Product Reviews

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Is There a Green Light for the “Kia Ray” to Enter the Hybrid Market?

At the recently held 2010 Chicago Auto show, Kia unveiled a snazzy concept hybrid car “The Kia Ray” that turned a few heads at this prestigious show. Upon a first glance, this car proves to be very eye catching with its EcoDynamic inspired design. This amazing four seat compact sedan has a proposed mileage range of about 746 miles with an impressive fuel rating of 202 mpg. The battery alone can power the car for about 50 miles on a single charge. This truly green car reduces its carbon footprint by utilizing roof top cool glazing solar glass and recycled materials whenever possible

Kia’s popularity has been gaining momentum in the US market since it’s official entry into the market in 1994. Recently Kia opened a plant in Georgia employing 2,500 people and creating an additional 7,500 jobs in the surrounding area. Their best quarter sales were stated in 2009. They continue to diligently and methodically market themselves and are spreading their consumer awareness through providing an affordable vehicle and a solid 10 year 100,000 mile warranty.

If you are curious about how the various Kia vehicles perform, rent a Kia on your next vacation or road trip. Budget, Hertz, Thrifty, Dollar, National & Alamo all provide Kia car rentals. Do your own research, make your own decision and remember, invest your money wisely. Choose companies and products that resonate with your core beliefs.

Two Cool Concepts I read in Go Green, Live Rich

In my opinion, I think I found my #1 green resource book for this year. David Bach & Hillary Rosner.
“>Go Green, Live Rich is about 50 simple ways to save the earth. Although I am already familiar with many of the subjects they discussed such as driving an energy efficient car, changing my light bulbs and recycling I did find several new concepts that I hadn’t thought of and am looking forward to exploring this year.

Concept #1 - Green Investing

Investing green as a way to build your portfolio. Developing more of a conscience regarding where you invest your money is something I never really thought about. As I invested in my 401K, I innocently let everyone else decide where it was going to be invested. Now that I am older and wiser (haha) I want to change the world and one way to do that is to invest more responsibly, I want to reward and endorse companies that are producing sustainable products and services that are socially and environmentally responsible. How else are we going to make a change? These days change certainly isn’t coming quickly enough through our voting power.

A couple of places to begin your research is Morningstar.com. David Bach also has his own investment alerts at www.greengreen.com

Concept #2 - Take a Volunteer Vacation

In this current economy everyone is talking about taking “staycations.” In my opinion this is not a real vacation. A volunteer vacation is where you save money and have a terrific adventure by providing valuable manpower on a project that is helping the plant and all its inhabitants. Depending upon the type of project you choose, you can be a place with spectacular scenery with time to spare to enjoy it. In most cases by volunteering your food and lodging are included.

A couple of places to check out are the Sierra Club www.sierraclub.org and Habitat for Humanity ” www.habitat.org

As I stated before Go Green, Live Rich: 50 Simple Ways to Save the Earth and Get Rich Trying
“>Go Green, Live Rich discusses 50 simple ways to save the earth. I highly recommend this book if for no other reason than to tap into all the internet resources that are available.

Going Green by drinking Organic Tea from Numi

As I was drinking a cup of tea this morning, I didn’t realize that I was “going green” drinking organic tea from Numi. I had

received samples from a booth at the San Francisco Green Festival and thought I’d give them a whirl…. I tried “Red Mellow Bush” which is a Rooibos tea (herb). It isn’t actually a traditional tea but an African herbal tea. I really enjoyed the taste and I’m finding that tea drinking is a great way to slow down and relax.

Anyway, after I spent the morning exploring all the many different types of tea available and watched a video of the secret of the Puerh tree. I did a little research on the Numi company and was pleasantly surprised.

Numi is an outstanding “B” corporation company which means they not only “talk the talk” about green practices they also “walk the walk.” B Corporation are a growing group of companies that are changing what it means to be successful. Success isn’t just measured by the bottom line but also by their social and environmental performance.

Numi is actively involved in carbon offset programs, they practice organic farming and are USDA certified organic no pesticides or chemicals are used in their production process. The tea bags are biodegradable and their packaging consists of 85% post consumer waste. They offer attractive “tea” boxes that are made from bamboo which is one of the worlds most organic, earth friendly trees due to their rapid regrowth.

I’m looking forward to broadening my horizons and exploring the many teas that Numi offers. I’m going to feel good about my “green” purchase.

If you want to watch the video on the Puerh tree here it is. the secret of the puerh tree

If you want to Taste the Purest Tea on the Planet - Shop Numi Organic Tea

Spend under $50 for a sleeping bag and save $100’s on your winter heating bill

Why are Sleeping Bags such a hot item to going green? Why not? Buying a great Sleeping Bag is not only smart but useful. You can use it in

the winter months in your house so you can turn your heaters and electric blankets off. Why pay your electric company when you can pocket the savings? Sleeping bags are an essential necessity if for some unknown reason there happens to be an unplanned disaster such as flood, earthquake, hurricane and your sleeping bag should be close by and accessible to your emergencies supplies.

So how do you pick the right Sleeping Bag for you? Did you know there are generally 2 different styles of sleeping bags available in the market? When choosing the right Sleeping Bag style for you keep in mind there are several variables you need to weigh in on also such as:

• Temperature Rating - Do you need a subzero Sleeping Bag if you live in California?
• Type of Construction - Are you camping outside a lot in different types of weather?
• Insulation Material - What are the best materials for conducting heat or repelling water or moisture? Down fill is a lightweight good choice…
• Shape of the Sleeping Bag - How important is the shape of the sleeping bag? It’s important if you are sleeping alone but not as necessary if you are sleeping with someone.
• Bulk or size of the Sleeping Bag - Is a bigger or bulkier bag better? Not when it comes to heat loss……
• The weight of the Sleeping Bag - Sleeping Bags are meant to be portable so yes weight is important.

Traditional Rectangular Sleeping Bags
This is the most common type of sleeping bag generally used by casual campers or children for sleep overs. typically this style bag is made out of cotton and an inexpensive synthetic fiber.

A major benefit of the rectangular Sleeping Bags is two people can sleep together if you zip two bags together.

Mummy Sleeping Bagss
Mummy Sleeping Bagss are the most heat efficient sleeping bags on the market. They offer optimum reduction of weight and bulk. Two major benefits of a mummy Sleeping Bags are insulated hoods and a shorter zipper area that is well made with baffle along the inside length. Did you know 80% of your heat loss is through the zipper and the head opening?

If reducing your carbon foot print by not leaving your heater or electric blanket on at night is your goal and you decide you need a sleeping bag anyway, it probably makes sense to pick a mummy Sleeping Bag. Surprisingly enough most sleeping bags rectangular or mummy style can be purchased for under $50.

25% of your TV & Computer energy consumption is being sucked alive by “Vampire Energy Consumption”

Check out this link from Amazon and watch a 4 minute video on where your hard earned money is sneaking away to and how you can put a stop to “Vampire Energy Consumption.”

Monster Power HD PowerCenter 900 with GreenPower [Amazon Frustration-Free Packaging]

Although these power centers are quite pricey you might want to watch this video as a comparison. These smart strips are much less expensive. You can leave a comment on this post if you want to purchase one and through this post I can get you a good deal through a friend of mine that I recently met at the San Francisco Green Festival.

http://bitsltd.net/ConsumerProducts/Downloads/Smartstrip%20Short.wmv.

Christmas is a time of buying high end electronics and if you want a great way to make your new computer or TV pay you back might I recommend that you buy a “green power strip” Fight back! Do not knowingly allow 25% of your energy consumption sneak out the door while out equipment is turned off but still plugged into the wall. Remember the good guys win in the end….

Even if you are not purchasing a high end electronic this Christmas Season. The smart strip is a great gift for college students and teachers as everyone is trying to do their part in reducing our carbon footprint. So feel good about your gift giving this year. Set an example, make an impact.

Looking forward to your comments

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