Efficient things
Efficient things
If you are going to be doing any kind of cutting in a kitchen, it is definitely worthwhile to invest in a quality chef’s knife. Experts say you don’t necessarily need to buy a lot of knives — a single quality chef’s knife can handle most cutting tasks. It’s generally agreed that the best knives […]
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Wood pellet stoves have become very popular this year, due to the fact that heating oil costs have risen 31% and natural gas is up 46%. Pellet stoves are small electric stoves that burn small pieces of recycled sawdust, that have been compressed into pellets. There are a number of advantages to using wood pellet
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Tatami Goza Mats from Japan are an interesting, natural addition to a room. They are made of sustainably-harvested rushes. Each tatami mat contains around 4,000 to 5,000 rushes. Hemp or cotton cord is then used to weave the rushes together. The mats are especially good for children’s play rooms and bedrooms because they are long-lasting
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In terms of quality, cost and energy efficiency, Kenmore refrigerators get high ratings from Good Housekeeping and Consumer Reports. They make many “no-frills” refrigerators which are Energy Star compliant. Kenmore fridges have factory-installed ice makers, which are less prone to break down than those built into the door. For example, a reasonably priced, mid-sized Kenmore
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Wooden hot tubs are an attractive alternative to the plastic tubs that have come to dominate the marketplace today. These traditionally styled tubs are built with wood that contains natural anti-bacterial oils. SeaOtter Woodworks build their tubs by hand with Western Red Cedar. They are one of the few companies in the U.S. making wooden
Modern reel mowers are quite efficient at cutting grass using nothing but your own push power. Gas-powered mowers actually produce a stunning amount of air pollution considering their small size. Plus, spilled gasoline is a nasty toxin that has no place in your yard. Plus, both you and your neighbors will appreciate the lack of
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Masonry heaters very efficient heating devices because they burn wood rapidly, without smoldering. The heat is stored in the masonry thermal mass, and then slowly radiates into your house for the next 18 to 24 hours. The house is never overheated, and air pollution is reduced dramatically. The other benefit of masonry heaters is that
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Early on, low-flow toilets got a bad rap — and justifiably so — their flushing ability left a lot to be desired. But today there are many low-flow toilets on the market that work well. Terry Love is a plumber who reviews low-flow toilets. He takes his job seriously, installing some of the toilets his
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Rice cooker reviews are little hard to find — the bigger consumer magazines don’t seem to cover them, but some other sources on the web do. Reviewers on Cool Tools and Sally’s Kitchen both recommend Zojirushi Rice Cookers. Popular in Japan, Zojirushi cookers are pricey ($150-$200). But they also have no-frills models for about $60.
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Soap Berries are naturally soapy berries that can be used as an alternative to detergent. Also called “Soap Nuts” — they are the sun-dried fruit of Sapindus Trifoliatus trees in south eastern India.
Soap Berries — A Naturally Soapy Berry That Can Replace Washing Detergent Read More »