My Utile Center

Energy is today’s number one problem and with the increasing oil price, alternative sources of energy are a must and should be obtained and made as efficient as possible. Solar power has always been one of the alternative energies that has captured the interest of many, as it is clean and also cuts the cost dramatically. The downside is that installing the panels and the basic maintenance is expensive, therefore no monthly bill might actually mean a huge out of pocket expense. Solar power is surely good for limited areas, like private residences or small items, such as traffic lights or street garbage disposal devices, but it has not really proved itself to be efficient as an energy replacement for large areas, such as entire cities.

The future will tell us whether or not solar power will ever become our first source of energy, but in the mean time we’ll keep on using it on limited zones, hopefully heating our pools with it, rather than using gas. It would be nice to see it slowly growing, and fully understands its power and all its benefits. Solar power studies are advancing and today, we can have a more educated position on it and hopefully soon, we’ll all live in a better and cleaner world.

Emerald Green Arborvitae are easy to grow in Buckingham Township
Pa. This article will help you understand this landscape plant.

Arborvitae have masses of small fiberous roots which allows them
to transplant at most times of the year. The Emerald Green has
the best year round color, but is narrow in form. In real dry
years this plant does not survive as well as the more open arbs
such as the American, Techny, Nigra, and Elegantissma. This
variety, because its foliage is more dense than other varieties,
is less tolerant than more open cultivars. In an urban area with
deer problems, this variety will be consumed before the next
season. We have in stock and ready to pickup these arbs from
seedlings (6-10″) to 6-8′ trees. Emerald Green arbs are easy to
plant but afew tips will help your success. When planting,
remember that the symptoms of overwatering are identical to
underwatering. More trees, shrubs, and houseplants are killed
from overwatering than all other problems combined. Water
thoroughly upon planting then water thereafter as needed
depending on soil and environmental conditions. At no time
should the planting zone be kept soggy. Feel the soil with your
finger to test it. It should be moist not spongy wet. The plant
should be dried to the point of dampness to the touch before a
complete re watering. This regime should be carried out at least
through the first few months. Soil moisture should be monitored
closely for the next two years with corrective action taken as
needed. Fertilizer spikes should never be used. You can tell
when the arbs are happy with their new location by looking at
the interface of the root ball and the new location. New
fiberous roots should appear within weeks of planting. You can
get more information on This and other plants at the following
web sites http://www.seedlingsrus.com http://www.zone5treees.com
and http://www.highlandhillfarm.com

Clover Leafs Spicy Thai Chili has come through again in a quick, easy and hearty soup cup with fresh ingredients. Could it be any easier than this.

Ingredients

Nutrition Details

Nutrition Features

• * Very high source of fibre
• * Excellent source of vitamin A (100 %DV) and vitamin C (100 %DV).
• * Good source of folate (20 %DV) and magnesium (20 %DV).

Combine broth with soy sauce, miso paste and ginger in a microwave safe container. Combine the tuna, noodles, red pepper, carrot and green onion in a separate bowl or container. (The separate containers can be reserved for up to 24 hours in the refrigerator to pack for satisfying office lunch or to have ready for dinner after the gym.)

To serve, heat the broth mixture in the microwave on High for 2 minutes or until it comes to a boil. Pour the broth over the tuna mixture and let stand, covered, for 2 minutes or until the mixture is heated through. Makes 1 hearty serving (doubles or triples easily).

Tips:

1. Miso (also called soybean paste) and udon noodles are available in the Asian sections of many supermarkets.
   
2. This recipe can be simplified by omitting the miso paste and substituting cooked spaghetti for the udon noodles.

Acne can be a major problem for teenagers as well as for adults. There are many reasons due to which acne is formed, some are due to skin while others are because of things like make up that causes it. If you have a sensitive and oily skin than the chances are that you will have acne problem. Acne control is important, it can’t be deadly but it can really mess your face.

Following are some steps that you should follow for acne control, better skin and overall more chance of stopping acne skin problems.

1. Change make up: in women make up is the major factor that causes acne so its best to change your brand. Try to buy make up that is non oil, this will prevent acne from forming.

2. Washing: wash your face thoroughly every night and make sure that no make up is left on your face. Mild soaps should be used when washing your face.

3. Reduce Makeup: its best to use less amount of make up on your face, this will also help you to control acne.

4. Don’t squeeze: leave pimples as they are, squeezing them can create an infection and lead to scars so it’s best to leave them.

We all have a favourite myth about hair care - some of them are
as old as the hills! In this second in a series of 3 articles,
we examine some of the most widely known myths - and seek out
the reality…

1. Dry hair is damaged by too-frequent washing

FALSE: Hair is more likely to be damaged if it’s left too long
between washes. Not washing can cause the scalp’s natural oil to
be blocked, and unable to lubricate the hair shaft. As a result,
hair can become dry and brittle. Things that damage hair include
bleaching, coloring, styling and brushing when wet.

2. To stop the frizzies, use shampoo only twice a month. The
rest of the time, rinse daily with conditioner

FALSE: Oil becomes rancid when it stays on the surface of the
scalp, so regular shampooing is required to keep hair and scalp
clean and healthy. Avoid frizzies by conditioning after every
shampoo and try a leave-in conditioner, too.

3. A rinse out conditioner does not provide benefits because it
is rinsed out

FALSE: Rinse out conditioners applied to your hair after washing
will leave a deposit of moisturizing proteins and other
ingredients on the hair shaft giving hair that is softer,
shinier and better conditioned.

4. Blow-drying hair can cause it to smoke

FALSE: This strange myth has circulated in different variations
for many years. On the rare occasion that hair “smokes” it is
due to the evaporation of condensation on the hair from styling
gels or similar hair care products.

5. Brushing thinning hair makes it fall out faster

FALSE: Although, brushing can damage hair (see above), as long
as you use a good brush, normal daily brushing will not
accelerate the normal loss of hair from the scalp. If your hair
is suffering from a hair loss condition like alopecia brushing
will only cause you to lose hair that is already ready to fall.
Excessive brushing is always discouraged under any circumstances.

6. Shaving a baby’s scalp will alter their natural hair texture

FALSE: The hair that a baby is born with may or may not be the
hair that they grow up with. Shaving a baby’s head will not
alter the texture of their ultimate hair nor will it cause their
hair to grow faster or thicker.

7. Gray hair can only be covered with permanent color

FALSE: Depending on the percentage of gray hair that you have,
you may be able to blend or cover the budding gray with a
semi-permanent or demi-permanent blend that does not contain
harsh chemicals.

8. Excessive use of hair products causes hair loss

FALSE: There are no known, (professionally produced) hair care
products that cause hair loss. You may sculpt your locks with as
much gel, mousse or spray as you desire. However, be careful of
home-made remedies, or any product that you don’t know the
contents of.

9. Hair care products advertised as natural are chemical-free

FALSE: Not all hair care products sold in health food
establishments, etc are completely natural; some may contain
chemicals like SLS. When in doubt read the label.

10. Eating Jell-O will make your hair grow faster

FALSE: According to dermatologists, there is no evidence that
Jell-O will do anything for hair growth. Syncronized swimmers
use Gelatin on their hair to protect against chlorine damage),
but there’s no evidence that it will stimulate growth.

11. Stress causes your hair to thin

FALSE: Everyday stress won’t cause your hair to thin. The
problem may be hormonal or nutritional in nature.

12. Steroids have no side effects on hair

FALSE: Bodybuilders beware! Anabolic steroids are very potent
chemicals that have some treacherous side effects including
acceleration of hair loss. The problem is that these side
effects are usually delayed by several years.

13. Standing on your head cures hair loss

FALSE: Hair follicles need more than blood flow to grow hair.
Standing on your head to increase blood flow to your scalp, may
be great for your gymnastic skills, but will have no effect on
your hair.

14. Split ends will travel

TRUE: Uncut split ends can travel up the hair shaft towards the
roots. Hair that is not tended to, over time, may develop splits
that migrate and split all or part of the entire hair. Some ends
can actually tear multiple times so that your split ends have
splits.

15. Hair will always remain the same texture

FALSE: Although you may be born with straight, curly or wavy
locks, there are many circumstances under which your hair’s
ultimate texture can be permanently altered. Pregnancy,
medication, chemotherapy, age and other variables can cause your
texture to be temporarily or permanently altered.

SUMMARY

Heard another myth about hair? Do your research - ask an expert!
This doesn’t include your grandmother, best friend or local
barmaid. Instead, talk to an experienced hairdresser or a
trichologist. Always get the real facts before you act on any
hair myths - you owe it to your hair.

Michael Barrows

(With thanks to Daniel Mcullough and Karen M. Shelton)