car, turn off the engine when possible. Turn off the air conditioning when you are driving uphill.

3. Drive carefully

You may not realize it, but how you drive your car can have as much impact as how often you drive it. Accelerating rapidly, speeding, or gunning the motor are all wasteful (and dangerous) activities to engage in.

When going uphill, do not try to maintain your exact speed; be willing to slow it down a little and catch up to the speed limit when going downhill. Try to look ahead and anticipate when you will need to stop; slamming on the breaks wastes fuel.

4. Use alternative means of transportation

One of the ways you can responsibly use your car is not to use it! Public transit is inexpensive and far less polluting than cars. You can also make good use your car to transport groups in a car pool.


These are just some of the ways you can reduce carbon footprint of your car. There are benefits for all if we employ some of these techniques; even some insurance companies are offering lower rates to customers who drive their cars less and drive more carefully.


About the Publisher:
Earl Williams is a real entrepreneur who is making money with his online marketing business using some of the largest Affiliate programs on the Internet. He uses the affiliate programs to setup Affiliateminimall.com where you can fine discount shopping along with great coupon deals. To learn more visit: www.shoptamm.com

Monday, September 27, 2010

Turning Your Home into a Low-Energy Home

Publisher: Earl Williams
The Affiliate Mini Mall

Are you concerned about the amount of energy you use in and around your home? Here are some tips for turning your home into a low-energy one.

1. Do a home energy audit. Go through your home and note the type and location of insulation, the state of the weather stripping on windows and doors, lighting, and so forth. As you do your audit, keep the following tips in mind.

2. Insulate your walls. If you remove a wall switch plate and you don't see any insulation behind it, you probably don't have insulation in your walls. That is a key priority if you are going to have a low-energy home. You can have insulation blown into your walls behind the siding. There are eco-friendly options for blown insulation, too.

3. Insulate your attic. Your attic should have at least a foot of insulation. A lot of heat loss can occur if the insulation is not adequate. Add more as necessary, and check for leaks and cracks between the side of the house and the eaves.

4. Replace your faucets with low-flow ones, or low-flow aerators. These are available for showers, kitchen and bathroom faucets. They are very inexpensive, and can save you a bundle in water bills and energy use.

5. Keep cool with fans and shade in the summer. Rather than automatically switching to air conditioning when the outside temperature gets above 75, try running fans placed in screened windows during the night and early morning. Draw curtains and blinds to block the sun as the day gets hotter, and move the fans out of the windows (so you aren't drawing in hot air, but conserving the cool night and morning air). If you must run the air conditioner, try to limit it to several hours in the late afternoon.

6. In the winter, open curtains, shades and blinds during the day to let warming sunshine in. At night, close the blinds and curtains to keep cold air from leaking in around the edges of the windows, and warm air from leaking out.

7. Hang your laundry out to dry whenever weather permits. If you have a screened-in porch, you can hang it out all year round. This saves a lot of energy - clothes dryers use quite a bit of electricity.

8. Insulate your water heater and pipes.

9. Turn off the lights. This advice is ignored as often as it is repeated, but it's still important. When you leave a room, get into the habit of turning off the light(s). Even if you are in a room, use the natural light whenever possible. When you do need electric lighting - such as when you have the blinds and curtains drawn against the sunlight - use lights with LED or CFL bulbs.

10. Turn off electronic devices at night, or when they are not in use.

11. Consider setting up a rain barrel or two. The water can be used to wash your hair, cars, pets, and to water plants (don't drink it, though).

12. If you are able, invest in energy-efficient appliances. Regardless of what appliances you have, use them efficiently. Don't hold the refrigerator door open, for example, or preheat the oven for excessive amounts of time.

About the Publisher: Earl Williams is a real entrepreneur who is making money with his online marketing business using some of the largest Affiliate programs on the Internet. He uses the affiliate programs to setup Affiliateminimall.com where you can fine discount shopping along with great coupon deals. To learn more visit: www.shoptamm.com

Healthy Apple Desserts

Publisher: Earl Williams
The Affiliate Mini Mall


So many apple desserts involve large amounts of sugar, butter, shortening, or white flour - or all four of these! It's really too bad, since naturally-sweet apples make excellent, healthy desserts without all of the added ingredients. Here are some recipes for healthy apple desserts that everyone in the family can enjoy.


1. Jellied Apple Squares

This natural dessert is great for kids, and adults who want a dessert that is refreshing and easy on the digestion. It uses agar-agar, a healthy, seaweed-based jelling agent that acts like gelatin. It is available in some grocery stores and most health food stores.

Ingredients:

* 3 medium apples, sliced into thin slices. Peeling is optional
* 2 cups water
* 2 cups unsweetened apple juice
* 1/4 cup + 2 tablespoons agar-agar flakes
* Pinch of salt

Bring all ingredients except the salt to a boil. Reduce heat to low and simmer gently, stirring occasionally, for just under 3 minutes. Pour into a jell-o mold or dish and refrigerate until firm. This will take about an hour. When firm, cut into squares or unmold and slice.


2. Nutty Apple Crunch

With their good fats, nuts are a healthful addition to this apple dessert. Arrowroot is a natural thickening agent that is a healthy substitute for cornstarch.

Ingredients:

* 1 dozen medium apples, skins optional
* 2 tablespoons arrowroot starch
* 1 cup rolled oats
* 1/2 cup walnuts
* 1/4 cup each almonds and hazelnuts (filberts)
* 2 tablespoons brown rice syrup or honey
* Pinch of salt

Slice apples and add salt and arrowroot; mix well and place in baking dish. Pan-roast the oats in a dry skillet over medium heat until golden brown. Stir constantly. Roast the nuts the same way if they are not already roasted. Chop nuts and add them to the roasted oats. Mix in the brown rice syrup or honey with your hands, and sprinkle this mixture over the apples in the baking dish. Cover and bake at 375 degrees for 25 minutes, then remove the cover and bake for 5 to 10 minutes more.


3. Apple Pie

A healthy apple pie starts with a healthy pie crust (yes, there is such a thing). Here is how to make the dough for two pie crusts.

Ingredients:

* 4 cups whole wheat pastry flour
* 1/4 teaspoon salt
* 2 tablespoons - 1/4 cup corn oil
* 3/4 - 1 cup very cold water

Mix flour and salt, then add the oil and mix it with your hands, rubbing it between your fingers and palms to coat all the flour. Then add the water gradually until it forms a dough that is not too sticky. Knead the dough into a ball and let it rest for a few minutes. Then divide it in half and use one part for the bottom crust and the other part for the top.

Apple filling:

* 10 or 12 medium apples, sliced. Peeling is optional
* 1/2 cup honey or brown rice syrup
* 1-2 tablespoons arrowroot powder
* 1/2 teaspoon cinnamon

Mix all of these ingredients together and pour into the pie shell. Cover with the top crust, crimp and seal. Vent the top by cutting 4 small slits in the dough. Bake at 375 degrees for half an hour.


About the Publisher: Earl Williams is a real entrepreneur who is making money with his online marketing business using some of the largest Affiliate programs on the Internet. He uses the affiliate programs to setup Affiliateminimall.com where you can fine discount shopping along with great coupon deals. To learn more visit: www.shoptamm.com

Thursday, September 23, 2010

How to Choose Eco-Friendly and Toxin-Free Paint or Wallpaper for Your Nursery

Publisher: Earl Williams
The Affiliate Mini Mall

Preparing your baby's nursery can be a wonderful time of planning and dreaming. Many times, that means choosing a paint color or wallpaper (or a combination of both), furnishings, and flooring.

Today, many people are aware that the fumes from paint, wallpaper and carpet can be toxic. Babies, with their tiny, developing systems, are especially vulnerable to toxins in the air and on surfaces they touch with their delicate skin. In order to avoid these poisonous substances, you may choose to decorate baby's nursery with eco-friendly items.

Here are some things to keep in mind as you seek to create a non-toxic environment for your little one.

Paint

Generally speaking, paint is less expensive than wallpaper. When you look for paints, there are many green options available. The first thing to look for in an eco-friendly paint is a lack of volatile organic compounds, or VOCs. These are the chemicals that create the fumes and subsequent headaches and respiratory problems that many people experience with conventional paints.

Look for water-based paints with labels that say things like "biodegradable," "phosphate-free" and, of course, "VOC-free." While these types of environmentally friendly paints are more expensive, they generally only require one coat due to their rich pigmentation.

Choosing paint over wallpaper does not necessarily limit your design choices. Here are some ideas for things you can do with eco-friendly paint in your baby's nursery.

* Stencils can be found in a variety of shapes at craft and art stores, or you can cut your own. Stencil designs require little paint and are an economical alternative to wallpaper or borders. Older siblings can help with the stenciling, too.

* Murals can be great fun, and they are completely unique to your baby's room. This is another project in which an older sibling can participate.

Wallpaper

There are so many beautiful wallpapers available today, and more companies are offering eco-friendly choices. Wallpapering is less messy than painting, and is often faster. When shopping for eco-friendly wallpaper, look for 100% paper that contains no vinyl. Some companies offer wallpaper made from recycled paper.

Consider alternative wall coverings for baby's room, too, such as rice paper or papyrus. You can also use fabric in lots of creative ways to make a wall cover. Simply tack squares of fabric like hung pictures, or hang a large piece that will cover a whole wall. Just be sure that the fabric is firmly attached to the wall and, if you use tacks, that they are out of baby's reach.

Family photos and postcards make a creative border
.

Look for wallpaper adhesives that are low on VOCs (or, even better, VOC-free). You can also make your own wallpaper paste using flour and water.


About the Publisher
: Earl Williams is a real entrepreneur who is making money with his online marketing business using some of the largest Affiliate programs on the Internet. He uses the affiliate programs to setup Affiliateminimall.com where you can fine discount shopping along with great coupon deals. To learn more visit: www.shoptamm.com

Pesticides and ADHD – Is There a Link?

Publisher: Earl Williams
The Affiliate Mini Mall

Parents struggle daily with the challenges of raising a child with attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). Adding to the frustration is that no definite cause has been found for this problem. Some possibilities are coming to light, however - among them is the possible link between pesticide exposure and the development of ADHD symptoms.

The kind of pesticides in question are organophosphates, a group of pesticides commonly used in agriculture. The presence of these types of pesticides was tested on more than 1000 children (ages 8-15) and the results published in the May 2010 issue of Pediatrics. The findings were rather startling.

Of the children tested, those who had the highest level of pesticide by-product in their urine were the most likely to exhibit behavior consistent with ADHD. Even those children with low-level exposure who had only the barest trace of pesticide by-product in their urine were still twice as likely to exhibit ADHD symptoms as those with no pesticide exposure.

Organophosphates are commonly found on fruits and vegetables, and have been implicated in behavioral and cognitive problems in children before. In those studies, however, the test subjects lived in agricultural communities where pesticide exposure is obvious and frequent.

What makes this May 2010 study so significant is that it involved a broad cross-section of children across the United States. These are not necessarily children who live near pesticide-spraying farms. Because regulations prohibit most uses of pesticides on lawns, many of these are children whose only exposure to organophosphates is through the food they eat.

Organophosphates disrupt a brain chemical called acetylcholinesterase. This fifty-cent word is a neurotransmitter, and its improper function has been implicated in ADHD.

The leader of the study, Maryse Bouchard of Montreal, points out that this study does not prove that pesticides cause ADHD. It does, however, indicate an association between pesticide exposure and ADHD. It is possible that pesticides do cause ADHD, but more research is needed.

This study will probably act as a springboard for more research, such as following the children's behavior and pesticide exposure long term. This study should raise red flags among health officials and concerned parents, and should be a strong incentive for more studies.

Blueberries, green beans, and celery were among the foods with the most organophosphate residue. Parents are encouraged to peel and wash fruits and vegetables thoroughly, or switch to organic produce that is grown without the use of synthetic pesticides.


About the Publisher: Earl Williams is a real entrepreneur who is making money with his online marketing business using some of the largest Affiliate programs on the Internet. He uses the affiliate programs to setup Affiliateminimall.com where you can fine discount shopping along with great coupon deals. To learn more visit: www.shoptamm.com

Thursday, September 16, 2010

Top Tips for Keeping Dust Mites at Bay

Publisher: Earl Williams
The Affiliate Mini Mall


Dust mites are microscopic creatures that live in bedding, carpets, drapes, furniture, and anywhere dust accumulates. They feed off of dead animal and human skin cells, which are shed daily without our even knowing it. Dust mites and skin cells are too small to see, and it's a good thing - dust mites are ugly critters!

Because of their tiny size, getting rid of them entirely is unrealistic. But keeping their numbers and your allergic reactions down is certainly feasible. Here are some tips.

1. Put Teddy in the Freezer


Dust mites die at freezing temperatures. A case freezer is ideal for this - put pillows and children's stuffed animals in plastic bags and put them in the freezer for 24 hours. This will kill the dust mites on those items.

2. Wash Bedding Weekly

Since you can't put your entire bed into the freezer, you'll need to wash your bedding regularly in hot water (dust mites die at high temperatures, too). Weekly washings are ideal with an all natural cleaner. Encase your mattress in an anti-allergy cover that is like a giant pillowcase for your mattress. Such covers are made from materials that will prevent the dust mites from passing through the mattress and into your respiratory passages. Encase pillows with similar covers.

3. Furniture

If your furniture has removable covers, wash them every few weeks in water that is as hot as the manufacturer recommends. If your furniture does not have removable covers, clean the fabric surface with hypo-allergenic or natural cleaner every few weeks. Another option is to cover your furniture with washable slip covers. Remove and wash the slip covers every few weeks.

If you can, invest in leather, vinyl or wooden furniture that is inhospitable to dust mites. Vacuum your furniture every few days, too.

4. Vacuum

Speaking of vacuuming, you'll need to vacuum your floors daily if you want to decrease the number of dust mites in your home, especially if you have carpet. (If you do have carpet, getting rid of it is a good step toward keeping dust mites at bay.) If your vacuum does not have a HEPA filter, get one that does. It's a worthy investment.

5. Filter the Air

Change the filter in your heating and cooling system often, and use filters that are manufactured to keep out dust mites. Consider investing in an air purifier to filter out airborne mites.

6. Drapes


Clean your drapes every few weeks with an all natural cleaner, or remove them entirely.

7. Dust Regularly

Remove the dust from your home regularly, but make sure you use a damp cloth to keep the dust from becoming airborne.

8. Dust Mite Spray


Dust mites are not insects, but they are arachnids, meaning they are related to spiders. Spiders are repelled by citrus scent, so when you dust, dampen the cloth with citrus-scented spray. Make your own by putting a few tablespoons of lemon juice or a few drops of lemon/orange essential oil into a 1-quart spray bottle. In addition to dampening your dusting cloth with this solution, spritz it freely around the house, including onto your mattress, furniture, and bedding.


About the Publisher: Earl Williams is a real entrepreneur who is making money with his online marketing business using some of the largest Affiliate programs on the Internet. He uses the affiliate programs to setup Affiliateminimall.com where you can fine discount shopping along with great coupon deals. To learn more visit: www.shoptamm.com