Nurture Versus Nature

Every year parents spend hundreds if not thousands of dollars on toys and activities for their kids. While many of things are great for keeping young minds and bodies active, many of them are unnecessary, remember nature? Sure kids need structured play, but they also need “free” plan and this is easy to do when the world’s largest playground is right outside your back door. Why not let them play outside?

Every toy, book, and TV show that comes out has been designed and redesigned several times in order to make it educational and entertaining for children. The great thing about nature is that, while being entertaining and stimulating to the imagination, it’s also educational. Nature can teach children the basics of science, economics, and creativity.

It’s cheap. Depending on where you live, exploring nature is usually pretty inexpensive, if not free. It may mean going out in your backyard, local park, or perhaps going to the local nature center or state park (which usually have low cost fees or memberships). This way, you don’t have to pay for expensive toys, jungle gyms, or memberships to expensive entertainment centers, but you still get the benefit of stimulating and educational play.

It makes them think. Lately there’s been a trend in education towards inquiry based learning. Researchers have found that if students explore and experiment to figure out answers on their own, they’re going to learn better, and retain more information. It also helps them develop skills to be able to learn things on their own later. What better environment to learn things than out in nature. There are lessons for kids of all ages to discover about the world around them.

It’s good to enjoy Nature

It may help the world. Everyone these days is trying to be more green and more environmentally conscious. What better way to help do your part than to get your children interested in their own planet than right now when they’re young and impressionable? What might be a fun time for them now, might be a future hobby, career, or world saving invention.

It’s fun. While it’s easy to forget, childhood isn’t just for learning about how to be an adult, it’s also about having fun. Nature gives kids a chance to use their imagination and be free to just be kids.

While unstructured play outside is great for kids, you can also find a lot of places offering structured classes and learning sessions for kids that focus on the natural world. Check your local park, zoo, or museum. There’s a good chance they have classes you can sign up for, and since many of these places are not for profit, they’re usually affordable as well as informative.

Across the world, there are millions of dollars being spent to help promote sending your kids outside to learn from nature. That’s because spending time in the outside world is so important for developing minds. It can also be a great escape for you as well. And remember, enjoy nature!

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Bowen Therapy

Bowen Therapy an Explaination

Bowen Therapy or Bowen Technique is a gentle means of soft tissue relaxation that does not involve external, forceful manipulation. Because of its gentle approach, all ages can undergo the therapy, including newborns and the very elderly (and everyone in between!). Bowen aims to achieve deep relaxation for the participant. When that level of relaxation is reached, the body becomes aligned, balanced, and able to heal itself.

When a participant undergoes Bowen Technique, he or she experiences a gentle massage of the muscles and tissues over the problem area. Practitioners often begin in the abdominal region, as this is seen as the “center” of the body. Practitioners leave the room before moving to another area of the body, slowing the pace and giving their clients a chance to relax even more.

The motions of Bowen Technique are said to act as energy surges, sending messages to the brain to heal a particular area or body system. Practitioners claim they are teaching the body to heal itself – or, more correctly, reminding the body of its own innate ability to heal.

Here are some of the benefits of Bowen Therapy

* Pain Relief – Many participants seek out Bowen Technique because they desire relief from pain. Joint, bowel and headache pain are common problems that can benefit from Bowen Technique. The effects are said to be long-lasting.

* Cleansing and Detoxification – Circulation of blood and lymph is encouraged by Bowen Technique. As the body “opens up” and relaxes, it is able to release toxins that were “held in” by tension. A detoxification program sometimes precedes the treatment.

* Better Posture – Gently realigning the spine, hips, knees, and shoulders is part of Bowen Technique. Recipients are sometimes surprised at their improved bodily alignment, since Bowen is so gentle it does not seem to be doing anything at first. In fact, much is happening in the body during even one treatment, and because the body is being prompted by the practitioner to use its own healing ability, the effects tend to be long lasting.

* Improved Joint Mobility – Painful joints motivate some to seek out Bowen Technique. Improvement in joint mobility has been experienced by many recipients.

* Emotional Healing – Bowen Technique understands the mind/body connection. Some recipients experience a release not only of tension but also of past traumas that have been held in. Some people suggest that trauma can produce a “cellular memory” from which the patient needs to be released, and Bowen Technique can address this.

* Relief from Constipation and Other Bowel Problems – Bowel problems abound in industrialized, Western cultures. Recipients of Bowen Technique experience relief from all manner of bowel disorders, including constipation.

Final Note On Bowen Therapy

As well, It has been used successfully to treat autism in young children. Its gentle, relaxing approach could help children suffering from ADD and ADHD benefit from doing Bowen Therapy

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This one’s a weird one, kids, but still cool.  A new concept for a zero-energy refrigerator uses an odor-free, gel-like substance to cool and preserve food items.

The Bio Robot Refrigerator was designed by Yuriy Dmitriev and is currently a semifinalist in Electrolux’s Design Lab competition.  The Bio Robot has no motor, compressor or other electrical components, but it does contain a green biopolymer gel that uses luminescence to preserve food.

Energy Efficient Storage

To store food, you press the item into the gel, which then envelopes it, creating a “separate capsule” for each product.

The designer highlights its benefits as being:  zero-energy and silent operation, four times smaller than a traditional fridge, but maximized storage space and the absence of doors allows horizontal or vertical placement and displays food in plain view.

Thank you to EcoFriend for providing this energy efficient invention

I’m not sure how you’d go about cleaning this refrigerator, or how it’d handle storing, say, a pot of soup, but any zero-energy concept is OK by me. hahahaha

via EcoFriend providing quality green energy articles.

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Wind power has been steadily catching up with natural gas, the current leader in power generating capacity in Europe.  New wind power exceeded new gas power in 2008 and 2009, and the total installed capacity in the EU is now 85 GW.  Comparatively, natural gas generated 119 GW in 2007 (the latest figures available).

Germany will have the largest increase in wind power capacity this year, followed by Britain, and 1 GW of new wind is coming from offshore sources (almost twice last year’s addition of 580 MW).

Also notable is the ramping up of wind power in new EU member states like Bulgaria and Romania.

via Green Inc.

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Preparing your baby’s nursery can be a wonderful time of planning and dreaming. Many times, that means choosing a paint color or wallpaper (or a combination of both), furnishings, and flooring.

Today, many people are aware that the fumes from paint, wallpaper and carpet can be toxic. Babies, with their tiny, developing systems, are especially vulnerable to toxins in the air and on surfaces they touch with their delicate skin. In order to avoid these poisonous substances, you may choose to decorate baby’s nursery with eco-friendly items.

Here are some things to keep in mind as you seek to create a non-toxic environment for your little one.

Paint

Generally speaking, paint is less expensive than wallpaper. When you look for paints, there are many green options available. The first thing to look for in an eco-friendly paint is a lack of volatile organic compounds, or VOCs. These are the chemicals that create the fumes and subsequent headaches and respiratory problems that many people experience with conventional paints.

Look for water-based paints with labels that say things like “biodegradable,” “phosphate-free” and, of course, “VOC-free.” While these types of environmentally friendly paints are more expensive, they generally only require one coat due to their rich pigmentation.

Choosing paint over wallpaper does not necessarily limit your design choices. Here are some ideas for things you can do with eco-friendly paint in your baby’s nursery.

* Stencils can be found in a variety of shapes at craft and art stores, or you can cut your own. Stencil designs require little paint and are an economical alternative to wallpaper or borders. Older siblings can help with the stenciling, too.

* Murals can be great fun, and they are completely unique to your baby’s room. This is another project in which an older sibling can participate.

Wallpaper

There are so many beautiful wallpapers available today, and more companies are offering eco-friendly choices. Wallpapering is less messy than painting, and is often faster. When shopping for eco-friendly wallpaper, look for 100% paper that contains no vinyl. Some companies offer wallpaper made from recycled paper.

Consider alternative wall coverings for baby’s room, too, such as rice paper or papyrus. You can also use fabric in lots of creative ways to make a wall cover. Simply tack squares of fabric like hung pictures, or hang a large piece that will cover a whole wall. Just be sure that the fabric is firmly attached to the wall and, if you use tacks, that they are out of baby’s reach.

Family photos and postcards make a creative border.

Look for wallpaper adhesives that are low on VOCs (or, even better, VOC-free). You can also make your own wallpaper paste using flour and water.

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Silveira Customs found that creating an electric jet ski took more than switching out a gas-fired engine for an electric motor.  They designed a new jet propulsion unit that uses one-sixth the power of a normal unit, which drains the battery less and produces the torque necessary to for good performance.  It is also built from carbon fiber, making it light and easy to maneuver.

The Green Samba can hit 65 mph and has a battery life of three hours.  Plus it operates silently, allowing its users to observe wildlife without disturbing the animals.

The company says 500 units will be available next year and for a price competitive with traditional personal watercraft, which tend to fall in the $7,000 – $10,000 range.

via Wired Autopia

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Cranial osteopathy, as the name implies, involves the manipulation and flexing of the bones of the skull. However, it is not exclusive to the head. Cranial osteopathy also includes adjustment and flexing of the sacral vertebrae and the pelvis. The sacral vertebrae, or sacrum, join the spine to the pelvis.

When Dr. William Sutherland developed the theory and practice of cranial osteopathy in the late 1890s and early 1900s, he discovered that the bones of the skull do, in fact, have some flexibility and movement between them in adulthood. These joints between skull bones were usually considered flexible only in infants, when the infant skull’s softness helps in the birth process.

The skull’s joints eventually close up and the bone hardens. But some flexibility remains – quite a bit, Dr. Sutherland discovered. Dr. Sutherland experimented extensively on himself, and then applied his methods to his patients, often with miraculous results.

For migraine sufferers, cranial osteopathy holds great promise. Cranial osteopaths recognize that no body system is isolated, and while the head is the focus of migraine pain, cranial osteopathy is, ultimately, a whole-body treatment. Some osteopaths look at jaw misalignment, dental work, and tension as possible causes for migraines.

Cranial osteopaths have successfully treated migraines in one session, and they claim it takes only a few sessions for patients to remain free of pain long term. For those who find deeper, personal healing in cranial osteopathic treatment, returning regularly for some time is helpful for complete healing. Even after healing, some people return because the treatment has changed their perception and improved their overall outlook.

In a typical session, the migraine sufferer lies on an air mattress fully clothed. The cranial osteopath then looks for the “cranial rhythm.” This is how various bodily rhythms manifest – for example, the rhythms between inhalation and exhalation and between the spinal cord and brain are said to be manifestations of the cranial rhythm. For the migraine sufferer, this area of disturbance may or may not be located in the skull.

The cranial osteopath identifies the source of disturbance in the cranial rhythm. The practitioner then places his or her hands over the problem area, working and “following” it through the body until it releases and ultimately dissipates.

At this point, the tension, misalignment, or other energy disruption that was causing the migraine pain is relieved. The body then functions more normally, making a recurrence of a migraine far less likely.

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The State of California has granted approval for a new solar thermal power plant. The 250-megawatt Beacon Solar Energy Project is the first solar thermal power plant to be licensed in the United States in nearly 20 years. Commercial operation is expected to start by the third quarter of 2011.

Several other solar projects are also in the pipeline and seeking approval by the end of the year, including the Brightsource 400 MW solar tower. More than 4 GW of other solar thermal projects are also pending with the state.

Beacon Solar will be an array of solar focusing parabolic troughs spread over a 2,012 acre site in Kern County, California. The approval process required a solution to local residents’ objections to the great amount of water the project would require. The final agreement will have the project use recycled water from a nearby community instead of drawing directly from the local aquifer. The project expects to use nearly 1600 acre feet (1.97 million cubic meters) of water annually.

The state of California has mandated that 20% of its electrical power come from renewables by 2010. While it does not look like that target is going to be met, the approval of several hundred megawatts of solar thermal power will help get the state closer to that goal.

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The office can be a wasteful place. Paper, plastic water bottles, defunct office equipment, toner cartridges, pens, and so on, float around and often end up getting discarded. This kind of waste in the workplace is of growing concern. Setting up a recycling scheme at work can help. Here are some easy ways to make that happen.

1. Involve Your Boss

Have a meeting with your boss and include him or her in your plans. Point out that recycling will save the company money in the long run, and make sure your boss is on board before proceeding. If you proceed without his or her knowledge, you may find your efforts thwarted.

2. Contact Your Local Waste Authority

The company who collects your trash or curbside recycling is a place to start. See if they will partner up with your company to collect your office recycling.

Check with local charities to see if there are any needs for old computers, copiers, printers, and other office equipment. Develop several partnerships with various companies to see that your office waste is being utilized most efficiently.

3. Conduct a Waste Audit

Spend some time noting where the most waste is generated in your office or workplace. It has been shown that white paper and food are usually the biggest waste areas for most offices. Discern the source of the waste. Calculate the cost as accurately as possible so that you can present this to your boss and fellow employees. Set some realistic goals as well.

4. Include All Employees

When you launch your recycling plan, make it into an event and invite everyone. Remember, you are not accusing your co-workers of anything; avoid finger-pointing and berating them for wasteful behavior. Simply present the problem as an overall issue that affects everyone.

Focus on the state of the planet and how it benefits everyone to preserve our environment. Present your findings in order to motivate others to reduce and save. Inform employees of how, when, and where waste is to be avoided and, when items need to be recycled and collected.

Keep your co-workers and boss informed of the progress of the scheme electronically. Emails, newsletters, and even a website or blog can keep your co-workers up to date and included.

5. Make It Easy

Your recycling scheme will be more likely to have success if it is easy for your co-workers. Set up recycling stations where clearly labeled bins are located near the areas where you have observed the most waste being generated.

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Did you know that some of the very first automobiles were electric? The concept of the electric car is often considered to be the product of an oil-weary culture, but it is actually an original automobile concept. Basically an electric carriage without the horse, these first electric vehicles were developed in Europe and evolved into efficient, high-capacity, battery-operated autos by the early 1880s. These electric cars did not require gear-shifting, and were quieter and cleaner than the simultaneous gas-powered, internal combustion engine cars.

So what happened?

For one thing, American roads got longer and people needed cars that could be driven for longer distances. Another factor was the decline in American oil prices, making gas-powered cars cheaper to run. And Henry Ford developed the assembly line for manufacturing his gas-powered autos, making the gasoline car even more affordable.

But the electric car was not forgotten. We are still discussing it over a hundred years later, primarily because it is a great invention. And it is making a comeback. Here are some advantages of the electric automobile.

Advantages of electric cars

* Better for the Environment – Electric cars do not emit exhaust, which makes for much cleaner air and fewer overall greenhouse gases in the atmosphere. There is the unpleasant business of battery disposal when it wears out, but exciting new technology is making the recycling of such batteries possible. And electric cars are not going to spring a leak and pollute the environment with oil.

Electric cars also use a surprisingly small amount of household electricity to charge their batteries, which may alleviate concerns about using large amounts of fossil fuel-generated electricity to charge them.

* Inexpensive – Electric cars are generally cheaper to purchase than conventional, gas-powered ones. And of course, they do not use gasoline. As the price of gasoline continues to be high and may get higher, this could result in significant savings.

* Reliable and Easy to Maintain – Electric cars do not need regular oil changes, and they have fewer moving parts in the engine. That means you won’t have to replace or repair belts, hoses, spark plugs, mufflers, and so forth. And electric cars have a life expectancy that runs into millions of miles rather than hundreds of thousands. According to some sources, an electric car will last 90 years if you drive it 50 miles a day. At that rate, even driving 100 miles a day is a good deal!

* Safety – If you have an accident in an electric car, there is no danger of leaking, flammable fuel igniting at the crash scene.

* Quieter – In conventional cars, road noise can make conversation between front and back seat passengers nearly impossible. And if you’ve ever stood near a highway, you know how polluting all that noise can be. Electric cars are much quieter, allowing a drive through the countryside, park, or neighborhood without causing great disturbance. And passengers can actually discuss the scenery!

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