Crock-pot chicken wings
(from The Gluten Free Gourmet)
3 lb drumettes
Salt and pepper
½ tsp minced garlic
2 TB ketchup
2TB olive oil
½ C soy sauce
1 C honey
Put drumettes in crock pot and season with salt and pepper. Mix all other ingredients in bowl and pour over chicken. Cook 6-8 hours on low, stir at least once. (Jen’s note: Makes a great sauce to pour over rice!)
Thursday, November 19, 2009
Wednesday, November 18, 2009
Christmas Cookie Recipe
JEN’S HEALTHY CHRISTMAS COOKIES
1 C Butter (organic if possible)
2 C Evaporated Cane Juice (or Natural Sugar-unbleached)
2 Eggs (organic)
1 tsp vanilla
2 C Wheat Flour
1 C Oatmeal
½ C Ground Flax Seed (can buy it ground or grind it in a small coffee grinder)
1 tsp Baking Soda
1 tsp Baking Powder
½ tsp Salt
¾ C Dried Cranberries
¾ C Pistachios
2 C (or 12 ounce bag) Chocolate Chips
Cream butter and natural sugar til paste (will be grainy). Beat in eggs and vanilla. Mix dry ingredients through salt and stir into creamed mixture. Add Cranberries, Pistachios, and Chocolate Chips. Use spoon and put on ungreased cookie sheet. Bake 350 for ~12-15 minutes. Makes ~ 3 dozen cookies.
1 C Butter (organic if possible)
2 C Evaporated Cane Juice (or Natural Sugar-unbleached)
2 Eggs (organic)
1 tsp vanilla
2 C Wheat Flour
1 C Oatmeal
½ C Ground Flax Seed (can buy it ground or grind it in a small coffee grinder)
1 tsp Baking Soda
1 tsp Baking Powder
½ tsp Salt
¾ C Dried Cranberries
¾ C Pistachios
2 C (or 12 ounce bag) Chocolate Chips
Cream butter and natural sugar til paste (will be grainy). Beat in eggs and vanilla. Mix dry ingredients through salt and stir into creamed mixture. Add Cranberries, Pistachios, and Chocolate Chips. Use spoon and put on ungreased cookie sheet. Bake 350 for ~12-15 minutes. Makes ~ 3 dozen cookies.
Tuesday, November 10, 2009
Answers To Energy Test
Today employees at multiple Nokia Siemens Network's locations are testing their energy I.Q. See how you faired with yesterday's quiz.
1. Cleaning the removable screen on your dryer can reduce your energy use?
True. When the screen on the dryer isn’t cleaned regularly, in addition to a fire hazard, it puts unnecessary stress on the dryer. It then has to work harder and longer to dry your clothes.
2. Something as small as electrical outlets can be sources of air leaks in your home?
True. Foam plates can be purchased at any home improvement store and placed behind the plastic outlet plates to reduce any air leaks that may come from empty outlets. And you know those plastic protectors we used when our kids were little? They can protect more than little fingers. Those will help as well. Small as these leaks may be, they’re an easy quick fix.
3. Should tinted film added to home windows be applied to the outside or the inside of the windows?
Outside. This is very important because if applied to the inside of the window, it reflects the sun’s heat back onto the glass and the temperature can exceed that which the window can tolerate. When applied to the outside of the window, the sun’s heat is radiated immediately back outdoors where it belongs.
4. Which refrigerator is more energy efficient; a top freezer model or a side by side model?
According to the U.S. Dept of Energy’s guide, top freezer models are more energy efficient.
5. Is it possible to get rebates from your utility company for home improvements you make that increase your home’s energy efficiency?
Yes. Check with your local utility company for rebates available in your area. Some companies will rebate money for things as simple as changing the air filter in your Heating and Cooling system.
6. How can ceiling fans help in the winter to conserve energy use?
Ceiling fans are not just for producing cool breezes in those hot summer months. They can be used year around to ensure air circulation throughout your home. In the winter, those fans move the warm air that gets caught at the ceiling back down to where we can feel it. This is especially important for homes with high or vaulted ceilings where hot air gets trap in the winter causing your utility bills to soar while you’re just trying to maintain a comfortable temperature.
If you don’t like the feel of a breeze, change the direction your fan moves. Most ceiling fans have a switch on the side making this a simple step. Changing the direction of the fan to counter clockwise will push the air up to the ceiling but with enough force that it bounces off and back down the walls. However either direction will increase air circulation and makes cents (sorry, I had to).
7. Dirt on the inside of the insulation around your duct work indicates what?
A leak. The insulation is now acting as a filter which is why there is dirt on it. The concern here though is the air you’ve spent money to condition (either cool or heat) is now escaping before you ever feel it.
8. When considering insulation, what does the R value mean?
The R value measures the insulation’s ability to resist heat transfer. This resistance will keep you cool in the summer and cozy in the winter.
9. Ideally you’d like your attic to be so well sealed that if up there in the daytime with the light off, you’d see no visible sunlight streaming in.
False. Attics require proper ventilation to prevent heat build up. Ideally you DO want to see sunlight streaming in through the vents. That means they are clean and clear and able to do perform their best.
10. It is recommended that your furnace be set at ____˚ in the winter and your air conditioner set at ____° in the summer.
68˚ in winter/ 78° in summer
For each degree you set the thermostat higher in the winter and lower in the summer, you can expect to see a 3% increase in your energy costs. Therefore the opposite is true and because our heat is now set at 67, I can expect to see a 3% DECREASE in our energy costs. I like that side of the equation better.
11. The Georgia Governor’s Challenge requires all state agencies and departments to reduce their energy consumption at least 15% by which year?
2020 using 2007 as the baseline year.
12. There is an 80% chance your home is not insulated well if it was built before which year?
1980. The U.S. Dept. of Energy estimates that only 20% of houses built before 1980 are well insulated. Insulation creates a more uniform temperature through your home reducing your energy costs and making you and your budget more comfortable.
13. What does the average U.S. family spend a year on utilities?
$1900, according to the U.S. Dept of Energy. Most of this is spent on heating and cooling our homes. Next in line is our love of hot water and after that it’s our lights, computers, refrigerators, and all things that plug in.
14. Leaky duct work is responsible for up to 60% of lost air. This results in higher energy bills and also potentially dangerous levels of what?
Carbon Monoxide. Every home should have a CO detector to warn homeowners if it reaches potentially dangerous levels. Hire a qualified professional for duct repairs.
15. Condensation in between the glass on double paned windows indicates the seal is broken. Will this result in energy loss?
Yes. Once the seal in the window has broken down, it has lost its insulating value. Consult a glass company or licensed contractor to correct this.
We’d like to thank the following resources for their professional input:
U.S. Dept of Energy
Amie Webster, H.I.P Group 770-500-6834 HIPgroupInc@gmail.com
Sidney Avesian Construction 770-993-7370
1. Cleaning the removable screen on your dryer can reduce your energy use?
True. When the screen on the dryer isn’t cleaned regularly, in addition to a fire hazard, it puts unnecessary stress on the dryer. It then has to work harder and longer to dry your clothes.
2. Something as small as electrical outlets can be sources of air leaks in your home?
True. Foam plates can be purchased at any home improvement store and placed behind the plastic outlet plates to reduce any air leaks that may come from empty outlets. And you know those plastic protectors we used when our kids were little? They can protect more than little fingers. Those will help as well. Small as these leaks may be, they’re an easy quick fix.
3. Should tinted film added to home windows be applied to the outside or the inside of the windows?
Outside. This is very important because if applied to the inside of the window, it reflects the sun’s heat back onto the glass and the temperature can exceed that which the window can tolerate. When applied to the outside of the window, the sun’s heat is radiated immediately back outdoors where it belongs.
4. Which refrigerator is more energy efficient; a top freezer model or a side by side model?
According to the U.S. Dept of Energy’s guide, top freezer models are more energy efficient.
5. Is it possible to get rebates from your utility company for home improvements you make that increase your home’s energy efficiency?
Yes. Check with your local utility company for rebates available in your area. Some companies will rebate money for things as simple as changing the air filter in your Heating and Cooling system.
6. How can ceiling fans help in the winter to conserve energy use?
Ceiling fans are not just for producing cool breezes in those hot summer months. They can be used year around to ensure air circulation throughout your home. In the winter, those fans move the warm air that gets caught at the ceiling back down to where we can feel it. This is especially important for homes with high or vaulted ceilings where hot air gets trap in the winter causing your utility bills to soar while you’re just trying to maintain a comfortable temperature.
If you don’t like the feel of a breeze, change the direction your fan moves. Most ceiling fans have a switch on the side making this a simple step. Changing the direction of the fan to counter clockwise will push the air up to the ceiling but with enough force that it bounces off and back down the walls. However either direction will increase air circulation and makes cents (sorry, I had to).
7. Dirt on the inside of the insulation around your duct work indicates what?
A leak. The insulation is now acting as a filter which is why there is dirt on it. The concern here though is the air you’ve spent money to condition (either cool or heat) is now escaping before you ever feel it.
8. When considering insulation, what does the R value mean?
The R value measures the insulation’s ability to resist heat transfer. This resistance will keep you cool in the summer and cozy in the winter.
9. Ideally you’d like your attic to be so well sealed that if up there in the daytime with the light off, you’d see no visible sunlight streaming in.
False. Attics require proper ventilation to prevent heat build up. Ideally you DO want to see sunlight streaming in through the vents. That means they are clean and clear and able to do perform their best.
10. It is recommended that your furnace be set at ____˚ in the winter and your air conditioner set at ____° in the summer.
68˚ in winter/ 78° in summer
For each degree you set the thermostat higher in the winter and lower in the summer, you can expect to see a 3% increase in your energy costs. Therefore the opposite is true and because our heat is now set at 67, I can expect to see a 3% DECREASE in our energy costs. I like that side of the equation better.
11. The Georgia Governor’s Challenge requires all state agencies and departments to reduce their energy consumption at least 15% by which year?
2020 using 2007 as the baseline year.
12. There is an 80% chance your home is not insulated well if it was built before which year?
1980. The U.S. Dept. of Energy estimates that only 20% of houses built before 1980 are well insulated. Insulation creates a more uniform temperature through your home reducing your energy costs and making you and your budget more comfortable.
13. What does the average U.S. family spend a year on utilities?
$1900, according to the U.S. Dept of Energy. Most of this is spent on heating and cooling our homes. Next in line is our love of hot water and after that it’s our lights, computers, refrigerators, and all things that plug in.
14. Leaky duct work is responsible for up to 60% of lost air. This results in higher energy bills and also potentially dangerous levels of what?
Carbon Monoxide. Every home should have a CO detector to warn homeowners if it reaches potentially dangerous levels. Hire a qualified professional for duct repairs.
15. Condensation in between the glass on double paned windows indicates the seal is broken. Will this result in energy loss?
Yes. Once the seal in the window has broken down, it has lost its insulating value. Consult a glass company or licensed contractor to correct this.
We’d like to thank the following resources for their professional input:
U.S. Dept of Energy
Amie Webster, H.I.P Group 770-500-6834 HIPgroupInc@gmail.com
Sidney Avesian Construction 770-993-7370
Monday, November 9, 2009
Test Your Energy I.Q.
1. Cleaning the removable screen on your dryer can reduce your energy use?
True or False
2. Something as small as electrical outlets can be sources of air leaks in your home?
True or False
3. Should tinted film added to home windows be applied to the outside or the inside of the windows?
4. Which refrigerator is more energy efficient; a top freezer model or a side by side model?
5. Is it possible to get rebates from your utility company for home improvements you make that increase your home’s energy efficiency?
6. How can ceiling fans help in the winter to conserve energy use?
7. Dirt on the inside of the insulation around your duct work indicates what?
8. When considering insulation, what does the R value mean?
9. Ideally you’d like your attic to be so well sealed that if up there in the daytime with the light off, you’d see no visible sunlight streaming in.
True or False
10. It is recommended that your furnace be set at ____˚ in the winter and your air conditioner set at ____° in the summer.
11. The Georgia Governor’s Challenge requires all state agencies and departments to reduce their energy consumption at least 15% by which year?
12. There is an 80% chance your home is not insulated well if it was built before which year?
13. What does the average U.S. family spend a year on utilities?
14. Leaky duct work is responsible for up to 60% of lost air. This results in higher energy bills and also potentially dangerous levels of what?
15. Condensation in between the glass on double paned windows indicates the seal is broken. Will this result in energy loss?
Answers to be revealed tomorrow for Atlanta Nokia Siemens Network's Energy Day...
True or False
2. Something as small as electrical outlets can be sources of air leaks in your home?
True or False
3. Should tinted film added to home windows be applied to the outside or the inside of the windows?
4. Which refrigerator is more energy efficient; a top freezer model or a side by side model?
5. Is it possible to get rebates from your utility company for home improvements you make that increase your home’s energy efficiency?
6. How can ceiling fans help in the winter to conserve energy use?
7. Dirt on the inside of the insulation around your duct work indicates what?
8. When considering insulation, what does the R value mean?
9. Ideally you’d like your attic to be so well sealed that if up there in the daytime with the light off, you’d see no visible sunlight streaming in.
True or False
10. It is recommended that your furnace be set at ____˚ in the winter and your air conditioner set at ____° in the summer.
11. The Georgia Governor’s Challenge requires all state agencies and departments to reduce their energy consumption at least 15% by which year?
12. There is an 80% chance your home is not insulated well if it was built before which year?
13. What does the average U.S. family spend a year on utilities?
14. Leaky duct work is responsible for up to 60% of lost air. This results in higher energy bills and also potentially dangerous levels of what?
15. Condensation in between the glass on double paned windows indicates the seal is broken. Will this result in energy loss?
Answers to be revealed tomorrow for Atlanta Nokia Siemens Network's Energy Day...
Monday, November 2, 2009
Trader Joe's Beef Recall
On Saturday, October 31 Fairbank Farms, of Ashville, N.Y., issued a recall for more than half a million pounds of fresh ground beef. According to the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Food Safety and Inspection Service, the beef packaged on Sept. 15 and Sept. 16 may be contaminated with E. coli O157:H7. The products are marked with a sell-by-date from Sept. 19-28. To confirm if you have any beef in question, check the Department of Agriculture's Food Safety and Inspection Services pdf of the food labels so you can see exactly what the packaging looks like.
Connecticut, Maine, New Hampshire, and Massachusetts have reported illnesses linked to these products. One death in New Hampshire has been associated with eating contaminated beef. The products in question were sold in the following states: Connecticut, Maryland, Massachusetts, New Jersey, New York, North Carolina, Pennsylvania and Virginia.
“The products have been cleared from store shelves, but families who have frozen ground beef over the past few weeks in Connecticut from Trader Joes, Shaws, BJ’s Warehouse, or Price Chopper should look on the package for the code that would indicate if it’s part of the recalled batch,” Commissioner Farrell said.
For more on this, visit My Fox Maine or The Ridgefield Press.
This is another reminder that cows are meant to eat grass not grain. Even stores known for their organic reputation sell beef that is grain fed. That is what is known as "vegetarian fed". However, that is not the same as grass fed. It will be proudly labeled as such and will cost you more, but it's worth it.
You don't have to give up your love of beef. There are farmers out there with conviction enough to raise cattle the way it was intended regardless of the challenges. Please take time to visit White Oak Farms and hear the story of one such farmer and why he believes grass fed cattle produces healthier beef.
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