Harnessing Solar Energy for Your Home

Solar energy is a natural source of energy that comes directly from the sun.  When solar energy hits the earth it spreads over the earth's surface and provides warmth evenly.  If you could capture the sun's rays into a particular area for a long period of time it would provide enough warmth for nighttime or on cloudy days.  Learning where to find solar energy can help you to get started today.  Solar energy does not cost anything because it comes from the sun.  The source that you choose may cost some but in the long run it should be your only expense, unlike gas or oil heaters that you continue to pay for monthly in order to have power or gas heat in your home. Solar power can provide heating, cooling and ventilation.

Image via WikipediaIf you want to make your own solar power to capture the energy for heating its easy to do if you can find a solar collector, which is anything that attracts the heat from the sun in a concentrated amount, such as glass or clear plastic. Getting into your car that has sat out in the hot sun all day long can be extremely hot and you have to roll down your windows to cool it off inside.  That is because the glass has attracted the sun and the objects in your car, including your seats, have trapped the heat not allowing it to escape.  When you roll your windows down you are allowing the heat to escape causing your car to cool down. The same thing is true about greenhouses. The glass or clear plastic can attract the sun and not allow it to escape causing the greenhouse to maintain the heat for the plants to grow effectively. 

In order to heat your home using solar energy, you need to know the difference between a passive and an active home.  These two types of solar homes offer the homeowner options to choose from and your cost of heating may be lowered.  Solar energy can not only heat your home but also your water, and if you use solar energy lights it can light your home at night.

Passive homes do not use any equipment to heat the home.  Passive homes use windows that are made to allow the maximum amount of sunlight into your home.  The sunlight is controlled by keeping the doors and windows closed in the hottest part of the day not allowing any heat to escape. At night thick curtains may be used on these windows so that the warmth stays inside during the night.  This allows the sun to naturally heat your home without any help.

Active homes do use equipment to help circulate the heat in the home.  Some of the equipment that may be used includes pumps, blowers and an alternative heating source in case the sunlight was not enough during the daytime.  In order to heat the home with sunlight these homes use special boxes on the outside that attract the sunrays to it.  They are made from a dark colored metal to help attract the sun more. The water or air that is carried in the pipes and ductwork is heated by this glass box that has captured the sunlight.  Then the heated water or air is then carried to the rest of the home.

In the long run, solar energy helps to heat the home naturally and without depending on a company to supply it for you. Solar energy can be found anywhere the sun is.

An Energy Alternative: Free Energy

Okay, we're going to get a little bit "nerdy" on you today, and talk about science, but hang in there - I'll try to make it understandable! It's an interesting topic, and one which has plenty of debate on both sides. Feel free to comment if you feel inspired!

There has been much debate about what is often called “free” energy—energy that can supposedly, with the right technology, be drawn straight out of the atmosphere, and in very abundant supply. The debates are about whether the stuff actually exists or not, what it would actually cost were it to be harnessed, and if it does exist is it truly as abundant and efficient as it's being made out to be by proponents of research and development into this potential alternative energy source.

Image via WikipediaWhen one hears the phrase “free energy device”, one might be hearing about one of several different concepts. This might mean a device for collecting and transmitting energy from some source that orthodox science does not recognize; a device which collects energy at absolutely no cost; or an example of the legendary perpetual motion machine. Needless to say, a perpetual motion machine—a machine which drives itself, forever, once turned on, therefore needing no energy input ever again and never running out of energy—is impossible. However, it is not so simple to say that a new technology for harnessing the energy “floating” in the atmosphere is impossible. New technologies replace old ones all the time with abilities that had just been “impossible”. Harnessing the power of the atom for providing huge amounts of energy was “impossible” until the 1940s. Flying human beings were an “impossible” thing until the turn of the 20th century and the Wright Brothers' flight. 

The biggest claim of the proponents of “free” energy is that enormous amounts of energy can be drawn from the Zero Point Field. This is a quantum mechanical state of matter for a defined system which is attained when the system is at the lowest possible energy state that it can be in. This is called the “ground state” of the system. Zero Point Energy (ZPE) is sometimes referred to as “residual” energy and it was first proposed to be usable as an alternative form of energy way back in 1913 by Otto Stern and Albert Einstein. It is also referred to as “vacuum energy” in studies of quantum mechanics, and it is supposed to represent the energy of totally empty space. This energy field within the vacuum has been likened to the froth at the base of a waterfall by one of the principal researchers into and proponents of Hal Puthof. Puthof also explains, the term 'zero-point' simply means that if the universe were cooled down to absolute zero where all thermal agitation effects would be frozen out, this energy would still remain.

What is not as well known, however, even among practicing physicists, are all the implications that derive from this known aspect of quantum physics. However, there are a group of physicists at several research labs and universities who are examining the details, asking such questions as whether it might be possible to 'mine' this reservoir of energy for use as an alternative energy source, or whether this background energy field might be responsible for inertia and gravity. These questions are of interest because it is known that this energy can be manipulated, and therefore there is the possibility that the control of this energy, and possibly inertia and gravity, might yield to engineering solutions. Some progress has been made in a subcategory of this field (cavity quantum electrodynamics) with regard to controlling the emission rates of excited atoms and molecules, of interest in laser research and elsewhere.

Don't expect to power your home with "free energy" anytime soon, but it certainly has interesting implications for future research!

Related articles on Free Energy:

• Yet another perpetual motion generator (boingboing.net)
• The Urban Times " Nanomachines: The future of nanotechnology (theurbn.com)
• Surprising Efforts By Companies In Alternative Energy (PHOTOS) (huffingtonpost.com)

Book Review: The Great Physician's Rx for Health & Wellness

Today I thought I'd do a quick review of one of my favorite books about living a healthy and non-toxic life. Jordan Rubin is also the author of several other books on health & wellness, including The Maker's Diet, and Patient Heal Thyself, as well as a number of training tools and health resources. Although his books take a Christian perspective, they can be helpful to those of any faith (and he is a Messianic Jew, so those seeking a kosher lifestyle and diet will also be well served).

I have not read his other books (though I plan to), so his take was new to me, but fascinating. To think that so many health-tips are contained in one of the world's oldest books (the Bible) somehow validates what we are trying to do here (get back to the basics and live a healthier and happier life), and I found this book a treasure trove of great ideas and suggestions.

The subtitle of The Great Physician's Rx for Health and Wellness is "Seven Keys to Unlock Your Health Potential." These keys are bibically based, but applicable to our modern lives.

Briefly listed, these seven keys are:
1. Eat to live (healthy, whole, natural, and fresh/non-processed foods were what our bodies were meant to subsist on)
2. Use whole food nutrition supplements (yes, he sells supplements on his website, but don't take this as a "sales pitch" - he freely discloses the brands and sources of all his recommendations - you are free to purchase from him or elsewhere; the truth is the American diet is sadly - if not horrifyingly - devoid of nutrients needed for a healthy body; supplements are becoming a way of life for those seeking complete nutrition)
3. Practice advanced hygiene (proper cleansing of various parts of the body - particularly the face - can help prevent disease more than you might think)
4. Condition your body with exercise (daily movement is essential for maintaining bodily function, and sadly most of us don't get nearly enough)
5. Reduce toxins in your environment (if you're been reading our blog or website, you know how important this is!)
6. Avoid deadly emotions (this has mostly to do with relieving stress, but also with working on yourself and your inner being to become more balanced and better at letting go of "toxic" emotions that can cause health problems)
7. Live a life of prayer and purpose (regardless of your spiritual beliefs, more and more evidence is surfacing regarding the importance of having a connection to the world and the universal at large, so this is also an important part of living a holistically balanced life)

This book really brings together all the different aspects required to live a healthy and balanced life. (In fact, he might even have called it "The Great Physician's Rx for Holistic Living"!)

Some chapters really weren't fleshed out as much as others, so you can tell where his passion really lies. The food chapter was the longest, and was very interesting and I agreed with many of his positions. The one thing I really did not like was that he did not focus enough on locally-produced foods, which is a big issue for me.

For one thing, eating local is great for the local community as well as the environment at large. For another, he seemed to be saying how great it is to be able to get every kind of food at every time of year, at the grocery store. Not only is this expensive, but it also is not as healthy as you might think, since most grocery store produce is sadly devoid of nutrients (due to either growing methods or sitting on the shelf for so long), and it is not healthy for the planet, either, to be eating food produced and transported from half a world away.

That was probably my main beef with the book, though I also felt that the exercise chapter could have been more detailed and comprehensive.

Regardless, this is a great book on health for anyone, and if you are a Christian, it will be even more valuable to learn how to live a healthy lifestyle based on God's word. (If you would like to check Rubin's books out, you can find any of them quite cheaply on Amazon.com, or see below for his most popular ones.)

Related articles on Jordan Rubin:

• The Maker's Diet - Making a Believer Out of Me (tasteofwonderland.wordpress.com)
• The Bible on healthy living (christianpf.com)
• Maker's Diet Phase One - Approved Foods (tasteofwonderland.wordpress.com)

Where To Find the Best All-Natural Skin Care Products

We've talked a lot about natural skin care lately, but how do you find the really good stuff? Since so many products are labeled "natural" these days, and so few actually are, it can be difficult and confusing to find truly good, natural, and non-toxic skin care products that really work well, are TRULY 100% natural, and don't cost an arm and a leg.

To figure out a way through the "natural" beauty product jungle, you may want to see our earlier blog post on evaluating natural product labels.

However, when it comes to specific products, we've found two manufacturers that make consistently top-quality, 100% natural and non-toxic beauty and personal care products. (There are a lot of other good ones out there, and we aren't saying these are the ONLY good products to buy, but they are consistently good, and have become our favorites.)

These are Aubrey Organics, and Miessence. (Both, by the way, are recommended in Jordan Rubin's book, "The Great Physician's Rx for Health and Wellness," one of our favorite books on healthy and non-toxic living.)

Image via WikipediaAubrey Organics has been in business for over 40 years, and is one of the leading natural and organic personal care manufacturers today. They make all their products in small individual batches to ensure freshness (which is especially important with natural products), and they carry a number of certifications, including Natural Products Association, Certified Natural Cosmetics, and USDA Organic, among others. They are also cruelty-free, and some of their products are vegan. Personally I LOVE their products - I find them extremely effective, gentle, kind to my skin, and also not that hard on my wallet. Plus they have one of the largest lines of natural personal care products I have found - from deodorants and hair products, to skin care, lotions, shave creams, and (really really nice) cosmetics. They also have a men's line. 

Image via Wikipedia
 Miessence is a newer Australian manufacturer. They have a smaller product line, and some products are a bit more pricey (though not all), but still comparable in price to high-quality commercial (aka chemical-laden) brands, and are extremely high quality, and made with mostly organic ingredients. They also have a few items that Aubrey doesn't carry, so it's nice to have another option you can trust. They also make my absolute favorite all-natural toothpaste - free of not only fluoride, but all artificial chemical foaming agents, sugars, and even glycerin (which some say coats the teeth, preventing them from remineralizing properly). It also tastes great (in my opinion; I like the Mint), and whenever I run out I feel deprived, as nothing else really compares!

You can find some other natural and non-toxic product recommendations on our website at http://www.newholisticliving.com/toxicload.html, but you really can't go wrong with either of the companies listed above. (Feel free to post your own favorites below - our other readers will certainly appreciate it!)

Natural Skin Care News and Ideas

As a follow up to last week's topic of natural skin care, here are a few resources to help you learn more abotut taking care of your skin in a natural and non-toxic way.


Learn 4 Ways to Find Natural Anti Aging Skin Care Products ...
Lately, it seems everyone is searching the market for the best anti aging natural skin care products. I know I have been, and it is because I am tired of chemically induced cures that leave my skin feeling raw, burnt, sensitive, ...
Publish Date: 11/21/2010 14:04
http://www.new-entertainment.net/beauty-tips/learn-4-ways-to-find-natural-anti-aging-skin-care-products/

She Reality » Blog Archive » Natural Skincare Products You'll Love
If you're concerned about what kinds of chemicals you put on your face, these natural skincare products are just what you've been looking for. No matter what your skin concern, there's a natural product that will work for you. ...
Publish Date: 04/20/2010 10:00
http://shereality.com/natural-skincare-products-youll-love/

5 Most Effective Natural Organic Skin Care Tips | Skin Organic
Natural organic skin care is quickly gaining in popularity because of its effectiveness. It is not only easy to follow since many natural skin care recipes can be easily prepared at home, but it is also effective in the sense that it ...
Publish Date: 11/21/2010 0:34
http://skinorganic.mildblog.co.cc/5-most-effective-natural-organic-skin-care-tips/

Natural Skin Care Video

Here is an interesting video on a great way to clean your skin using oil. It may seem counter-intuitive, but certain oils can actually not only nourish your skin, but also break up oil and dirt deposits. And it's a nice non-toxic way to clean your skin with all natural (and cheap!) ingredients.

This video gives a good overview of the process, but for a demonstration, you may also want to check out the second link as well.

Natural Skin Care : Castor Oil for Skin Problems
Castor oil can help treat skin problems like oily skin, as castor oil is similar to the oil our skin produces naturally. Understand how castor oil helps to break down the natural oil in the skin to remove dirt and impurities with beauty advice from a...



For an actual demonstration of the method, go here for another video:

ALL NATURAL SKINCARE: OIL CLEANSING METHOD | Entertainment Tonight
This video is being sponsored by fashionwithfifi.com How to Clean Your Face Naturally The Oil-Cleansing Method (OCM) Alright,
Publish Date: 11/14/2010 4:10
http://www.new-entertainment.net/beauty-tips/all-natural-skincare-oil-cleansing-method/

What is Natural skin care?

Put simply, ‘natural skin care’ is caring for your skin in a natural and chemical-free way. ‘Natural skin care’ advocates enabling the skin to take care of itself (without any assistance from synthetic materials/ chemicals). ‘Natural skin care’ is about inclusion of good habits in the way you lead your day to day life. A lot of natural skin care measures are actually the same as those for body care in general.

Image via WikipediSo let’s see what these natural skin care measures are.

The first and the foremost natural skin care measure is – ‘Drink a lot of water’.  Around 8 glasses of water is a must everyday, for most people (for children or large adults, this number can vary). Water helps flush out the toxins from the body, in a natural way. It helps in the overall upkeep of the body and promotes good health for all organs (not just skin).

General cleanliness is another inexpensive type of natural skin care.  A daily shower (in clean, non-chlorinated water, since chlorine can irritate and dry the skin, and introduce toxins into your body), wearing clean clothes and sleeping on a clean mattress/pillow are all part of general cleanliness. After all, clean skin is the key to keeping the skin disorders at bay.

Regular exercise is the next thing on the cards. Exercise increases the flow of blood that helps in getting rid of body toxins and keeping you healthy, and also flushes toxins out through your skin via sweating.  Exercise also helps in beating stress which is the worst enemy of good health.

Healthy food and eating habits are also recommended for natural skin care.  Some types of food (e.g. high-fat, oily, and sugary food) is know to cause acne and should be avoided as much as possible. Your diet should be a healthy mix of various nutrient providing foods. Raw fruits and vegetables are known to provide the most nutrients to your body and help in getting rid of body toxins.

A good sleep is also instrumental in maintaining good health and in beating stress. Most adults require at least 8 hours of sleep per night to stay healthy (children may require more), and a night of restful sleep allows your body to heal skin blemishes and calm and relax your muscles, allowing your skin to stay firm and youthful.
Reducing stress is another natural skin care therapy. Stress causes overall damage to body and health.

Drinking a lot of water, getting sound sleep and regular exercise, which have already been mentioned, are great stress busters. Indulging in a warm bubble bath, listening to music and playing your favorite sport are also good ways of beating stress. Yoga is yet another way of beating stress; it can provide both exercise and relaxation at the same time.

Avoiding excessive exposure to sun (by wearing long sleeved clothes, hat and umbrella, etc), is another natural skin care strategy. Sunscreen lotions may be helpful for prolonged sun exposure, but are not typically recommended, as they may contribute to your toxic load and also may not be as effective as we have been led to believe (see this interesting article for more info: http://www.ewg.org/2010sunscreen/). 

Image via WikipediaA lot of traditional and home made natural skin care products/ measures are also known to be very effective. Such measures are not only natural and easy-to-follow, but also relatively inexpensive.

Besides that, a lot of natural skin care products are available in the commercial market. We have some great recommendations for these on our website at: http://www.newholisticliving.com/toxicload.html.