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jimsheatingandcooling-blog · 5 years

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How to upkeep your home air conditioner system

Like anything electronic or mechanical, your home air conditioner system needs a little love from time to time. Like your car, your air conditioner – be it a split system, ducted, wall unit, window or portable – needs to be checked under the hood, have an oil and grease and be kept in good working order if you want to get all the benefits that a home air conditioner should be offering to you and your family.

To ensure the effectiveness and efficiency of your systems running it is always best to consult the owner’s manual to ensure that you are doing everything you can in terms of keeping the system clean and maintained – remember you are not an expert (unless you are an air conditioning mechanic or installer of course). If you do need some help with anything major, it's important you always call your air conditioning expert.

When it comes to upkeep, the key is always to keep the system as clean as possible, replace the filters and ensure that everything is in running order, but what are the best steps to get this done? Regular professional servicing When it comes to servicing your air conditioner there is a range of things your professional air conditioning technician will do :

Measure your air flow

Inspect all electronic terminals, clean and ensure there are no loose connections

Check that your temperature gauge is telling the truth

Check your coolant levels, review any potential leads and ensure that there is no duct leakage

In addition to these main tasks, there will be general checklists of things the manufacturers of specific models will require, which again is down to the experts to manage on your behalf. The key is to ensure that you are investing the cheap cost of getting an air conditioning technician – around $50 per hour – compared to having to replace large parts if not the whole air conditioning unit or condenser if you fail to look after your system.

How often should you get them checked?

There is no ‘hard and fast rule’ in terms of air conditioning maintenance, but if you get your unit serviced and checked once or twice a year depending on your system and its age, you will be going a long way to preserving its longevity. Not to mention keeping your bills to a minimum as your system runs more efficiently.

Is there anything you can be doing yourself

Depending on your home air conditioner system, there is a range of things you can DIY to upkeep the system yourself. These little things again can ensure that your system runs for longer, stronger and more efficiently every time.

Portable air conditioners & window units

The pocket rockets of the air conditioning world, need a lot more ‘ongoing’ maintenance than their ‘set and forget’ cousins the fully ducted and split system air conditioners. As these units rely on clear water to be refilled, filters to be regularly cleaned out and washed not to mention the removal of any residual dust or grime that the heat and humidity may have brought with it.

Cleaning these units is fairly straightforward and always contained in your owner’s instruction manual. If you have purchased this unit second hand, you may need to check online for a manual or instruction video on how to maintain your system.

Again, if you are not sure – don’t do it! Spend that little bit extra to get an expert involved. Remember these systems are electronic, they involve coolants and water, so they are not to be messed around with if you don’t know what you are doing.

Split system air conditioners home air conditioning systems – unlike ducted – have a range of things you can do to ensure that you are running smoothly.

The outside condenser of your system is what does all the work; you need to ensure this is kept clean, has space around it to essentially breath and is not exposed to every single element of every single season where possible. Especially in the southern states, where weather extremes are a fact of life, you need to ensure that your external air conditioning condensers are given every chance for longevity.

Your filters can be taken out relatively easily and cleaned. This should be done regularly, monthly or quarterly at worst. If you have a lot of guests coming through your home – or you maybe even running an AirBnB– you need to ensure this is clean for everyone’s health and wellbeing.

To clean these systems, you can either use a vacuum cleaner or simply wash the filter under a tap. Ensure that all residual dust and particles are removed before putting the filter back in and running the unit again.

The key to air conditioner upkeep is if you don’t know, don’t touch it. Professional technicians can provide you pointers on how to easily do everything, and they also do it safely.

Ducted Air Conditioning

To put is simply, other than ensuring that all the ducts, vents and external condenser are free from dust, debris and loose items – leave it alone. The fully ducted systems are extremely technical and are not systems that should be meddled with.

If you have a system that is through your flooring, one thing that can be easily done is cleaning with a vacuum cleaner inside the vents to remove any dust or other items that may have fallen. Similarly, in the roof ducts, ensure you are regularly wiping the vents with ‘wet wipes’ or a damp cloth to remove residual dust.

Remember whatever is stuck in your vents is being pushed eventually around your home, so keep it clean, and it will run like a dream. How to clean your ducts?

Where you can make a difference in the system as previously mentioned is through keeping the ducts clean, but also the vents and air intake. The air intake is where the air is sucked in to be recirculated into your home.

These vents can often be clogged with a large amount of dust and debris, so if you want to keep them clean, you can do so.

Ensuring that your air conditioning unit is turned off, using your vacuum cleaner with the brush attachment, remove as much of the visible dust, dirt and other elements from around the vents. Ensure you wear protective eyewear and coverings for your face and mouth as you will be surprised as how much can build up in your system over a fairly short period.

Clean air is always best A clean air conditioner is a happy air conditioner, which will lead to a happy family. There is nothing worse than coming home on a hot day, turning on your air conditioning unit and it either blowing dust around the place or worse, not working at all.

Apart from a general clean and tidy, employing the services of an air conditioning specialist is paramount to ensure the safety of you and more importantly your loved ones. People who tinker with devices they don’t know about can cause more harm than good – so keep it simple, call in the professionals.

Professionals will ensure that your air conditioning no matter how big or small runs smoothly, is clean and well maintained. Jim's Heating and Cooling are not only one of South Australia’s leading experts in the sales and installations of new air conditioning solutions, but they provide some of the industries leading technicians and maintenance experts.

Commercial, residential, industrial, no job is too big or too small for the team at right price who are there to keep you cool.

Where some other companies may sell you an air conditioner and simply walk away Jim's Heating & Cooling will go the extra mile in ensuring that you understand how you can upkeep your home conditioner, as well as clearly outlining where you responsibilities finished and where their expertise can ensure safe, clean, temperature controlled air all year around.

If you're interested in finding out more about how to manage the upkeep of your air conditioning system speak to the dedicated service team today from Jim's Heating & Cooling. Our team is available to help customers to work out how they can ensure your air is as good as it should be. We provide maintenance and upkeep steps upon all of our installations to ensure you're getting the most out of your air conditioner.

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shoutyfish · 6 years

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general betta fish care / common myths

there's a lot of myths fueled by pet store employees floating around about bettas, so the more this kind of information is spread, the better. as always i encourage everyone whose looking into fishkeeping does THOROUGH research long before getting the fish and do NOT rely on pet store employees to give u accurate information.

MYTHS TO NEVER BELIEVE

"bettas aren't good swimmers or active so they don't need big tanks and are perfectly happy in a little bowl or a flower vase"

"they're super hardy and resilient so don't worry about tank cycling"

"bettas like dirty water so don't worry about cleaning either'

"live and frozen fish food arent good for everyday feeding"

"bettas can't be kept with other fish ever bc they are extremely aggressive and will kill anything with a pulse"

(we're gonna debunk all of these (: )

the first thing that should be in your possession long before adding the fish is the tank. a lot of fishkeepers think 2.5gallons is the minimum, but personally i think 5 gallons is the minimum. 10 gallons works best. to reference, 2.5 is the minimum by AMERICAN standards, which are outdated, so many people choose to go by germany's standards instead because it's proven to be a lot more successful & up-to-date.

a 5 gallon tank is the minimum that i recommend, but 2.5 gallons are ok.

10 gallon tanks work best. the bigger your tank, the more likely your betta will grow to maximum size & beauty, the less likely chance of stunting growth.

also, 10 gallon tanks are much easier to maintain and establish a cycle, and you can even start an albeit small community tank with them. (with tank mates compatible with your betta & small enough to not outgrow a 10gal. but community tanks are a topic for another day)

properly cycled tanks reduce disease risk & encourage longevity in your betta's lifespan (i will make another post about the nitrogen cycle bc that's a lot)

THINGS YOU WILL NEED

a filter! nothing with a strong flow, though. bettas are not very good swimmers! (tip: when cleaning your tank, never rinse the filter media! it kills beneficial bacteria & basically starts your cycle all over)

a heater - bettas thrive best in 78-82 degrees F.

an aquarium thermometer

water conditioner. i recommend seachem prime - it's the BEST out there and contains helpful nutrients that get rid of bad bacteria & ammonia.

bottled bacteria, if necessary. helps kickstart the cycle of your tank.

pH and ammonia testing kits

gravel syphon for cleaning & maintenance

a net to fish out uneaten food

gravel/substrate. (tip: measure how much u need by laying the bags out across the tank box. it should fit evenly across it long-ways)

decorations!! don't get plastic plants, they can harm ur betta's fins. if ur getting fake deco, try to find silk ones or very soft ones. bettas like to be divas so make that shit pretty as hell & give them lots of places to hide. marimo moss balls are good for helping tank filtration & super easy to care for if ur interested in live plants!

INTRODUCING YOUR BETTA TO YOUR TANK

acclimation and tank cycling are still CRITICAL to a betta's life and happiness. it's true that they are resilient fish that are easy to take care of, but like any fish, they have vital comfort needs & are still going to get diseases if you don't care for your water quality!

1. when you first bring home your betta, do your final check on those water parameters. do an ammonia test in the fish's cup water to see just how much of a battle the pet store caretakers made for you. almost 100% of the time the ammonia levels will be in the danger zone.

2. this is why acclimation is so very critical. start small and take your time. empty out a bit of the cup water, add a bit of your tank water. empty out a bit more of the cup water, add a bit more of your tank water - with about 3-5 minutes in between takes. keep doing this until you have replaced most if not all of the filthy pet store cup water. (WARNING: WATCH FOR SIGNS OF SHOCK WHILE YOU ARE DOING THIS. CLAMPED FINS, THE "SHAKES", FLOATING ON ITS SIDE, ETC ARE ALL SIGNS THAT YOU NEED TO ABSOLUTELY SLOW DOWN & LEAVE THE FISH ALONE FOR A COUPLE HOURS.)

3. now float your betta. you can put them in a bag if it's easier, otherwise you can just hold the cup in the tank. let the temperature adjust & let your lil guy/gal get their first glimpses of their new home. do this for a minimum of 10 minutes

4. gently tip the cup into the water & let the beast free! continue watching for signs of shock and keep a close eye on them & your water parameters for the first couple days.

FEEDING

frozen or live brine shrimp, bloodworms, & mosquito larvae are betta favorites. when handling frozen food always rinse it out before putting it in the tank - most of the time the food is frozen in water that becomes really gross and murky. dried bloodworms also work very well. for flakes and pellets, i always recommend Omega One betta buffet flakes/pellets because their food is all natural and contains no additives/"meals" (tip: don't buy any food that lists something followed by the word "meal" in the ingredients; it's basically heavily processed food).

do NOT overfeed. honestly underfeeding is better than overfeeding. you should feed your betta once a day with as much food as they can eat in about 2 minutes. have them fast one day a week to clear their digestive system. their stomachs are smaller than their eyeballs, so really, DON'T overfeed. it can cause a lot of incurable issues AND mess with your water quality

remove any uneaten food, or if you have bottomfeeders in your tank let them have at it

bettas will literally eat six #12s, 7 medium fries and a large shake if you let them. dont let those big black eyes trick you lmao

if you have a very young betta (5-10 weeks old) feed them twice a day instead of just once. brine shrimp eggs are especially tasty for fry but if your lil guy is big enough, they can eat regular frozen brine shrimp. meaty products filled with protein help them grow the best. (bettas are full grown at 11 weeks, here is a size chart to determine your adolescent betta's age)

COMPATIBLE TANK MATES

note that even if it worked out for everyone and you've gotten 800 recommendations, things can STILL go wrong when keeping bettas with other fish. ALWAYS be prepared for an emergency move. also note that sometimes things can work perfectly fine for the first couple months and then go to shit within a couple seconds, especially when pairing young bettas with other fish. young bettas develop, you know, hormones at some point and start getting supa territorial.

also, please make sure you have the proper tank size to keep any of these fish together. i've included their adult sizes & my recommended tank size if you were to keep nothing but the betta and this species in the tank. this WILL vary.

clown plecos - 4" full grown - algae eaters - 20 gallon tank size min.

pygmy corydoras - 1" full grown - schooling fish (you will need 6 or more of these) - 15 gallon tank size min.

ember tetras - 1" full grown - schooling fish (again, 6+) - 15 gallon tank size min.

rasboras - 1" full grown - schooling fish (again, 6+) - 15 gallon tank size min.

mystery snails - 2" full grown - plant-safe snail, doesn't reproduce asexually - 5 gallon tank min.

ghost shrimp - 1.5" full grown - social shrimp (3-4 of these, any more can lead to breeding) - 10 gallon tank min.

feeder guppies - 1" full grown - normal, can live in schools but not necessary - 10 gallon tank min (larger recommended for schools)

corydoras - 2.5" full grown est. - algae eaters - 15 gallon tank min.

and there are many, many more but these are what has, to me, at least, been the least problematic tank mates for bettas. all of these fish have something about them that would deter an aggressive betta's attention, such as the armor plating on clown plecos & dull colors of the pygmy corydoras and feeder guppies.

okay, so i think this covers all the basics! if you guys have any questions, please ask! and if you have anything to add, please do! thanks for reading & happy fishkeeping xxx

#betta #fish #fishkeeping #fishblr #fish care #siamese fighting fish #betta care #i worked so hard on this post pls reblog lmao #my tips #general care #bettablr

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ward-fr · 4 years

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New Zealand Camping Tips The Pros Dont Want You To Know

Camping Tips The Pros Don't Want You To Know Camping offers us a great way to spend a vacation, or just getting a weekend away from it all. Relaxing in the tranquility of nature and learning to get on without modern campervan hire NZ conveniences is an experience everyone should try at least once! Keep reading for some wonderful advice on how you can make the most of your New Zealand camping trip. Pre-cool your ice chest by filling it with loads of ice, at least six hours prior to departure. When you are about to leave, pack up your refrigerated cooled drinks and block ice, not cubed. Popping room temp beverages will take up valuable ice-life, and the cubes will melt much quicker than a block! Look up activities to engage in prior to getting to your destination. This will allow you to check for any deals that may be offered. Also, it will help you be more prepared when you actually get to your destination. You can find trails that may be appropriate for everyone in your family or restaurants that you would enjoy. If you are going on a camping adventure, make sure you have enough time to set up camp before dark. It can be extremely difficult to set up camp in the dark and possibly unsafe. You need to be able to scout the terrain, prepare bedding, and possibly build some temporary shelter prior to the sun going down. If you have a new tent, practice setting it up at home before your trip. This will let you know that you're not missing pieces from your tent and that you know how to pitch your tent in the right way. This will also eliminate some of the frustration associated with setting up a tent. With camping, comes the campfire. Make sure your campfire is in an open space and far enough away from brush or trees so you don't run the risk of a stray spark catching them on fire. Surround the fire with stones to help keep it contained. Most importantly, never leave any campfire unattended. If you need to leave for any reason, make sure the campfire is extinguished completely. Be prepared for colder weather than expected when choosing a sleeping bag to bring on your New Zealand camping trip. Always choose a sleeping bag rated for a temperature range just below what you're expecting, even in the summertime. Also, sleeping bags made with synthetic fibers will dry out faster if it rains unexpectedly, but natural fiber sleeping bags will be lighter to carry. Make sure you observe the campground rules and regulations. One of the biggest concerns is trash and also noisiness within a campsite. People often think that people can't hear them, but noise travels far in a campsite. It is extremely difficult to have any privacy, especially when people are supposed to be observing quiet hours. Giving yourself enough time to enjoy your New Zealand camping trip is key. Plan out your trip far in advance and get a couple of days off from work if possible. You want to enjoy yourself camping for at least a few days, that way you feel like you got the full experience out of it. Know the climate of your camping area. You will want to have the proper clothing packed for the trip. Knowing how cold the nights get or how hot the days are will help you dress best. You will not want to get caught in the great outdoors with inadequate protection. Avoid severe weather when going camping, and pay attention to forecasts. It is horrible trying to pitch a tent in the rain, and not much fun sitting in a tent during a rainstorm. It is equally as disturbing approaching a muddy campsite and trying to make a weekend out of it. Bugs can be a major problem with camping; they can cause disease, get into your food, and just be a nuisance. Take the proper measures to keep them away. This includes not putting on perfume or cologne, lighting citronella candles, avoiding swamp lands, and covering your skin, so they are not attracted to your scent. It's a great idea to bring along beef jerky or trail mix when you go camping in New Zealand. When you reach the end of a long day, it may not sound appealing to cook, so it helps to have these things to eat when you're too tired. Also, these types of snacks have a long shelf life, so you can always reuse them on the next New Zealand camping trip if they don't get eaten this time. Far from the office, nightmarish commutes and the hustle and bustle of modern living, you've got so much to enjoy on a New Zealand camping trip! Hopefully this article has provided you with some useful tips that will help to make your next New Zealand camping trip enjoyable and free from any major disasters!

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themoneybuff-blog · 5 years

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Ten Lessons from My Well Worn Winter Coat

This past weekend, I put my winter coat away until next November or so. Its a hardy winter coat, a green Carhartt arctic coat, one that gets me through an Iowa winter where you can have entire weeks where the temperature doesnt peek above 0 F. I keep a nice spring jacket around that will serve me well for temperatures down in the thirties, but the winter coat is now in overkill territory. Ive had this coat since 2003. That means this is the seventeenth time Ive put the coat into storage for the warmer months. Its a little worn in a few places, but its still as sturdy as can be and incredibly warm on a cold winters day. This wonderful winter coat is kind of a living embodiment of a lot of the financial principles I live by. Lesson #1 Paying More for a Well Made and Reliable Item Is Worth It, Because You Wont Have To Replace It As I said, Ive owned this coat for seventeen years. During that period, Ive owned at least four spring jackets that I can remember. They were all somewhat less expensive than this thick winter coat, but each and every one of them has had split seams or tears or other major problems. I repaired some of those issues; other issues just werent worth it. In the end, Ive spent quite a bit more on those four (at least) lighter spring jackets than I spent on this well made winter coat, even though each of those lighter spring jackets was individually much less expensive than my winter coat. The winter coat was well made from the start. I paid more to get a well made one, one that would last for many, many winters. The other coats were less expensive, but they werent well made. I knew with some certainty that they would probably not last nearly as long as my winter coat. Whats the lesson here? Its worth your money to pay for something thats genuinely well made and reliable because youll be able to use it for years and years and years. If you go cheap, youre probably replacing that item before too long, and it wont take too many replacements before that pile of cheap items was more expensive than that one well made item. The lesson has been learned. My next spring jacket is going to last me until Im 70. Lesson #2 Theres No Reason Not To Use an Item Until Its Truly Worn Out This winter coat of mine has some signs of wear on it, dont get me wrong. Its clearly not a new coat any more, especially if you look closely at it. There are some spots where the fabric has worn to a very smooth patch, but its still strong. This coat has quite a few years of use left in it. Its not unsightly, though; its just not new. I am reminded of an old martial arts instructor that I know. He achieved a very high level black belt, a level at which it takes an incredible amount of discipline and work and time and effort to earn another level. His belt was extremely worn, almost in tatters around him, as he approached the time to get a new belt. Yet, there was something deeply impressive about his worn belt. Worn doesnt mean bad. The idea that something being worn is a bad thing is a curious construct of our modern society. Something being worn but not broken is a sign of strength, of durability, of resilience. Its something to be lauded. There was a time in my life where I didnt see it that way. Something worn meant something that needed to be replaced. Sometimes, that might be true, particularly if that wear indicates a functional problem, but often, wear simply means that an item is very well made and reliable. Much of our lives rest on a backbone of well made items that have shown a little wear. At this point in my life, I like things that have some wear on them. That shows theyre well made. That shows theyre reliable. That shows that theyve put in the work. Id rather have a lot of items that have a little wear but have done the job reliably for a long time and will very likely keep doing that job reliably for a long time to come. My winter coat falls into that category, as do many of my favorite possessions. Lesson #3 Buying a Used Car or a Smaller House or a Sensible Insurance Package (and So On) Means You Can Afford To Buy Many Other Well-Made and Reliable Items One of the big knocks against buying a more expensive but well made and reliable items is that the up front cost is usually pretty high. If youre on a tight budget, a well-made $200 coat might be wonderful, but your budget only accounts for a $60 coat, so which one are you going to buy? Sure, the well made coat might outlast four of the cheap coats, but the expensive one just isnt an option. Thats the point at which you have to stand back and look at the big picture. Obviously, over the long haul, a well made and reliable and highly regarded item thats still reasonably priced is going to be the item that gives you the most bang for your buck. Over the course of 20 years, a $200 coat is going to give more value than four or five $60 coats that fall apart or look like theyre about to. However, to get on that bandwagon, you need the resources up front to invest in those things, plus the willpower to make good financial choices now and later. In the short term, the best thing you can do is cut back on the big things. Rather than replacing that car, keep driving it until its ready to give up the ghost and is facing a big repair bill to stay on the road. Rather than having a bigger house or apartment than you need, get a smaller one all youre really losing is extra space to pile up stuff you dont really need. Those kinds of moves save hundreds of dollars a month. Then, rather than spending that money frivolously, start putting it towards stuff that returns value. Pay off credit cards. Put it into your retirement savings. Spend a little more to get well-made reliable items like a $200 winter coat that will last for many years rather than a $60 one that will be trash in three winters. Not only that, driving a well made car for a very long time is basically the same idea behind wearing a well made coat for a very long time. You might pay a little more up front for it, but its going to last and last and last until the total cost of ownership is lower (and its a lot less headache, too). Lesson #4 Worrying What Other People Think Is a Trap One of the big motivations for many people to replace things like winter coats when they show the slightest bit of wear is an over-concern with what other people think. The reality is that other people rarely think of you nearly as much as you think they do. They just dont. Rather, people spend a lot of time thinking about themselves, and their spare thoughts about others are spread across so many other people that you rarely get a deep thought from others. Its called the spotlight effect. We think others think about us as much as we think about ourselves, which is simply impossible. We obsess over our own flaws and think others are similarly concerned theyre not. Even if they notice the flaws, they often dont care. Often, when someone criticizes you and is cruel, its because theyre grinding an axe about something completely unrelated to you. The truth is no one is going to care about a little wear on your coat, and very few are even going to notice. People are almost never looking for those kinds of things at all because theyre just not relevant. It makes no difference in my life whether a person on the street has mild wear on their coat, so why would it even enter my mental radar? The truth is, it doesnt. That doesnt mean you should give up on all hygiene and start dressing in rags. The best maxim to apply when interacting with others is to treat others as you would like to be treated, which for me means being clean, wearing clean clothes, and being friendly but not overly intrusive. Does anything really change for you if you interact with someone in a brand new coat versus someone in a coat that has mild wear that you would really only notice if you were looking for it? Lesson #5 A New Coat When My Old One Still Works Doesnt Bring Me Real Value or Joy For some people, buying a new coat might bring them a burst of joy that fades quickly. For others, it may even bring some degree of lasting joy, though I would suspect that it fades as the coats newness does. For me, though, my coat is not a source of joy. Its a functional item. As long as it keeps me warm in the winter and doesnt cause me to look too out of place, Im happy because its serving its purpose. (If anything, I feel slightly good about the wear, as I noted earlier.) If youre buying something you dont need, it should bring you at least some measure of real joy, ideally a lasting joy. This isnt just about coats or about articles of clothing. Its about everything you buy, from electronic devices to cutlery, from a cup of coffee at Starbucks to a can of black beans. Is this something I need? If not, is it bringing me significant joy or lasting joy that I cant easily get elsewhere? If not, I shouldnt be buying it. I dont need a new coat. Getting a new coat would not bring me any significant or lasting joy, at least not any that I couldnt get elsewhere (like the joy of grabbing that warm coat on the first cold day of the year, which I can get from my current coat). This is a valuable perspective to apply to everything you might spend money on. That worn coat of mine is just an embodiment of the idea. Lesson #6 Reliable and Reusable Are Earth-Friendly Concepts Remember those four worn out and falling apart spring coats that I talked about earlier? Those things were sadly trashed, to my regret. Im not sure where they all wound up, but wherever it was, it was likely not a positive thing for the environment. However, this winter coat of mine has been in my home for almost two decades. It has outlasted all of those other coats. It has never taken up space in a trash bin. It has never taken up space in a landfill. And it wont for quite a while yet. Thats an Earth-friendly move. Yeah, its a small one, but lets say everyone in America had a winter coat that they didnt replace for two decades rather than a winter coat replaced every five years. Thats 900 million coats over the course of twenty years. Thats a landfill full of coats (at least). Yeah, but what difference does it make? This goes back to that old analogy of a beach full of starfish. You cant save all of the starfish no one can but you can certainly grab a few and toss them back in the ocean. Buying a long lasting item that wont need to be replaced soon is the equivalent of tossing a starfish back into the ocean. Thus, you can certainly toss back quite a few starfish in your life. Lesson #7 The Coat Has Memories This might seem strange, but when I pull the coat out of the closet, I often think about the many different adventures Ive had with this coat. I think about sledding down a hill with my kids, especially when they were small. I think about my misadventures with skiing. I think about our trip to Yellowstone when it was unseasonably cold and my choice to bring my winter coat turned out to be a great one. A new coat wouldnt have those memories and pleasant thoughts associated with them. A coat that gets replaced every three or four years never has the chance to build up those kinds of associations. Its similar to how I feel about our kitchen table. There are a few notable scuffs and scratches on it, and I remember what was happening when almost all of those things happened. Theres a huge scuff that came from a heavy crock that we were using to make a jumbo batch of sauerkraut. Theres a big scratch that my son made with his fork when he was two or three. Those things have meaning and value to me, and those things go away if we just replace the item as soon as possible. Not only is such a replacement expensive, theres something of value thats lost and can ever really be replaced. Theres something special in a worn item. Lesson #8 The Savings Is Building Toward Greater Things Ive made the case that a reliable and long lasting item at a reasonable price saves money compared to buying cheap items that wear out quickly. The financial implications of this are numerous. First of all, the expense of replacing an item comes up much less frequently. I havent bought a new winter coat in almost two decades. Its just not an expense in my life. Sure, if I replace it with something durable in a decade or so, it might be expensive, but its simply a long way down the road. Second, Ill see that replacement coming a mile away. The nice thing about having a durable well-made item is that its usually pretty clear when its getting close to replacement time, but youre not usually facing an emergency replacement. You have some time to save, to research, and to shop around for another reliable and reasonably-priced replacement. This process wont be an emergency replacement. Ill have time to find the right thing and to look for sales. Third, I can use the money in the interim to build the future I want. Because I know these two things about my coat, I know that the money I might have to throw at a regular coat replacement cycle can go to other purposes in life, namely building the future that I want. Its a lot easier to save for retirement when youre not replacing a lot of the regular use items in your life with any sort of frequency. Obviously, my coat alone isnt making that kind of difference, but when you add up lots of things that are well made and reliable and dont have to be replaced, it does make a difference. My goal is to eventually have all of my frequent-use items be well made and reliable so I never have to worry about replacing them, ever, and Im not too far away from that right now. Because of that philosophy, I recognize that my worn winter coat and other items like that in my life are contributing to my early retirement goal. There are so many things that I simply dont have to replace with any frequency, and because of that, my regular expenses are lower, and because of that, I can contribute more to retirement, which is the big financial goal that matters to me. Lesson #9 Im Setting an Example Another thing I value about this worn coat is the example it sets for my children when it comes to practical frugality. You dont need a new coat every year. You dont need a new coat every five years. This one keeps doing the job and, yes, real people use items until theyre truly worn out. Ive noticed that my children take after this idea. None of them are ashamed to shop for clothes at a secondhand store. They dont mind used items a bit as long as they work. They appreciate the value in getting something thats of high quality at a reasonable price rather than the cheapest thing they can find, a phase they seemed to outgrow well before their friends. Its also in line with my core social circle. Most of my closest friends apply the same principles to their possessions. Get something thats good quality, even if its used. Use it until its genuinely worn out before replacing it. Repeat. The coat is a symbol of that, in a subtle way, and it very subtly reinforces that idea within my social circle. Although Im aware of the spotlight effect, Id like to think that if anyone does really notice my coat, it nudges them in this direction as well. They see a coat with a little wear on it and they think that its a good thing, not something to just be replaced immediately. Lesson #10 The Homework Matters The final lesson Im reminded of is how the homework matters with these kinds of purchases. Finding a well-made and reliable item that does what you want it to for a reasonable price isnt easy. There are a lot of companies out there selling badly made items, or items that look good at first glance but will fall apart quickly with regular use. Taking the time to sift through the options and find the item thats actually of high quality does take some time and effort. However, buying a well made item should be a pretty irregular purchase, so you should have time to do the homework for each one. Lets say it takes 30 minutes to buy a coat as an off-the-cuff decision, but its likely a poorly made coat that will be replaced in five years. If I spend an hour right now researching coats and find a really good one that lasts, then I spend 30 minutes shopping for a good price on that coat, and that coat lasts me for twenty years, Im still saving time. The homework pays off, in terms of both money and time. Finding the right item might take some effort, and finding it at the right price might take some diligence, but if you dont have to replace that item for twenty years, that effort and diligence reap real financial rewards. Final Thoughts My well worn winter coat is emblematic of the kind of life I want to live. I dont want to spend my time buying poorly made things that wont last. I dont want the expense of that, either. Instead, I want items that provide lasting value and perhaps build up a little character as well. Good luck! https://www.thesimpledollar.com/ten-lessons-from-my-well-worn-winter-coat/

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wellpersonsblog · 5 years

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The 7 Supplements I Take, 2019 Edition

Yep, seven. Kind of a lot for a “whole foods” guy, right?

Don’t worry, I’ll explain.

If you’re even a casual NMA reader, you know it’s been a loooong time since I wrote two blog posts in a week. We’re talking years, I think.

Well, I’m here to boldly declare that I’m back. My goal for the year, No Meat Athlete’s 10th anniversary year, is to write a blog post per week, on average. Not because I should, but because I really want to — the time away has renewed my enthusiasm. And after going for so long without writing regularly, I’ve got a lot I’m excited to share.

But writing more is just one of my goals. This year, I gave myself permission to set a bunch of them — not just one or two, like I usually tell people is best — and to make them BIG.

Upgrading the OS

It didn’t take long, though, for me to realize that in order to do more, my “operating system” needs to be better — which means upgrading my daily habits, and to pay particular attention to nutrition, since that affects just about everything else.

For several years now I’ve been careful to cover the bases: vitamin B12, vitamin D, and DHA/EPA, just to safeguard myself against common deficiencies of a vegan diet (and many other diets, too, by the way). But now I’m paying more attention to things like sleep, recovery from workouts, nagging injuries, and even long-term prevention — and because of that, I find myself both more diligent and more experimental with supplements.

Don’t worry, this isn’t the post where Matt turns into a biohacker. In general, my philosophy is still “whole foods first,” and probably always will be. (Not the store — in that case, it’s actually “Whole Foods second,” after we’ve gotten everything we can at a cheaper place!)

In fact, you’ll see that several of what I call “supplements” actually are whole foods; it’s just that I take them like a robot would take fuel. If robots ran on fuel.

So here goes. I’ve listed the daily dose I take next to each.

1. Complement (provides B12, D3, and DHA/EPA) — This one is actually a three-for. I’ve written about Complement at length, since it’s the supplement I created, so I won’t spend long on this one. In a nutshell, here’s why the nutrients it provides are so important:

Vitamin B12 (1000mcg) is just about a no-brainer for vegans. I know there are still a few purists out there who say we can get enough B12 from dirty produce, but I just don’t see the point. Even many non-vegans are deficient in B12, and when I didn’t take it in my first few years of being vegan, I experienced symptoms of deficiency. So I take it, and make sure my kids do too.

Vitamin D3 (2000IU) is the best form of vitamin D, which our bodies make in response to sunlight. Unfortunately, the combination of our modern, indoorsy lifestyles (plus knowledge about the dangers of UV exposure) and a plant-based diet leaves many of us “D-ficient.” Dr. Greger and others recommend supplementing with 2,000 IU of vitamin D daily, so that’s what I take.

Finally, DHA (300mg) and EPA (70mg) are two long-chain omega-3 fatty acids that are important for brain health. We can get ALA, which is another omega-3, from vegan foods like flaxseeds and walnuts, so many vegans assume they’ve got omega-3’s covered. But it turns out that although some people can efficiently convert ALA into DHA and EPA, many cannot. I haven’t done the testing to know whether I or my wife and kids can, so that’s why I take it in supplement form, derived from algae.

You can learn more about Complement here, but see the note at the bottom of this blog post first.

2. Creatine (5g) — This is strictly for building muscle and increasing strength, so I only take creatine when I’m trying to bulk up or doing a strength sport. Creatine is an amino acid that our bodies do make, so it’s not essential. And although we’re completely fine without it, I find it absolutely helps me to build muscle, and the extra motivation that comes from that is reason enough to take it, given that it’s well-studied and appears to be completely safe. (There’s some evidence to suggest creatine helps vegetarians perform better on tests of memory, too.)

3. Magnesium (350mg) — As I mentioned in a recent podcast episode (“Matt’s Quest for Deeper Sleep”), lately I’ve been obsessed with increasing the amount of deep sleep I get each night, as measured by an OURA ring that tells me how much time I spend in each sleep phase.

I get plenty of total sleep, and plenty of REM sleep, but very little deep sleep (which, oddly, is not as “deep” as REM). Deep sleep is very important for tissue repair and recovery. I haven’t figured out whether my body just happens to need less deep sleep than others, or whether it’s something about my diet, lifestyle, and sleep habits that prevents me from getting more of it.

I’ve been experimenting with a lot of small changes, ranging from obvious ones — like eliminating light from my bedroom at night and limiting screen time after about 7pm — to making changes to my diet (especially around caffeine and alcohol) and supplementing.

Magnesium is a mineral that’s associated with improved sleep and helpful in the absorption of iodine (see below), so it’s a natural one to test.

I’ve only been taking magnesium for 10 days or so, but I suspect that it’s responsible for adding roughly 10 minutes of deep sleep each night. Which doesn’t seem like much, but when I typically only get 30 minutes or so, I’ll take whatever I can get!

Once I figure this shiz out, I’ll write a whole blog post about my sleep project.

‘Supplements’ that are Actually Food

4. Brazil nut (1 small one provides ~100mcg selenium) — We don’t need much selenium, but we absolutely need it. Selenium deficiency is linked to certain cancers, Alzheimer’s disease, and Parkinson’s disease. And, thanks to soil depletion, most plant-based diets are low in selenium. Luckily, a single, small Brazil nut each day provides more than enough. So I eat one a day, in my smoothie, and selenium is taken care of.

(Incidentally, one of the reasons I love the daily smoothie is that it’s easy to toss in things like a Brazil nut, flaxseeds, a slice of turmeric… things I want to eat each day but don’t show up in my diet on their own.)

5. Iodized salt (60mcg iodine per quarter-teaspoon salt) — Let’s be clear here, there’s no reason to supplement with salt; in fact we should limit our intake. It’s the iodine that I want; the fortified salt just happens to be a convenient way to get it.

Iodine used to be in our soil, but with modern agriculture, it’s less plentiful in our food than it once was. Which wouldn’t be a big deal, except that iodine deficiency affects two billion people (!) and is the leading preventable cause of intellectual and developmental disabilities.

Which is why they put it in our salt. Except we vegans like to be natural, so many of us choose unrefined sea salt… which usually doesn’t have iodine added to it.

Non-vegans actually get some iodine from the cleaning products used on dairy processing equipment that make their way into the milk, so it’s less a concern for them. Vegans should make sure we have an iodine source, whether supplemental or with fortified salt.

6. Tart cherry juice (1oz concentrate or 8oz juice) — Tart cherry juice has been shown to reduce inflammation and muscle soreness after workouts, which is why I’ve been a fan for a long time.

Most days out of the week now, I do Muay Thai, a form of kickboxing, and get pretty beat up in the process. So I have a renewed interest in the benefits tart cherries provide.

I don’t like to drink any juice on a daily basis; in general whole fruit is much better. But immediately after workouts is one time when juice may be one of the best things we can consume, for its speed in reaching the bloodstream. So that’s when I try to take my tart cherry juice, about an ounce a day.

7. Turmeric (1 tsp ground or a quarter-inch slice fresh) — Faddish, perhaps, but I think turmeric is legit. There’s a lot of research about how it can help with everything from muscle repair to recovering from hospital surgery, not to mention reducing the risks of cancer and heart disease.

Dr. Greger recommends either a quarter-teaspoon of ground turmeric or a quarter-inch slice of the fresh root daily. Fresh and ground actually do different things, so I try to mix them up, and almost always eat it in combination with black pepper to increase bioavailability.

If I don’t use ground turmeric in cooking or don’t add a slice of fresh to my smoothie, then at night I’ll take it in pill form (turmeric, not just curcumin). But I much prefer getting it in whole-food form.

Blurring the Food/Supplement Line

I actually could go further with the “foods I view as supplements” list, but there’s not a clear dividing line between these and the rest of my food.

For example, green tea. I don’t really drink it like tea: in order to extract the most nutrients, I steep it at close to boiling temperature and for much longer than the tea-types recommend, producing a drink far more tannic and bitter than green tea traditionally is. Or I’ll put the tea leaves directly into my smoothie, not for flavor but for nutrition. Similar with flaxseeds — I don’t eat them as snacks like I do other nuts and seeds; instead I just add them to my smoothie because I know how healthy they are.

But I had to draw the line somewhere. So I did.

What’s Missing?

Believe it or not, there are two other supplements I believe I should be taking, but am not, simply because it’s not convenient to take more pills and I’ve been lazy about it. These are zinc and vitamin K2, both of which are likely deficiencies in plant-based diets.

Zinc: Beans provide plenty of zinc; the problem is that the phytates in beans interfere with absorption. Zinc may be especially important for heart health, and given family history, this is important to me.

K2: Vegans can get plenty of K1 from leafy greens, but K2 isn’t found in almost any plant-based foods, especially not in the West. (It is in natto, a Japanese, fermented soy product, but unfortunately not in tempeh, sauerkraut, or other fermented foods in reliable and appreciable amounts.) K2 is important for both bone and heart health, so not something I want to be missing.

To the Rescue…

Good news here, though. This week, an upgraded version of Complement, called Complement Plus, ships for the first time. (Mine is supposed to arrive today!)

It’s in capsule form instead of a spray, and for me will drastically simplify my supplementation routine, not just by filling the zinc and K2 void, but also by providing iodine, selenium, magnesium (all of which I’m currently making the effort to get into my diet), and of course the “Big 3” that are already in Complement.

When I first announced Complement Plus last year as a pre-order, we sold through everything we had allocated for it. But now we’ve got a few hundred bottles from this first shipment that we can sell, so next week I’ll send the details about how to get a special NMA-reader discount on Complement Plus.

If you’re thinking about getting Complement or Complement Plus, I’d join the email list and wait until then.

It feels great to be writing again. Look for a new post from me next week, and every week after that!

The post The 7 Supplements I Take, 2019 Edition appeared first on No Meat Athlete.

First found here: The 7 Supplements I Take, 2019 Edition

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topsolarpanels · 7 years

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What You Can Do Right Now To Stop Trump’s Dangerous Climate Agenda

We don’t know much about what climate policy might look like under President-elect Donald Trump, but what we do know isn’t very encouraging. Trump has called global warming a hoax and vowed to reinvigorate the fossil fuel industry, “cancel” the Paris Climate Agreement and ditch the Clean Power Plan.

Former Vice President Al Gore warned in October that electing Trump could “take us toward a climate catastrophe.” And then Gore met with Trump and his daughter Ivanka this week a conversation Gore called “extremely interesting” creating the prospects that the president-elect might not be as hostile to climate change as he has indicated.

He has since announced Oklahoma Attorney General Scott Pruitt, who has blamed environmental regulations and defended fossil fuel interests, as his pick to head the Environmental Protection Agency.

But people who are concerned about climate change shouldn’t lose hope merely because the incoming chairman is wishy-washy on such issues. “Remember, most of the world is aligned against climate change even if the future occupant of the White House doesn’t want to recognize reality, ” Michael Brune, executive director of the Sierra Club, told The Huffington Post.

As 2 degrees Celsius looms ever closer the temperature increase scientists say the world must stay below to avoid the worst effects of climate change there is a lot that individuals, organizations, cities and nations can, and must, do to battle climate change over the next four years.

“As consumers, as investors, in schools, in workplaces, at churches, synagogues or other places of venerate, there are lots of positive ways to impact change for the climate, ” Brune said. “We’re going to have to give the president-elect the struggle of his life.”

Here are some things you and your community can do TAGEND

1 Strengthen city, district and state climate efforts

Eduardo Munoz/ Reuters

If the federal government refuses to stand up against climate change, itll be more important than ever for cities, counties and states to pick up the slack and become climate leaders. That entails committing to divest from fossil fuel, embrace clean energy, defined emissions targets and develop climate action plans, among other measures.

The ominous signals coming out of D.C. point to even more work be necessary for the city and state level, said Kate Kiely, information media deputy director at the Natural Resources Defense Council. In November, the NRDC announced the partnership agreement with 20 cities across the country from St. Paul, Minnesota, to Houston, Texas, to make strides in renewable energy.

According to Brune, cities could havean especially big influencein the climate change fight.We should be pushing cities to go 100 percentage clean energy and to repudiate natural gas and coal and other fossil fuel, he said. A majority of people now live in cities, so this could have a dramatic impact.

In the U.S ., 20 cities have already constructed commitments to rely wholly on clean energy.

People should organize and get their own cities has progressed, Brune said.

Contact your mayor, city council, or district or state representative and get them to set a timeline to stop usingfossil fuels.

2 Push companies and organizations to divest from fossil fuels

Bloomberg via Getty Images

There are a lot of things that the president cant undo. He cant stop the fact that solar and gust are cheaper than coal and gas. He cant change the fact that dozens of businesses have already committed to clean energy, Brune said.

As of December, more than 640 organizations worldwide, including several universities, churches and for-profit companies and banks, have pledged to divest from their fossil fuel investments. According to Go Fossil Free, a 350. org campaign, the commitments amount to more than $ 3.4 trillion.

Consumers should petition companies to ditch their fossil fuel investments, and students should urge their schools and colleges to do the same.

As we wrap up the most wonderful year in history, we know that investments in the fossil fuel industry money these climate impacts. Thats why its more critical than ever that we push our institutions to divest from the fossil fuel companies that are knowingly perpetuating the climate crisis, Lindsay Meiman, U.S. communications coordinator for 350. org, told HuffPost last week.

Want to push a company, school or place of worship to divest from fossil fuel? 350. org has a list of resources to help you start a campaign. Or find an existing one to get involved in.

3 Put your fund where your mouth is

Andrew Burton/ Getty Images

Petitions and protests can be powerful, but moving your fund speaks volumes too. As a consumer and as an investor, ensure you’re not personally financing climate change. This entails, for example, selecting banks that are free of fossil fuel connections.

Your ATM card or checking account or your mortgage, these should not be financed by companies that are taking your checking fees or other payments to subsidize the Dakota Access Pipeline or finance drilling offshore. Construct sure your fund aligns with your values, Brune said.

In September, Amalgamated Bank became the first North American bank to commit to divest 100 percentage from fossil fuel. Aspiration has bank accounts the hell is fossil fuel-free, and Beneficial State Bank has credit card that dont invest in fossil fuels.

Anthony Hobley, CEO of the Carbon Tracker Initiative, said consumers should also ensure that their pensions, 401( k) or other retirement savings accounts are similarly not underwriting fossil fuel companies.

A lot of pressure can be made through the financial industry, Hobley said from London. Ordinary people who hold pensions can put pressure on companies through their pensions. Put pressure on the ones who manage your fund and thats one way to keep pressure on those companies too.

The financial services companies that manage retirement accounts arent used to getting many letters from the people whose fund they manage, Hobley added. It wouldnt take much of an organized attempt in order to be allowed to take notice.

Are your investments supportingfossil fuels? FossilFreeFunds.orgis a web tool that allows people to check whether their individual investments or employer-provided 401( k) issupporting coal companies, oil and gas producers, and fossil-fired utilities.

4 Making a “financial case” for clean energy

Aaron Bernstein/ Reuters

Hobley believes the best chance we have ofconvincing Trump to care about climate change is to make a compelling financial instance for renewables.

With new clean energy technologies getting more efficient and cheaper than fossil fuel, a transition to renewables is inevitable, said Hobley. Its merely a matter of time.

Trump can no more stop this transition than a previous U.S. chairman couldve stopped the transition from steam locomotives to the vehicle or the typewriter to the computer. The technological genie is already out of the purse, he said. Its not a instance of if, but when. But the when is important because of the 2 degrees budget, and thats where a lack of political leadership or resistance can have a real impact.

Clear political leadership from both the U.S. and China could entail a “smoother” and faster transition to clean energy. A absence thereof, however, could make it easier for big oil and gas companies to stay in denial and that would be to their detriment, Hobley said. It would entail pouring more fund, billions or trillions of dollars, into fossil fuel assets that we simply dont need.

Trump currently has the opportunity to attain the United States a leader in clean energy.

These are complicated and highly technical products, Hobley said. With an trained and skilled labour force, these are the kinds of things that should be manufactured in the U.S.

Creating new jobs was a central part of Trumps election platform. Maybe someone should remind him that the clean energy industry makes more undertakings per unit of energy than coal and natural gas. Last year, the number of U.S. employment opportunities in solar energy overtook those in oil and natural gas extraction for the very first time.

A 2015 reportbyNextGen Climate America found that a transition to clean energy would add a million jobs by 2030 and up to 2 million jobs by 2050, while increasing the nation’s gross domestic productby $290 billion and boostinghousehold income.

Weshould be quoting such figures and urging utility companies and public utility commissions to espouse clean energy.( Public utility commissions regularly hold hearings that are open to the public. Attend them, and voice your thoughts !)

5 Speak out!

Pacific Press/ Getty Images

Whats the single biggest way you can influenceclimate change? According to the NRDC, its speaking up.

Talk to your friends and family, and make sure your representatives are making good decisions, Aliya Haq, deputy director of NRDCs Clean Power Plan Initiative, wrote in a blog post. The main reason elected officials do anything difficult is because their constituents attain them.

In the coming months and years, there will be mass mobilizations that folks should join to push back against Trumps regressive policies and hateful rhetoric, said 350. orgs Meiman. Folks can engage online by joining online actions, signing petitions and contributing their voice on social media to push back on Trumps agenda.

You can alsoparticipate in protests in yourarea or join and support local nonprofits in theirfight against climate change.

6 Reduce your own carbon footprint

Hinterhaus Productions/ Getty Images

Power your own home with renewable energy, invest in energy-efficient gadgets and lightbulbs, and recollect to weatherize.

Building heating and cooling are among the biggest uses of energy, said NRDCs Haq. Construct your home more energy-efficient by sealing drafts and ensuring your home is adequately insulated and ventilated too.

Also consider changing your diet. Cut down on meat intake or even eliminate it from your diet wholly, Brune said. I do think that people can have a powerful impact on the environment merely by feeing less meat.

It takes 14 days as much biologically productive land to create 1 ton of beef as it takes to produce 1 ton of grain, according tothe Global Footprint Network.

Global livestock is also responsible for 9 percentage of all anthropogenic carbon emissions, data fromthe United Nations’ Food and Agriculture Organizationshow.

Driving a fuel-efficient vehicle is another way to reduce your carbon footprint. You can also take steps to be more fuel efficient when you’re on the road , no matter what vehicle you drive.

7 Support environmental journalism

Jewel Samad/ Getty Images

A majorshortcoming of journalistsduring the presidential election was theirfailureto highlight climate change as a vital topic and to force Trump( and Hillary Clinton, too) to address this crisis.

Over the next four years, Trump needs to be held accountable, and the press must make climate change a central question in his presidency.

The Society of Environmental Journalists, a nonprofit membership organisation supporting environmental the reporters in the U.S. and around the world, aims to improve the quality, accuracy and visibility of reporting on the environment. You can also support nonprofit environmental news outlets such asInside Climate, Gristand High Country News.

Hannah McKay/ Reuters A man wearing a Trump mask protests during a demo against climate change outside the U.S. Embassy in Londonin November.

There is certainly reason to worry about what a Trump presidency could mean for countries around the world.

But as Gore reminds us, worrying isn’t doing the Earth any favors. “There is no time to hopelessnes, ” Gore told The Guardian on Monday. “We don’t have time to lick our meanders, to hope for a different election outcome.”

In homes, at schools, in cities and in nations across the country, people need to act and act now.

“We have to win this struggle and we will win it; the only question is how fast we win, ” Gore said. “But more damage is baked into the climate system every day, so it’s a race against time.”

Related…

This Is VERY Bad For The Fight Against Climate Change Al Gore: Climate Threat Is Way More Dire Than Trump’s Victory Al Gore Fulfills With Donald And Ivanka Trump Over’Climate Issues ‘ 11 Reasons Why We Should Be Terrified Of Trump’s EPA Guy Donald Trump Is Honored To Have The Greatest Temperament, Donald Trump Says

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