Monthly Archives: May 2009

Social networking tools really seem to be the way of the world.  I’ve got entire circles of friends that I’ve never actually even looked at!  There are all kinds of online support systems with the Diet and Fitness Community being one of the latest.

It’s 100% free with new members joining everyday to have live chats, article and video uploads, meet new people, live messaging and run personal blogs.  This specialized social networking tool is focused on people interested in weight loss, fitness and different diets.  There are all kinds of different sections in the system focused on different diet programs, workout routines, weight loss goals and ideas.  This is a great way for people to gather together and discuss what works, what doesn’t work, latest information on diet and exercise, new products and develop a support system to help them meet their diet and fitness goals.

I really think this is a great idea for people to get together and be accountable to others for their goals.  It’s so much easier to keep at your fitness routine when you have a work-out buddy.  People can help to keep each other on track and share ideas.  Great, great idea!

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Twitter is a social media tool that has an exponentially increasing following of users.  The Ashton Kutcher/Larry King competition for followers really emphasized the kind of power that twitter has and exactly what it can be used for.  Malaria sufferers were the real winners in this race with thousands of mosquito nets donated to areas in need and the cause gained some much needed attention.  In this day and age where a beauty pageant’s response to a question from a gossip columnist can send what seems like the entire world into a flurry, causes such as water pollution, malaria and sustainable practices are virtually ignored.  Twitter can be used to really gain recognition.  It’s become THE way for people to organize and take action online.

People can use twitter for anything really — status updates virtually the same as facebook, starting social movements like Max Gladwell’s #EcoMonday, rounding up participants in the Green twittersphere, keeping in touch with friends and relatives, running your own blog, promoting blogs and ideas, or even just straight promotion of products and services.

Many businesses have their own twitter pages (VistaPrint Twitter), most webpages have their own twitter accounts, bloggers are joining in record numbers and various charities and causes are discovering the advantages to Twittering.  Grassroots movements have made some major technicological improvements through social media outlets.  If you’re not already there, I’d definitely recommend joining.  Join a movement or a cause that you’re interested in and start making a difference today!

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Wii accessories come in every possible variety now.  This “eco-friendly” wii controller is an example of going one step too far! lol  It looks like a Survivor version of a wii-mote.  In actuality, it’s just a normal wii controller wrapped in hemp.  The funniest thing is that it actually works!  Maybe they could make these things actually eco-friendly by using non-toxic devices, recycled plastic and making them so that they last an extremely long time.  There’s tons of ways they could green these devices.  This is cute and funny but unfortunately, not one of them!  It’s still badass though and I totally love it!  Half a thumb up.

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Eco-friendly designers can now feel free to use copper kitchen sinks in their designs.  Some manufacturer’s are now using 100% recycled copper in their hand hammered designs of sinks.  The key is to shop carefully as not all suppliers are offering these green solutions to your sink issues.  Run a search for recycled copper sinks before you purchase and remember that even the most beautiful sink, such as the one shown here, can be made in sustainable ways.  Ask around before purchasing one to see if you can find one such sink in a more local region, depending on where you’re located.  Renovation, decorating and sustainable practices can all be done together in a cost effective manner when you’re careful about what you buy.  Beauty and the environment go hand in hand!

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There’s a whole new area of growth in the flash drive industry — that of the eco-flash drive.  Some of these green-er choices are free of lead, cadium, mercury and other toxins.  Some of them are more bio-degradable than more traditional options.  They even come with recycled packaging and far less packaging so that they generate less waste than other flash drives on the market.  There are even recycled drives on the market as well as bamboo drives and very cool paper board flash drives!  Now even true technies can make their purchases slightly greener!  It’s definitely worth looking around for more environmentally friendly options when you are shopping.  It’s amazing what you’ll find!

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Barbie Thumbelina is a new movie and line of toys from Barbie.  No, it doesn’t tell the story of Thumbelina.  Nope, no princesses either.  Instead, the fairies (Twillerbees) are off on an eco-friendly journey to save the planet.  Sounds like something I’d love, right?  Nope, wrong again!  The fairies come across as not only bratty but completely stupid.  They also resort to eco-terrorism of sorts by destroying the demolishing equipment that is going to ruin their flower field.  While it does make the point that everyone plays a role in the protection of the environment, it just goes about it in all the wrong way.  They really could have made some major headway with this movie and campaign but fall sadly very, very short.

The toys that go with the movie look as green as can be.  There’s environmental “facts” printed on the side of the packages which is absolutely great!  The problem is that it’s the same old packaging with the same old cheap ass toys inside.  The package looks exactly as it should using non-glossy inks and plain brown cardboard backing.  When you look at it closely though, it’s not environmentally friendly at all.  They could have (should have) used recycled cardboard for the toy’s packages.  Instead, the package is marked as recyclable.  Recyclabe!  What the heck does that even mean?  Isn’t all (okay most) cardboard capable of being recycled?  It’s got the same waste producing plastic covering the same made in china out of plastic doll inside.  This line takes green-washing to an all new low.  Nothing is recycled, everything is overpackaged and exactly the same as you’d expect from Mattel.  They can take this line of “eco-friendly toys” and shove it!!  I will not be buying anything from this product line for my daughter or anyone else’s!!!  Ridiculous.  Just another plot to remove money from parent’s wallets.

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I’ve always wondered about the legitimacy of online pharmacies.  It seemed really weird to do an online questionaire or have a phone conversation with a doctor to get a prescription.  However, in this crazy economy, the idea really does make a lot of sense.  This could really save a ton of money for people who need a prescription refilled or even need to start a new medication.  Even when you see doctors in person, they do little more than ask you a couple of questions before giving you a prescription.  The online and phone versions of the questionaire are actually probably more thorough!

Another good thing about buying your prescriptions online is that they offer very low prices.  In fact, online US Health offers the lowest online prices for prescriptions.  They use only U.S. certified doctors and pharmacies so you can be sure that your medications are of the highest quality.

Your privacy is ensured by having encryption technologies in use on their site.  All the information that you require about a medication is at your fingertips on the website with lists of medications, their uses, what to do about missed doses, warnings and cautions associated with the drug, how to take it, how to store it and even more information associated with the medication.  This site takes the wait out of the doctor’s waiting room and delivers you convenience right to your door.  What could be easier?

For example, if you wanted to Buy Fioricet, you would go to the website online US health.  You can request a prescription for this pain relief pill by clicking on the “Order Now” button.  This will lead you to a secure transaction page that will ask for your shipping information and medical information such as your height, weight, medical history, condition that requires this medication, lists of other medications being taken and other such questions.  Once you fill it out, an American doctor will process your questionnaire and decide whether or not you will be issued a prescription.  Then, your prescription is on it’s way to your door via Fed-Ex.  An adult is required to sign for the delivery, of course.  Check online to see if your state is one of the available ones being service by this site and start saving money (and time!) today.

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Now “green” paint comes in a range of colours.  Check out Eco-Coat’s line of recycled paint.  They take the paint that is dropped off at local fire stations to be disposed of and re-use it.  Previously, this paint handed in by consumers to fire stations and the landfill disposal sites was dumped into a waste well.  Now, this paint is recycled into new paint by a couple of local entrepreneurs that are more environmentally aware than your average paint guys.

It only comes in 14 colours for now but it does with with a manufacturer guarantee so you’ve got nothing to worry about.  It’s a premium latex interior/exterior paint that literally takes paint right out of the garbage!  I found it at our local Clean Calgary Association store but you can also check it out at the website on the can — recyclepaint.com.  This is definitely a more eco-friendly way to renovate!

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The recession has hit nearly all areas of the economy in recent months.  Many people who were doing fine financially are now really struggling.  A Pay Day Loan is sometimes the only way to make it in a short term situation.  Sometimes, these short term loans can be a real pain to get.  They often require you to fax many different documents before the money comes through.  Now, there are No Fax Payday Loans that enable people to get the money they need without the hassle or time delay.  The loans can now be obtained in as little as a few minutes.  This can really make the difference to a struggling family in need.  Of course, it would be best to not use these types of services at all.  However, when times are tough, you’ve got to do whatever you need to to get through the day.  Times will get better, the recession will end and jobs will become more available.  These things just all take time.  A short term loan can help you to buy the time that you need to get by.

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I’ve been an aspiring writer for my entire life.  Recently, my words have actually started to pay me.  Not only am I running this blog now, I’ve also started publishing articles at sites like Green Upgrader, Triond and Helium.  I’ve changed roles at work and am now doing technical writing 100% of the time.  It’s not much but at least it’s a start.

Self publishing has always been a way for many aspiring writers, such as myself, to get a writing gig.  Recently, it’s also become a way for aspiring writers to make a ton of money.  Some of the self publishing services are more than competing with traditional book deals, some of them are completely over taking them!  Outskirts Press has an author who has made over $100,000 in six months.  One of the major benefits of self publishing is that you retain the rights to your work.  This means that an author can not only make six figures in six months, they can making another six figures in the next six months!  In this way, a book can provide residual income indefinitely.

The major issue with books making residual income indefinitely is that they have to sell.  Many self publishing firms leave the marketing up to the author.  Even major book deals usually only provide marketing before and during the publishing of the book.  Outskirts Press provides marketing even after the book has been published which is usually when a publisher’s services come to an end.  Even years after a book’s publishing, they are there to provide ongoing services!

This is an obvious advantage over more traditional major publishing houses.  Ongoing marketing and the ability to retain the rights to your own work are definitely huge advantages.  Traditional book publishers sometimes offer six figure advancements to their big names but with the ability to earn that in six months and to still have the publishing company helping you out, perhaps those writers who are entrepreneurial and progressive will find that a self publisher such as Outskirts Press might have the edge.  Some authors have even dropped major book deals due to editing restraints and suggestions from mainstream publishers.  One of these authors is, in fact, the same author who made $100,000 plus by self publishing with Outskirts Press.  I’d definitely recommend checking this company out if becoming an author is on your career path.

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