password safety: choose wisely, don't repeat

In the 1995 movie Hackers with Johnny Lee Miller and Angelina Jolie, it is said that the four most commonly used passwords are: love, secret, sex, god. Fast forward 13 years later and many computer users are savvy to those common faux paus, but are not so savvy to the new most common mistake: repeating passwords for various accounts. The USA Today article here states that nearly half of Internet users in a recent survey say they use a universal password for all of their accounts, which can act as a skeleton key for all of your personal information. Stick to the tips below taken from Microsoft's password security tips.

• make it long: The minimum password should be eight characters, but ideally 14 or more. A good tip is to go for a "pass phrase" since many systems support the space bar.
• vary the characters: Use letters, numbers, and even symbols or punctuation marks.
• personalize: Use words/phrases that are easy for you to remember, but difficult for others to guess. NOTE: If you have trouble remembering, you can always jot down your password on paper and keep it in a safe place. Most likely, anyone who comes across it won't know what the password's for. Plus, a piece of paper is actually much harder to obtain nowadays than something saved on a password manager, server, site, drive, etc.
• check the safety rating: Click here for a handy Password Checker. Just type in your password to see how safe it rates!
  

Technorati tags: password safety, choosing a safe password, password, security

widget your way to gauging your gas price

It's no secret that with oil at nearly $120 per barrel, gas prices at local stations have been inflating to record highs. (You know it's bad when you're playing a game with yourself to set a new record high for filling up your tank.) To help you gauge gas gouging, check out the widgets below for your computer's desktop. You simply enter your zip code and the widget lists the cheapest gas station prices within a specified mile radius. (Also, be sure to refer back to our blog post here on how to get the best gas mileage.)

• for Mac users: gas widget
  
• for PC users: automotive.com's widget
  

Technorati tags: gas prices, widgets, cheapest gas, gas price widget

Photo credit: Gas widget

a greener green: eco-friendly lawn care

Keep your lawn green and...green. We loved the website "new american dream" and its pages on keeping up your lawn in as eco-friendly of a way as possible. Interestingly enough, the EPA has a 19-page guide on greening your lawn care, which you can download for free in pdf form by clicking here. Bottomline: it's all about natural solutions to natural problems...and refraining from the mistake of overwatering. Sounds good to us!

Technorati tags: green lawn care, lawn, eco-friendly lawn care

Photo credit: Ernest von Rosen, www.amgmedia.com

alternative vehicles of the (near) future

With gas prices higher than ever, many people are considering a purchase of an alternative fuel vehicle. Mercedes-Benz seems to be leading the pack with the F-Cell it came out with last year, as well as its lithium-ion battery hybrid slated for 2009. Although, General Motors anticipates being the first with a pure electric vehicle using lithium-ion batteries. For more information, see the USA Today article here. To read more about alternative fuels and vehicle models, check out the government's Fuel Economy website here and this more technical fuel comparison chart here. Aside from benefitting the earth, these eco-friendlier vehicles can benefit your wallet. Not only do you save money at the pump, but some states (e.g. Colorado) give a tax credit if you drive an alternative fuel vehicle. All the more incentive to start driving one!

Technorati tags: alternative fuel, hybrid cars, vehicles

Photo credit: blogs.theeagle.com

get what you pay for: "organic" and "natural" products

When you're going through the shelves of your local health and beauty section to find all-natural or organic products, be sure you're getting what you're paying for. Many products out there slap the word "natural" on their packaging, yet may contain a variety of chemicals and carcinogens because there is no regulation by which to use the term "natural" on consumer packaging. Instead of buying into the hype, look for the USDA organic seal (pictured above). In order to bear this seal, the product must go through a rigorous testing process to ensure its contents are organic. Other countries have their own equivalent. Check out the wikipedia article on organic certification here to see them. Another great page to check out is the Organic Consumers Association's Buying Guide for truly organic and natural products. (i.e. They've done your homework for you.)

Technorati tags: organic products, natural products, organic certification

eco-clean car wash

A waterless car wash? Yes, that's right. Lucky Earth car washing services and cleaning products keep your vehicle clean in the most eco-friendly way possible. The service has hybrid vehicle units that visit homes, office buildings, and other complexes to wash your car. Their cleaning products (used in their car washing service and also sold separately online) are free of chemicals (artificial fragrances, dyes, etc.) and are made to be used without the need for any water. Check out their site here for more details.

Technorati tags: waterless wash, car wash, eco-friendly, green car wash

Photo credit: Lucky Earth Car Wash

be down with the earth this week

Tomorrow is Earth Day in the northern hemisphere of the globe for the U.S. and other countries. (Other United Nations countries celebrated on the March equinox.) This week, our blog will bring earth-friendly services and other interesting green tidbits. For today, we thought we'd give you a reminder to be particularly eco-conscious starting this week with a few tips below to begin making earth day every day!

• grocery bags: use reusable grocery bags in lieu of plastic ones at the stores
• clean-up crew: gather together a group to go to your neighborhood park or beach and pick up trash for an hour - amazing how big of a difference it can make!
• carpool or walk: cut down emissions by strolling to your neighborhood market or carpooling with coworkers to the office
• waste less water: cut your showers as short as possible, use recycled water on plants, etc. (Check out 50 ways to save water here.)
• get the kids involved: click here for earth day crafts, games and more

Technorati tags: earth day, eco-friendly, environment

how to deodorize your car

Your grande latte splatters as you miss a near collision. A carton of Chinese take-home leaks. Your chain-smoking friend just has to have a fix as you're on your way to a concert. Bad odors in cars seem to linger...and linger. Check out the list below of various remedies to get rid of a bad odor in your car (most from the Associated Press article here).

• charcoal: Set an open bag in the car to absorb odors. Best part is that you can still grill with them after they absorb the smell.
• fresh coffee grounds: Absorb odors as they dry out. They will leave a faint coffee smell, however. So if you're not into the scent of a freshly brewed cup, this might not be the option for you.
• vinegar: Set a bowl of white vinegar in your car. Obviously, you can only do this one if you don't plan on driving anywhere for awhile. Overnight is best.
• scent cover: Used by hunters to get rid of their "people smell" when out hunting. Not the cheapest solution, however. Available in sporting goods stores and online.
• enzyme cleaner: For organic accidents (e.g. milk, pet stains). Available at pet stores.
• baking soda (sodium bicarbonate) / Borax (sodium borate): Sprinkle generously on the odorous area, let sit, then vacuum. Or, dilute with water and scrub away.

BIG CLEANING TIP:
Always completely air out and dry your car after washing the interior, preferably outside. If you don't, you'll replace any sort of odors you once had with mildewy ones. Also, any vapors drying in your car will only help saturate other parts of the upholstery that may not have been foul-smelling to begin with. Bottomline: clean, then LET DRY!

Technorati tags: how to get rid of car smells, deodorize, cleaning car

Photo credit: thefinalsprint.com, Church & Dwight Co.

how to clean up a broken CFL

When a CFL bulb breaks, a bit of mercury will fall. Down will come debris, toxins and all. How to deal? Check out the Environmental Protection Agency's tips here. See below for a quickie summary of what to do when your CFL shatters.

1. Clear the site of organic material (people, pets, plants) and ventilate the area for at least 15 minutes. Be sure to shut off any air circulation systems (fans, AC, heating).
2. Clean up debris (glass, powder) in three separate steps: 1) the big stuff with stiff paper or cardboard, 2) smaller remaining tidbits with duct tape, 3) all the rest with damp paper towels. Place everything in a glass jar with metal lid or sealed plastic bag.
   Note: Do NOT use a vacuum or broom to clean up the broken bulb on hard surfaces.
3. Immediately place all cleanup materials outside, then wash your hands thoroughly. Check with your local/state government about disposal requirements for your area and follow those guidelines. (Some let you throw it out with the regular trash, others require that you take it to a recycling center.)
   
   Note: If the bulb breaks on carpeting or a rug, follow the steps above, vacuuming instead of wiping with the damp paper towel. Be sure to dispose of the vacuum bag in the same way you dispose of other debris/clean-up materials.

Technorati tags: CFL, mercury cleanup, how to clean up a broken CFL

Photo credit: dbtechno.com

top 10 healthiest restaurants

Eating out? Check out the list below that garnered spots on health.com's list of "America's Healthiest Restaurants." Some of the picks may surprise you, but bear in mind it's all about healthy options to choose from rather than an entirely healthy menu. (We did our best to link the restaurant names below to their nutritional info.)

1. Uno Chicago Grill: totally trans fat-free and gluten-free options
2. Souplantation / Sweet Tomatoes: super fresh veggies
3. Mimi's Cafe: low-carb "Lifestyle Menu"
4. P.F. Chang's: soybean oil, lower sodium, plus nutritional info listed based on entire dish rather than "single serving"
5. Bob Evans: low-carb, low-fat, alternative preparation options (e.g. steamed, baked)
6. Ruby Tuesday: organic greens, hormone-free chicken, trans fat-free oil, all natural lemonades, veggie and turkey burgers
7. Macaroni Grill: "Sensible Fare" menu, whole-wheat pasta substitution available for any dish
8. Chevy's Fresh Mex: fresh ingredients, trans fat-free oils, fresh fish of the day
9. Olive Garden: "Garden Fare" menu, trans fat-free oils, whole-wheat linguine pasta substitution
10. Denny's: "Fit-Fare" menu, complete online nutritional chart with Weight Watchers Food Exchange Values

Technorati tags: restaurants, healthy meals, eating out, nutrition facts

Photo credit: Olive Garden

houseplants for your health

Begin your spring by ushering in indoor plants. Houseplants remove pollutants and toxins in the air, providing a healthier home atmosphere (literally). Keeping plants indoors can also increase humidity levels and decrease dust, thus mitigating minor sore throats and other cold-like symptoms. (If interested, check out the Wikipedia article over the NASA study here.) The Clean Air Council recommends one potted plant per 100 square feet of living space. Check out the list below of plants that are notorious for air filtration.

• Bamboo Palm
• Chinese Evergreen
• English Ivy
• Gerbera Daisy
• Janet Craig
• Marginata
• Mass Cane
• Mother-in-Law's Tongue
• Pot Mum
• Peace Lily (pictured above)
• Warneckii

Technorati tags: houseplants, health, indoor plants, air filter

Photo credit: Emily's Plants

innovation: resealable soda cans

How many times have you passed up a can of soda in favor of a plastic bottle because you knew you wouldn't be able to reseal the can and tote it around with you? Environmentally, aluminum cans make more sense because recycling aluminum is more efficient (in terms of percent yield of usable material after processing) and more cost effective than recycling plastic bottles. Also, most soda cans are a 12 oz. size whereas individual soda bottles are of a 20 oz. size. A larger size means the possibility of excess soda becoming flat later on (and also excess calories). So if you're a fan of the can, but crave the resealability of the bottle, you'll be happy to hear that Coca-Cola has recently purchased rights to the resealable can tab and is currently testing in France with the company's Burn energy drink (see image above).

Technorati tags: soda, resealable, new can, resealable can, coca cola

Photo credit: Coca Cola, Ball Packaging, BBC

fun challenge: could you survive on the moon?

We found this challenge to be fun and interesting. Essentially, you're on the moon and have to get to the other side of it using only the supplies at hand. You can only tote around a certain amount with you, so you have to prioritize the list of supplies. For those of you who took a physics class, this might be a good time to recall your professor's lecture...

Moon Survival Challenge

Technorati tags: moon, survival challenge, physics exercise, quiz

Photo credit: Michelle Meyers, Andrea Rodarte

how to make homemade french fries

Sure, they're not really French, but french fries (A.K.A. frites, A.K.A. chips) are a tasty treat and wonderful side dish for many types of food or ideal as a stand-alone appetizer with various types of dipping sauces. And while many fast food chains and restaurants seem to have the secrets for crispy fries, homemade ones can sometimes come out not-so-crisp. Follow the "double fry" technique below (courtesy of Wish magazine) to get authentic, crispy fries. The only problem we've found with the finished product is loving them too much! Remember portion control...or check out this recipe here from MyRecipes.com to bake your fries instead of deep frying them if you're being extra good.

1. Cut your potatoes into your preferred fry strip. (Hint: The smaller/thinner you can get them, the crispier.) Soak them in water for a few minutes, then drain and dry with paper towels. (The drying prevents splattering when you fry them.)
2. Heat oil in deep fryer or large, deep pot until 325°F. Prepare a baking sheet lined with paper towels.
3. Blanch small batches of the potatoes (small batches are easier to control and cook evenly) for a few minutes until cooked, but not colored. (Hint: Between batches, be sure to let the oil heat back up to 325.) Drain and cool the potatoes on the prepared baking sheet.
4. Raise the oil's temperature to 375°F.
5. Cook the potatoes for the second time (again in small batches) until golden and crispy. Drain on paper towels, then toss with desired seasonings.

Technorati tags: recipes, french fries, frites, homemade fries, fry, side dishes

Photo credit: TheWhiteNoiseRevisited.com

WÜN for the books: biodegradable cutlery

No one likes messing with dishes after a mass get-together, especially if it's an outdoorsy or out-of-home event, like a picnic in the park. Unfortunately, plasticware isn't the best choice for the environment. That's why we loved these wooden utensils from Aspenware called WÜN CUTLERY (pronounced "won"). Way more eco-friendly than plasticware, these disposable utensils can be composted instead of sitting in a landfill somewhere. Plus, they're packaged in recycled paper printed with vegetable-based inks.

Technorati tags: disposable utensils, biodegradable, eco-friendly, green party supplies, picnic

Photo credit: Aspenware

top 10 prophetic sci-fi movies

Popular Mechanics has come out with its list of the ten most prophetic sci-fi movies. We must admit that the list seems pretty sound. Check out the article here for a more in-depth look at what makes these movies relevant to our past, present, and future. Can you think of any other "fictional" movies that have made decent predictions about our society?

1. Gattaca
2. Minority Report
3. The Road Warrior
4. The Truman Show
5. Destination Moon
6. The Running Man
7. Blade Runner
8. Soylent Green
9. Short Circuit
10. 2001: A Space Odyssey

Technorati tags: sci fi, prophetic movies, sci fi movies, science fiction

Photo credit: LegalJuice.com

new trash can sings when you open it!

April Fools! We know not of any singing trash cans. We just thought we'd get into the spirit of April Fools' Day. There have been some not-so-funny April Fools' pranks (e.g. the Storm Worm virus infecting inboxes around the globe) and other more-so-funny ones (e.g. WestJet's claim that they are converting their overhead bins to sleeper cabins and RyanAir's "launch" of pornography on their flights ). We also found this article  interesting on the Top 100 April Fools' Day Hoaxes of All Time. See a list of the top ten below. What are some of the best pranks you've pulled?

1. The Swiss Spaghetti Harvest (1957)
2. Sidd Finch (1985)
3. Instant Color TV (1962)
4. The Taco Liberty Bell (1996)
5. San Serriffe (1977)
6. Nixon for President (1992)
7. Alabama Changes the Value of Pi (1998)
8. The Left-Handed Whopper (1998)
9. Hotheaded Naked Ice Borers (1995)
10. Planetary Alignment Decreases Gravity (1976)

Technorati tags: april fools, pranks, tricks

Photo credit: simplehuman