2/07/10:  Love the pressure cooker.  Have been able to use their recipes for soups but checked out can of

pea soup I like and was able to fool around with items on the label and come up with just what I like without

the chemical sounding names and bacon fat, etc.

Picked up a potato/leek soup in a can recently.  If I like it, will include leeks in the Victory Garden this Spring.                                    Did you know you can grow leeks by cutting the root off about a half inch, use the stems and replant the root? 

I will try this and if Mother Nature comes through, will get back to you.   Meanwhile, life goes on.

2/07/10: Update on the greenhouse.  Quite a number of the herbs I managed to find in the dead of winter are

surviving, if not thriving.   I do not keep my house warm enough for that.   I let the sun in on good days
but must use th ultra-violet bulb do its thing often, as the windows filter out u/v light.  Electric bill up about $10. 

The plants are quite green but somewhat leggy and slow growing.  I have used some herb tops and they

are quite tasty.   I do not wish to heavily feed them, as herbs do best in the ground (and taste better) if you treat

them with benign neglect.  Soon, I will plant seeds for beets, carrots, etc.   Root crops fall into the alkali forming

group of veggies.  Besides, fresh young beets are in a class with tomatoes out of your own backyard.   Compare

with store-bought?   No comparison. 

12/21/09: Christmas present for the house: a Cuisinart pressure cooker.   This will feed my obsession

for low-salt meals.  May save me some money if I look for the sales in the supermarket, etc.  It will

definitely save me time.  By investing an hour or so prepping, cooking, cleaning up, I will have stews or

soups at the ready.  Must remember to pull them up to the fridge, though.  Unnecessary nuking is wasteful.

Have to get a decent cookbook.  One from the library was written by a wino.

Have started a new project.  Looking forward to Spring, I picked up a very nice mini greenhouse for $20

bucks at a local discount store.  Decided to try herbs and bought a 60 watt gro bulb.  This brings the temp

up to at least 70 degrees in the daytime.   Use a 40 watt with a reflector at night, which keeps the plant

environmentat 65 degrees at night.  I'm trying hardy plants.  Could only find one herb growing at the veggy

department.   As for the bulbs being on constantly, I expect electric bill to pick up.   Darn (or words to that effect). 
10/15/09:  Recently had some windows replaced.  While the guys were at it, asked them to move two

8'x4' raised gardens.  Surprise, surprise.  The old 4x4s were rotted.  New ones came at a $100 price.

Consider this an investment.  While we were at it, had two 4'x6'x8' uprights put in with an old metal

pole left over from the swimming pool placed high on the eight footers.  Plan on hanging sturdy

shopping bags (these were cheap) upside

down and planting tomatoes and possibly basil.  The aparatus can accommodate string beans, as I can

run strings up to the pole.   All in all, will I save any money?  Not hardly.  But think of the healthy veggies.

One bonus is that I am digging about 40'x3'x3" of lawn, using the soil to fill the raised gardens and filling

these trenches with bark mulch.   Beats going to a gym.  And it's starting to look great.  

Note: Very important.  The treated 4x4s used for the raised gardens.  My construction guy is also

a great gardener.  Grows veggies like crazy.  The material he used is for farms.  See osmosewood.com

for details.  Call them.  They reassure me that copper used is non-toxic for vegetable growing. 

I would wash my hands after handling, however.  Your body absorbs such conmpounds through the skin.

Otherwise, I am good to go and will use the six old 4' pieces to make three compost areas neat looking.

   
 
10/06/09:   Don't know if I told you.  Powerpacked nutrition through sprouting is also an

excellent way to save money.   Often you can buy in bulk at the health food stores.  Just adding water

causes the small amount to swell in size.  Can be added to soups, salads, sandwiches. Often I

top off a small portion of veggies.  Gradually, with all the vitamins and minerals, I will wean myself

off the store bought supplements and vitamins I've been buying.  Only thing I probably need to purchase

is calcium.  (I add my own vitamin D, cutting the 400 mg pill in two for AM & PM doses.)

One other thing is the glucosamine-chondroitin.

10/01/09:  So far so good.  The fruits and veggies are a bit costly but I'm not eating a lot,

yet get all my nutritional needs.  Not craving those cookies I used to reward myself .

Have not gained any weight and currently have lost a few lbs.  I like the slow process

of weight loss, as I feel it is not just water. 

Am getting much more fluids down.  Isn,t plain water boring?  Eight glasses a day? Yuk. 

When I go out, I carry what I call "sweet water" in the car.  About 1/2 tap water, 1/2 mineral water. 

 I add small slices of lime and about 4 drops of stevia in a small water bottle.  This is tasy to me and

is actally alkalizing to the body.  Oxygenating the blood is a strike against anaerobics (generally bad guys)
Not incidentally, adding citrus to the drinks gives me the opportunity to use the rinds.  Inhaling the

cut skins puts limonene into the respiratory system.  It helps me eliminate the wheezing that used

to keepme up nights.  Since the subject here is savings, think of how much I save in drug costs.

9/10/09:  The company which handled the delivery of the yogurt maker had a problem delivering on time. 
Sent me a gift of a cookbook for my trouble.  So glad they did.  It is "Juicing For The Health Of It" and it has
 encouraged me to dust off my juicer.  You get the enzymes that are cooked out by processing and the
benefits of alkalizing your body with fresh fruits and many vegetables.  Produce may be costly but I may start 
growing some of my own again in the backyard.  One other way I will save is that I will not be buying so many
vitamins, minerals, antioxidant food supplements.

One good source for vitamin/mineral content is

 http://www.healthalternatives2000.com/nut-seed-nutrition-chart.html  

There may be a similar website for pH charts but I did obtain an excellant book

on the subject, "The Acid-Alkaline Food Guide by Susan E. Brown.  The best part is that

I downloaded it onto my new Kindle.  Yes, I do spend once in a while.  I consider this one a

good investment.  And think of all the trees it will save. 

9/03/09:  Yogurt maker arrived yesterday and made a batch with some success. 

I may not have mixed the yogurt

properly and came up with a little way on top of each jar.

Checked while the yogurt was still warm by placing specimen on a slide and used 1800x

magnification scope.  Bingo!  Plenty of bacterial action.  A friend asked me if I ate it after

seeing that on the scope.  You bet.  The product I am using is the "Yolife" made by Tribest. 

Purchased it through Amazon.  Seems a little pricy for a simple heating device but it

comes with an extra cover so you can put your own tall jars on the body of the device. 

This is ideal, as it comes with seven six ounce jars, which may not appeal to all. 

I will pass on trying to heat fruit beforehand and add to the cups before making the yogurt. 

Fresh or frozen and defrosted is fine.  Just add what you want before eating.  Easy.

8/21/09: Am anticipating delivery of a yogurt maker.  Had done this eons ago with a machine

that basically used a lightbulb.  Recently, I made some with the oven light on but I had

to keep nudging it with a little heat.  The benefits of yogurt can be found all over the

internet.  For me, I have had to make adjustments in diet due to IBS.  Currently, am also

watching the pH and cutting way down on coffee, milk, animal fats.  Yogurt is more easily

digested than milk. Has to do with lactose vs. lactase but do your own research, plenty

of sites give you pages of the benefits. 

I can make yogurt with 100% zero fat powdered milk.  The 20 quart box costs less

than $11.  How reasonable is that?

Add to that the cost of electricity, some water added sweeteners and fruit, whatever. 

I use stevia, either  powdered or liquid obtainable in health food stores.  I add several

drops of non-alcoholic vanilla extract and when ready to eat, add blueberries, whatever.

I had picked up Greek yogurt with active cultures.  Very important to obtain cultures

with little shelf life.  Trader Joe's stuff moves, so no worry there.  Good source for the

vanilla, too. 

To your health, on the cheap.

 Please recycle.  If nothing else, you will save on the use of plastic garbage bags.
5/13/09: Hope you're not still buying bottled water.  From what I hear, the water is 
tap water and costs about as much as gasoline for your auto.  Sorry about the colored type. 
Can't get red out. Sounds like the government.

Please excuse my benign neglect of this blog.  I noted yesterday that there were quite a few
hits on this particular subject. 
At this point in time, I will enter latest comments first! 

4/25/09:Recently, I checked with an appliance saleseman in my neighborhood, as salesmen
must be educated in the use of electricity.  He told me that dryers are big
users of electricity if they are digital.  That goes for everything digital.  I had been pulling the
TV and microwave plugs when not in use and see a marked downturn in my bill each month.
I really would not pull the plug on a dryer, but when I have to buy a new one, I can live without
the convenience of extra "bells and whistles".
Incidentally, a few years back, I replaced a heating coil with the help of an
electrical technician connected with the appliance company. The dryer worked for many
more years for less than forty dollars.  
Can you get a company rep. to help you via the phone these days?  If you buy the part
from them, why not? 

1/9/07:  It has been some time since I shopped for low-wattage bulbs.  You know, the coily
ones?  The price was not bad in the supermarket.  Sales lately...they must be coming up with
new-improved versions.  I did notice they have 3-ways now and went on line and found some
for use with dimmer switches and outdoor floods!  When I am really desperate, I will go for
those.  I have already saved $$ on my electric bill by not having lights on in a room if I am not
going back within a half hour.  That is an old rule, owing to the inrush current of electricity
each time you turn something on.  I understand it is 5x the current needed to keep the older
bulb glowing. This information is from a site I visit occasionally. Another answer I received
is that the power wasted is negligible.  But if you add up the millions of homes alone and
the numerous times each day that this occurs... There's one for you engineers out there,
a device that would offset the inrush current.  It would save a heck of a lot of energy.  The
guy or gal who comes up with that one should go down in the books with Edison.  

     Wish they would do something with the surges also.  Have had a few minor incidents
that created ozone smell.  Scary.

     One of the pluses for the slide dimmers is that you avoid that boost in current.  In a
way, I am fortunate having photo phobia.  There are several of those variable switches
throughout the house.  The phobia (a misnomer) causes a somewhat painful reaction to
light when I first get up in the morning.  At six a.m. we go dimly down the hallway, through
the kitchen and toward the back door to let Kelsy out every morning.  By the time I feed
her, make my breakfast and relax in the Dining Room, I can turn up the light and read. 
Crazy, no?  
    
     If you want to know anything and everything about light bulbs, go to www.CR4.com.  
As Joankelsy, I had asked about surges on the Electrical Engineering section of the site.  
Scroll down the answers.  This is an outstanding site.  Good information/excellent writing.
  
        This brings me to the question, do you save any power by turning the dimmer switch
down?  Electricians I have talked to have come up with guess answers over the years,
usually "No".  One, I suspected, did not guess.  Dave, a retired teacher who taught women
about home repairs in night school.  (He had Electrical and Plumbing licenses, besides being
an excellent carpenter.) His answer, "Yes!"  I went to Ask.com for their opinion.  Dave was
right.  On the internet, I sometimes find it hard to phrase the questions, but would suspect
that you save on the light bulbs, whatever type, also. 

1/10/08: Lunched on my usual bagel with cream cheese (talk about cheap) while my car
was being serviced today.   Dunkin' Donuts have nice hanging fixtures for lighting and use
fluorescent bulbs.  Coils are covered with round opaque glass that look just like decorator
style incandescents of a few short years ago.  Cool.
 
    Have not gotten into the car thing yet.  Bring back the original RAV and put batteries
in it. (Including a plug-in)
and I'll buy it.

    Obtained a Black and Decker mower and gave my gas-powered number to a friend. 
She will probably get into electric after the gas one poops.  I am told the mowers do a world-
class polluting job.  In the long run, savings will pay for the purchase.  No maintenance and
pennies to run.  It cuts great and easy to use if you follow a pattern that leaves the wire in
your wake.  This is easy with a reversable handle.

    Since I have been baking bread, the refrigerator and freezer have been utilized to keep 
it fresh.  I use sealable plastic bags up the whatsoo (sp?).  Was just informed that washing
and hot water rinse not a good idea, as mold forms on the bags from bread.  I was reusing
the bags in the interest of keeping plastic out of the environment and saving but was told by
a biologist it is best to recycle bags instead.  Shucks.

1/18/08:  Went to a local discount store yesterday looking for energy saver bulbs.  Was
clued in by a guy who said they would go on sale Sunday.  "Better yet," he said, "Go down
to Aubuchon's Hardware.  They are selling for 79 cents each."  How could I resist?  Seems
they are getting rid of the little-known manufacturer and will carry GEs from now on.  Both
are made in China.  So, there is little choice.  Can't help the economy.  I decided to help my
pocketbook and the environment.  A little less dependence on fuel can't hurt either. 
    Asked the manager (who is well versed in the electrical area) about the surge thing. 
I was talking about the boost of energy that happens when you turn something on. 
"It's only a little bit," he stated.  "Yes," I said , "but think of all the millions of people
throughout the country who use just a little bit."  One fellow said that the problem had
been corrected some years back.  If so, I stand corrected.  Please let me know.
    It drives you crazy.  No one in Washington has addressed issues like this in a meaning-
ful way, to encourage the little and the big guy to come up with really great ways to avoid
energy guzzling and pollution.  There have been solutions out there since I was a kid.  If
you remember, they did their best to destroy the electric car models produced, instead of
fixing whatever problem there was.  
    Don't you feel like we have been in stall mode on this energy thing?  You feel like
throwing every politician out...allow limited election contributions from individuals only!  
Get the lobbyists out so we can move on. 

1/27/08: Just received an update from www.catalog choice.org.  They help eliminate those
unwanted catalogs that keep showing up to drive you crazy.  With their help, the mailbox
is less stuffed lately.  They are fairly new but doing well as far as subscribers go.  We wish
them luck.  Please give the site a try and maybe we can save trees and even some gasoline. 
They do have to be trucked around.
5/5/08: Update.  Wonder if the catalog people are ignoring the requests.  I have unlimited
phone service, so I call these companies while peddling on my exercise bank.  Since I have
eliminated the TV service where the bike is located,  the calling keeps me from getting too
bored.  Time flies when you're saving the planet.



Autumn throws crisp, clear color at you.  Photo taken at the entrance to our home early
in the A.M. 

Saving the Planet in the future: www.greentechnolog.com .  Let's hope those Yahoos in
Washington do not hold things up, but help instead. It might even keep us out of a war or two.

[4/6/08: Had seen an article in greentechnolog about using a water devices to cut the dryer
power usage by 50%. That was early this year.  Went to their site and searched
"clothes dryers" but came up empty.  Will try to contact them re: this.]

3/30/08: "Saving the planet".  This can happen serendipitously.  Bought one of those little
battery powered sweepers and it worked nicely for a while.  Something stringlike must have
wound into the mechanism, as one brush cylinder will not move.  The tool will head for the
trash, so I now sweep using the dry mop with disposable cloths.  Really easy and maybe half
as stressful to my back.  Less wasteful and polluting than batteries, in any event. Use the new
Dyson only occasionally on the bare floors.
     If you knew me, you would realize I will do anything to avoid boring housework.  I lived
with a saint, who came up with the idea to let me handle the kitchen from shopping to
cooking to cleanup and she would handle the routine dusting, vacuuming and even the wash.
My specialty was scrubbing down showers or doing other occasional heavy duty cleaning. 
     The slowing down process has set into my body, so will probably need help in the future,
as I did in the last stages of Sharon's illness, when, fortunately, long-term care paid for
assistance.  I had not realized the toll it was taking on me.  When Sharon passed, I couldn't
handle things so a few times a month, called one of the helpers and had her thoroughly
clean the house.  That was a nice luxury.  Makes you wonder why you hadn't been born rich.
But that is something that never drove me crazy.
 
4/7/08: On-demand water heater looks interesting.  See hotwatersource.com, especially if
you want to practice your math.  Best site I have found for explaining, showing choices. 
Savings in long run, but initial outlay is a bit steep.  Have looked at sites where unit and
parts are available.  Experience has shown me that it is not exactly wise to order plumbing
on my own.  Getting them through a reliable plumber pays off if something goes wrong. 
Just getting an idea about cost...will have to include pipe installation and construction costs
to install venting pipe.  Should save on the oil bill but how much for gas? Electric?  These
tankless heaters are popular in Europe.  Now that our fuel has gone off the charts, it may
be time.  If you factor in the cost of the unit and installation, wonder if it will pay for itself in
a few years.  You might want to forget about that trip on an airline this year and invest in 
this smart device instead.

4/18/08: Comment that was broadcast on cnn.com this morning: I just said that I started
conserving last year, using energy-saving bulbs, drying only half my wash in the dryer and 
turning in my Vue for a Prius. As you can see, it is not that hard.  It was imply put, so they
paid attention.  Try it.

5/2/08:  Recently tried to add my house insurance to my auto, as discounts are available
for multiple insurance...but wait a minute...My auto ins. co. does not handle houses in
Barnstable County and certain other areas.  Why? Because we're located near water. 
Hurricane fear!  What next?  Difficult to obtain auto insurance in Mass.  Fortunately, the
house has been with MetLife since we've been here (eight years).  Did a little bundling and
came up with a discount..  Go ahead, Electric Insurance, ask me why I left you.  It's because
I have become quite fickle...not to save the planet.  It's to save my wallet.

5/5/08: Here's one for you. May have mentioned this elsewhere on the blog.
Check out your local health food store for things like honey, fresh ground peanut butter,
oatmeal, other grains.  Many of these stores sell by the pound.  Good prices.  These items
have not been processed to death, packaged and advertised.  Keeps the prices
down.  Try their herbs and spices, too.  Buy what you need only! Beats throwing out those
old bottles in the closet every year.  No comparison in flavor either.
   Save a dollar here and there.  And don't forget the cloth bag when you go shopping. 
Save a plastic tree. 

5/6/08: The Prius. Where is it written that one must go over the speed limit?  The Book of
Goofus?  My home thermostat stays down in my house, even on cold/damp Cape Spring days. 
I do collective shopping to save trips.  I hang wash out to dry to lessen the dryer bill.  Driving
uphill uses a lot of energy unless I run downhill @99.9 miles per, then use the momentum to
glide up when the road demands.  What sort of sign should I paste on the back bumper? 
       I diid not buy this car to make you happy.  
       Leave your house earlier to save gas.  
       Go tell it to Bush. 
       Go slower.  It might lower your blood pressure. 
There are others...
    
What I might do is have flames painted on and add a fireman using an extinguisher. 
Some days I feel so creative.