Sprout Farms

Saving $2.8 billion and reducing energy consumption by 20-30% represent a tremendous success. Energy Education clients celebrate success like this everyday – Totally more than $2.8 billion in utility costs over the last 26 years and significantly reducing their carbon footprint.

“We help our clients manage more than $1 billion in annual utility costs. Most of that money is from public funds and every penny is essential. Our engineers and consultants help clients identify ways to cut 20, 30, 40 percent and more from previous energy use — that saves those public funds. It saves natural resources by reducing CO2 emissions. It has a ripple effect. Because our clients can do more with the funds they have, they can better serve their communities.” said Dr. Randy Hoff, Energy Education’s Chief Executive Officer.

Utility cost is one of the biggest expenses for many organization. The price of electricity, natural gas, heating oil and water have steadily increased over the past few years. Energy Education help’s organization not only rind green solutions, but saves organizations money. Energy Education implements comprehensive organizational-based energy conservation programs in schools, colleges, and universities. Recently, one of Energy Education’s clients, a school district in Sioux Falls, SD, not only saved money, but was also able to give teachers a small raise. The school district is expecting to be give an even bigger raise at the end of next year.

If you are looking for a healthy meal, one of my favorite healthy meals is roasted Brussels  sprouts, salmon, and potatoes. One of the reasons why I enjoy this healthy option is because there is little prep work and it only take about 10-15 min to cook.

Brussels sprouts – Set the oven for 450 degrees. Trim and cut the sprout into halves. Then place the Brussels sprouts on top of baking sheet and light cover with olive oil. Use about a 1/2 tablespoon of salt and 1/4 tablespoon of pepper.

Salmon – Place the salmon in the middle of the Brussels spouts. Lightly season the salmon with salt and pepper and then place the pan into the oven.

Optional – Use a large clove a garlic, either divide it or slice it up, and place it in the pan. You can all has a touch of oregano.  On the salmon, you have the option to squeeze lemon to give the salmon some extra flavor.

Potatoes – Cut potatoes into about 1 inch chunks, place cold water with salt in a stove-top pan, and boil. Once the potatoes get soft begin to mash the potatoes with your fork. Place butter and chopped garlic on top of the potatoes and stir.

We’ve all heard the saying “cooked with love,” but at Connie’s Bakery and General store, the saying “cooked with love,” is taken quite literally. The bakery donates 100% of its profits to charity.  Founded by successful attorney, entrepreneur, senior business executive and philanthropist, Connie Milstein, in 2005 people say Connie’s Bakery is like “Grandma’s Kitchen.

Connie said, “What I have tried to do is what my father always told me – find a niche where people are not doing what needs to be done and try to fill it.”

Connie believes in the principal of giving back to the country that has given so much to her. Connie is a Board member of Blue Star Families, and she actively works to support military families. “Adopt a Base” program that honors military families with special events and treats for children.

Connie’s Bakery and General Store has everything from your favorite old fashion cookies, cupcakes, cake, to gift baskets. Executive Pastry Chef Simeon Manber runs the entire baking operation everyday. Chef Simeon studied at the Culinary Institute of America, and he brings with him the most delicious deserts – A true work of art. Chef Simeon is compassionate about helping other, which makes him the perfect man to run this charitable operation.

Bonsai tree care changes with the seasons. Bonsai trees can make great decoration, but can be hard to take care of. In the winter the bonsai tree wants to escape the cold.  In the summer the Bonsai tree want shelter from the Sun. In other words, the Bonsai tree wants perfect weather all the time.

The Spring and the Fall are two great seasons to be a bonsai tree owner.

Spring Bonsai Tree Care

• Do a thorough check of your tree to ensure it has come through the winter with health. Check the roots for rot and check the branches and fine twigs for any damage.
• Decide whether your pot needs repotting, if it requires a larger home particularly.
•  Nurseries receive Bonsai from overseas often during Spring – could be a season to take on a new project!
• Evergreen Bonsai should be given fertiliser in early Spring.
• Towards the end of Spring, deciduous Bonsai will need to be pruned/pinched.

3 Bosai Tree Warnings:

1. Do not keep your Bonsai under a plastic roof! These types of roof absorb heat and can kill your Bonsai.
2. Do not keep your Bonsai near brick walls or metal walls etc. These also reflect heat
   
3. NEVER water your tree’s leaves or foliage in hot weather, direct sun or windy days. Leaf burn will occur!

Source:  Bonsai Made Easy

Energy from shale is produced by a method of drilling called hydraulic fracturing. What is hydraulic fracturing, often referred to as “fracking,” is a process the released thousands of gallons of mostly water and sand deep beneath the earth’s surface in order to fracture shale rock formations, which then releases natural gas.

One of the biggest misconceptions is that  global warming climate changes will happen over night, creating an urgency to omit carbon emissions completely and as quickly as possible. However, cutting oil completely and quickly, would not only have a substantial impact on the economy, cutting oil quickly is considered completely unnecessary.  Over time, we can start to transition from oil to natural gas while using more alternative energy sources such as wind, solar, or nuclear to cut use of methane emissions. Until then, we can focus on current transitions and learn best practices when managing oil and gas reserves.

Gas and goal effectively compete in the electricity generation market. The comparison of the two fuels comes down to how efficient each fuel is in making electricity. The superior efficiency of gas in electricity generation doubles the heat content advantage of gas over coal. Therefore, natural gas is more efficient when used for heating. Methane emissions much be five times larger than they currently are before gas substitutes (whether gas from shale or conventional gas) becomes vital from a global warming perspective.

Climate change is evident. The environment is changing and evolving just like it has in the past and will continue to change as long as man lives on Earth. But you don’t have to believe in global warming to start taking energy initiatives.  Learning to conserve energy is important to the economy and the future of our environment.  If you don’t believe in climate change, then just focus of saving money.

Energy Education tweeted, “You don’t have to believe in climate change to solve it,” says Lovins. “Everything we do to raise energy efficiency will make money, improve security and health, and stabilize climate.” “will make money, improve security & health & stabilize climate” – Amory Lovins.

By 2050 two billion additional people will live on Earth. Those two billion people will want to live and drive just like us.  Can you imagine the world with two billion more people? The pollution? The energy usage? The climate change? Imagine the traffic jams. Energy policies are needed to regulate energy usage because, with so many more people, we won’t be able to control the climate change unless we start now.

Think about it this way, just last August,  a traffic jam (you might be familiar), on the main north-side highway from Beijing to Inner Mongolia, stretched 60 miles and moved at the speed of 2 miles per day.  It took 10 days to recover from the jam.You don’t have to believe in global warming to believe in taking energy initiatives that will ultimately save you money.

Source:

For the travelers who like to bike, hike, and travel to unique places, you will enjoy this list of incredible travel adventures. Below is a list of incredible adventures, places that are out-of-the-box and places that embrace natural beauty and traditional cultures, places unlike anything else you’ve ever seen.

We’ve reached the 100 year anniversary of our first successful expedition to the South Pole and of the discovery of Machu Picchu, so why not take a trip there already? REI Adventures specialize in the voyage and offers an eight-day package filled with rafting, backpacking, and culture experience. Imagine rafting alongside pre-Inca cities on the Urubamba River or preparing local Peruvian cuisine.

Iceland is another adventurous vacation spot – Known for it exquisite beauty. The country is one scenic view after another. Iceland is called the Land of Fire and Ice, but apparently what it should be called is the land of waterfalls. Imagine hiking next to a series of waterfall. Adventuring across Iceland involves a few climbs, biking across country roads, and enjoying the lightly populated landscape.

Other out-of-the box adventurous vacation spots include: Alaska, Burma (one of Southeast Asia’s hidden gems), Bosnia and Herzegovina, kayaking trip in Mexico and Central America,  the “Venice of Cuba,”  Zambia and Zimbabwe, Egypt, Greece, and the Netherlands.

Source: Smarter Travel

BMW announced last month that a $900 million investment is expected to generate 300 new jobs in South Carolina by expanding its X-model family. The production of the new BMWX4 will occur at the Spartanburg, South Caronlia plant.   The production requires, not only a significant investment, but a number a new jobs to help prepare the facility for the new model.

“I am delighted to announce today, over the next three years, we plan to invest nearly $900 million. With this investment, we will be able to produce 350,000 units here in the mid-term,” said Frank Peter Arndt, BMW Group Board Member. “This is one reaction to the rising global demand for our BMW X Models.”

The plant plans to raise production capacities up to 300,000 units, and by the end of the year,  the plant will have nearly 7,500 employees.

BMW is seeing a great economic success despite all economic odds.  The partnership between the company and the state of South Carolina is an example of how the South Carolina plans to retain and grow business and stimulate job creation.

The total investment to the state is nearly $6 billion since 1992 with the development of over 2 million vehicles.

Nothing is better than a batch of good ol’ fashion cookies – Chocolate chip, double chocolate chuck, and oatmeal raisin – to mention a few.  According to the Huffington Post, sweets are the way to go to let that special someone know that you care.   Homemade candy, brownies, cookies, cake pops, and flavored syrups are this year’s go-to Valentine’s Day treats.  For cookie lovers, Connie’s Bakery is the best place to find all your favorite old-fashion cookies that taste like they are baked right out of your mom’s stove.  The chocolate chip cookie has all the classic ingredients and the classic good-taste that you’re looking for when indulging into a good ol’ fashion cookie. The oatmeal raisin tastes just like a bowl of oatmeal topped with butter and cinnamon.  The double chocolate is to die for and made from fine Belgian chocolates with dash of espresso.

If you really want to impress your loved one, the best way to impress him or her is to bake the goodies yourself.  If you’re baking cookies try baking the cookies with alphabet cook cutters and spell out a message that would be something meaningful. Great examples are, I love you, be my valentine, and my one and only. Now all you need is a day at the farmer’s market and a quick trip to the grocery store to gather all the supplies – Flour, butter, sugar, eggs, +  your own ingredients and bon appetit!

Bringing the community together can be monumental, literally - Washington D.C. recently opened monument, Martin Luther King Memorial, that represents a nation full of commmunity, hope and prosperity.   Bringing communities together can be a simple as going to the city park, swinging on the swings, and meeting your neighbor.

The Great Meadow’s Foundation is dedicated to perserving open spaces and having a monumental impact on community togetherness and innovative thoughts.   The Great Meadow’s Foundation is a non-profit organization that  not only preserves scenic beauty, but provides youth education and sports activities.  The organization was founded by philanthropist Arthur W. (Nick) Arundel in 1982.  His goal was to help the community keep togetherness as the surrounding cities began expanding into the area. The Great Meadow’s Foundation is the home of the Virginia Gold Cup (spring) and International Gold Cup (fall) race – With an annual July 4th celebration and the Great Meadow Polo Club.

The Virginia Gold Cup will take place on May 5 and all the tickets for the event will go toward The Great Meadow’s Foundation.