3 Simple Steps for your PC to Go Green

"The average desktop PC wastes nearly half of the energy it consumes as heat. This wasted electricity translates to higher electricity bills and increased greenhouse gas emissions. " Climate Saver recommends 3 Steps to go green with your PC:

1) Turn on the power management feature on your computer to go to sleep when it is not in use. This simple change is easy and doesn't cost a thing.

2) Buy an energy-efficient computer. The next time you buy a computer look for the energy star label, or check the EPEAT (Electronic Product Environmental Assessment) web site for their energy rating system of Gold, Silver and Bronze.

3)Unplug. Your computer continues to use electricity when it is not in use. Plug all your electronics (PC, monitor, printer) to a power strip. Try to get in the habit of turning the power strip off before you go to bed.

The Climate Savers Computing Initiative is a nonprofit group of eco-conscious consumers, businesses and conservation organizations whose goal is to reduce power consumption by 50% by computers by 2010, and could collectively save $5.5 billion in energy costs.

Tightening Your Belt

In these tough economic times everyone is trying to harder to stretch their budgets. One area where I have cut back is packing my lunch outside the office. I now bring frozen dinners (Smart Ones or Eating Right) for around $2 each, leftovers or make sandwiches. To snack on during the day I bring fruit, yogurt or almonds. Another tip is to drink more water and reduce soft drinks. Eating out is expensive at least $5 to $12 per day, and the portion sizes are much larger than needed. Not only am I saving money but I am eating healthier and have also lost weight!

Free Cold Stone Ice Cream

How about taking the kids for ice cream tonight after dinner? Tonight only Cold Stone Creamery locations nationwide are offering a free 3 oz serving to try two new flavors:Jack or Emily's creation from 5:00 to 8:00 pm. This special event is to support the Make-A-Wish Foundation. The new flavors have been inspired by two wish children Jack and Emily.
Jack's creation: Marshmallow ice cream with OREO Cookies, Chocolate Chips and Fudge.
Emily's creation: Nutter Butter ice cream with White Chocolate Chips, Kit Kat and Yellow Cake.

Cooking with apples

Celebrate the harvest with home-baked apple desserts. Looking for new ways of cooking with apples? You will want to check out Betty Crocker's ABC's of Apples. Here is just one of the great recipes!


Southern Apple Crumble
Prep Time:20 min
Start to Finish:1 hr 20 min
Makes:9 servings

Filling:
3 large apples, peeled, coarsely chopped (about 3 cups)
1/2 cup granulated sugar
1/4 cup packed brown sugar
1 to 2 teaspoons ground cinnamon
1/4 cup cold butter or margarine, cut into small pieces
Topping:
1 pouch (1 lb 1.5 oz) Betty Crocker® oatmeal cookie mix
1/2 cup butter or margarine, melted
1/2 cup chopped pecans

Birthday Freebies

It was my daughters birthday this past weekend and I wanted to do something a little special. We spent the afternoon at Glen Ivy Hot Springs Spa. They offer a free admission ($48) if it is your birthday. For the price of admission you can enjoy the therapeutic red clay mud bath, mineral baths, pools, spas, or lounge in a shallow pool on floats.

Disney Resorts is offering free admission on your birthday to one of the theme parks in 2009 but you must pre-register.

Cold Stone Creamery has a birthday club! Just sign up and you will receive a coupon for a free ice cream on your birthday.