How Efficient is Your AC?

As the summer stays hot and we turn the dial to cool down the house, you might wonder, “How efficient and how effective is my air conditioner?” Fortunately the Department of Energy has developed a system to let you know just how efficient your air conditioner can be (under optimal conditions). The Seasonal Energy Efficiency Ratio (SEER) is clearly marked on every new air conditioner or heat pump.
A higher SEER rating leads to a more energy efficient unit. The typical SEER rating of air conditioners made before 1992 was around 6.0. The federal government established a minimum standard for units in 1992, requiring a SEER of 10. Residential air conditioners sold in the United States as of 2006 must have a SEER of at least 13. ENERGY STAR qualified Central Air Conditioners must have a SEER of at least 14.
If your central air conditioning unit is more than a dozen years old (SEER 10), you should seriously consider replacing it with an ENERGY STAR qualified model (SEER 14, 15 or 16) that would improve your cooling efficiency by 40%-60%.
Green Irene tells our customers that upgrading an older yet well-functioning air conditioner is generally not worthwhile because the energy savings do not justify the upgrade.  But when it’s time to upgrade, get the best air conditioner you can afford.  Air conditioner and heat pumps have an estimated life of 12 years, which can be lengthened through proper maintenance.  Nevertheless, for best pricing, you can buy 1) off-season; and 2) when you are NOT desperate because your existing air conditioner just broke!
Green Irene also recommends the Cool-n-Save for increased energy efficiency with your central AC unit. This simple device reduces the temperature surrounding your unit, allowing it to operate more efficiently and less often. This can result in an immediate savings of up to 30% on your cooling costs! Check out my website for even more ideas and products to save you money and the planet!  GreenIrene.com

Posted via email from greenasheville's posterous

Spirulina Magical Pond Scum!!

So not working full-time chained to a desk all day has a few upsides!! I am starting to lose a bit of weight! I have the time now to wake up and walk with a friend 3 miles in the morning and now that I am not rushing out the door like a wild woman I remember my vitamins, green tea supplements, fish oil, chromium picolinate and my favorite of all Spirulina!

I am not a huge fan of vegetables and spirulina is a superfood that helps fill in the gaps! Spirulina is a type of blue green algae. This algae in particular is unusually high in protein. It is rich in essential fatty acids plus it is a pure, whole food source of B-Complex vitamins. B vitimins are the ones repsonsible for improving your hair, nails and also your sense of well being. It is especially important for folks under a lot of stress!!! (me) An if that wasn't enough this tiny little bit of pond scum also contains calcium, chromium, copper, zinc selenium, magenese and magnesium! It is really a power house! A recent study even suggested that it can help combat the symptoms of hay fever! I new I loved this ugly green supplement!!

My mom is actually responsible for introducing me to blue green algae back in the 80's! She had a friend that sold it and she used to give it my sister and I every morning. I never noticed much difference while taking it, however, if we happened to run out the effects were more obvious. I would feel a tiny drop in my energy level my sleep wasn't has good nor my dreams and I love to dream! Plus I felt a little more foggy headed! Not scientific by any means but just some small things I noticed! The company Sunfood Nutrition sells a really good form click this link to get your own Spirulina, Manna (Original Species)

If you do try it please come back and comment on what you thought, how you feel and what your opinion is on supplement in general. I really want to know!

Cheers!

Ecomama!

Posted via email from Gypsy

Countdown To Back To School! From a "semi-organized" Mom!

The Most Organized Mom in the World??

I am not one of those super organized moms that you read about in Better Homes and Garden magazine. Chances are good that on the first day of school my son will still have crusty globs of continuous spray sunscreen in his hair. The best I can hope for is a belly full of Life cereal and pants that don't come to his knee caps! The summer growth spurt has put a hurtin' on my back to school budget! I am actually giving myself big props, it is not even August and I am preparing for school now (school starts August 18 or is it the 19th? Not sure I lost the paper they sent home.

The summer started with me working a full-time job at an auto repair shop. I put my son in camp at the local school. Summer camp isn't cheap and I had other ambitions besides working at a desk all day banking calories for a rainy day. Now I am home with my son and while the stress of working is gone, the stress of paying for the life I live and sleeping an hour later each morning are dangerous! Especially if I want to be primed for after school. So starting today I am committed to a smooth start.

First thing I need to do is start setting my alarm clock for 6:30 am. Wait, hold on,  before that, the first thing I will do each night is set up the coffee maker to have midnight black, extra strong java ready by 6:20am!!  Once the Coffee is in place then set alarm clock for 6:30.  The first day of school in my town is early August 17 (or 18?) so if I can start getting my lazy butt out of bed now it will hurt less on opening day!

The next thing I need to do is put the red wine away by 9pm each night. If I keep hanging out with the neighbors until 11:30 every night I will not be able to drag my hungover tired ass out of bed at 6:30 am every morning! Go to bed by 10:30 your not in college your a MOM for God's Sake!

I am well on the way but if I am going to be getting up every morning at 6:30 a.m. for no good reason I need something to do with that time.  Something that will even further prepare me for back to school! What should I do??   No one is doing anything interesting on Facebook at 6:30 am except reading posts from friends in foreign countries plus the morning news  is too depressing!  After I drink my liquid crack otherwise known as Flavorbean Coffee !!  I will do some minor reorganizing. NOT CLEANING. I repeat no cleaning allowed.  I will make a couple of lists and folders for any needs through out the year for example, school supplies needed, playdate phone list, sports info, permission slips etc I'll put the folders in a my cabinet marked "Son's Stuff".    I also have very professional folders labeled "dog stuff"  "husband stuff" and "car stuff"  one of my folders just says BILLS with a sad face next to it.  Really it doesn't need to be fancy!

Almost there, now I need to figure out what this child of mine is going to wear to school. All of his pants were riding up to his ankles. The poor kid looked like Huck Finn on his way to meet with Tom for a day of fishin'! I made my boy think I am actually a talented seamstress because I transformed each pair of pants into board shorts with a pair of kitchen shears!  Well I can't shop for him so I will just tell the Grandma's to go to Penny's and pick out stuff in  size 8!  My own mom was never allowed to pick clothes out for me but she is a genius at picking out shirts my son refuses to take off!  With the money I save I will shop for fun stuff!  Maybe some books or incense at Tye Dye Jade's Hippie Gift Shop online!  I could use some meditation inspiration to get my early mornings off to a good start!

Now I am feeling proud, I am on the right track for back to school!  Oh wait my neighbor just called, Margarita night by her new pool!!! Maybe I'll start back to school prep next week!  Happy Monday everyone!

Posted via email from Gypsy

Untitled

The Most Organized Mom in the World??

I am not one of those super organized moms that you read about in Better Homes and Garden magazine. Chances are good that on the first day of school my son will still have crusty globs of continuous spray sunscreen in his hair. The best I can hope for is a belly full of Life cereal and pants that don't come to his knee caps! The summer growth spurt has put a hurtin' on my back to school budget! I am actually giving myself big props, it is not even August and I am preparing for school now (school starts August 18 or is it the 19th? Not sure I lost the paper they sent home.

The summer started with me working a full-time job at an auto repair shop. I put my son in camp at the local school. Summer camp isn't cheap and I had other ambitions besides working at a desk all day banking calories for a rainy day. Now I am home with my son and while the stress of working is gone, the stress of paying for the life I live and sleeping an hour later each morning are dangerous! Especially if I want to be primed for after school. So starting today I am committed to a smooth start.

First thing I need to do is start setting my alarm clock for 6:30 am. Wait, hold on,  before that, the first thing I will do each night is set up the coffee maker to have midnight black, extra strong java ready by 6:20am!!  Once the Coffee is in place then set alarm clock for 6:30.  The first day of school in my town is early August 17 (or 18?) so if I can start getting my lazy butt out of bed now it will hurt less on opening day!

The next thing I need to do is put the red wine away by 9pm each night. If I keep hanging out with the neighbors until 11:30 every night I will not be able to drag my hungover tired ass out of bed at 6:30 am every morning! Go to bed by 10:30 your not in college your a MOM for God's Sake!

I am well on the way but if I am going to be getting up every morning at 6:30 a.m. for no good reason I need something to do with that time.  Something that will even further prepare me for back to school! What should I do??   No one is doing anything interesting on Facebook at 6:30 am except reading posts from friends in foreign countries plus the morning news  is too depressing!  After I drink my liquid crack otherwise known as Flavorbean Coffee !!  I will do some minor reorganizing. NOT CLEANING. I repeat no cleaning allowed.  I will make a couple of lists and folders for any needs through out the year for example, school supplies needed, playdate phone list, sports info, permission slips etc I'll put the folders in a my cabinet marked "Son's Stuff".    I also have very professional folders labeled "dog stuff"  "husband stuff" and "car stuff"  one of my folders just says BILLS with a sad face next to it.  Really it doesn't need to be fancy!

Almost there, now I need to figure out what this child of mine is going to wear to school. All of his pants were riding up to his ankles. The poor kid looked like Huck Finn on his way to meet with Tom for a day of fishin'! I made my boy think I am actually a talented seamstress because I transformed each pair of pants into board shorts with a pair of kitchen shears!  Well I can't shop for him so I will just tell the Grandma's to go to Penny's and pick out stuff in  size 8!  My own mom was never allowed to pick clothes out for me but she is a genius at picking out shirts my son refuses to take off!  With the money I save I will shop for fun stuff!  Maybe some books or incense at Tye Dye Jade's Hippie Gift Shop online!  I could use some meditation inspiration to get my early mornings off to a good start!

Now I am feeling proud, I am on the right track for back to school!  Oh wait my neighbor just called, Margarita night by her new pool!!! Maybe I'll start back to school prep next week!  Happy Monday everyone!

Posted via email from Gypsy

Top 5 Fun Things to do in Asheville!!

My sister and I were at Carrier Park on Amboy road just a few blocks from our West Asheville homes. A group of twenty somethings were tossing a frisbee around. The frisbee landed near my sister and as she picked it up and tossed it back one of the guys asked "Hey what is up in Asheville?" I laughed and asked what he meant? The guy explained that he and his friends were visiting from out of town for a wedding, they would be here for a few days. I replied that there is a TON of cool things to do on a weekend trip to Asheville it just depended on what you like. The guy told us an unfortunate story of the hotel clerks recommendation for a rip roaring good time in Asheville NC-"oh you gotta go to Friday's!!" as in TGIF? The chain restaurant?? Yikes! If you plan to visit Asheville anytime soon please do not as Chain Hotel clerks what they recommend! Just send your friends this link! I promise not to send you to Red Lobster!

21 and up Crowd:Got Beer? This year Asheville was voted Beer City USA!! We have a dozen or so amazing breweries within a 10 mile radius of the city! Check a few out or better yet sign up for a "Brews Cruise" You meet at a downtown brewery and a van picks you up and carts your soon to be drunken ass all over town visiting the brewpubs that make our place famous!! This cruise will save you time, you can leave the map at home and forgo a nasty DUI charge all in one day! http://www.brewscruise.com/

Young and Old: Wandering downtown and the kids are losing it?? Splashville! This new attraction is located right in front of the Courthouse. This feature is also right next to the new Pack's Tavern. A really good place to eat and have a cold one on the outdoor patio while watching the kiddies splash and play! There is also lots of green space to throw frisbee. During the summer the lawn behind Splashville hosts Shin Dig on the Green! Bring your lawn chairs and get ready to dance. Local blue grass bands from all over the mountains join up for a good ole' time for the kids and old timers alike Bonus alert-it is totally free! See videos below!

Total Asheville expeirience: When the weather warms up Pritchard Park right in the heart of downtown comes alive every Friday night around 7pm! Bring your drums, tambourines or just yourself and be immersed in vibe and percussion! This is a must see for everyone from all walks of life.. Dreadlocks are not a requirement I promise!! Check out the video below! The drum circle was a favorite of my son since he was 18 months old! If you get hungry skip the lines at all the popular eateries and scroll across the street to Jerusalem Garden! Rarely is there a wait and the food is unreal plus they have fabulous turkish coffee and belly dancers!http://www.jerusalemgardencafe.com/

You would be crazy to miss it!: One word, La Zoom!! Get on the bus for the most exciting tour of Asheville.. A giant art deco purple bio-diesel fueled ride of your life! I cannot tell you too much but make sure you pee before you leave because you will laugh so hard you will cry! There is nothing like this tour anywhere! Local couple Jim and Jen founded La Zoom as an alternative to the popular Trolley tours of Asheville that are quite nice yet benign all the same! Grab a bottle of vino or some beers and hop on the bus! Tickets are available at a booth downtown or http://lazoomtours.com/shows

Is this five already? I am not done!: I am going to have to do a blog of the next 5 fun things to do in Asheville because I don't think I covered it all! I bet you think I am going to tell you to go to The Biltmore House? Nah skip it, I mean it is awesome and everything but not exactly FUN! The next fun thing in my opinion do to in Asheville is catch a The Asheville Tourists Thirsty Thursday Home game. Check their schedule online but try to go on a Thursday. Beers and Soda are just a buck!! It is a relaxing way to spend an evening and the kids love it!! Tickets are cheap too. Click here for the tourists website Bonus alert: Wild Wings Cafe is across the street with an after party and live music!

That is my top 5 fun things to do in Downtown Asheville whether you have kids, with a group of friends, old or young you cannot go wrong! Check back next time for Asheville ideas, events etc.Be sure to check out the videos below!

Be sure to follow me on twitter!! dohttp://twitter.com/TheJavaGypsies

Other fun blogs at Blogger http://thejavagypsies.blogspot.com/

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See and download the full gallery on posterous

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Check out this website I found at addthis.com

Posted via email from greenasheville's posterous

Coffee is not only Universal, but Controversial.

It is a strange fact that other people's coffee often seems mysteriously to be more delicious than your own. This is possibly an extension of the basic premise that any meal you did not cook will seem excellent.

There are approximately a hundred ways to make coffee - (yes, there are!) - but there is probably only one way that suits you. Our personal preference is a Chemex - but in the past we have loved percolators - and in our extreme youth, we knew how to make delicious boiled coffee with an egg shell!

So the method of making coffee - and the particular blend that suits you - are a very personal matter with which you must cope experimentally. But since a good cup of coffee is distinctively American, this is worthy of your determined experimentation.

Coffee-makers are not exorbitant in price; you can afford to buy several different kinds for personal testing. (The ones you don't like will be enormously helpful when you give a big party!)

Nearly all packaged coffees are similar in price; try one after another, until you find the blend you prefer.

Special coffees are a different matter. Generally available is an Italian Espresso coffee. French coffee usually contains a great deal of roasted chicory (in order to stretch the coffee which France does not produce in sufficient quantity), and is therefore slightly bitter.

Turkish coffee is a powder, brewed strong and served very sweet in small cups. It can be bought (by mail, if necessary) from Charles & Co., New York City.

Check out some of these coffee recipes to top off your gourmet dinner.

Cafe Au Lait

The true French cafe au lait is a balance of hot milk and strong coffee.

Heat equal parts of milk and heavy cream very gently in a double boiler - one cup each. Pour the hot cream-milk into one pitcher - and fill a second with fresh strong hot coffee.

Serve by pouring simultaneously from both pitchers into a coffee cup.

Mocha Coffee

4 squares bitter cooking chocolate

1 tsp ground cinnamon

4 cups strong hot coffee

Melt the chocolate and cinnamon in the top of a double boiler; gradually stir in the hot coffee, and distribute among four double-sized coffee cups. Serve with sugar and cream.

Cafe Royale

This is a do-it-yourself for guests: provide each with a large cup of strong hot black coffee - plus a bouillon spoon containing a lump of sugar, floated in brandy (as much as you can get in the spoon).

Light each spoonful of brandy; hold until the flames die, plunge into cup, then stir until the sugar dissolves.

Cafe Diable

An extension of Cafe Royale. This requires a chafing dish. In a heated chafing dish, mix.

5 whole cloves

2 thin slices of lemon peel and orange peel

1 stick of cinnamon

6 lumps of sugar

1 1/2 cup of brandy

Set this afire, and add four cups of strong hot coffee. Stir, and serve (with a ladle) in demitasse cups. As with eggs, every country in the world has its own method of serving coffee.

Austrian Coffee

Top each serving of coffee - either iced or hot - with plenty of sweetened whipped cream.

French Coffee

The slightly bitter, chicory-impregnated coffee used for a demitasse - brew it double strength - serve in the tiny demitasse cups, and provide a stick of cinnamon instead of a spoon. Sissies are allowed a lump of sugar - but cream does not go with this coffee.

Since all of these coffees involve similar ingredients, you can easily ask guests which coffee they prefer and make individual coffees for each.

Posted via email from Java Gypsies Mobile Espresso

Summer Tips for Staying Cool and Saving Money

July 2, 2010 by Green Irene
Filed under Energy

1 Comment

With the summer season in full swing, it’s a perfect time to think about ways to reduce your home’s cooling costs. A typical household spends almost 20% of its utility bill on cooling, and by taking steps this summer to improve energy efficiency, you can save energy, save money and help fight climate change. Here are a few simple tips from the Energy Star program that can help you to start saving today:

Program your thermostat to work around your family’s summer schedule—set it a few degrees higher (such as 78 degrees) when no one is home, so your cooling system isn’t cooling an empty house. With proper use, programmable thermostats can save you about $180 a year in energy costs.

Check your HVAC system’s air filter every month. If the filter looks dirty, clean or change it (though disposable filters should be changed at least every three months). A dirty filter will slow air flow and make the system work harder to keep you cool, wasting energy. Green Irene carries several permanent filter options, including permanent rigid and permanent flexible HVAC air filters, and a pleated MERV 13 filter.

Run your ceiling fan to create a cool breeze. If you raise your thermostat by only two degrees and use your ceiling fan, you can lower cooling costs by up to 14 percent. Remember that ceiling fans cool you, not the room, so when you leave the room make sure to turn off the fan.

For those with central air conditioning, a Cool-n-Save can help to save you up to 30% on your cooling bill. The device keeps the air surrounding your AC unit cooler, allowing it to work less and to work more efficiently.

Swap out incandescent bulbs with more energy-efficient lighting choices. Energy Star qualified lighting not only uses less energy, it also produces about 75 percent less heat than incandescent lighting, so cooling bills will be reduced, too. Green Irene carries a full line of energy efficient lighting, including LED lighting options for chandeliers, where the larger number of bulbs can give off a lot of heat.

Your local Green Irene Eco-Consultant can provide you with many more tips for energy conservation in the summer months as part of a Green Home Makeover. They can also introduce you to many of the other products that Green Irene carries to help you and your family save money through energy conservation. With just a few steps, you can make a big difference in your utility bill and for the environment while keeping your home comfortable all summer long.

Posted via email from greenasheville's posterous