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By Blythe Copeland, TreeHugger

The same geothermal heat that can help you reduce your electricity bill is responsible for some of the world’s most stunning natural wonders: Hot springs.

When hot water bubbles up through the Earth’s crust, the resulting pools are soothing, mineral-rich springs that have been used for medical, therapeutic, and spa treatments for centuries — and also leave behind minerals and sediment that create dazzling landscapes.

 

Grand Prismatic Spring and Midway Geyser Basin

Yellowstone‘s Grand Prismatic Spring, at 370 feet across, is the third-largest hot spring in the world, and the biggest in the United States (the other two are in New Zealand); the temperature ranges between 147 and 188 degrees Fahrenheit. The location of the spring — atop a mound of earth — means it’s surrounded by stepped terraces, and the spring gets its color from a variety of factors: The blue water changes pales as the depth changes, the green outer ring is algae, and the yellow, red, and orange are the borders of the spring.

Iron Hot Spring

The steam from this natural iron hot spring (the iron is what makes the water red) in Japan creates an otherworldly background for the traditional bonsai tree in the foreground. Hot springs are a common site in Japan, where they “bubble up everywhere,” according to the country’s tourism board — the country has more than 2,500 of the springs, which measure somewhere between 68 and 211 degrees Fahrenheit — and they’re a social activity that’s believed to have health benefits ranging from improving skin to battling aches and pains.

Image credit: TANAKA Juuyoh / Flickr

New Zealand Hot Springs

New Zealand‘s rocky landscape and placement on the volcanic ridge makes it one of the best places in the world for testing out hot springs — especially near Lake Taupo. Other popular spots include Hot Water Beach, where the springs bubble up from below the sand; Waiwera, where the springs were popularized for their reported health benefits in the late 1800s; and Hanmer Springs, on the South Island, where a planned addition would expand the springs with a waterslide, ice skating rink, and freshwater swimming pool. (Above: Champagne Pool)

 

Bumpass Hell, California

“Bumpass Hell” may not sound like a very tempting spot for a vacation, but these springs — part of the Lassen Volcanic National Park in California — are home to some of the most striking landscapes in the Northwest.Go West USA describes the hot springs as a “sulfuric, alien world” created by a volcano that erupted at the beginning of the 20th century. Today, a three-mile hike lets you get up close and personal with the steam flumes, vents, and hot springs.

 

Deildartunguhver, Iceland

Iceland is a country well-known for its thermal hot springs, and Deildartunguhver, near Husafell, is the largest, with temperatures rising to more then 212 degrees Fahrenheit. The spring is home to a specific type of fern, called blechnun spicant, that doesn’t grow anywhere else in the country, and nearby towns use some of the steam as an alternative energy source to run their heating systems.

Image credit: Wiki Commons

 

Blue Lagoon, Iceland

Iceland’s Blue Lagoon is another famous hot spring, and a favorite of tourists, who travel there for the “geothermal spa” experience. Water temperatures in the six million liter lagoon range from 98-102 degrees Farenheit, and the minerals released into the water from the interaction between hot seawater and cooler rocks has devotees swearing to the medical and healing properties of the springs.

Image credit: goodmami / Flickr

 

Minerva Terrace

The Minerva Terrace at Mammoth Hot Springs — located in Yellowstone Park — is another one of the United States’ most jaw-dropping hot springs.The ridges are created by deposits of travertine, a type of limestone, which have at times been so dramatic that they covered up walkways around the springs. The park has since created an “elevated and moveable boardwalk” to give visitors a clear view of the terraces.

 

Joshinetsu Kogen National Park, Japan

Japanese residents and tourists aren’t the only ones who take advantage of the benefits of the therapeutic hot springs: at Joshinetsu Kogen National Park, one of the main attractions is Jigokudani Monkey Park, where snow monkeys bathe and play in the waters. The monkeys — Japanese macaques — spend their summers on the cliffs and in the forests of the park, and then travel down to the warm baths to spend their winter days in the steamy hot springs.

Image credit: Wajimacallit / Flickr

 

Lake Heviz

Hungary’s Lake Heviz is a slightly different kind of thermal water: Here, nearby springs that produce water of about 100 degrees Farenheit meet up and flow into the lake, which is surrounded by 150 acres of protected land. The building in the center of the lake has offered medicinal and spa treatments developed around the mineral-rich waters for more than 100 years, although some residents claim that communities dating as far back as ancient Rome were also fans of the lake’s healing properties.

Image credit: Wiki Commons

 

Thermopolis, Wyoming

The hot spring-heavy town of Thermopolis, Wyoming, gets its name from the Greek words for “hot city,” and, since a treaty with local tribes in 1896, it’s been one of the biggest mineral hot springs open to the public. Today, visitors can soak in the pools, take advantage of watersides and the bath house, walk across a swinging bridge for an overhead view of the landscape, and check out the multicolored “Rainbow Terraces.”

Image credit: Wiki Commons

 

Related:

• World’s Most Stunning Bodies of Water
• Nine Picturesque National Parks
• Five of the World’s Most Amazing Gardens

You may have powerfoods in your kitchen right now and don’t know it.

By eating powerfoods everyday you can energize and balance your body without costly vitamins and medical bills. Foods affect us on many levels and understanding these factors can help you make better health choices.

Before understanding the power of the foods around me, I was unhealthy, unhappy and confused. Constant visits to doctors and health food stores had little effect on my deep fatigue and constant hunger. That was 30 years ago when Western nutritional science was not as advanced as it is now.

It was the 5,000 year old Chinese herbal knowledge that made the difference for me. Using specific foods and food combinations to feed specific systems and create balance brought me back to the energy and joy I had as a teenager.

Since then I learned from all cultures. The message is always the same: Food can heal. Food can be your medicine. Food has POWER!

Five Sources of Power for Powerfoods:

1. Broad chemical influences on the body

These include:

• Alkaline-forming vs. acid-forming
• Organic vs. chemical-infused
• Raw vs. cooked
• Gluten-free vs. gluten-containing foods
• Complex carbohydrates (smart carbs) vs. simple sugars (dumb carbs)
• Whole vs. processed

Each of these factors has multiple influences on the body and a person will respond to these differences depending on their predisposition and levels of health.

Powerfoods are almost always whole but not necessarily gluten-free, raw or alkaline.

2. Specific chemical needs: The GAP Theory

Each food has different levels of specific nutrients. If a person has a particular need for a nutrient it will affect them greatly. Powerfoods tend to have very high levels of certain nutrients.

For example: suppose a person has a strong need for vitamin C.  It is winter and she is not eating enough fruits and vegetables.  An orange has vitamin C, so mandarin oranges that are popular around Christmas, have just the right chemistry to feed her immune system and prevent a cold.

3. Genetic influences of food

Scientists have been debating for years what is more important: your genetics given to you by your parents or your upbringing.  It turns out that the two are combined.  Your environment activates the expression of your genes. This is very powerful.

For example research has shown that a diet high in omega-3 fats reduces the expression of the Alzheimer’s gene APOE4.  We can sidestep bad genes by eating healthy.

4. Subtle influences of food

Many healthy systems around the world have different ways to conceptualize health with very powerful results.  Instead of interpreting food in terms of vitamins and minerals and proteins they talked about principles like heat, cold, fire, water and air, which they could directly perceive.

These principles are understandable within chemistry or physics to a degree but often the complete use of these systems relies on the idea of subtle energies that modern science has not been able to consistently measure – energies like chi and prana in food, our bodies and the environment.

These cultures have produced large numbers of remarkably healthy individuals. They picked out certain foods (powerfoods) that were particularly balancing for various needs.

5. Social and cultural influences of food

Growing, preparing and eating food takes more time and energy than any other facet of man’s life. In all societies there have evolved intricate cultures around food which affect how we think, how we act and what kind of lives we will live.

Older cultures also discovered foods and combinations of foods that were particularly healthy.

The Mediterranean diet is one example.  At first nutritionists did not understand how everyone could be so healthy consuming so much oil.  It turned out that mono-unsaturated olive oil has many properties that are just now being understood and appreciated. The Italians did not understand the chemistry of various levels of saturation of fats.  They just knew olives grew well and over time, through trial and error, developed just the right combination of oil and tomatoes and vegetables and meats to maintain health.

How Many Powerfoods Are in Your Kitchen Right Now?

With all these factors in mind, it turns out there are many foods that can bring you greater health, if you understand their potential and use them in the best situation.

For example, strawberries (like many berries) have amazing properties but they are one of the foods that often get the most toxic sprays when growing. If you eat a case of non-organic strawberries thinking you are getting all the powerfood benefits, it may be that the overload of toxicity in your system will take away any positive influences on a chemical or subtle level.

Personally I like to keep up with all the recent research about food but I know that any single study can be deeply flawed or biased. I always try to balance what I am hearing with the finding of older health systems and cultures. My final decision for me is whether my body is attracted to a particular food at this time.

At Real Food for Life we continue to bring people’s awareness to the power of foods. We also have used vital health testing to determine which foods are suitable for an individual at this time.

Here are a few powerfoods:

• Walnuts – The crinkly powerfood with the highest antioxidant activity of any nut
• Saskatoons – Our favorite berry
• Cabbage -  For glowing skin and hair – some say it collects “moon power”
• Stevia – Many sweet benefits.  Make sure its still in whole food form. (not the white powder)
• Green Tea – The powerfood that ruled the world

For a more complete list of powerfoods with explanations, click here.

 

More healthy and green articles from Care2:

• White Bean and Asparagus Stew
• Saskatoons: The Purple Powerfood
• Raspberries: Summer Powerfood

 

I know, I know, cooking beans from scratch is much less expensive, but for a quick, cheap vegan meal you can’t beat a can of beans sauteed with garlic, onions, and spices over some steamed brown rice. Easy and delicious! But what do you do with the can after you’ve eaten the contents?

Sure, you can toss it in the recycle bin. Metal is one of the few materials that doesn’t get downcycled in the recycling process. That means that, unlike something like plastic, metal doesn’t lose quality in the recycling process. You can recycle it over and over. Still, recycling takes energy - it has to make it to the recycling center, and then it has to be processed into a new metal product.

Instead of throwing that empty can away, you can use your crafty skills to turn empty cans into all sorts of cool things! Here are some ideas to get you going.

1. Cover an empty can with pretty paper or fabric and use it to hold pens, pencils, or paint brushes.

2. Grab a bit of yarn or twine and turn an empty can into a chic yarn-wrapped vase.

3. HGTV shows us how to turn empty cans into a cute, magnetic storage board for kids’ craft supplies.

4. If you have a soda can handy, grab your tin snips and make a cute flower hair clip!

5. How cute are these can stilts from Disney Family Fun? Just make sure you keep an eye on the kiddos while they play with these!

Image Credit: Creative Commons photo by Samantha (Home Sweet Home)

Can Crafting Tip: The real trick with can crafts is getting the smell out of the can. If a run through the dishwasher doesn’t do the trick, try scrubbing the inside of your can with a paste made from coarse salt and lemon juice.

6. Another soda can craft: Check out these awesome soda can’dle holders!

7. Use a dremel or small drill bit to poke holes in your can to turn it into a votive holder for a tea light.

8. Turn a bunch of empty cans into a sweet tin can wall garden. They’re growing flowers in theirs, but this would be great for herbs! Just remember to drill a couple of drainage holes into the bottom of each can before mounting on the wall.

9. Use a hammer and nail to add beautiful stippling details and create a picture frame from a tin can.

10. At Readymade, you can learn how to turn a few old coffee cans into a beautiful hanging lamp.

Image Credit: Creative Commons photo by Elin B

Can Crafting Tip: It’s worth investing in a safety can opener, if you’re planning to craft with cans. The edges of your can will be awfully sharp if you use just a regular can opener, so proceed with caution!

11. Over at leethal, she shows you how to make a coffee can storage unit for the wall. You could use tin cans instead to store tinier things!

12. Elsie Marley shows you how to make a cute tin can cover.

13. This looks like a fun one to do with kids: can robots!

14. You can use the tops of your cans to make pretty ornaments.

15. How clever is this tin can handbag?

Have you done any cool crafts with cans? I’d love to hear what you’re working on in the comments!

Image Credit: Creative Commons photo by Orin Zebest

Related:

• 18 Ways to Reuse Plastic Bags
• 50 Great Uses for Mason Jars
• 15 Ways to Reuse Newspaper

By Arthur Rosenfeld

Editor’s Note from Kirsten Van Nostran, All Things Healing Assistant Editor of Acupuncture: This article is a good introduction to acupuncture to those who have not tried the modality.

Recently I’ve been involved in creating and hosting a series of documentaries on integrative medicine. The three films are aimed at health care professionals. The first is about the science of tai chi, the second is about the science of meditation and the third is about the science of acupuncture. I’ve just wound up the last on-location filming (interviewing experts) for the acupuncture film, and am struck by how this ancient healing modality is blossoming in popularity across the country.

A healing tool of Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM), acupuncture has been successfully administered for more than 2,500 years. According to the TCM view, a vital energy called qi flows through the body along channels called meridians. I like to think of these channels as a sprinkling system for the body, bringing qi to vital organs and extremities in much the way hoses bring water to your garden. In the TCM model of health and disease, when qi flow is blocked it stagnates. Stagnating qi causes illness. Acupuncture therapy unblocks the qi flow, strengthens or weakens the qi (think opening and closing the garden spigot) and directs it to areas of need.

A holistic practice, acupuncture seeks to re-establish the body’s healthy equilibrium and function, as opposed to forcing healing using surgery or pharmaceuticals. Interestingly, Chinese practitioners were not the only (and may not have been the first) to identify these energy pathways in the body. The frozen body of a man recovered well-preserved from the Alps features tattoos that correspond to Chinese acupuncture’s qi meridians.

Much research is afoot to attempt to define qi in Western terms. This is a challenge, as the word runs deeply through not only Chinese medicine, but through Chinese art, literature, philosophy, pugilism and daily life. From the standpoint of Western medical science, qi is likely to be revealed as some amalgam of endorphins, the bioelectric potential of cell membranes, nervous conduction, circulating hormones and perhaps even photons (light) and infrared radiation (heat). In attempting to define and quantify qi, acupuncture research may end up identifying a whole new system of biological information, such as the conduction of impulses through the body’s connective tissue.

A typical acupuncture treatment involves penetrating the skin with tiny needles, but some styles of acupuncture (Japanese toyohari, for instance) don’t require such penetration. Some researchers link such distant healing to the so-called “non-local” effects of quantum physics. Cutting edge stuff! Still, studying the effects of acupuncture with the traditional, Western, double-blind placebo controlled model presents certain difficulties. These center on the fact that since we don’t fully understand how acupuncture works, we don’t know what the variables are; not understanding those elements, we can’t adequately control for them. More, the term “placebo effect” (as in this treatment or that pill is no more effective than a placebo) is an inaccurate and pejorative term that is rapidly losing relevance as we learn more about the body’s ability to heal itself. It turns out that the effect is powerful, and desirable, perhaps the new “gold standard” for the way the body should heal.

Despite the challenges of study design and the mind-bending possibilities for a new understanding of how the body works, acupuncture has been extensively studied and verified both by international studies and by our own National Center for Complementary and Alternative Medicine (NCCAM). Part of the National Institutes of Health, NCCAM alone sponsors more studies than I can list here, and their website (merely one, orthodox outlet for medical information from a Western point of view) addresses acupuncture for pain, Post Traumatic Stress Disorder, osteoarthritis, fibromyalgia and more.

Some folks, including older Western M.D.s, still talk about whether or not they “believe” in acupuncture. Such thinking is ill-informed and outdated. One might as well speculate about whether to believe in aspirin, morphine, insulin, surgery or an MRI. The question is not whether acupuncture works, but how it works, and whether it is the appropriate therapy for a particular syndrome, problem, symptom, disease or patient. In a clinical setting and performed by a licensed professional (licensure is by state) acupuncture is effective for a variety of complaints.

Over the years, I have received acupuncture myself and watched scores of people from different walks of life receive the treatment for a spate of different ills. While practitioners vary in their needling technique, for the most part acupuncture is not painful and gives results readily. Practitioners use smaller needles here than they do in China, and are generally gentler in their application, citing the lower pain threshold of American patients. In China, needles are thicker, longer, and sometimes as enthusiastically “rowed” while in a patient as an oar in the hands of a whitewater kayaker. Ouch. Discomfort seems to be expected by Chinese patients - here, not so much.

In China, the typical course of therapy seems to be everyday for 10 days, a break, then another similar course if needed. On our shores it is more typical to go once or twice a week for a month or two before lasting results are gained. Most sessions last 15-30 minutes in a quiet room, during which the patient often falls asleep.

Does insurance pay for acupuncture? In the state of Washington coverage for acupuncture (along with other complementary treatments such as chiropractic and massage) is mandated. In other states it varies by company and policy. If you are paying for treatment out of your own pocket, the cost can add up, but should be weighed against other treatment options, your pain and suffering, and of course the modality’s potential to forestall worsening health.

So should you try it? That depends on a variety of factors. Patients who have tried more familiar therapies without success, particularly for a chronic or recurring problem, are good candidates for acupuncture. Another type of candidate might be someone who is reluctant to endure the side effects of some more conventional Western therapies. A third acupuncture patient profile might be the person who wishes to emphasize wellness and prevention over the disease model of medicine and is willing to make concomitant lifestyle changes to achieve optimum health.

If you have needle fears, remember that acupuncture needles are more like a pin - very small and not open-ended like a hypodermic needle. Consider going to see a treatment and having a close look at the needle, or, if you have a real phobia, choose the non-penetrating form of the therapy (toyohari) mentioned earlier. It’s best not to expect results overnight, even though I have heard tell that it can sometimes interrupt a grand mal epileptic seizure, end an asthma attack and drop blood pressure quickly. Given time, acupuncture may be effective in addiction therapy (including helping patients stop smoking) weight loss, increasing fertility, treating back pain, migraine headaches and the symptoms of fibromyalgia, and valuable in a host of other chronic conditions.

Pushed along by cultural and financial forces, American medicine is evolving. Old prejudices are giving way to open minds. The new model of integrative medicine is patient centered, and embraces any and all effective solutions to the patient’s health problems. Read, learn, ask questions, and take advantage of all options available to you in your quest to get well and stay that way.

More healthy and green articles from Care2:

• Acupuncture: Stick a Pin in Pain
• Acupuncture Study Shows Scientific Reason for Effectiveness
• Chinese Medicine Improves Blood Cell Counts for Cancer Patients

 

According to the EPA, scientific evidence indicates that indoor air can be more seriously polluted than the outdoor air in even the largest and most industrialized cities. Other studies indicate that people spend approximately 90 percent of their time indoors. The math isn’t so great–for many people health risks may be greater due to indoor air pollution rather than outdoor pollution.

Ill effects may arise after just a single exposure as well as repeated exposure, and can run the range from irritation of the eyes, nose, and throat, to headaches, dizziness, and fatigue. These effects are usually short-term and treatable–sometimes simply eliminating the exposure to the source of the pollution is treatment enough.

Other health effects can show up years after a single exposure as well as long or repeated periods of exposure. These effects, which include some respiratory diseases, heart disease, and cancer, can be severely debilitating or fatal. It is important to try to improve the indoor air quality in your home even if symptoms are not noticeable.

There are a number sources of air pollution that are more commonly known as others–many already know about the dangers of cleaning products and air fresheners. Here are seven sources of indoor air pollutions that may be less commonly known–adapted from Greenerchoices.org.

1.New carpet. Carpet materials can emit a variety of volatile organic compounds (VOCs).

Tip: If you have carpet installed, ask for low-VOC, formaldehyde-free adhesives. Air out new carpeting for a few days before installing it. After it’s laid, keep windows open in the room and run a fan for two or three days.

2. Broken compact fluorescent lights. If they break, CFLs can emit mercury, a neurotoxin, in small amounts into the air. Carpets cannot be fully cleaned of mercury and vacuums should not be used to pick it up.

Tip: Don’t use CFLs in lamps that could easily tip, especially in homes with children or pregnant women. If a CFL breaks, open a window, shut off central air, clear the room for 15 minutes, and follow the EPA cleanup guide.

3. New electronics and other plastic products. Products made with polyvinyl chloride can emit phthalates, which have been linked to hormonal abnormalities and reproductive problems. Plastics can also release flame-retardant chemicals, such as polybrominated diphenyl ethers, which have been linked to neurobehavioral changes in animal studies.

Tip: Ventilate space until the chemical odor dissipates. Vacuum around computers, printers, and televisions regularly.

4. Glues and adhesives. They can emit VOCs, such as acetone or methyl ethyl ketone, that can irritate the eyes and affect the nervous system. Rubber cement can contain n-hexane, a neurotoxin. Adhesives can emit toxic formaldehyde.

Tip: Look for water-based, formaldehyde-free glue. Work in a well-ventilated space and don’t get too close to your work.

5. Heating equipment (stoves, heaters, fireplaces, chimneys). Heating equipment, especially gas stoves, can produce carbon monoxide, which can cause headaches, dizziness, fatigue, and even death if not ventilated properly. It can also emit nitrogen dioxide and particulates, which can cause respiratory problems and eye, nose, and throat inflammation.

Tip: Hire a professional to check that your boiler or furnace is working properly every year and keep chimneys and other heating equipment well-maintained. Install carbon-monoxide alarms and use a hood over kitchen stoves.

6. Paints and strippers. Latex paints are a big improvement over oil-based paints because they emit fewer chemical fumes. But as they dry, all paints can emit VOCs, which can cause headaches, nausea, or dizziness. Paint strippers, adhesive removers, and aerosol spray paints can also contain methylene chloride, which is known to cause cancer in animals.

Tip: Use low-VOC paints. When applying paint, open windows or doors, ventilate the space with fans, and wear a respirator or mask. Pregnant women should avoid using paint strippers with methlyene chloride.

7. Upholstered furniture and pressed-wood products (hardwood plywood, wall paneling, particleboard, fiberboard). When new, many furniture and wood products can emit formaldehyde, a probable carcinogen that can also cause eye, nose, and throat irritation; wheezing and coughing; fatigue; skin rash; and severe allergic reactions.

Tip: Increase ventilation, particularly after bringing new sources of formaldehyde into your home. Use exterior-grade pressed-wood products (they’re lower-emitting because they contain phenol resins, not urea resins). Look for formaldehyde-free furniture and wood products.

More healthy and green articles from Care2:

• How to Green Your Bedroom (video)
• Is Your Indoor Air Clean? Take the Quiz
• Top 10 Houseplants for Cleaner Air

 

(Photo: Paul Marotta/Getty Images)

Running marathons and swimming laps are not the only way to burn calories. Housekeeping and yard work can also help you keep off the pounds. Here are 12 of the most common, calorie-burning home and garden chores, with estimated hourly calorie-burn rates for an average 145-pound person. Of course, each person mows, mops, and dusts at a different pace and burns a different number of calories, so these are general estimates.

The first number is provided by the Livestrong Foundation, which lists the number of calories burned for a wide variety of jobs, sports, and other activities. Wherever possible, a second number is provided by My Fitness Pal, which offers tracking for both caloric intake and caloric burn, online or with iPhone and Android apps.

My Fitness Pal has a smaller list of activities, so not all chores have two estimates. For example, the site does not break down specific cleaning activities but estimates that cleaning burns between 164 and 197 calories per hour for a 145-pound person. Likewise, gardening burns about 263 calories per hour, according to My Fitness Pal.

We also list caloric equivalents for the number of calories burned per hour. Many of the items and their caloric values are listed at Fatsecret.com.

1. Shoveling snow (395 to 408): You can sit in front of the fire and eat a guilt-free 8-oz portion of meat lasagna after spending an hour burning off the caloric equivalent of the meal by shoveling the sidewalk. Pushing a snow blower instead of a shovel cuts the caloric burn by 100 calories.

2. Weeding the garden (400): One hour of heavy yard work burns the equivalent of a McDonald’s hamburger and low-fat ice cream cone. Livestrong also lists caulking, interior painting, refinishing furniture, and power-sanding floors at the same caloric burn rate.

3. Manual mowing (395): Eco-conscious homeowners realize the environmental benefits of manual push mowers, but there are health benefits as well. One hour of manual mowing can burn off the famous 395-calorie KFC meal, which includes two pieces of grilled chicken, mashed potatoes, and green beans. Pushing a gas or electric mower is a lesser workout, burning 296 calories per hour.

4. Baking (168 to 348): You can pre-burn a few cookies-worth of calories while preparing them. The caloric burn level of baking varies widely depending on how much effort you put into kneading and rolling. However, keep in mind that each classic Nestle Toll House chocolate chip cookie has 108 calories, so plan on some strenuous baking if you plan to indulge in a plateful.

5. Cleaning gutters (329): Cleaning gutters burns as many calories as ballroom dancing, and an hour of climbing, reaching, and scraping can burn the equivalent of one cup of chicken fried rice.

6. Raking and bagging leaves (263 to 283): One hour of raking fall leaves can burn the equivalent of a buttermilk biscuit.

7. Scrubbing bathtub and tile (260): The most vigorous indoor cleaning activity is bathroom scrubbing. It is probably my least favorite chore, but at least we can take comfort in knowing one hour of bathroom scrubbing will burn off slightly more than a McDonald’s hamburger.

8. Vigorous cleaning (220 to 250): Mopping, sweeping, vacuuming, edging the lawn, or using a leaf blower all burn about the same number of calories. These tasks are not quite as much work as bathroom scrubbing, but they will burn off at least two chocolate chip cookies per hour.

9. Washing windows (197): Maybe I’m doing it wrong, but washing windows seems at least as strenuous as mopping. Livestrong puts it lower on the exertion scale, and suggests window-washing burns less than two cookies per hour. Also, washing cars, carpentry, and electrical work all burn an equal number of calories to washing windows.

10. Light cleaning (164): Livestrong lists the following light, basic chores at the same caloric burn rate, which is equal to about one ounce of almonds: dusting, clearing dishes, taking out the trash, feeding animals, and changing the sheets. Carrying groceries for an hour will also burn off those almonds, but the rate jumps to 493 if you carry groceries upstairs for an hour.

Finally, the Livestrong folks put ironing at the bottom of the chore list. However, they note that ironing is a full upper-body workout. At 151 calories per hour, ironing more than doubles the caloric burn of sitting and watching TV.

Instead of procrastinating on chores, think about the weight loss potential of all those tasks. Chores from shoveling snow to ironing offer solid health benefits.

 

Related:

• Which household chores burn the most calories?
• Designing a skinnier kitchen
• Is your house making you fat?
• Hilarious home fitness equipment
• 10 essential kitchen tools for healthy cooking

 

Check out Yahoo! Green on Twitter and Facebook.

(Photo: Getty Images)

What you didn't know about energy efficiency could hurt your pocketbook.

 

Though it seems that closing vents in unused rooms would save energy, the energy consumed by the system is at the unit itself, and restricting conditioned air at a vent termination redirects it to other locations in the house or through leaks in your duct system. Closing vents also puts backpressure on the fan that pushes the air through the system, causing it to work harder, use more energy, and wear out faster.

 

Replacing single-pane windows for Energy-Star rated dual-pane windows will save energy. That energy savings, however, is a function of the size and number of windows in your home, their orientation and overhangs, and the location of your house and the climate zone you are live in. This typically amounts to a small fraction of your total energy use, and given the expense of replacing windows, there are typically much more cost-effective ways to reduce your energy bills. 

 

A furnace will provide heat at its max power (or a fraction of max power for multi-stage units) when it is first turned on. So, setting the temperature higher will have little effect in how quickly a home heats.  Setting the thermostat higher does have the potential to increase the run-time of the heating system, using more energy and potentially making your home uncomfortably hot.

 

Given that electricity is typically between four and 10 times the cost of natural gas, running just two electric space heaters can cost the equivalent of heating an entire home with a gas-powered system.

 

Some people actually believe that if leaving the light on when they leave the room for a few minutes to take a restroom break, for example, is better than turning it off and then on again when they return. There is no significant additional power draw when turning on a light bulb (other than the calories you use by flipping the switch). So, turn off the lights each time you leave a room, even if for just a couple of minutes.

 

Related:

• The Top 26 Home-Energy Hogs
• Anatomy of a Solar Car
• 18 Ways to Get Tax-Free Income
• 10 Common Money Wasters
• America’s Greenest Companies

 

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By PetMD

Like buying candy for kids, we often think snacks that have been specially packaged for pets are the best treats in the world. Why would they want anything other than a tasty treat? But a lot of those packaged pet snacks and treats are the equivalent of candy. They are not a big deal, as long as you don’t do too much of it, since they are mostly devoid of nutritional value.

And just as we encourage kids to eat their veggies rather than another candy, we can also encourage a love for veggies in our pets. These low calorie, low fat, vitamin and mineral-packed “treats” are a great alternative to the packaged dog biscuits and kitty chews.

 

Which Vegetables Are Best and Which Vegetable Are Not Safe for Pets?

There are some plant foods that are toxic to pets, so you will want to be familiar with what to avoid and even prevent access to. If you are unsure, check with your veterinarian to make sure that your planned treats are not going to be harmful to your pet. Also keep in mind that while dogs are omnivorous and thus more open to trying different kinds of foods. Cats, on the other hand, are carnivorous. They are not just picky about what they eat — they are constitutionally incapable of digesting some types of foods.

 

Good Foods

• Apples – without seeds or core (apple seeds contain chemical compounds that are poisonous to animals)
• Blueberries
• Strawberries
• Watermelon – without seeds
• Frozen bananas
• Green beans
• Carrots – raw or cooked
• Sweet potato – cooked, cubed, or mashed without butter or seasoning; regular potatoes are also good, but in limited amounts since they are high in sugar and can increase weight
• Squash, zucchini
• Lettuce
• Spinach
• Popcorn – unsalted and unbuttered
• Catnip or cat grass

 

Bad Foods

• Grapes and raisins – contain chemical compounds that are toxic to dogs
• Garlic and onions – both have chemical properties that can be toxic and even life threatening to dogs and cats
• Tomatoes
• Avocado
• Mushrooms – particularly wild mushrooms
• Fruits with pits, such as peaches, cherries, and plums – in some cases the pit can be toxic or can simply present a choking hazard
• Nuts – particularly macadamia nuts, which are toxic to pets

 

What Is the Best Way to Feed These Types of Treats?

The foods should be baked or steamed, cut up into smallish pieces, and only given in small amounts at a time. This will prevent both choking and an overload of carbohydrate- and calorie-rich foods. You can give the vegetables and fruits by themselves, or you might mash or puree them and mix them up with the prepared food and given at meal times.

Replacing your pet’s dense, high fat packaged treats with healthy treats like fruits and vegetables will be one of the most beneficial things you do for your pet. Over the long term, your pet’s health and immune system will be stronger, aging will not be as severe, its weight will stay steadier, and if weight is already an issue, you may even see your pet’s weight become more manageable — if you stick to it and include moderate exercise.

With any change in diet, it is important to observe your pet for issues that can arise in response to the change. If your pet begins to show digestive or behavioral changes, stop feeding the new foodstuff and consult with a veterinarian if the problem does not go away in the absence of the added food.

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By Steve Graham, Hometalk

It may seem hard to get through a day without generating trash or even recyclable waste. The easiest ways to buy products, clean surfaces and perform other tasks often involve disposable items. However, you can often reduce your environmental impact and save money by replacing standard disposable items with reusable alternatives.

Even if you buy disposable items made with recycled and recyclable materials, they require energy and materials to create. Moreover, they require more energy to recycle. If disposable items end up in landfills, they might take months or years to decompose.

Here are 12 categories of disposable products that can easily be replaced with reusable products.

1. Beverage bottles: Disposable plastic water bottles are one of the great demons of the environmental movement, sending unnecessary plastic into the landfill. A variety of reusable metal and plastic alternatives are widely available. They are typically more expensive than a bottle of Evian, but they are infinitely refillable, saving plenty of money in the long run. Also consider reusable bottles and cups for soda and other beverages.

Milk containers pose other environmental problems. While plastic jugs are typically recyclable, they often end up in the landfill, where they may take hundreds of years to decompose. However, old-fashioned milk delivery in reusable glass bottles is becoming popular again. Also, more vendors, particularly natural foods grocers, are offering milk in reusable glass or plastic bottles.

To be sure, production and transportation of glass bottles is quite energy-intensive. However, reusing the glass and getting milk from local dairies significantly reduces the environmental impact.

2. Plastic bags: Disposable plastic grocery bags, though convenient, are another environmental scourge. An estimated 60,000 plastic bags are used every five seconds in the U.S. However, it seems that with each passing month, more shoppers at local grocery stores are bringing reusable bags made of cloth, canvas or other materials.

Smaller disposable plastic produce bags can also be replaced with cloth bags. Consider getting some used pillowcases at thrift stores, or sew small cloth sacks, and take them to the store along with your reusable shopping bags. Also look for bulk bins, and bring your own containers for grains, snacks, cereals and other foods. Instead of getting cereal in a disposable waxed paper bag within a disposable cardboard box, just put it in your own container.

You can even pour cereal or other foods into your own glass jars for home storage. Just be sure to measure and mark the tare, or empty, container weight.

3. Takeout containers: Even if you get reusable containers and bags to clean up your act at the grocery store, you may still get plenty of disposable materials when you eat out. Fast food outlets and other restaurants that use plastic cutlery and containers generate plenty of waste. But you can help reduce the waste stream by carrying your own metal or bamboo utensil sets, and bringing reusable food containers.

Some restaurants may bar such containers for fear of cross-contamination. However, others encourage reusable containers and recognize the financial and environmental benefits. At the very least, they can’t stop you from putting leftovers in your own container instead of their disposable plastic or Styrofoam boxes.

4. Coffee cups and filters: Many of us can’t do without our daily coffee, but we can enjoy it without disposable cups and filters. Carry a reusable mug in your car for coffee on the go, and keep one at the office for workplace coffee. Many coffee shops even offer a discount for java junkies who bring their own cup.

For making coffee at home, consider replacing disposable paper filters with permanent filters made with stainless steel or other products. Also consider replacing disposable single-serving packages of coffee grounds with bulk coffee in reusable containers.

5. Toiletries: Next, it’s time to brush away the coffee breath. While a partly disposable toothbrush is essentially unavoidable, you can reduce 93 percent of toothbrush waste by replacing the head on these reusable toothbrush handles.

Likewise, disposable razors can be replaced with less wasteful (albeit more expensive) razors with permanent handles and small disposable heads, which last longer than many disposable alternatives. Other less wasteful alternatives include straight razors and electric razors. Of course, the latter require energy for charging, but they don’t require hot water or shaving foam.

6. Baby diapers and wipes: In 2006, American babies wore 3.6 millions tons of disposable diapers, generating 2 percent of all municipal waste, in the form of stinky plastic balls that might take centuries to decompose.

However, the reusable cloth alternative is making a comeback. Cloth diapers can either be washed at home or cleaned through a diaper service.

Stacks of studies in recent years have compared the environmental impacts of disposable and cloth diapers. While some studies show that more water and electricity is used in laundering cloth diapers than in producing an equivalent number of disposable diapers. However, it is undeniable that disposable diapers generate more waste. Moreover, cloth diaper users can reduce energy usage by line-drying diapers.

Reusable baby wipes and nursing pads are also widely available.

7. Feminine products: Women in the United States throw out an estimated 12 billion sanitary pads and 7 billions tampons every year. There are several reusable alternatives, including menstrual cups and washable cloth pads.

8. Toilet paper: This may be the toughest sell on the list, but washable cloth wipes can replace standard toilet paper. Another option, although it is a big-ticket item, is to switch to a bidet.

9. Newspapers and magazines: By some measures, newspapers and magazines are the only single source of trash larger than diapers. As a magazine contributor and former newspaper editor, it pains me to admit that reusable alternatives can replace physically delivered newspapers and magazines. Computers and e-readers offer low-waste options for reading the news, and many laptops and e-readers use relatively little energy.

10. Cleaning products: Replace paper towels and other cleaning products with reusable alternatives. For example, Skoy uses cotton and cellulose to make quick-drying, absorbent cloths that can replace both paper towels and sponges for many cleaning jobs.

Swiffer mops are also very popular, but are essentially disposable and quite wasteful. Reusable microfiber cloths do the same job with less waste. Standard disposable sponges can also be replaced with natural cellulose sponges, which can be disinfected in the microwave. These natural cellulose sponges also have other environmental advantages. They are not packaged with embedded chemical disinfectants, like most disposable sponges.

11. Batteries: As a new parent, I am starting to realize that children can generate a steady stream of used batteries, which should only be tossed out in certain locations. Avoid the hassle and the waste by using rechargeable batteries and a home charger.

Check for compatibility before using rechargeable batteries in certain devices. There are several types of batteries, and some devices work better with specific types. Also seek out high-quality rechargeable batteries, as their charge levels and longevity are worth the extra cost. The Sanyo Eneloop may cost more than $3 each, but they come pre-charged and can be recharged up to 1,500 times, and they are widely considered the best rechargeable batteries on the market.

12. Pens and ink cartridges: Disposable plastic pens may be everywhere, but you may be able to write better and generate less waste with a refillable pen. If you let your printer do most of your writing, switch to refillable cartridges. Many companies remanufacture and refill ink cartridges. These professional refills are generally considered a better option than home refill kits, which can be messy and ineffective.

Related:

• 25 Wasteful Things You Can Live Without
• 8 Ways to Inspire Re-Use in Your Community
• 5 Mental Habits for Cutting Consumption