Interesting Stuff - Random Thoughts and Resources I'd Like to Share

This is that category of stuff that may just not fit anywhere else. It will usually be interesting websites or other resources I may have come across. It could also be some random thoughts I have and want to "get down" on some virtual paper somewhere. Hopefully you'll find it interesting, it's definitely just a bunch of stuff!

11/05/2019 By Jason Bean Leave a Comment

6 Ways to Make Your Coffee More Eco-Friendly

Hot Cup of Coffee on Whole Beans

For many people, drinking several cups of coffee a day is a lifestyle choice. So, considering how much java is gulped down on a daily basis, it makes sense to try and make this habit more eco-friendly. The good news is that it is absolutely possible to do this! For the best results, follow these suggestions below:

1. Keep Your K Cups Green

K cups have enjoyed quite a bit of popularity in the past few years. Not only does this product make it easier to brew your money cup, but it has so many different flavor options to choose from as well. Despite all the positive elements associated with K cups, there was one glaring issue. This, of course, was the fact that single-use containers weren’t green at all.

The good news, though, is that manufacturers have listened to these concerns and responded accordingly with the introduction of eco friendly Biodegradable K Cups. There are now several brands that offer containers that naturally break down with time. These fall into two categories – biodegradable and compostable. Thus, you can select a K cup that is especially suitable for your type of eco-friendly techniques.

Of course, when selecting these containers, try to make it a point to read the labels carefully. While some are fully biodegradable, this isn’t true for all K cups. Others have certain compartments that need to be separated and sent off to specialized recycling centers. Thus, you will need to select one that is easiest for you to dispose of in a responsible manner.

2. Buy Coffee Makers with Reusable Filters

Most people would look at single-use coffee filters and imagine that they would break down rather easily. After all, they are rather flimsy and are sure to decompose in a landfill. Well, what most people aren’t aware of is the fact that these filters are bleached. So, when they do break down, they release harmful chemicals into the soil.

This is why you should buy coffee makers with reusable filters. As the name suggests, these can be rinsed out and used continuously. Thus, you can considerably cut down on just how much waste you create every day. In case you aren’t in the market for a new coffee maker, there is another option for you.

You can purchase a separate reusable filter for your machine. All you need to do is to check that the filter is the right shape and size for your coffee machine model and you will be good to go.

3. Keep it Local

The distance your coffee has to travel to get to you can play a huge role in whether or not it is eco-friendly. Whether your coffee reaches you by ship, plane, or truck, there is quite a bit of pollution involved in the transportation process. This alone is enough for the coffee to leave behind a significant carbon footprint.

To cut down on this, look for local brands that grow and process the beans closer to you. Naturally, these beans will not have to travel nearly as far to get to a store in your town or city. As a result, it will be a great deal safer for the environment.

4. Buy Coffee Grown with Minimal Environment Impact

It is important to keep in mind that going organic isn’t just good for your body. Organic farming is safe for the environment as well. By its very definition, organic farming cuts out the use of pesticides and other harmless toxins. Thus, there is no chance for these chemicals to seep into the surrounding soil and contaminate it.

If you don’t mind taking it one step further, look for other stamps on your coffee such as Rainforest Alliance and bird-friendly. This means that the processing system is eco-friendly and that the beans are grown in a sustainable manner.

5. Have Reusable Mugs on Hand

A number of people take their coffee to go each day. This is why it is so important to take a reusable mug with you each time you leave the house. Such a practice naturally cuts down on how much waste you create. Not to mention, you also get to keep your coffee warmer for longer.

If possible, adopt this practice when getting your brew from a local coffee shop. Rather than pouring the java into a disposable cup, have it poured into a reusable mug. This, too, can make a significant impact in reducing how much waste you produce on a regular basis.

6. Compost Your Beans

Don’t ditch your used coffee grounds into your trash once you are done with them. They still have some uses. In particular, coffee grounds are excellent for both composting as well as fertilizing. So, if you have a garden, these leftovers should be going there instead.

The grounds can add nitrogen to the soil and make it easier for plants to grow in your garden. At the same time, they are a natural solution to ward off snails and slugs. There is even some evidence to suggest that grounds can prevent your cats from using your garden as a litter box. Last but not least, they can help to feed any worms in your worm bin.

If you want a guilt-free cup of java, these are the steps that you need to take. For the best possible impact, make sure to follow all these suggestions. Within no time at all, you will be able to significantly reduce the environmental impact of every cup of coffee you drink.

05/15/2018 By Jason Bean Leave a Comment

How to Charge a Car Battery without a Charger

Is it possible to charge a car battery without using a charger? Yes, you can learn how to charge a car battery without a charger. You can also read more about my favorite diesel injector cleaner by reading more at this website. In many cases, the most popular method used is charging it with another car. But then, this opportunity does not always exist. Don’t worry though because you can still make use of other ways on how to do it.

While the best way is using a charging device because it is the simplest and most effective way to do it, there are other ways on which you can charge the battery if you don’t have a charger. But if there is no chance to do it because you don’t have your charging device with you, you can follow the simple methods highlighted below.

Things You Will Need

Resistor or a 12V bulb
Solder
Multimeter or ammeter
Insulating tape
Copper wires
Soldering iron

Charging at Home without a Charger

Take note of the characteristics of the battery especially the capacity and the voltage. Also, remember that the voltage is generally 12 volts, while its capacity range is from 40 to 100 Ah. It is the reason you need your power supply unit with a voltage of at least 14 volts and then between two to five ampere capacity.

To do this method, you need a device with the ability of creating a specific resistance. For example, you can bring a 12V bulb or a resistor. The car battery or the power supply unit is less likely to function if you won’t use resistance.
If you want to take control of the process, you should use a multimeter or ammeter into your circuit. If you’re connecting all your devices into an electrical circuit, you should use a soldering iron, copper wires, an insulating tape and a solder.
Before starting, know how to get the work done. Or else, you might put your safety at risk and hurt yourself in the process. As a tip, you might as well bring your car battery to maintenance or repair center to charge the battery.
When charging the car battery, you should follow the precautionary measures and the exact steps. Doing so, you can ensure that you are in control of the process. It is also done to ensure that you’re not overcharging your battery.

Tips and Warnings

The following are basic tips to remember when charging your car battery without a charger at home.

Take note that there is a risk for explosion because the battery produces explosive gas while being charged.
So when charging with or without the car battery charger, you should have a fire extinguisher close by as much as possible.
You must also keep the battery away from fire sources.
When charging at home, you must also avoid smoking where you’re doing it. Instead, you must work in a well-ventilated space or area.

Alternative Method: Charging with a Laptop’s Charging Device

Another way on how to charge a car battery without a charger is using the laptop’s charging device. See the following for the simple steps on how to do it.

Things You’ll Need

Bulb
Laptop’s charging device
Resistor
Copper wires

Simple Steps

Strip two wires from the charging device – each for the positive and the negative wire. Take note that the positive wire must be inside and the negative outside.
Attach the negative wire to your car battery’s negative output.
Start connecting either the resistor or the bulb to the space or gap area. You must use a resistor here if you have it because you can change the resistance level with it.

Tips and Tricks

Be sure to gear down while driving your car at normal speed. However, you should switch off all devices that drain the battery power, and two of those include headlamps and air conditioner. Doing so, your car engine will be running at increased speed as well as your alternator’s intensity will increase. Do not do this often though because it is not good for your engine.

Also, remember that this charging method is going to increase fuel usage rate, but you can do it once as a temporary measure when no choice is left and you need to charge your car battery immediately.

Charging a car battery without a charging device is possible. Just follow the steps and tips and take note of the warnings outlined above for the best results and your safety.

Hope you find this article useful and be able discover how to charge a car battery without a charger in different ways. Did you like this post? Share it on Facebook and help others solve the same problem. Or if you think we missed something, tell us in the comment section below today! - From toptooladvisor.com - Latest News, Reviews and Guides for Every Tool Guy

03/21/2018 By Jason Bean Leave a Comment

Shopping For Your Baby: Tips

Shopping for a baby can be such a confusing experience since everything looks similar and adorable. You may end up buying the whole boutique if you are not careful. So it is important to know what exactly you are looking for since babies grow so fast and might not even get to wear everything you buy if you splash so much on baby clothes.

When shopping for baby clothes, you should consider size, the material and how comfortable they are. It is important that the clothes be well-fitting; not too tight nor too loose. Tight clothing gives babies injuries while the loose ones aren’t as adorable.

Keep in mind

The beauty of most baby clothes is that they are unisex and can be worn by any gender. When shopping, there are a number of things to keep in mind which will determine how you choose the baby clothes.

Feeding a newborn baby is, more often than not, a messy affair with spillages all over. Considering that and the fact that they have to stay fresh, baby clothes have to be changed often, sometimes up to six times a day. What this means is you should have enough clothes to last them at least two days to give you sufficient to do the laundry work.

Factor in the fact that a baby needs to wear at least one more layer of clothing than an adult to keep warm, you should ensure your baby has enough clothes to change every time they are fed or bathed.

Comfort

Baby clothes need to be comfortable enough for the baby to stretch their limbs without it getting too tight and bruising them. The clothes should keep the baby warm but not too hot that they become cranky or start crying. Neither should they be too light to expose them to the cold to make them shiver. If you are still not convinced you can check out baby shower gifts to buy online and get them delivered at home just in time for that special occasion. Learn about the newborn experience photography studio. baby photography Raleigh team approach and style to newborn photography is clean, simple and minimalistic with an emphasis on your baby as the beautiful artistic subject.

What to consider

Pick clothes of varying colors and designs to give your baby a fashionable look. The best material for baby clothes is soft fabrics made from cotton. Cotton is preferred to synthetic materials like polyester since they allow the skins to breathe in addition to feeling snuggly and comfortable with the sense of touch. Soft fabrics are also easier to wash and dry.

You should, however, avoid clothes with tight necklines that have to be pulled over the baby’s head. They often bruise the baby’s scalp and are quite uncomfortable. Furthermore, the clothes need to be easy to wear, so you don’t have to bend and squeeze your baby’s legs and feet into it.

For sleep time, it is recommended to use baby sleep sacks which are comfortable and don’t have any frills around the neck which might choke the baby or accumulate dribbles and cause sores on his or her skin. The advantage of having a sleep sack, acting as a blanket, for your baby is that they are worn like any other clothes which eliminate the worry whether your baby is properly covered or not during nap time.

Buckles and anything that requires pointed chips for fastening is a no-no for your baby clothes. There is obvious danger in such accessories, and simple buttons should be used instead for baby clothes.