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Going, going green
Steve and Beth Griffith and their family thought they were well on their way to living an energy-saving green lifestyle.
Almost all of the light bulbs in their South San Jose, Calif., home are compact fluorescents. They do laundry in the evenings to take advantage of non-peak electricity rates. They keep the thermostat down in the winter and use passive-cooling techniques to stay comfortable in the summer. The household has two hybrid vehicles. And when it came time to do some remodeling, they recycled an entire kitchen from a Menlo Park, Calif., tear-down and trucked it down the Peninsula in pieces to reassemble in their 1971 tract house.
What more could they do to soften their carbon footprint? Turns out, a lot.
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If the boot fits ...
Nothing can ruin a backpacking trip like a pair of ill-fitting hiking boots.
It's one of those universal truths that can't be argued.
"No matter how beautiful an area you're in, if your feet hurt you're going to be miserable," said Scott Shively, camping manager at Herb Bauer Sporting Goods in Fresno.
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Child gone wild
Grrrrrr. I can smell her rage. She paces back and forth in her room like a caged animal. Self-righteous ire flashes in her face. I brace for the poison dart, waiting for her to loft an "I hate you" my way. I know it's coming; it hasn't yet, but it will. And it's going to sting. She's eight going on sixteen and angry like the wolf. She rolls her eyes, she yells, she turns a brilliant shade of livid purple, and yet it is ok. It has to be. I'm her mother. I love her, and I will continue to love her, no matter what.
So goes this unconditional love of a mother for her child. I feel it. I get it. It exists precisely for moments like this, to keep us from wringing their indignant little necks. What it doesn't do is tell me how to keep this plastic mom grin plastered to my face when inside my blood boils in exactly the same way. My feisty anger flares just as wildly. Of course it does, that temper took the DNA Direct straight from my blood to hers.
To hear her tell it, I don't know what she is feeling. I don't
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Looking to Shape up for Summer? The Solution May be the Steps You're Already Taking
Summer is officially here, and that means longer days and warmer weather are afoot. The season is also notoriously a time when people want to get in shape. Yet nowadays, hitting the gym can be daunting, especially with so many people pressed for time and money. But good news - there's an easy way to shape up for summer that's accessible, affordable and can accommodate even the busiest of schedules - it's walking. No wonder it's the number one fitness activity(1) for adults. And with the simple addition of a few fitness goals and a pedometer, you have everything you need to elevate your walk to a workout.
Walk It Out
Many people don't realize the walking they already do each day is a positive step to help them get fit. In fact, studies have uncovered a long list of benefits from walking, including reduced body fat, lowered cholesterol and blood pressure as well as increased flexibility and mental well-being. It's widely recommended adults take 10,000 steps a day, the equivalent of about five miles,
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Primo Water Redefines the Water Cooler Category
Rarely has a home appliance been able to improve a person's life in so many ways. For years, the water cooler had become the ubiquitous but uninspiring part of every office: A place to fill a paper water cup or talk about the news of the day. Now, Primo Water has redefined the "water dispenser" and elevated it to the "must-have item" for every home.
(Photo: http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/20090702/CL41330 )
The new sleek, modern water dispensers are not only designed to complement any decor, they actually help families live better, healthier and greener lives. And it's never been easier to find the perfect water dispenser for your home. The nation's leading retailers - Walmart, Target, Kmart, Lowes Home Improvement, Sam's Club, Costco.com - see the incredible value for their customers and now carry the Primo line of water dispensers. Consumers can choose from five new bottom-loading dispensers that cleverly hide the bottles in the bottom cabinet. Prices start at just $149. For more information, consumers
Outdoors junkies love gear and gadgets almost as much as they love blue skies. Even better, they love getting gear and gadgets for Christmas.
Here are some ideas guaranteed to spread holiday cheer:
SPOT Satellite Messenger
Afraid of getting lost in the woods? With this personal locator beacon, you’ll never again have to worry about roaming out of cell phone range. The onboard GPS sends out a fixed position, then transmits a coded distress signal to let rescuers hone in your exact position. Even if you’re not lost, it allows family and friends to track your progress on a computer using Google Maps. MSRP: $169.99, plus $9.99 per month service fee (www.findmespot.com)
Black Diamond Apollo Lantern
Nothing beats a lantern for illuminating a tent or picnic table, minus the propane and mantles. When closed, it’s about the size of a soup can. When open, it stands 91/2 inches tall and casts a bright, even light that isn’t blinding to look at thanks to dual reflectors. A meter signals when the four AA batteries are low on juice. At 11.1 ounces, it’s even light enough to take backpacking. MSRP: $49.95 (www.bdel.com)
SteriPEN Adventurer UV Water Purifier
Tired of all that needless pumping? Give your arms and back a break. Simply fill your water bottle, press a button on your SteriPEN, insert it in the water and stir. The blue-glowing light destroys viruses, bacteria and protozoa, including giardia and cryptosporidium, in about a minute. No chemicals or filters needed. MSRP: $99.95 (www.steripen.com)
Mountain Hardwear Sojourn 2 Tent
A good three-season backpacking tent should be light, roomy and watertight. This one fills the bill and adds convenient features such as dual mesh doors with clear windows for sleeping-bag weather checks and dual vestibules that keep the rain out when entering and exiting. Its near-vertical doors help the tent feel even roomier. At 5.5 pounds, it’s a lot of tent for the weight. MSRP: $235 (www.mountainhardwear.com)
Leatherman Skeletool
How can a full-sized multitool weigh only 5 ounces? This one somehow pulls it off. The standard stuff (pliers, wire snips, blade, screwdriver set) is complemented by a carabiner-like clip that works for cracking open a bottle of beer even when the tool is closed. Best of all, it feels great in the palm of your hand. MSRP: $72 (www.leatherman.com)
Camelbak Bottle
Plain and simple, the best water bottles ever invented. Handy bite valve makes drinking a snap. Just bite down and sip — no need even to tilt your head back. And it’s spillproof. Available in 14 colors and three sizes, all made of BPA-free plastic. MSRP: $11 to $13 (www.camelbak.com)
Mountaineering: The Freedom of the Hills
Mountaineering can’t be learned from a book — it takes hands-on experience — but it sure pays to have some idea what you’re doing before heading out. Now in its seventh edition, this essential how-to guide covers everything from knot tying to rappelling to glacier travel. Read it, absorb it, live it. MSRP: $29.95 (www.mountaineersbooks.org)
Coleman RoadTrip Grill LXE
Compact, convenient and completely portable, this propane-powered grill lets you cook burgers, sausages and steaks anywhere from a campground to a stadium parking lot — without the hassle of charcoal. And when you’re finished, it folds up and stows practically anywhere. This particular model includes two side trays for plates and condiments and two adjustable burner controls. MSRP: $199.99 (www.coleman.com)
Nightstar SC2 Flashlight
Never again get stuck with a dead flashlight. Just shake for 40 seconds and — presto — out comes a beam of light that lasts up to 20 minutes. Powered by a high-strength magnet that generates electrical energy as it passes through a capacitor, this gizmo never needs batteries and can be recharged thousands of times. MSRP: $24.95 (www.nightstarflashlight.com)
Amgen Tour of California VIP Treatment
North America’s premier cycling race is rolling through Clovis and Visalia in February, and you can practically be part of the peloton. Two hundred bucks gets you a spot in the VIP hospitality tent. For $500, you can get either a seat at a team dinner or access to a special pre-race meet-and-greet session. Or pony up $3,000 and reserve a seat in one of the official support vehicles. Details: www.amgentourofcalfornia.com and click on the “VIP-Offers” tab.
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