Every so often a cool product comes along that you get very excited about. Recently while I was staying at my family cottage I needed a flashlight. Of course, the family torch was dead, as usual. Luckily I had my trusty little Palm light. This is our best seller and there are good reasons why with bright LEDs, never needs batteries, what’s not to like? It weighs next to nothing, fits in your pocket and did I mention it lasts forever? And it is inexpensive? And eco-chic?

Check out my one minute docu-drama at the cottage and you will want one too, in fact you should buy one for all your friends and family. You can buy the Palm light now and get 25% off with our Summer2010 coupon code NOW! Buy it here!

We just added the REV Conference to our Activities Page. Here you will find experts on geothermal, PV, wind, hydro, biomass, tansportation, jobs, legislation, incentives and more. Thursday Sept 30 & Friday Oct 1. Find more information at REVermont.org

Fireworks in the bedroom anyone?

Now and then we joke about foods that get you in the mood and pump up the passion in our lives. Is there any truth in it? We did some research to find out if there is any documented hard evidence of foods increasing your libido. You would think that Congress would be spending money on this kind of research, as it would seem far better use of our tax dollars than bridges to nowhere! But alas, very little peer-review research. But our LEA researchers did find some studies that highlighted foods with a reputation for the wild side. Here are some juicy details from the Indian Journal of Psychiatry. (more…)

How To Make a Solar Pool Heater

I know next to nothing about swimming pools as I am more of a lake or ocean guy. But when I am hot I confess, our open invitation to our neighbor’s pool sure is welcome. And they even heat the pool to keep it reasonably comfortable in the summer. Hey it can get down in the 30′ here at night! Heating thousands of gallons of water can be expensive, and in most cases you are using electricity, which was generated by burning fossil fuels, or you are burning a fossil fuel to heat the water, that will be circulated in the pool.

But wouldn’t it be hot to heat your water without producing additional carbon in the air or dollars on your utility bills? When I saw this video title I must say I was skeptical but I am sold. First, the water is circulated using a T fitting on the regular pool circulator. Second, the sun heats water in black plastic pipes that look like part of the fencing. Third, it really works!

Check out this short video and tell me you are not amazed at the simple elegance of this system to save energy and carbon!

RocketMaker10000

When we bought our home a few years ago we knew it needed work. First there were the obvious issues like the faulty chimneys, the leaking roof, the caving-in garage, squirrels in the attic, birds in the bathroom vent and the leaking foundation. After we tackled the ‘survival’ priorities I built an entertainment room in the cellar for the kids, added insulation, added a wood stove and converted to natural gas to keep us warm during our brutal winters. But our complacency didn’t last for long. (more…)

Did you know that many desserts measure sugar in cups and that sugar is correlated with lots of diseases including diabetes, obesity and other problems? Living with family members who are allergic to refined sugar has its plusses. We are forced to find ways to rethink the amount of sugar we eat. Here is a healthy desert that Donna made with our CSA rhubarb and common kitchen pantry items. It costs practically nothing, is quick and easy to make and tastes like a desert fit for royalty!

Please check out our other healthy recipes in our Foodies category, feel free to submit comments or share recipes of your own!

8 cups diced rhubarb

1 cup sugar

2 Tb. cornstarch

1/3 cup orange juice

1 cup flour

1/2 cup rolled oats

1/4-1/2 cup brown sugar

2-3 Tb. vege oil or butter

1-2 tsp. cinnamon

Toss rhubarb with sugar. Dissolve cornstarch in orange juice, add to rhubarb. Toss to coat.

Mix flour, oats, brown sugar, butter, cinnamon. Mix together til crumbly. If using butter, cut into small pieces before adding.

Spread topping over rhubarb mixture in baking dish. Bake 350 for about 45-50 minutes til golden and bubbling.