Sustainability Tip: Switch to Reusable Shopping Bags
Weekly Sustainability Tip:
Switch to Reusable Shopping Bags
Switch to reusable shopping bags. Americans are addicted to plastic bags with approximately 380 billion bags used annually, which is more than 1,200 bags per year per person.
This is a dangerous addiction that results in the use of 12 million barrels of oil, and negatively affects 267 species of marine wildlife.
Do your part to end this national addiction by using reusable bags on your errands. And remember to recycle that pile of plastic bags you have at home at the entrance of Smith’s.
Don’t be the cause of pollution, Read More
Hygea Health Bite: 6 Tips to a Sexy Healthy Body
Hygea Health Bite: 6 Tips to a Sexy Healthy BodyOur relationship with food is easily the most intimate one we have. Sound crazy? Think about it, the food you ingest becomes your body parts – making up our blood, brain, lungs, and every other part of us.
Providing your body with the building blocks it needs means that you’re going to feel FABULOUS – looking FANTASTIC is also a welcomed side effect. Nothing is sexier than a healthy body and here are six tips to get you started.
Eat Your Colors – We have to thank Mother Nature for color-coding our nutrients for us. Phytonutrients (“phyto” Read More
High Tea and Fashion Show Aug. 17
Emcee Jeff Favorite assists two models during the 2012 House of Hope and Trinity Builders High Tea and Fashion Show Fashion Show. Courtesy/photo
Martha Hawkins models a pantsuit for travel or the office. Courtesy/photo
COMMUNITY News:
The House of Hope and Trinity Builders house-building mission teams are preparing for their fourth annual fund raising event—the High Tea and Fashion Show to benefit their mission trips this fall.
This year’s Tea and Fashion Show event will start promptly at 2:30 pm, Saturday, Aug. 17, in Kelly Hall at Trinity on the Hill Episcopal Church, 3900 Trinity Read More
How the Hen House Turns: Dogs As Bird-Sitters
How the Hen House Turns Dogs As Bird-Sitters
When our first chickens arrived in a cardboard box 40 years ago, including Peeper’s mom Peeky, we had already adopted Poncho.
As a “Santa Fe Shepherd,” his instincts were just about right. He helped us herd the chickens back into the pen for the night. (Chickens don’t herd, but that’s another story.)
We didn’t try to train Poncho as a sheepdog, but we did train DeeDee and Scooter, pointer-heeler shelter dogs we adopted after the 2000 fire in Los Alamos. They were natural Read More
LACDC Releases Los Alamos MainStreet Survey Results
Courtesy/LACDC
Courtesy/LACDC
LACDC News:
What are the people of Los Alamos interested in having as retail and dining options? Where does Los Alamos prefer to shop? What time do people prefer to shop in Los Alamos? What products, brand, and stores do people wish there was in Los Alamos?
Los Alamos Commerce and Development Corporation developed and conducted a survey to help provide retail owners and restaurateurs the answers to these age old questions. This was an online survey through Los Alamos MainStreet website that was conducted during April. There were business cards and signs Read More
Column: Fall Prevention and Improving Gait and Balance through Exercise
Fitness ColumnFall Prevention and Improving Gait and Balance through Exercise
Proper balance and gait are essential components of physical function. If a person is going to be able to perform most activities of daily living, they need to have the capacity to safely stand and walk.
There are many causes of affected gait and balance including chronic disease, muscle weakness, neurological conditions, aging, cognitive impairments, and extremity disabilities.
Balance is a person’s ability to control upright posture under a variety of conditions. There are three sensory systems Read More
Rare Chance to Explore Abandoned Copper Mine
Nacimiento Copper Mine site. Courtesy photoPEEC News:
The Pajarito Environmental Education Center (PEEC) is offering a rare chance to visit the abandoned Nacimiento Copper Mine near Cuba Aug.10.
The trip, led by local geology expert Patrick Rowe, will be fun and hands-on for both adults and children. Participants will explore the area, with ample chances to find beautiful specimens such as petrified wood.
Specimens found at the Nacimiento Cooper Mine site. Courtesy photo
In addition to petrified wood specimens, which are regularly covered with exquisite green malachite and blue azurite, Read More
Solo Traveler: Tours
Solo Traveler: ToursThose of us who travel independently sometimes have disdain for tours. We know how much things generally cost and think tours are often a rip-off.
I do not enjoy being taken to a restaurant the tour company has chosen, and then told what to order off a limited “tourist” menu. And I’ve come to despise being taken to a “crafts workshop” that is actually nothing more than a high priced trinket store on the pretext of a “cultural” experience.
But sometimes I opt for day-tours so I can be assured of getting to the places of interest in relative safely. In a country Read More
Tie One On at Thursday’s Farmer’s Market
Bill Orr ties a fly at the Farmer’s Market. Photo by Bonnie J. Gordon/ladailypost.com
A yak tail hair fly in progress. Photo by Bonnie J. Gordon/ladailypost.com
FARMER’S MARKET News:
Bill Orr of Quarter Circle U, purveyor of fine jams and jellies and Joy Robertshaw of Taos Mountain Yaks have formed an interesting collaboration.
Orr, a fly fisherman and expert fly tyer, is now using hair from the tails of Robertshaw’s yaks in some of his flies. Not only is yak hair very long, it also has a translucent quality that makes it ideal for fly tying.
Robertshaw is selling packages of yak hair Read More
Food on the Hill: Yeast Rolls
Photo by Sue York/ladailypost.com
Ingredients:
- 1 pkg. dry yeast
- 1/4 cup lukewarm water(90-95 degrees)
- 1/4 cup sugar
- 1/4 butter
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1 cup scalded milk (just until you see small bubbles on the edge of the pan)
- 1 egg, beaten
- About 4 cups of sifted flour
Directions:
Photo by Sue York/ladailypost.com
Proof yeast: Mix yeast and warm water and 1/2 teaspoon of the sugar and set aside. Wait about 5 minutes to see small bubbles on top (then ready to use)
Photo by Sue York/ladailypost.com
Tour Four Stunning Taos Homes Aug. 3
LJGCT News:
TAOS—The Los Jardineros Garden Club of Taos is showcasing four stunning homes to the public, all of which are energy efficient and surrounded by low water landscaping, during their 2013 Garden and Home Tour 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 3.
The properties run the length of Taos, each demonstrating that concern with the environment and sustainable land use can go hand in glove with landscaping beauty.
One of the houses, designed by owner Alan Powell, is Taos’s only Platinum Leader in Energy and Environmental Design. The 2,500 square-foot home meets LEED’s stringent specifications: Read More
Weekly Sustainability Tip: CFLs Use Less Electricity, Save Money and the Environment
Weekly Sustainability Tip:
CFLs Use Less Electricity, Save Money and the Environment
Save money by switching out incandescent light bulbs for compact fluorescent light bulbs (CFLs).
The average incandescent bulb uses 60 watts while the average CFL uses 13-25 watts. CFLs reduce fossil fuel use and greenhouse gas emissions. They even last 10 times longer than incandescent bulbs!
According to the United States Census, there are about 7,500 households in Los Alamos County. If every household replaced just one light with a CFL, the energy saved could power 401 houses for a week!
Start using CFLs Read More
Taos Pub Gets National Nod for Green Chile Beer
Staff Report:
TAOS — Taos based Eske’s Brew Pub was among an elite list of microbrews in the United States mentioned by ABC News in a recent story highlighting the country’s best brews titled, “Latest Craft Brews Inspired by Far More than Hops.” (July 12, 2013)
“In New Mexico, where locals proudly eat green chile with absolutely everything (burgers, pizza, breakfast, chiles on other chiles) Taos Green Chile Beer from Eske’s Brew Pub is available in many establishments including the Albuquerque airport,” according to the story written by Lena Katz of ABCNews.com.
Eske’s Brew Pub is housed Read More
Ask the Life Coach: Motivation – The Achilles Heel of Success
Ask The Life Coach: En Route to Happiness“People often say that motivation doesn’t last. Well, neither does bathing – that’s why we recommend doing it daily.” ─Zig Zigler
I thought I found the perfect quote to inspire and engage summer students at the Los Alamos National Laboratory who attended my seminar about life coaching. To say their reaction was lukewarm would be an understatement. They did not laugh. They did not disagree.
It occurred to me I must have hit a nerve as most of them admitted that motivation is their Achilles heel. They often lose focus and zeal Read More
Somethings Wrong With Plane’s Return Schedule … Speak Up Now
Courtesy photo
COUNTY News:
Ridership, load factors, passengers per week for the Los Alamos Commercial Air Service show signs of positive growth although at a slower pace than last month.
This is seasonal and this “slowness” will be countered in August and September when most government employees generally travel “a little extra.” Unfortunately, we are utilizing the grant money faster than hoped. A meeting between County personnel and Lab representatives is schedule in mid-July to discuss this.
The flight schedule was changed four weeks ago to increase ridership on early morning and early Read More
Critter Cam Class at PEEC July 25
A bobcat at Warbler Pond, located in a back yard on Barranca Mesa in Los Alamos. Photo by Hari Viswanathan PEEC News:
Are you interested in getting started with your very own trail camera or perhaps you’re looking to take your hobby up a notch?
Well, here’s your chance – critter cam experts will share their tips and techniques during a free talk at 7 p.m. Thursday, July 25 at PEEC.
Let’s face it. Wildlife is elusive to say the least. Even in Los Alamos, where forested highlands and steep canyons provide many various habitats for critters to live close by, many of us rarely see the animals Read More
Vacation Bible School at First United Methodist Next Week
How the Hen House Turns: Peeper, Hatching in a Dry Climate
How the Hen House Turns Ms. Ritz, the miniature Mallard, has been sitting on her eggs since June 21, so it’s time to talk about our first egg-hatching adventure.
For four weeks in 1975, Peeky, a mixed-breed hen, sat in the Hen House on 12 eggs, resting on straw in a 12 by 12 by 1 inch frame.
Over her objections, we made sure she got up each day to eat and poop, and we used the time to turn and spray her eggs. Shell membranes can go dry and tough in a climate with single-digit humidity.
On the 22nd morning, a faint peeping sounded Read More
Food on the Hill: Baked Swiss Eggs
Photo by Sue York/ladailypost.comIngredients:
For each person:
- 1 tablespoon cream
- 1 oz.-1 1/2 oz. Swiss cheese
- 1 large egg
- Salt and pepper
- Non-stick vegetable spray
Directions:
For each person, one small ramekin, or they can be made in muffin tins (sprayed very well with non-stick spray.) If you use a muffin tin, after they are cooked run a knife around the edge of each egg and lift them out with a spoon.
Photo by Sue York/ladailypost.comSpray each ramekin with non-stick spray. Put in cream, egg and cheese in that order. Add Read More
Column: Proper Posture Through Back Strengthening
Fitness ColumnProper Posture Through Back Strengthening
Proper posture is a necessary component of a person’s overall healthy lifestyle.
But an increasing number of people are experiencing posture problems. Improper posture is most often exhibited by a person having a forward lean at the waist and a forward rounding of the shoulders.
Postural problems occur and increase gradually over time. As the forward lean and rounding increase, a person’s center of gravity is moved forward as well. This changed center of gravity then pulls a person forward even more, increasing the postural
