How can Baking soda be green? Well , if you think about it rather than buying , toilet bowl cleaner, shampoo, toothpaste, deodorant, jewelry cleaner, cat litter deodorizer (the list goes on and on) you could buy baking soda in bulk and use this ONE item for all of these! It's amazing! Just think of all of the emissions , plastic and energy would you be saving buy not buying more products than you need.
Here a just a FEW tips on how to use baking soda.
- Water stains on wooden floors can be removed with a sponge dampened in a solution of baking soda dissolved in water.
-Baking soda can deter ants - pour a solid line in areas of activity and they won't cross it.
- Sprinkling baking soda in the bottom of rubbish bags will help to control odors as you add trash.
- To give your dishwasher a good clean, run it through a cycle and use baking soda instead of detergent.
- Baking soda can be thrown on stove fires to extinguish the flames. The carbon dioxide generated when the powder burns starves the fire of oxygen.
- To clean jewelry, use a paste of 3 parts baking soda to 1 part water, apply the mixture the piece, allow to sit for a couple of minutes, rinse off and then polish with a soft cloth.
- make toothpaste with 70% Coconut oil and 30% Bicarb both are good for teeth and gums , just watch the stains from tea tannins on your teeth fade.
- Sprinkle baking soda on rugs and carpets before vacuuming as a deodorising treatment. Most carpet powders you buy are baking soda based! Just a brief note on this - not recommended for areas that are very humid as the baking soda may stay in the carpet
- Sprinkle some in your veggies crisper and cover with a cloth or paper towel for crisper veggies that last longer.
- Crayon or text marks on walls? Try applying baking soda/water paste on an old toothbrush and lightly brush the affected area.
- Stains on porcelain sinks, toilets and plastics can be removed by applying a layer of baking soda and then using a damp sponge . I found this to work particularly well on a water stain in a sink that couldn't be shifted otherwise without the use of heavy duty chemicals and scratching the surface.
These are just a few household items that can be used with baking soda. Make your very own concoction today!
7.28.2010
Weekly Credit Series : Options for Investing
There are many different ways to save and invest your money nowadays. Here are just 3 examples.
Banks and Credit Unions: You can put your savings in an account at a bank or credit union. In return, they pay you interest for you keeping your money at their institution. The plus side of this is the longer you save , the more money you earn. Shop around for the best interest rate.
Mutual Funds: When you invest in a mutual fund , the mutual fund company then uses your money to buy shares of stocks and bonds of many different companies. However this can be risky. When the market goes down the value of the mutual fund goes down.
Individual Development Accounts (IDAs) : This is a program where for every dollar you save, the funds are matched by an IDA sponsor. It varies form $1 -4$. These are usually available to low income people but they are not available everywhere. Check out www.iadanetwork.org to find a location near you.
Banks and Credit Unions: You can put your savings in an account at a bank or credit union. In return, they pay you interest for you keeping your money at their institution. The plus side of this is the longer you save , the more money you earn. Shop around for the best interest rate.
Mutual Funds: When you invest in a mutual fund , the mutual fund company then uses your money to buy shares of stocks and bonds of many different companies. However this can be risky. When the market goes down the value of the mutual fund goes down.
Individual Development Accounts (IDAs) : This is a program where for every dollar you save, the funds are matched by an IDA sponsor. It varies form $1 -4$. These are usually available to low income people but they are not available everywhere. Check out www.iadanetwork.org to find a location near you.
7.16.2010
Green Intittiaves : "Greening" your coffee?
"The greenest way of preparing coffee at home is the French press, which reduces the amount of energy, water and disposable product required.
Unlike most countertop coffee machines, French presses are manual. They are much better than the electronic options that are left plugged in and consume a steady stream of energy to keep water continuously hot. They also don't require paper filters or plastic pods, one-time-use items that fill up your trash bin and add to our landfills.
You also save water and energy. Just boil the amount of water you need for your cup in an electric kettle. Many models now on the market are more energy-efficient, and they automatically shut-off when your water is ready.
Just add one spoonful of coarsely ground coffee grains to the French press for every cup of coffee. Let it sit in the hot water for four minutes, while the flavor and the oils are released for the much-desired morning coffee kick. And voila!
Even the French press itself can be green, like the one by Bodum made with 30% post-consumer material called CREMA. And if you're composting or gardening, the used coffee grounds are also a good source of nitrogen."
Information courtesy of the daily green
Unlike most countertop coffee machines, French presses are manual. They are much better than the electronic options that are left plugged in and consume a steady stream of energy to keep water continuously hot. They also don't require paper filters or plastic pods, one-time-use items that fill up your trash bin and add to our landfills.
You also save water and energy. Just boil the amount of water you need for your cup in an electric kettle. Many models now on the market are more energy-efficient, and they automatically shut-off when your water is ready.
Just add one spoonful of coarsely ground coffee grains to the French press for every cup of coffee. Let it sit in the hot water for four minutes, while the flavor and the oils are released for the much-desired morning coffee kick. And voila!
Even the French press itself can be green, like the one by Bodum made with 30% post-consumer material called CREMA. And if you're composting or gardening, the used coffee grounds are also a good source of nitrogen."
Information courtesy of the daily green
7.15.2010
Featured Contractor (and previous NASA employee) : John Kinstle
We have used John Kinstle with one of our NSP homes and he's just now starting another one of ours. I spoke with him briefly today and let me just say , this man's resume has go to be a mile long!
John is 63 years young. He is one of four children and he himself has had 3 children with one surviving. He is also blessed with 2 grandchildren.
He's an avid surfer (has been for forty years!) and has once had a black belt. His previous jobs include, (wait for this) Self Defense Instructor, working for NASA in the System Range Safety division. Which were in charge of the launch system safety element. He has worked for Pentagon and even the White House. During his term at the White House he served on the Task force for Recycling under President Clinton. He has a degree in engineering and oh, by the way he became a General Contractor in 2007! Whew! In his new role as a GC he has built 5 NSP homes, 1 custom, 1 addition, and 1 demolition.
He one of the most thorough and nicest contractors I have ever met.
If you are interested in John doing some work for you , you can contact him at
John Kinstle Homes, Inc.
Address: 1123 Girvin Road
Jacksonville, Florida 32225
Phone number: 904-220-5474
Fax number: 904-221-3567
John is 63 years young. He is one of four children and he himself has had 3 children with one surviving. He is also blessed with 2 grandchildren.
He's an avid surfer (has been for forty years!) and has once had a black belt. His previous jobs include, (wait for this) Self Defense Instructor, working for NASA in the System Range Safety division. Which were in charge of the launch system safety element. He has worked for Pentagon and even the White House. During his term at the White House he served on the Task force for Recycling under President Clinton. He has a degree in engineering and oh, by the way he became a General Contractor in 2007! Whew! In his new role as a GC he has built 5 NSP homes, 1 custom, 1 addition, and 1 demolition.
He one of the most thorough and nicest contractors I have ever met.
If you are interested in John doing some work for you , you can contact him at
John Kinstle Homes, Inc.
Address: 1123 Girvin Road
Jacksonville, Florida 32225
Phone number: 904-220-5474
Fax number: 904-221-3567
7.14.2010
Weekly Credit Series : Checking and Savings Accounts
Why are Checking and Savings accounts important? Well, with a checking account at a bank or credit union, you can use your monthly statement to show creditors that you do a good job at paying your bills on time. It also usually cost less to have a checking account than it would be to purchase a money order to pay bills.
If you don't have a checking account you might want to consider setting one up, but first shop around. Call several banks and ask what they charge and what services they provide. It might be wise to use a bank or credit union that is nearest you or has the most convenient locations.
Savings accounts are equally important. One of the best ways to improve your overall financial status is to save money every month. Even if it is only a small amount. An easy way to start is to take 10% of your check and deposit that into savings every pay period. Another simple way is once you have paid off a debt, continue paying the same "bill" but put that money in savings. Something else simple, put $1 a day in jar and any other loose change at the end of every month deposit that into your savings.
These techniques sound easy but most people still don't do them! I assure you that once you get into the habit of saving you will be hooked!
If you don't have a checking account you might want to consider setting one up, but first shop around. Call several banks and ask what they charge and what services they provide. It might be wise to use a bank or credit union that is nearest you or has the most convenient locations.
Savings accounts are equally important. One of the best ways to improve your overall financial status is to save money every month. Even if it is only a small amount. An easy way to start is to take 10% of your check and deposit that into savings every pay period. Another simple way is once you have paid off a debt, continue paying the same "bill" but put that money in savings. Something else simple, put $1 a day in jar and any other loose change at the end of every month deposit that into your savings.
These techniques sound easy but most people still don't do them! I assure you that once you get into the habit of saving you will be hooked!
7.06.2010
FREE !!! Common Sense Self Defense Class.
RADO , along with RAP and the R2 section of the RAP Assisted Neighborhood Watch , is hosting a free self-defense class. This class will teach you fun and easy techniques to protect yourself. Officer Sam Rodriguez will be teaching the course. It will be on Monday , July 19th at 6:00 pm. Seating is limited. Please RSVP to Melody at 904.381.0950 or msbyrd@radocdc.org
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