Friday, May 23, 2008

Homecoming Surprise...

Memorial Day Tribute

Troops coming home...

Leann Rimes - Amazing Grace

Bagpipes Cryin' Tribute to our Troops

In Memory of Our Service Men & Women -- VIII

In Memory of Our Service Men & Women -- VII

Don't Tread on Me...!!!

In Memory of Our Service Men & Women -- VI

In Memory of Our Service Men & Women -- V

In Memory of Our Service Men & Women -- IV

In Memory of Our Service Men & Women -- III

In Memory of Our Service Men & Women -- II

In Memory of Our Service Men & Women -- I

Friday, May 16, 2008

“Entrepreneurship Week USA”


Awareness Campaign Featuring Florida International University’s Alumni Entrepreneurs as Part of “Entrepreneurship Week USA.”

Read Press Release Here.
SEE PIC HERE.

Wednesday, May 7, 2008

Green & Energy Tips for Homes

There is so much information out there and on the internet about what to do to make your home more energy efficient or green. All this information can bog you down and make it seem impossible, and even too expensive, to become green or energy efficient.

However, having the big picture in mind is important. It will help you prioritize what to do first, based on which projects have the biggest impact and quickest payback. An energy audit and energy rating takes the guess-work out of the process. Having a game plan will not only help you lower your utility bills faster but also help you maximize your comfort level, increase the safety of your home, increase environmental sustainability, achieve energy independence, and leave more cash in the bank.

An energy Rating provides a standardized evaluation (“miles per gallon”) of a home’s energy efficiency and expected energy use costs. The evaluation is conducted in accordance with uniform standards and includes a detailed home energy use assessment, conducted by a state-certified Rater, using an advanced set of nationally accredited energy and economic analysis procedures and verified software tools.

Veterans Energy Solutions, LLC is certified and licensed by the State of Florida and accredited by RESNET to conduct energy audits and energy ratings. You can find out more by reading the Wall Street Journal Article "Energy-Tuning Your Home" by Gwendolyn Bounds.

Here are some of the afformentioned tips:

-Keep air conditioning thermostats at 78 degrees or higher during summer months.

-Use ceiling fans, which allows for setting the thermostat at a higher temperature.

-Use non-essential appliances, such as clothes washers, dryers and dishwashers during off-peak hours (before noon or after 6 p.m.) Wash only full loads of dishes and clothes.

-Close drapes and blinds to keep out direct sunlight during hot weather.

-Avoid using evaporative coolers or humidifiers while an air conditioner is running.

-Run swimming pool equipment for the minimum amount of time and during off-peak hours.

-Limit the opening of refrigerators.

-Reduce hot, outdoor air from entering the house and eliminate the loss of cooled air with
weather stripping and caulking around windows and doors.

-Clean or replace the air conditioner filter regularly to help it run more effectively.

-Check and clean refrigerator coils regularly, especially during the summer. Dirty coils on the back or bottom of the refrigerator can make it work harder than necessary. See appliance owner's manual for maintenance instructions.

-Replace incandescent bulbs with compact fluorescents, which can last up to 10 times longer than old-fashioned bulbs, and produce less heat while using only a quarter of the electricity.

-Turn off lights when leaving a room.

-Use task lighting to directly illuminate work areas.

-Install time clocks or photoelectric cells to control interior and exterior lighting.

-Install dimmer or occupancy switches where appropriate to lower energy consumption.

-Insulate the hot water piping from the water heater to the wall or ceiling pipe penetration. Wrap the tank in an insulating blanket if the water heater's energy factor is less than 0.59.

-Reduce use of all non-essential electric appliances, such as dishwashers and clothes dryers, especially during the late afternoon and early evening. Air-dry dishes instead of using the dishwasher's drying cycle.

-Cook outdoors or use a microwave oven and small appliances like a toaster oven and electric skillet to avoid heating up the kitchen and adding moisture to the air. Microwaves use less than half the power of a conventional oven and cook food in about one-fourth the time.

-Plug home electronics, such as computers, TVs and VCRs, into power strips and turn power strips off when equipment is not in use.

-Lower the thermostat on the hot water heater; 115° is comfortable for most uses.

-Leaking electricity (or phantom loads) from electronics costs Americans about 750 million a year for TVs and about 600 million a year for VCRs. To avoid the leaking of electricity, either unplug electronics when not in use, or plug into a power strip that can be switched off.

-Use as little liquid as possible when cooking - surplus water requires more heating and therefore more gas is used than is necessary.

-When cooking, match the burner to the vessel. Use a small vessel on a small burner. A large burner consumes 15 percent more gas.

Feel free to do-it-yourself, or contact us to take the guess-work out of the process and make your life much easier.

To find more tips and information about greening your home, visit the U.S. Department of Energy’s homepage. The Home Energy Saver Web page will show you how to save energy and save money.
The American Council for an Energy-Efficient Economy has compiled a very helpful resource for consumers to reduce energy consumption.

What's Hot in Energy: SOLAR

Sunday, May 4, 2008

Centenarian Tips for a Long Life

I found this article on Yahoo -- See Below.

By Dr. Maoshing Ni
Dr. Mao's Secrets of Longevity

Centenarian Tips for a Long Life
Posted Tue, Apr 29, 2008, 4:38 pm PDT

Everyone would love to live to a ripe old age, but not if it means looking and feeling like an over-ripe old vegetable. We need to understand that though getting older is inevitable, getting decrepit is not.
Being bent in half and wheeling around an oxygen tank should not be what we picture when we hear the phrase "the golden years." I have seen centenarians around the world who defy our stereotypes of the aging experience.

In fact, 20 years ago, while in Shanghai, I took note of the thousands of seniors - a great many of them centenarians - meeting up in parks each morning to practice tai chi. I was truly amazed by their agility, sharp minds, and overall state of health.
Intrigued by this discovery, I began studying the lifestyle of centenarians around the world and anti-aging therapies. I combined these discoveries and uncovered the secrets to longevity. Here are a few secrets that will have you looking forward to your 100th birthday!

Tai Chi: An Exercise in Anti-aging Tai chi, the choreographed meditative exercises that have been a healing art in China for thousands of years, is practiced by over 100 million people worldwide and owes its popularity to a simple fact - it's enjoyable and it makes you stronger.
Recent studies confirm that when practiced regularly - 30 minutes, three times a week - it has numerous health benefits including: increased energy, decreased stress, an immunity boost against viruses, lowered blood pressure, better cognitive functioning, increased joint mobility, an improved cholesterol profile, relief from fibromyalgia symptoms, and even a better night's sleep.
It also increases leg muscle strength and provides better balance and posture. Perhaps the best part is that tai chi is a gentle exercise that can be performed by anyone at any age. Click here to find out more about tai chi.

Centenarians I have met also take advantage of other rejuvenation techniques the Chinese have known for thousands of years - like acupuncture, acupressure, and energy healing - that increase energy, promote health, and balance the body and the mind.

Diet: The Cornerstone of LongevityIt is no surprise that diet is an essential factor to health and longevity. So what should you be eating? In my studies, I found that the centenarians of two reputed "longevity capitals" - Okinawa, Japan, and Rugao County, a rural community four hours north of Shanghai - shared a nearly identical diet.
These long-lifers eat mostly fish, vegetables, mushrooms, seaweed, corn, and buckwheat - and virtually no meat. Scientists have confirmed the health benefits of a diet high in fish and vegetables and low in animal products. These centenarians are living examples, as they suffer from very little heart and liver disease and have negligible rates of cancer and degenerative diseases.

Environ-MentalityWhen it comes to longevity, environment is half of the equation. From the verdant valleys of Ecuador to the rugged mountains of Armenia to the pristine foothills of the Himalayas, centenarians live in environments that exhibit the same characteristics: clean air, good water, low stress, close communities, and unspoiled nature.

Take a tip from these centenarians and drink only clean, filtered water. Connect with your community in a positive way. Find every way you can to bring nature into your life, from planting more trees in your area to more plants in your home.
Avoid the environmental factors that are damaging to our wellbeing and know what to look out for. Just a few things to avoid include xenoestrogens, which are present just about everywhere, pesticides used on vegetables, hormones injected into meats and poultry, phthalates leaching from plastic bottles, and dioxins from bleached paper products. You can avoid these chemical compounds if you buy organic foods and use glass containers and unbleached paper products.

Keep it Simple! Centenarians' lifestyles are simple. The centenarians I have known lead active lives and get plenty of rest. They are dedicated lifelong learners and avid travelers. Enjoy your years and you will have many more years to enjoy!

I hope these suggestions further your longevity goals! I invite you to visit often and share your own personal health and longevity tips with me.

May you live long, live strong, and live happy!

-Dr. Mao
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