Holding Steady

OK,  so I haven’t lost anymore weight yet, but I am reporting feeling strong.  I also continuing to have a steady stream of energy.  This is good since I am on the run most of the time.

I am not hungry and I sleep really well.  Does this count as a good thing?  Yes, it does!

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Getting There

I am happy to report that I have lost 5 lbs in a week.  I don’t go this far down the scale when my weight is fluctuating.  I am not hungry, I seem to eat all the time.  I have to remember to bring some food when I am out and about.

My daughter has lost 2 lbs.  This is encouraging because last spring she worked out at the gym 6 days a week for 2 hours a day for months and didn’t lose that much.  I know she “was gaining muscle” but, it seem to me that fat should have been falling off.  She is still working out at the gym, but not as often.

This system is working.  But I have to warn you that, of course, you still have to get up in the morning and commit to eating properly and exercising a bit.  Taking the supplements are the easy part.

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It Seems to Be Working

Yesterday, I stepped up on the scales and I was 3.4 lbs lighter.  OK, I have made to this weight before and gained it back, so we will see.  I have to report that I did have a dip in my energy yesterday.  I had skipped a meal though because I got busy.

So, today, I start in earnest, with protein, metabolic, exercise and the strict meal plan.  Ok, FAVAO work your science on me!

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A Change in Subject Matter/ Let’s talk about nutrition.

This New Year brings with it a determination on my part to do, talk and write about things that I am passionate about.  I have striven for health and wellness for a long time, at least 30 years.  I have read, researched, change my diet, joined gyms, changed exercises, meditated, fasted, and supplemented my way through life.

The results are pretty good.  I don’t take medications,  I rarely go to the doctor, I feel good most of the time.  I did have episodes of inflammation and pain in my neck and shoulders periodically and I have been trying to get that extra 10 lbs off for the past 20 years.   Thanks to XANGO and their whole fruit mangosteen juice, the inflammation and pain in  my shoulders has almost disappeared.  Now to deal with the extra weight

Xango has come out with a weight management FAVAO.  It has been in the making for at least five years.   In short, it is a combination of very specific meals plans, exercise, and supplementation.  I have not completely started on the whole system, only the body cleanse , fiber and eating small meals about 6x a day that include protein, complex carbohydrates  and calories below 300 a meal. That is lot of calories for all the weight loss people are reporting.  My daughter, who following the whole system says that she can’t eat everything that it require.

So far, I have to report that I feel an consistent amount of energy throughout the day.  No highs or lows, just a steady stream of stamina. Gone are those afternoon naps.  As far, as weight loss, I have lost 2 lbs. in five days.  I have done that before and gained it back quickly so lets see if it sticks.

 

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A Haunted House Tour

Sometimes, we real estate agents have fun showing houses. And this time of the year, fall, pumpkins, turning leaves, crispy mornings and Halloween reminds me of a spooky house tour I once took with a buyer client. I was showing her historical houses in Staunton, a City known for its rich history and old 18 century buildings. Several houses, at the little community at the Bell Grade Inn were up for sell. The owner graciously showed us the homes, told us of their history and his dreams for his block of houses. I knew that the Inn itself, was known for being haunted, and asked him if we could visit that particular room. He seemed a little put out but agreed to let us see it. He did not come up but ask the Inn Keeper to show us. She said that she had stayed in all the rooms at one time or another, except the haunted room on the third floor. This room had a female phantom, clothed in late 1800 attire. Sometimes she would show up in photos that guest had taken of the room and they did not see her until they developed the photograph. Other times, things would just go bump in the night, giving the guest more experiences than they care for. We got up the the third floor and my client would not come in the room with me. (She is from New Orleans and apparently had some unpleasant run in with ghost) so I stood at the door not able to step into the room. Everyone left, and I Sometimes, we real estate agents have fun showing houses. And this time of the year, fall, pumpkins, turning leaves, crispy mornings and Halloween reminds me of a spooky house tour I once took with a buyer client. I was showing her historical houses in Staunton, a City known for its rich history and old 18 century buildings. Several houses, at the little community at the Bell Grade Inn were up for sell. The owner graciously showed us the homes, told us of their history and his dreams for his block of houses. I knew that the Inn itself, was known for being haunted, and asked him if we could visit that particular room. He seemed a little put out but agreed to let us see it. He did not come up but ask the Inn Keeper to show us. She said that she had stayed in all the rooms at one time or another, except the haunted room on the third floor. This room had a female phantom, clothed in late 1800 attire. Sometimes she would show up in photos that guest had taken of the room and they did not see her until they developed the photograph. Other times, things would just go bump in the night, giving the guest more experiences than they care for. We got up the the third floor and my client would not come in the room with me. (She is from New Orleans and apparently had some unpleasant run in with ghost) so I stood at the door not able to step into the room. Everyone left, and I was there by myself. The room was decorated to period and looked warm and inviting, but the air seemed thick. Finally, I went downstairs and meant my client on the front porch. We were standing there discussing her feelings about the houses when we heard a loud, wicked cackle coming from the stair case. We both screamed and then laughed so hard we lost control. Finally we gather our wits and left. To this day, I don’t know who made that scary laughter, it could have been human, and probably was, but it made quite a memory for bother of us! Now here is a question. Are Real Estate Agents required, by law, to disclose if a property is haunted? was there by myself. The room was decorated to period and looked warm and inviting, but the air seemed thick. Finally, I went downstairs and meant my client on the front porch. We were standing there discussing her feelings about the houses when we heard a loud, wicked cackle coming from the stair case. We both screamed and then laughed so hard we lost control. Finally we gather our wits and left. To this day, I don’t know who made that scary laughter, it could have been human, and probably was, but it made quite a memory for bother of us! Now here is a question. Are Real Estate Agents required, by law, to disclose if a property is haunted?

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Recovering from a Huricane fom EPA

Recover from a hurricane.

There can be a wide variety of increased risks to health and the environment at home and in the community.

Recovering from disasters.
Health and safety guidelines, returning home, seeking assistance, more – Federal Emergency Management Agency

ALERT: Generator exhaust is toxic. Always put generators outside well away from doors, windows, and vents. Never use a generator inside homes, garages, crawlspaces, sheds, or similar areas. Carbon monoxide (CO) is deadly, can build up quickly, and linger for hours. More information

Drinking water and food

* Boiling water information To kill all major water-borne bacterial pathogens, bring water to a rolling boil for 1 minute. Make sure older adults have enough water to drink.
* What to do about water from household wells after a flood. Do not turn on the pump – danger of electric shock. Do not drink or wash with water from the flooded well. More info. General info about household wells.

Home or wastewater facilities

* What do I do with my home septic system after a flood? Do not drink your well water until it is tested. Do not use the sewage system until water in the soil absorption field is lower than the water level around the house. If you have a home-based or small business and your septic system has received chemicals, take extra precautions to prevent contact with water or inhaling fumes. Proper clean-up depends on the kinds of chemicals in the wastewater. More information about your septic system.

* Suggested post-hurricane activities to help companies and facilities recover.

Flooding and mold

* Flood cleanup: keeping air healthy inside Mold can cause serious health problems. The key to mold control is moisture control. After the flood, remove standing water and dry indoor areas. Remove and discard anything that has been wet for more than 24-48 hours.
* Mold cleanup in schools and commercial buildings. information for building managers, custodians, and others who are responsible for commercial building and school maintenance.
* General info – Mold, moisture, and your home
o Basics
o Cleaning up mold
o What to wear – when cleaning moldy areas.

Pesticides, chemical and oil spills, hazardous waste

* Call the National Response Center 1-800-424-8802 (24 hours a day every day). For those without 800 access, please call 202-267-2675.
* Industries and businesses that encounter spills or discharges in a hurricane’s aftermath should contact the National Response Center immediately. Even in a natural disaster situation you may be responsible for reporting spills or damage.
* National Pesticide Information Center: 1-800-858-7378. Pesticide contacts in government, states, and other organizations.
* How to report environmental emergencies and spills.

Debris and solid waste

* What To Do With Disaster Debris – Disasters can generate tons of debris and solid waste, some possibly dangerous, for example building rubble, soil and sediments, green waste (e.g., trees and shrubs), personal property, machinery, ash and charred wood, dead animals, and more.
o Typical ways to recycle or dispose in a landfill often cannot be used for disaster debris because of the large amounts of waste that can overwhelm existing disposal capacity.
o Burying or burning is no longer acceptable because of the side effects of smoke and fire from burning, and potential water and soil contamination from burial or decay.

* How a community manages disaster debris depends on the types of debris and the waste management options available. More information about handling debris after a disaster strikes.

* Safety guidelines for debris piles Do not place debris on or near fire hydrants, utility boxes or gas meters. Keep children away from debris piles. More information from FEMA.

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Lights bulbs, really?

There is a new controversy hitting the news and blogs and the House of Representatives.  People are upset about  THE government requiring that the manufacturers of light bulbs make them more energy efficient.   This law was  passed by congress  in 2007, in a bipartisan manner, and signed by President George W. Bush.  Now certain news organizations are trying to pass it off as Obama trying to take away your freedoms.

Meanwhile, the Chinese and Germans are out pacing us in clean energy technology, leaving America  behind in the fossil fuel dust. So in the future, we can import more technology as  opposed to to exporting it.

I say repeal the light bulb law and give us back the freedoms days.  While we are at it, lets bring back lead paint, asbestos, cars without seat belts and air bags, and child labor laws.  Way to move forward.

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Is greening up your home worth the money?

Well, that would be a resounding yes!  I work around certified Energy Star and Earth Craft builders who tell me that people who are building new homes just don’t understand the future savings on building a tight, energy efficient home.  It generally cost about 5% more to build a  in this manner.  People shrug it off as too expensive.

Being a professional real estate agent, I see it all the time. Most people don’t understand the time value of money.   When I go on listing appointments,  they want to over price their home,   it usually  sits on  the market a lot longer,  meanwhile  they are paying a mortgage, taxes, insurance,  and up keep for months on end.  And now a days with prices continuing to drop, their home are worth even less than when they listed them.  Even though I try to explain this, they still don’t seem to get it.  So it is no wonder that a lot of folks don’t get that if they invest in their home NOW, to make it energy efficient, that they will save a considerable amount of money in the future.

Why?  Because the cost of electrify is going to increase for one reason, and even if it stayed the same, heating and cooling your home can be a considerable monthly cost.  For example, I live in a 3600 sq ft house, the most I paid for heating it last winter was $250, in January.  How does that compare to your cost? By the way,  I stay very comfortable as well.

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Obama’s Commitment to Clean Water/From EPA

Commitment to Clean Water The Obama Administration released a national Clean Water Framework on April 27, 2011, that affirms its comprehensive commitment to protecting the health of America’s waters. The framework recognizes the importance of clean water and healthy watersheds to our economy, environment and communities, and emphasizes the importance of partnerships and coordination with states, local communities, stakeholders, and the public to protect public health and water quality, and promote the nation’s energy and economic security. The Obama Administration is designing and deploying innovative policies, programs and initiatives to directly address today’s clean water challenges. These approaches include: * Promoting Innovative Partnerships Federal agencies are partnering with states, tribes, local governments and diverse stakeholders on innovative approaches to restore urban waters, promote sustainable water supplies, and develop new incentives for farmers to protect clean water. * Enhancing Communities and Economies by Restoring Important Water Bodies The Obama Administration is dedicating unprecedented attention to restoring iconic places like the Chesapeake Bay, California Bay-Delta, Great Lakes, Gulf of Mexico and Everglades, investing in action and helping states, local governments and stakeholders find pollution control solutions that are tailored to their specific needs. * Innovating for More Water-Efficient Communities The Administration is working with policymakers, consumers, farmers and businesses to save water – and save money – through 21st century water management policies and technology. * Ensuring Clean Water to Protect Public Health The Obama Administration is aggressively pursuing new ways to protect public health by reducing contaminants in Americans’ drinking water. This includes action to update drinking water standards, protect drinking water sources, modernize the tools available to communities to meet their clean water requirements, and provide affordable clean water services in rural communities. * Enhancing Use and Enjoyment of our Waters The Administration is promoting stewardship of America’s waters through innovative programs and partnerships. These efforts include expanding access to waterways for recreation, protecting rural landscapes, and promoting public access to private lands for hunting, fishing and other recreational activities. * Updating the Nation’s Water Policies The Administration is strengthening protection of America’s waters and American communities. This includes action to modernize water resources guidelines, and update Federal guidance on where the Clean Water Act applies nationwide. The draft guidance from U.S. EPA and the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, which is open for 60 days of public comment, will protect waters that many communities depend upon for drinking, swimming, and fishing, and provide clearer, more predictable guidelines for determining which water bodies are protected from pollution under the Clean Water Act. * Supporting Science to Solve Water Problems The Administration is using the latest science and research to improve water policies and programs and identify and address emerging pollution challenges. Read the Obama Administration’s Clean Water Framework here. Read the draft Clean Water Act guidance from U.S. EPA and the U.S. Army Corps of Enginee

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Future Fuels for Everyone Powered by the Sun


Discovery
Future Fuels for Everyone Powered by the Sun
New scheme would use only sunlight, air and water to supply energy for cars, laptops, GPS systems

Photo of Sossina Haile and William Chueh next to the benchtop thermochemical reactor.
Sossina Haile and William Chueh next to the benchtop thermochemical reactor.
Credit and Larger Version

April 6, 2011

“At the California Institute of Technology, they’re developing a way to turn sunlight and water into fuel for our cars.”–President Barack Obama, Jan. 25, 2011

The Sun is Earth’s primary energy source and harnessing its abundant light is the Holy Grail of renewable energy

Now, a group of scientists has demonstrated a new way to use sunlight, water (H2O) and carbon dioxide (CO2)–some of the cheapest and most commonplace stuff on Earth–to make unlimited amounts of fuel to power almost anything, anywhere.

The method uses concentrated heat from the sun to convert water and carbon dioxide into hydrogen (H2) or carbon monoxide (CO). Large amounts of these two gases could be combined to make liquid fuel that fits into America’s existing energy economy.

“Alternatively, you could use the H2 and CO to make methane (natural gas) for a gas-fired electricity generator,” said Sossina Haile, professor of Materials Science and of Chemical Engineering at California Institute of Technology in Pasadena. “Or, because the fuels we produce are so pure, they could be easily used to run fuel cells, which generate power very efficiently.”

The researchers say one of the most exciting things about the discovery is its versatility. “We are not dictating to the user what the energy infrastructure should be,” Haile said. “We are making solar energy easy to use by putting it into a form that our industry is used to seeing and making it available on demand.”

Doing the two-step

Scientists have long known how to convert water and carbon dioxide into hydrogen and carbon monoxide. But to do it cheaply and efficiently enough to make the process affordable on a wide scale has been the issue. Part of the problem was the need for expensive and rare elements, such as platinum or iridium, to act as catalysts that encourage the conversion to happen.

So Haile and her team took a novel approach; they tried ceria, a material used in the walls of self-cleaning ovens. Ceria is the oxidized or “rust” form of the element cerium, which is more abundant, and therefore cheaper, than other metals that could do the same job.

The new method requires two steps, the first at high temperature using concentrated heat from the sun (about 3,000 degrees Fahrenheit), and the second at a much lower temperature.

Haile describes the process this way, “If we heat ceria up, the material ‘naturally’ releases some oxygen from its structure. If we then cool it back down, those oxygen vacancies want to be refilled. In other words, the ceria ‘exhales’ oxygen at high temperature and then ‘inhales’ it back when the temperature is lowered.”

To make fuel, the second step requires the presence of water and carbon dioxide gases. “At lower temperatures, the cerium, the hydrogen and the carbon all want the oxygen, but the cerium wants it most,” Haile said. “So the oxygen vacancies in the ceria are filled by stripping oxygen from H2O and CO2, leaving H2 and CO.”

An international collaboration

Haile and her Caltech team, supported by an award from the National Science Foundation, recently published a paper describing the breakthrough in the journal Science. For this project, they collaborated with researchers led by Aldo Steinfeld, a renewable energy technology professor at the Swiss Federal Institute of Technology, also called ETH Zürich, in Switzerland. Steinfeld also leads the Solar Technology Laboratory at the Paul Scherrer Institute in Switzerland.

Two pieces of equipment were needed for the experiment. The first piece, built at Caltech, is a reactor “just a bit smaller than a gallon-jug,” Haile said. The reactor is basically a cylindrical container lined with ceria that has input and output lines for the gases.

The second piece is a solar concentrator, which is the most difficult part to build. The concentrator is basically a set of giant curved mirrors that gather sunlight from a wide area. For this experiment, the researchers were able to use an existing solar concentrator located at the Paul Scherrer Institute.

The Caltech scientists took their reactor to Switzerland and attached it to the bottom of the concentrator, allowing the sunlight to heat up the ceria inside. Then they piped steam and carbon dioxide into the reactor and measured the hydrogen and carbon monoxide gases flowing out.

Cheaper and more efficient

How far reaching could this new technology be and how much oil, gas or coal could it replace?

“The abundance of cerium means that this approach could have a significant impact on our national energy budget,” Haile said. Because cerium is 100,000 times more abundant than the precious metal platinum, she said, the cost would be many orders of magnitude smaller.

For this experiment, the efficiency of the reactor at converting sunlight to usable energy measured just under one percent, which Haile said is comparable to other methods. However, this was a first cut, aimed at simply proving that the process is practical and could be done economically.

Before bringing the technology to market, Haile said, the reactor design needs to be much tighter to get better efficiency.

“As a second step, it will be important to develop materials with even better characteristics than ceria,” she added.

“Ideally, one wants a material with a smaller temperature swing required as this will also increase efficiency,” Haile said. “In addition, if both the high and low temperatures can be lowered, the overall system lifetime will be improved. Better materials could result in a better process.”

Holly Bigelow Martin

Investigators
Roy Smith
Carlos Levi
Dorothy Pak
Sossina Haile
Tresa Pollock
Nicola Spaldin
Michael Chabinyc
Christian Van de Walle

Related Institutions/Organizations
California Institute of Technology
University of California-Santa Barbara

Related Programs
Energy for Sustainability
Process and Reaction Engineering

Related Awards
#0843934 International Center for Materials Research
#0829114 Thermochemical production of fuels: Solar energy after dark

Total Grants
$3,335,994

 Illustration of the ETH-Caltech solar reactor.
The ETH-Caltech solar reactor produces hydrogen and carbon monoxide from water and carbon dioxide.
Credit and Larger Version

Photo of the solar fuel reactor.
Solar fuel reactor uses concentrated heat from the sun to create fuel from water and carbon dioxide.
Credit and Larger Version

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