#buy one of those thermal supermarket bags........ | Explore Tumblr Posts and Blogs

dorysuperhappyfunearth · 5 years

Text

5 easy ways to reduce waste

if you’re looking to reduce your waste and minimise your impact on mama earth in your everyday life, this is the post for you! here are 5 easy ways you can make less waste :)

1. use a reusable water bottle instead of buying bottled water

this is one of the easiest swaps you can make - to get a reusable bottle, be it plastic, stainless steel or glass*. this stainless steel one from Bamboo Straw Girl is great because it has a handle that you can hook onto your bag and it comes in thermal and non-thermal versions so you can keep your drinks hot/cold!

plus, Singapore’s tap water is safe to drink and there are many water dispensers and coolers around to refill your bottles. just naming a few: schools, nursing rooms in some shopping malls, Changi Airport, Our Tampines Hub, Heartbeat @ Bedok, and even public toilets. PLUS, think of all the money you’ll save on all the bottled water you would have bought. it really adds up!

*you may wish to consider the material of your bottle based on your lifestyle and its environmental impact. I personally wouldn’t recommend plastic bottles (e.g. Tupperware bottles) because they get oily and form dark spots after a period of time. if you’re accident-prone, glass is probably not the right choice for you. get something that you see yourself using for a really really long time!

2. use a reusable bag instead of plastic bags

plastic bags are made with non-renewable resources and take a LOT of energy to manufacture. they take a really really long time to break down (think 1000 years) and can release toxic chemicals over time. In Singapore, shoppers take 820 million plastic bags from supermarkets every year and only 15% of a survey’s respondents bring their own shopping bags. the next time you head out, throw a reusable bag into your backpack or handbag. they’re compact and ready whenever you need it. grocery shopping, buying clothes, shoes, gifts, whatever it is, you’re gonna need a reusable bag. BUT if you ever find yourself without one, don’t be afraid to hold your purchases in your hand! REFUSE THE BAG. especially for small purchases - those small plastic bags can barely hold anything or be used to bag our trash.

for many Singaporean households, using plastic bags to bag our trash is just common practice. some ways to reduce our use of plastic bags for trash would include reusing food packaging (e.g. the plastic bag that was used to put apples), recycling (so the recyclables don’t take up space in the bag), composting (so food waste doesn’t take up space). the best being... make less trash in the first place!

3. bring your own set of cutlery

all you need to do is grab a set of utensils from your home (spoon, fork, chopsticks, whatever you need), place it in a pouch and voilà! throw it in your bag whenever you’re heading out and you are set. use them when you order food in or when you’re eating at a place with disposables. then wash them at any public tap, keep it in the pouch and repeat!

remember you don’t need to buy a new set of utensils if you already have some you can use at home. however, frequent travellers may wish to get a set of bamboo cutlery (this is not sponsored but I love Bamboo Straw Girl!) because metal cutlery may pose some issues at the airport.

4. switch to soap bars

if you’ve been using liquid soap for face, hair and body, chances are they’re all bottled in some sort of plastic container. liquid soaps take a lot of energy to transport and manufacture (5x more energy for raw material production and almost 20x more for packaging production than bar soaps). liquid soaps are also often made from ingredients that are too harsh for our skin (e.g. parabens, sulfates, silicones).

make the switch to soap bars! you can start out with the Dove body soap bars (you can get them at Valu$ shops) which are cheaper but doesn’t have the best ingredient list. iHerb also sells bar soaps for both face and body - for some products, they are cheaper when you buy in larger quantities. (consider sharing with your friends and family - you save money and reduce carbon emissions when you collate your purchases for shipping!) if you can afford to splurge a little more, oasis:skin is a homegrown clean beauty brand and sells facial, shampoo and conditioner bars.

they’re also perfect for travellers because you don’t have to worry about liquid limits at the airport, or spillages because the solid soaps can just be placed in a container or pouch and they are good to go!

5. eat in!

takeaway culture is pretty prominent in Singapore - dabaoing food to our offices, back home or to our study areas is probably something we all do at least once a week. and while it would be great if we could all bring our own containers, I know there are some reasons deterring people from BYOing. “it’s troublesome to wash the container”, “how do I know what size I need the container to be?” well then, try eating in as much as possible! use the reusable plates and cutlery provided by the dining establishment instead of creating the waste of a plastic container/styrofoam box, disposable utensils, a plastic bag to hold those items and extras like chili packets. no need to bring a container, no need to wash the container, just opt to eat in.

if you aren’t already doing these 5 things, try it this week! make the switch. small changes can make a big difference. :)

#singapore #sustainability #eco #environment #zero waste #low waste

1 note · View note

justdictatorshipthings · 4 years

Text

Do more

There is a tendency in our society to blame other for problems and to not contribute at all to fixing the problem. In the case of climate change, we actually could do more, even if the government doesn’t want to. Complaining is only going to get you so far. So here is a list of ways to help create a better future, rather than running in to problems and trying to fix them. At that point its already too late.

If everyone did at least one of these things, it wouldn’t matter what the government does or doesn’t do.

- Plant trees, and flowers for our bees. The means that there will be even more plants in the long term as bees and butterflies are responsible for propagating plants..There is a lot to be said about what to plant. Things like spider plants take up little space but can photosynthesize a lot more than plants that are much bigger. Australian native plants have high levels of pollen and require little water.

- Use high octane fuel every once in a while to clean you engine to ensure it runs as efficiently as possible. Car maintenance is important for the environment also. A car that isn’t well looked after is much less efficient then the same car that has been looked after. A car is a privilege and it should be seen as such.

- Take public transport more, use your car only when necessary. If you are going to take an Uber, use the option to share your ride when possible. Otherwise everything from electric scooters to bikes are convenient ways of traveling.I like parking a fair distance from where i have to go and walking. It doesn’t make much of a difference but it is healthier for you.

- Recycle, make sure what goes in to the bin is recycled. You don’t have to worry about cleaning it. Its more efficient to let the people in charge of recycling clean it (obviously don’t be lazy and leave a whole pizza in a box). But this only works if they get only materials that can be recycled. So always be sure to not put trash in your recycling.

- Make compost, its so easy, even if you give it to someone else that has a garden. Biodegradable waste won’t return to nature if it ends up in landfill. It will probably be buried in an airtight container to prevent any leaking of hazardous materials. Because people put too much dangerous stuff in their trash.

- Travel less, its good for the economy to take holidays in your own country, your money won’t go as far as in other countries, but it may make your own country a nicer place to be.

- Write letters to companies, governments, or any one that will listen about their irresponsible practices. I think in the case of the plastic bag ban, which has made Coles and Woolworths some $71 million in profit. It shows you that even if there is more money in doing good. Unless we push companies to do it, they won’t.

- Dim your TV, computer screens and everything else. Its amazing how much difference to your energy bill this will make over a year.

- Unplug appliances at the power board. Most people don’t realize those plug packs like that on your phone uses, are always on and using energy even when they aren’t charging your phone. The general rule is, if it has a light, it is also using energy.

- Use less air-conditioning, especially when in the car. It is amazing how much energy it uses. You are better off not having anything connected to the cigarette lighters also unless you are actually charging a device. This won’t make as much difference as the air con though. Even in the most efficient of cars (actually especially in efficient cars) it can double your fuel consumption. Sweating is healthy for you, just not practical in every situation. The same goes for stereos and other electronics connected to your car.

- Turn off your phone when you aren’t using it, so many people leave their phones on at night, if you need it to wake up its one thing. but even then you could put it in to airplane mode (or buy a really efficient alarm clock). Some phones will actually turn on for alarms, which should give you an idea of the fact that nothing is really off these days.

- Always make sure your washing machine is full, never do a small load, the older your washing machine is the more true this is. Few washing machines regulate the power going to the motor, so the consumption is the same for a small load as much as a large one.

- Sponsor animals before they become endangered. This ensures that in an emergency, they will be looked after when it matters. Rather than when its too late. Visit wild life parks that help animals, learn about them. Having a connection to the world around you makes it easier to remember why to care about it.

- Avoid anything smart. When you think about it, smart light bulbs are a light, that is connected to a mini computer running an always on server. While convenient, at times this extra functionality uses more electricity than it will ever save.

- Prepare your shopping in advanced, eat before you do it. That way you will be able to make as few trips to the supermarket as possible. While you are there, avoid anything packaged where possible, buy more veggies and less meat.

- If you can afford to, collect rainwater. Its always handy and its not expensive to set up. In fact concessions should be given to people who do collect their own rain water. Otherwise it just gets wasted. Councils should probably sell rain water collection tanks at pumps at cost. More people would have them if they did this. This would reduce the burden on our water system.

- While there has been a big push for solar, consider wind. Modern wind turbines for homes aren’t that bad looking. Efforts are still being made to make them look like works of futurist art. This will continue. If you live in the bottom half of Australia, you will generate more electricity this way than with solar.

- Avoid streaming where possible, any thing cloud related is also bad. This requires ridiculous amounts of energy, and grows every year. The past few years has seen more data stored than all the other years that came before it combined. This is a waste, in any way you can, avoid using these types of services. Peer 2 peer networks are probably more efficient, because they don’t require the peak demand capacity that cloud services do. An example would be to download your favorite Spotify tracks rather than always streaming them. Watch free to air TV first. Store everything on local hard drives.

- Limit how many pets you have. Where possible source sustainable food for them. Kangaroo meat has to be one of the most sustainable meats in the world. Its very healthy and from my experience all pets love it. You can buy it in bulk and in some cases without packaging.

- There is so much inefficiency in our materialist world. For example horizontal fridges are much more efficient than vertical ones. While it may not be practical for everyone, there is always a more efficient alternative if you can afford it and it suits your needs.

- Avoid upgrading technology as much as possible. Buy a product that has a long life to begin with. I usually spend a little extra on my computers, not for performance reasons, they are actually pretty slow (aka efficient) computers. But they are made of quality components that last. I use my computers professionally, they are both 6 years old. An upgrade would be me spoiling myself, but the truth is they still give me everything I need. This is a relatively new thing, which is why so many people believe that technology has a shorter lifespan than it does. Chances are if you have a slow computer, it needs to be serviced, such as putting new thermal compound on the fan, removing the dust, or clean installing the operating system. Speed advancements in technology haven’t been happening as much as they used to, in most cases its smaller and more efficient, but not faster.

- A recent MIT study found that buying online is more efficient. When you think about the amount of energy that goes in to the climate control systems of large stores. Then the driving to and from these places. Where possible, buy online, have it shipped using standard (non express shipping). The amount of times i have paid for express and not needed that quickly is ridiculous.

- Use nature to its best advantage. I always have a lot of plants around where i live to help reduce the strain the weather causes on the internal house temperatures. Its annoying that its not a widely accepted concept, but some councils will issue grants for plants on roofs or walls. They are a really good form of insulation from both hot and cold.

- Old heating and cooking systems are pretty efficient, as they served the purpose of both heat and cooking. you can still buy these systems, they have been modernized a bit. Though if more companies made combined heating and cooking appliances, combined washing and toilet facilities, etc. These save a lot of money over time. Even just in commercial premises where this would be more practical.

- Fuck grass. Seriously, that low level turf is an outdated sign of status. The whole point of it was that you had so much space, you could devote it to nothing, that’s how privileged you are. But its so common here. If you were to replace it with big lush native grasses. It would not only look better (because some of them grow up to two meters and look amazing), but it would make an enormous difference to the environment, both in terms of reducing pollution and in the amount of water it uses.

- If you are terrible with plants, a brown thumb as they call it. Plant succulents. All you have to do, is find someone that has one, ask for them to break you off a piece, and stick it in the ground, preferably where it won’t get sunlight all day if you don’t want to have to water them. That’s it, they will grow, if you water them once a week they will grow faster. Its better than nothing and some of the colours and flowers they grow makes them an attractive alternative.

- I don’t have undercover parking, so i throw a cheap tarp over the car. It looks like i am hiding in the jungle from air raids, but the reality is it keeps the car cool so i don’t need to crank up the air-con when i leave. A tarp is much easier than those annoying reflector thing on your windshield. Though if you have the 150$ spare, its worth getting at least 50% window tinting on your car. It usually comes with a life time warranty. It will pay itself off in terms of the car looking new for longer and all by using less air condition.

- Plan your garden beds. Put a water proof material underneath them, then stones above this material. What this does is create a natural reservoir that stores rain water underneath the roots. You will water more than 50% less which is a great productivity gain. There are also ways to create impressive gardens that need to be watered 3 times a year. This is worth researching.

- Start a harvest collective. If you can grow one vegetable better than others, don’t wast your time growing other plants. Just grow that, then encourage your friends to grow something else. You can then share your harvests rather than having to plant lots of different things. Growing at home is good for so many reasons. Also use organic seaweed fertilizers, they are amazing.

- Its amazing how much energy a Sunday roast uses to cook. Then there is the whole thing that the air quality in your home actually hits toxic levels, because fat is essentially a fuel that is burning while your roast cooks. So even if you eat meat, there is ways to do this in a more sustainable fashion.

- This is why i recommend convection ovens, aka air “fryers”. They are just much smaller and efficient electric ovens. They require no time to heat up, and will usually cook items in less time. In probably 80% of cases, if i need to heat up something or cook it from frozen, i can do it in an air “fryer”.

- Natural pools are the best. This is where you use plants and nature to clean your pool rather than using chemicals. Yes its a little more like swimming in a lake, but if its done the right way its actually healthier than swimming in chlorine. Its also good for the environment. Great advancements have been made in this field, you should google it if you are considering a pool, or would like to stop using chemicals on an existing one.

- Eat seasonally. Its not that hard to look for what is cheap. Supermarkets aren’t great at this but green grocers will have more variety. Its important for biodiversity to grow as many different species as possible. So buying different varieties of your favorites is not only healthy for you, but its good for the environment.

- Its sad that due to the industrialization of our agriculture system, fruit and vegetables are grown to look good and last in storage. What they aren’t grown to be is tasty any more, because there is no way you can fake that. This is why i recommend farmers markets and organic, its a lot easier to finish your vegetables when they taste the way nature intended them to. Trust me on this one, we hate fruit and vegetables so much, we see them as a chore, because over the last 100 years we have systematically killed their taste.

- Then of course there is the whole, plants aren’t going to taste as nice as something made in a lab that is designed to maximize the reaction by your taste receptors.This is why you should avoid process foods because their alter your taste buds, and make it harder to enjoy nature. Just like our phones do to our bodies. Just like air condition does to going outside.

I’m sure there are plenty more, please feel free to add any ideas in to the comments section.

0 notes

noplanwithavan · 7 years

Text

RIDING DORIS

It was all getting a bit much a month ago, thoughts narrowed towards jacking it all in. Homeschooling was becoming a joyless chore for all concerned, I lit the touch paper on a spiralling communication saga by losing our one and only phone, and then, to top it all off, the camera packed up. But, in the words of the late great David Bowie, we’ve turned to face the strain, and I can now crow about the “ch..ch..cha..changes..”

We’re back in Spain, but are still basking in the warmth of the shadow Morocco cast over us. Under the glare of its hard-baked light, Europe looks somehow different now. The contrasts and privileges we enjoy more sharply illuminated. When we first began this trip it felt like a rugged, adventurous existence. I would get twitchy if water was running low, clothes were unwashed, or the preferred supermarket chain didn’t present itself. Now I can honestly say none of these things are remotely problematic. Because at a fundamental level stuff works, and the consumer will always be fed; choked full with choice.

Perhaps we can thank Dorris for our change in fortunes. After a lifetime of chasing the perfect storm, serendipity finally shone on Marcus. He checked a surf website and found a post advising surfers that the coast of Morocco was the best place in the Atlantic to ride the effects of Storm Dorris. Which is precisely where we’d landed - in the coastal village of Immsouane. There followed an excitable babble - phrases like “longest right hand point break” cropped up. Much of it was unintelligible, but the overall effect was clear to the girls and I. For once, Dad was ahead of the curve.

We spent the best part of a week, enjoying the camaraderie of the van community here and revelling in how laid back the town felt compared to much of Morocco. No-one hassled us, and the only enterprising ploy was a man in a high-vis vest who appeared each morning, ruffled the girls hair, and charged us 50p to camp by the beach. Until this point it had been uncharacteristically cold (-2 degrees overnight in the desert), but the sun was now out in force. We made a conscious decision to lay off on the schooling for a bit, resolving that we’d rather not do it all than face a daily battle. Marcus surfed each day, while the girls and I made the most of the warmth to eat out for breakfast and make picnics to take to the beach.

Continuing South we passed the Argan groves and Banana plantations around Agadir, threading our way through terraced valleys to the “Valley of the Vans” in Tafraoute. Looking back now I miss those days of driving in Morocco. With few fast roads, and even fewer motorways, the whole experience is an assault on the senses. Those ceaseless landscapes the girls have begun reflecting in their drawings. Symmetrical sand dunes and date palm trees with scaly hides. Outside the window it is vast and timeless; life pressing in upon you from every direction. Towns with dirt roads, and buildings that peter out, collapsing under the weight of exertion or the heat. Marcus recalls a quote from the film “Easy Rider”, a chant which he sings each time we stop. “Man is at the win-dow…man is at the win-dow.” For there is always a man at the window. Even if you are utterly remote and can’t possibly conceive how there could be.. there is. I take advantage of the fact that no-one wants to deal with me, craning past my shoulder in search of “the husband”. It’s a blessed relief after France, Spain and Portugal where I did all the talking. “He wants to speak to you,” I helpfully inform my beloved, stepping back in deference as the usual patter begins. He takes it well, but it can grate. Having pulled over at one point, he leans out the van door grappling to find the switch so we can charge the laptop. Lulu is firing questions from the back, Elsie needs a poo, and just then a man appears, on cue, asking Marcus if wants to buy some of his wares. “I’m sorry, but I’m just trying to sort out MY stuff,” I hear him say with an exasperated sigh. “I can’t sort YOU out too!”

The flip side of such attentive ingenuity becomes plain to see when we arrive in Tafraoute. Set in the bowl of a valley is a stunning prehistoric scene, speckled with motorhomes. It’s not quite the young, happening destination we had been led to expect - more a waiting ground for those escaping a European winter. In response to this steady drip feed of well-off pensioners, a whole local industry has sprung up. We pull in and every 5 minutes someone appears at the door offering a service. There is a bread man, a water man, a woman who will wash your clothes, another asking if we’ll come to her house for dinner, a recycling boy, even a spray paint man who will decorate your vehicle with a camel and a desert scene. It gives Marcus an idea and he gets the girls to set up a stall outside our van trying to sell back to the Moroccans. But despite their best efforts, and new found knowledge of bartering, Elsie and Lulu fail to shift any of the “precious crystals”, (aka worthless quartz) they have been hoarding. We strike lucky with a solar panel guy who does a side line in car batteries. Finally a chance to stock up on a spare leisure battery. After all there’s only so much of a lukewarm fridge one can take. For the first time in months the freezer compartment springs to life and we have ice in our G+T. Bliss!

We left Morocco two weeks ago, and in that time we’ve now travelled all the way north to Andorra. From the dry heat to the snowy slopes. We stopped off along the way to meet some friends of Marcus’s in Madrid. As a city break it was a real highlight. Even though the girls were clearly more impressed by Museo Reina Sofia’s glass-fronted lift than the Picasso painting “Guernica” we had so looked forward to showcasing. Parking for free in a carpark in Valdebernardo, just a few hundred metres from the underground, we would spill out of the van each morning and ride the metro into the city centre. It was a trip down memory lane for Marcus, and one we teased him about mercilessly. Seventeen years ago he had lived here for some months with his Spanish girlfriend Marta. The girls were fascinated to learn they would meet her, asking searing questions like, “Did you used to kiss her?” Elsie became so attached to the idea of impressing this former flame, she even insisted on packing and carrying a special bag for the occasion. “My Marta Bag,” she proudly declared, sifting through her Magpie treasures. It was lovely to meet both Marta, her boyfriend Juan, and another artist friend Sean Mackaoui. We were hosted and chaperoned, and it felt good to wander the city, the scruffy unpretentious Rastro market, the spit and sawdust bars where you can get a pick me up of Vermouth. But most of all it was uplifting to be among such welcoming people. You can be a very self-contained unit at times on the road, and such companionship was warmly welcomed.

We swung out East for another “people-stop” soon after - via the hanging houses of Cuenca and on to Xátiva, near Valencia. It was a detour, but “The Osmans” are well worth it. Another family, in a similar position to us, whom we met at the start of our trip, they are now entering unchartered territory. Having ditched the campervan and bought a house. Most people might complain if you descended on them 3 days after moving in, but Laura, Jay, Dolly and Nancy aren’t the type to let that get in the way. I’m struck by how at ease we feel with them, having only met them a few times. It feels like a shared bond, and we’re so excited by this new life they are building. The girls get on famously, starting a swap shop of toys and clothes, while Marcus and I take comfort from their kind advice and support on the whole issue of homeschooling. They’re just a bit more animated than we are. And Jay does a great singalong on the Ukele to make learning more fun. We leave fired up and inspired, and in truth things have been going a lot better.

On the way to the Pyrenees we spent a few nights camping by the thermal crystal clear waters of Montanejos. Lying on your back watching the tear-stained gorge above, pine trees swaying in greeting. Wild swimming in 25 degree water does not come much better than this. And I’m struck by how happy we all are. It is not in those worthy, grand Spanish towns, but here in the wilderness that we find our rhythm. We laugh a lot, share jokes and feel united once again. And none of it, not the need to change a gas bottle, or get wifi, or even the fact that we now have 3 phones but none of them work, gets us down. Because I really think Morocco taught us something - to be happy with what we have, and what we are.

1 note · View note

cosmicespresso · 4 years

Text

Recommendations And Ideas For Any Better Coffee

It's common understanding how the way to obtain gourmet coffee is really a bean. Nevertheless it is among the most economically crucial legumes on the planet. Through the flavored to the more expensive premium, the present coffee trend isn't moving anywhere in the near future. Keep reading for some helpful tips that you can use to make a wonderful cup of joe.

When you consume espresso the right way, it might be quite healthier. Cafelavista Caffeine has never been the unhealthy aspect of the morning hours routine, it's the sugars and product that is put into it. If you need excellent flavor without health risks, take into account almond dairy latte that is wonderful with all the style of stevia or honey.

Constantly shop your caffeine in an airtight pot. Extented being exposed to atmosphere will diminish your beans, providing them a stale and poor flavoring. Don't use rectangular totes because they won't have the ability to maintain the air flow out after you break the seal. The valves are just designed to let the air out as the beans are air conditioning.

Keep in mind exactly how the water you use if you produce espresso can affect the result. Inadequate faucet water can damage the flavour and truly feel of your respective coffee. Also, try to use drinking water with a mineral add up to preserve quality. Or else, your gourmet coffee operates the risk of flavored nasty.

As soon as you wide open a travelling bag of gourmet coffee legumes, transfer them to another pot. You must keep the beans in an opaque, airtight container. This will greatly boost the opportunity your legumes will always be new on an expanded timeframe.

The kinds of espresso beans to choose from could be imagination-boggling. Darker roast gives a satisfied flavoring while lighter in weight roasts give a milder, easier flavour. Flavoured coffees are also available, with types that vary from hazelnut to raspberry. Lots of folks put creamers as opposed to deciding on flavoured legumes.

To get great flavour fro more aged coffee machines, have a period of just drinking water prior to making espresso. After you have a pot water with a sufficiently warm temperatures, place it back into the coffee maker. This makes the latest and the majority of delicious coffee probable.

The sort of legumes you buy is vital to how great your caffeine is. Shop around at distinct retailers where you live. Chances are that you are in a position to locate freshly roasted legumes. If coming from a small village, trying acquiring on-line. It costs a tad bit more, but you will save lots of time looking for it.

Use new and clean water when you make caffeine. The liquid which you use needs to be of high quality, because this makes up nearly all your espresso. Attempt this type of water prior to deciding to combine it with your equipment.

If you purchase some caffeine with the cafe it could be expensive, but you can do this every now and again. There are numerous great alternatives, and you may allow yourself a topping of chocolate curls or whipped cream, or just have an coffee that is stuffed with froth.

Don't reheat your espresso if you're saving some for in the future. Rather, you can buy a thermal mug, that will support the heating of your espresso for a long time of your energy. If that's unachievable, it is possible to produce yet another pot for much better taste.

Using new roasted legumes really generates the best coffee. When purchasing complete beans, make sure you're checking the expiry time. Also, decide if the legumes have been roasted. Search for a coffeehouse or a professional store instead of a normal food market.

If you love flavored caffeine, then add syrup or creamer in your espresso after you have made it. Using this method you be sure that your equipment won't have tastes contradicting with one another. Guests can also get the flavor they really want. Add the tastes before milk products, hence they will break down totally.

In case you are tired of inferior servings of coffee from supermarket bought grounds, then its time to do something about it. It can be that this gourmet coffee simply isn't popular enough to make certain consistent freshness. By store shopping at the store devoted to caffeine, you are certain to obtain very fresh legumes.

You ought to never keep the caffeine about the warmed work surface for more than a few minutes. Espresso begins burning when it is located on heating longer than that, creating a sour flavour. Should you need your gourmet coffee to maintain its hot temperature, retailer it in the thermos that is certainly air-tight and which may preserve temperature.

Brew your gourmet coffee with charcoal filtered water. You will find charcoal normal water filter systems it is possible to set up in your sink, so that you filtration your tap water with charcoal. Some modern day coffee makers include a built-in filtration system. An alternative is getting charcoal filtered jar h2o at the shop.

If you like iced espresso, have a French press from the refrigerator during the night. This can help the machine chill for a number of hours prior to the day. In the morning, include cool water to make the cleanest, sweetest espresso you have ever tasted.

Subscribing to your gourmet coffee team can really help help you save money. They provide a deduction on espresso using a membership. Furthermore, you will only obtain gourmet coffee legumes when you find yourself lower. This enables you to always have clean gourmet coffee at your disposal.

Will not grind your espresso legumes until you are ready to work with them. Ground gourmet coffee beans get rid of their flavoring quickly. Look for a grinding machine that features a single blade. It would grind the legumes in to a structure that may be not too good, which helps prevent the produce from turning into overly nasty.

Lots of people assume that enjoying espresso helps them in losing weight. Caffeinated drinks can present you with a jolt of energy and help metabolic process. This may suggest weight reduction if coffee makes you a lot more lively. It is really not, even so, an especially efficient method of losing weight.

Start using these ideas to produce a wonderful container of caffeine each time. Don't hesitate to experiment. Espresso beverages are extremely well-known, causing them to be a universal language among on your own, your mates as well as those you've never met. By frequently utilizing these guidelines, your cups of coffee will taste better still.

#Better Coffee #Recommendations coffee #coffee

0 notes

snooop92-blog · 6 years

Text

Tips And Advice All About Coffee

Where would you purchase your coffee at? Maybe you're thinking about coffee but have never purchased any before. Consider all the possibilities before choosing to get one type of coffee. Continue reading to find out more. If you want to experience coffee from time to time, consider buying a Keurig brewing machine rather than a traditional coffee machine. You are able to choose from a variety of different flavors, which contributes to your coffee experience. This business provides a complete type of coffee machines, each having a different variety of features. For those who have diabetes or want to shed weight, try Stevia rather than real sugar. Stevia originates from plants inside a natural unprocessed form, which means that extra glucose isn't ingested from the body. You will find the product within your local health food store. Containers that seal out air are the most useful choice with regards to storing your coffee. Air makes coffee beans stale. Coffee bags with valves usually do not remain airtight when the seal continues to be broken. The initial storage bags simply gave an outlet for excess air to go out of one the beans were roasted. Are you currently pleased with the coffee you might be making together with your dripping machine? Otherwise, try allowing the device to obtain warm by simply Moccamaster KBT 10-Cup Coffee Brewer with Thermal Carafe Review putting water inside. Whenever the pot water continues to be heated, start heating again together with your coffee grounds. Which is a terrific way to clean the device, too. Coffee will help reduce cabin fever in the event you work from home. You are able to take your laptop or any other device that utilizes WiFi and obtain some coffee from the coffee house. Restaurants can also be good choices for escaping the confines of your house office. Utilizing the purest water available will provide you with the very best coffee from the beans. Everything you use to make your coffee will impact the taste, whether it is equipment or even the water. That is why neat and pure water in bottles is the best for making coffee. There are a number of options when selecting coffee, from the simple can of coffee grounds to fancy imported coffee. You can purchase them at the local supermarket or online. Regardless of what kind of coffee you prefer, you will find it. To be able to brew by far the most flavorful coffee, make use of the suggestions you might have just read.

0 notes

ziamlove · 6 years

Link

Present-hunting season is upon us once again and it’s time to hit the shops to ensure you find the perfect Christmas gifts for him ahead of the big day.

Men can be notoriously difficult to buy for, so if you’re buying for a significant man in your life – whether that’s your dad, your big bro or your other half – we’ve got all the inspiration you need right here.

Boring old socks are a no-go (though swanky thermal numbers might just make the grade), so we’re getting our thinking caps on early to ensure we find the perfect gifts this year.

Is he an outdoors lover? A traveller? An active bod? A snappy dresser? Whatever his passion, there’s a gift out there that will make indulging in his favourite pastimes just that little bit more enjoyable this year, so check out our top 5 Christmas gifts for him!

1. Fitbit

If he’s a man who likes his gadgets, a Fitbit deserves a place under the tree this year. Whether he’s a keen fitness fan, likes to keep active or simply wants to be a bit heathier in the new year, there’s now a Fitbit to match his lifestyle. Think Fitbits are all step counting and no fun? Think again. The range now boasts a waterproof Fitbit Flex 2, designed to help him track his swim sessions, and the Fitbit Surge for real sports pros (heart rate monitor, GPS and multi-sport modes, as standard). Buying for your other half? Why not nab yourself one, too? There’s nothing like a bit of healthy competition at Christmas – time to get that step count up and burn off those mince pies!

2. Aftershave

Yes, it’s a classic, but it’s still a great gift for your partner. Encourage him to consign the barely-there leftovers of previous fragrances to the bin and indulge in a new, signature scent. Whether he’s a sporty type, likes to stick to familiar territory or considers himself a trend-setter, there’s a fantastic range of sprays, eau de toilettes and parfums on offer in silly season. Plus, the real winner here is that you get to pick said scent, so he’ll smell great – to you, at least – all Christmas long. Our top picks for this year? Yves Saint Laurent Y for men packs a sensual, yet modern, punch, while Tom Ford’s Grey Vetiver offers a woody and invigorating hit. You can’t go wrong with either.

3. Posh grooming products

A bit of an upgrade to his grab-and-go supermarket purchases won’t do his bathroom cabinet or complexion any harm. A great gift for those who aren’t inclined to splash out (excuse the pun!) on themselves when it comes to toiletries, he’ll secretly love a super-smelly body wash, foaming shaving gel or posh face cream. And don’t be afraid to make it personal. Facial hair? A beard care kit is a winner – Johnny’s Chop Shop Beard Up kit gets our vote. Cyclist or trail runner? Muc-Off’s Dirty Work Kit is a must. Man about town? Refinery’s Shave Oil will do the trick.

4. Toiletry bag

Throw out the tatty striped number with the broken zip and treat dad, bro or spouse to a smart leather or cotton travel bag. Many come packed with the aforementioned posh toiletries, come Christmas time, so you can double up if you’re feeling generous. Perfect for weekend getaways or trips further afield, a smart new bag will make sure spillages are kept to a minimum and upgrade your loved one’s travel status to first class.

5. Star Wars gifts

If there’s a Star Wars fan in the house, give them the super-fan treatment this Christmas. It’s the perfect time to settle down with the family and spend a luxuriously lazy afternoon watching back-to-back films – so, give him the present he really wants with a full afternoon of Star Wars viewing. Then top it off with an array of themed gifts he’ll love – with everything from a Darth Vader soap on a rope to Stormtrooper gift sets on offer, this Christmas is the perfect time to indulge their inner Jedi. Head to Boots for an impressive selection that will please super-fans everywhere.

Source link

#Iconic health

0 notes

healthfitness04 · 6 years

Text

5 Christmas gifts for him

facebook

twitter

google+

It’s time to hit the shops to ensure you find the perfect Christmas gifts for him

Present-hunting season is upon us once again and it’s time to hit the shops to ensure you find the perfect Christmas gifts for him ahead of the big day.

Boring old socks are a no-go (though swanky thermal numbers might just make the grade), so we’re getting our thinking caps on early to ensure we find the perfect gifts this year.

1. Fitbit

2. Aftershave

3. Posh grooming products

4. Toiletry bag

5. Star Wars gifts

News

Promotion

Fitness

Dec 7, 2017

fitness

from http://www.womensfitness.co.uk/news/1751/5-christmas-gifts-for-him

0 notes

jesusmbuttars-blog · 7 years

Text

Six of the Best Wild Camping Tips

1. If you’re going to be self-sufficient for several nights, weight will be key. Be ruthless when it comes to disregarding non-essentials (hair-straighteners aren’t often useful in emergencies) and co-ordinate what you carry with your companions – e.g. four small, differing "ouch pouches" could replace a heavy main first aid kit, take one cook-kit per two people, etc. Aim for a pack-weight limit of 15kg and definitely stay under 18kg.

2. Wear basel ayers made from natural fibres; ideally wool or bamboo. Cotton’s inability to dry quickly can contribute to hypothermia and it should not be worn. Synthetic basel ayers quickly fail the sniff test when worn for long periods, whereas merino wool and bamboo can be worn for multiple days without smelling like a wet labradoodle.

3. If you’re going to buy new kit for wild camping, spend money where the biggest weight savings can be made. An expensive titanium pot might shave 50g off your pack weight, whereas a lightweight tent might cut over 2kgs for the same outlay. Down sleeping bags tend to weigh half as much as synthetic bags of equal warmth and pack down to roughly half the size. Lightweight ¾ length sleeping mats work well and can easily be supplemented with clothing if conditions require it.

4. Freeze-dried meals are the only real option as you need at least one proper meal per day and wet foods (boil-in-the-bag or otherwise) weigh too much. Supplement these with high-energy, dry-mass foods and snacks (nuts, dried fruit, oat bars, etc.). Freeze-dried breakfasts and desserts can become expensive (up to £4 each) – for breakfast, pre-mix Ready Brek (or other instant oats) with dried milk powder and sugar and use supermarket instant custard as high energy desserts (10p each in some supermarkets).

Rice or pasta might seem like cheap alternatives, but 10-15 minutes cook time per meal will require a lot of gas. Pizzas are simply not an option.

5. As you can rarely rely on weather forecasts for trips that might last more than a week, using a clothing system based on multiple layers will allow you the flexibility to cope with all conditions. Anyone turning up in jeans or carrying an umbrella should expect to form the basis of the first camp fire.

6. If possible, try to avoid brightly coloured tents. You’d be making a good decision by looking into Vango tents. A group of four green tents would be almost invisible to the naked eye from a distance, whereas a group of orange or red tents would be obvious, lessening the wilderness experience for you and other trekkers. 3 notes Wild Camping Tips

Tip 1. Location.

Locations can be defined by four interchangeable parameters. These are:

Sheltered Windy, Dry and Damp

There is a further sub-category of Damp which is “Wet” and another division of “Wet”, which is “Underwater”.

Try to avoid “Wet” if at all possible but the choice between “Sheltered” and “Windy” is less clear-cut.

If your site is sheltered, you might get a lot of condensation. On cold nights, this will be white and will form a small but short blizzard when you nip out for a pee.

If your site is windy, there will be little condensation, but your tent will collapse at 3;00 am. It will not blow away because you are in it and holding it down. As soon as you get out, though, it will blow away.

A dry site may well become wet during the night. See the various categories of wet above. A wet site never becomes dry, however.

Tip 2. Putting up the tent.

Remove tent from tent bag bag. Assemble pole(s). Remove pegs from little peg bag. Lay out tent. Chase tent bag across the moor, catch it, put it in your pocket and return to site. Chase tent across the moor and catch it. Have a bit of a fight with it, sustaining a slight eye injury caused by a flailing guy rope with one of those metal things on the end. Return to site. Stand on tent (lie on it if very windy) whilst inserting a couple of pegs to stop it blowing away. Insert pole. Pull out all guy ropes and peg them down. Take tent down and start again because the door is facing into the wind and the tent is filling up like a balloon and you’re in some danger of unplanned flight Go to (2) above

Tip 3. Settling in

Once your tent is up, locate your sleeping mat and, if it is an inflatable one, inflate it. Listen to sound of escaping air but fail to find the source. Watch mat slowly deflate. Locate your sleeping bag and lay it out. Fluff it up a bit. Find your stove and pot, stuff for a brew (e.g. tea), spoon or spork and water bottle. Exit the tent and find the nearest stream of purest cold mountain spring water (a.k.a. raging torrent of brown stuff). Fill the water bottle without falling in, or letting go of the bottle. Examine the bottle for life swimming about in it, bits of vegetable material, lumps, scum, insects or detergent foam. Shrug if any of these are found since emptying and refilling the bottle will only increase the quantities of whatever it is you’ve found. Start to boil up “water” for a brew Doze off whilst waiting for pot to boil. Wake up suddenly covered in scalding water. Extinguish fire in tent porch. Go to (4) above.

Tip 4. In-tent entertainment.

Snuggle cosily into your sleeping bag and plug your Ipod into your ears Listen to Abba’s Greatest Hits whilst imagining you hear strange noises outside. Notice inner tent is dancing around unusually. Listen to the wind thundering towards your tent and watch the pole(s) bend violently at each vicious gust. Imagine strange noises outside/wonder if the tent will stand up to the oncoming onslaught. Decide it will. Then not be so sure. Repeat cycle whilst pretending to be unconcerned. Doze off. Wake up suddenly thinking that you’ve heard strange noises outside and/or wondering whether not you left the grill on this morning and/or that your bladder is full and one side of the tent has collapsed in the wind and water is pooling by your head. Exit tent dressed only in thermal undies. Replace all the pegs, and arrange a small cairn of rocks on each guyline to hold them down. Chase sleeping bag across moor. Plan escape to nearest Bed & Breakfast, using GPS to plot the route. Phone nearest B&B and go there immediately or go to (3) above. (You lost the ipod chasing the tent across the moor)

5 notes Day Hiking Tips and Safety

For outdoor lovers the world over, day hiking is at the top of their lists for preferred ways to spend the day. Whether you’re a weekend warrior or serious backpacker, there’s something to be said for taking time out from contemporary life’s ultra-fast pace to get back in touch with nature.

Heading out to the trails for the day brings with it many implicit benefits. Of course, there is the obvious fact that day hiking is a fantastic workout and quite enjoyable for nature enthusiasts. But it can also provide you the opportunity to enjoy the outdoors with your family or significant other. Whether you’re trying to find some time for just yourself and the outdoors, or attempting to make time for the most important relationships in your life, day hiking is a great way to achieve either.

It’s important to note that a good day hike requires a few necessities. Without them, a fun day in the outdoors can quickly take a turn for the miserable. Below are the key essentials that all day hikers – from beginners to seasoned veterans – should be familiar with.

Proper planning is important. Obtain trail maps, guidebooks, trail distance, estimated time required and any other information before you leave on a hike. Keep trail maps and guidebooks in a waterproof ziplock bag. Consider using a GPS. Check weather conditions and forecast. Consider the ability level of everyone in your group, when choosing a hike. It’s very important to tell someone of your plans and when you expect to return. In an emergency, this could help with the rescue. Check in with them when you get back. Never hike alone. Always go with a friend. Don’t pack to heavy.Keep your pack weight as light as possible. Take plenty of water – 2 or 3 quarts per person. Staying hydrated will help maintain your energy level. The temperature is always cooler in the mountains. Plan and dress accordingly. Dress in layers. Start early so that you have plenty of time to enjoy your hike and the destination. Plan to head back so you finish your hike well before dark. Hike only as fast as the slowest member of your group. Pace yourself. Don’t hike too quickly. Save your energy. Stay on trails unless you have excellent navigational skills. Never approach wild animals. They may look cute and harmless but they are very unpredictable and can be very territorial and protective. Always be alert and aware of your surroundings. In most cases, the animals are more afraid of us and will run away. Do not attempt to feed wild animals. Most injuries occur when people try to feed them. Look out for snakes, spiders and other critters. Watch where you are walking, be careful when picking up sticks or rocks and look around before taking a seat. Again, snakes are usually more afraid of us, but if they feel threatened or if you make sudden movements they may strike. Stay calm and slowly move away from them. Be careful where you are walking. Watch out for low branches and loose rocks. Take it slow through mud and water and be careful of loose leaves on the trail. Stay away from steep cliffs and other drop off areas. Look out for brush with thorns and learn to identify poisonous plants. Keep track of your progress on the map so that you know where you are at all times. Take turns leading and following trail markers. Share decisions. Pack high energy snacks like granola, energy or fruit bars, gorp trail mixes, fruit, candy, beef jerky, bagels, or pita bread, etc. Don’t drink soda or alcohol when hiking. They will dehydrate you. Use a purification system for water from a natural resource. For blisters or hot spots use moleskin or bandages immediately to stop further damage and to relieve pain. Keep your feet dry – change socks often. Hiking sticks or poles may help make your trip a little easier by giving you some stability on wet trails, and reducing strain on your legs when going up or down slopes. Be aware of your increased exposure to ticks when hiking in the outdoors. Protect yourself against other insects such as bees, ants, mosquitoes, flies, etc. Not only can they be annoying, but they can cause quite a bit of pain and discomfort. Many people have severe allergic reactions to their bites and need to carry necessary medical supplies or seek medical attention. Again be aware of your surroundings. Refer to Keeping the Bugs Away for more details. Bring a whistle on hikes. Three short whistles mean you are in trouble and need assistance. Learn to identify the many things you will discover as you hike.

How to Pack a Food Bag

One of the secrets of successful backpacking is learning how to become extremely organized and to stay organized throughout your trip. That might sound obvious but it’s actually a skill that requires a lot of practice and the development of a set of rituals that you can “do in your sleep”, regardless of the weather or your level of fatigue.

Packing a Food Bag

Take your food bag for example. How easy is it for you to get out a snack? Do you find yourself stopping and unpacking your entire food bag each time you want to make a meal?

While this may sound like an insignificant inconvenience, random food bag organization can lead to skipped snacks or delayed meals that can have a significant performance impact on your ability to put in long days or high miles. It took me a long time to understand the relationship between good food bag organization and my daily caloric intake patterns, so here’s some advice on food bag organization that you may find useful.

When I pack my bear bag at home, I first divide all of my meals into 5 piles: breakfasts, lunches, dinners, snacks, and drinks. I put each pile into it’s own plastic bag. I find that the best ones to use for this purpose are the plastic bags that I get from the dry cleaners that wrap my folded dress shirts. I place my backpacking towel, bear bag line, and mesh sack at the bottom of my food bag. Then I insert my O.P. Sack into my bear bag and place my long handled titanium spoon and tooth brush along the inside, propped up vertically for easy access. Next, I put the 5 bags of food into my O.P. sack, one by one, so that the meal or snack that I want next, is positioned at the top of my food bag. After, I’ve eaten something, I reorder the bags as required, so that food breaks can be kept short if I want to get going again. I always carry my food bag on top of the other gear in my backpack so that it’s easy to access during the day.

What nice about this system is that I’m always aware of exactly how much food I have left during a trip, because all of the same types of meals are organized together. It also makes choosing which one I want to eat a lot easier because they’re all grouped together. Before I organized my bear bag this way, I found that I had to always fully unpack and repack my bear bag each time I wanted a snack or to make a meal, and I never knew exactly how much food I had left because it was all dumped together.

Source: Six of the Best Wild Camping Tips

#hiking #camping

0 notes