http://www.neutralexistence.com/blog/ alternative energy, solar power, green, green living, natural living, hydrogen power, global warming, environment, energy efficiency en triciajaneedgar@gmail.com Copyright 2012 2012-03-12T02:17:25+00:00 http://www.neutralexistence.com/blog/what-is-thermal-mass-playing-catch-and-release-with-solar-power/ http://www.neutralexistence.com/blog/what-is-thermal-mass-playing-catch-and-release-with-solar-power/#When:01:17:25Z As anyone who has lounged in a sunbeam can attest, the sun brings heat to a room. In some climates at some parts of the year, this is a good thing. In a climate that is cold, you want the heat and light of the sun to shine through your windows in the… Solar 2012-03-12T01:17:25+00:00 http://www.neutralexistence.com/blog/homes-that-work-with-the-sun-principles-of-passive-solar-design/ http://www.neutralexistence.com/blog/homes-that-work-with-the-sun-principles-of-passive-solar-design/#When:16:22:28Z The sun is an exploding furnace of gas, and it is anything but passive. Designing your home for the best possible use of solar power is also a… Solar 2011-11-28T16:22:28+00:00 http://www.neutralexistence.com/blog/solar-to-go-small-folding-solar-panels/ http://www.neutralexistence.com/blog/solar-to-go-small-folding-solar-panels/#When:00:18:25Z It’s nearly summer, and it’s almost time to plan vacations. Rambling folks need power too, and those outlets can be hard to find on the road. Going off the beaten path, into less-serviced campgrounds? You’ll need your own power. If… 2011-11-07T00:18:25+00:00 http://www.neutralexistence.com/blog/hot-hot-hot-connecting-solar-hot-water-to-a-tankless-water-heater/ http://www.neutralexistence.com/blog/hot-hot-hot-connecting-solar-hot-water-to-a-tankless-water-heater/#When:01:19:49Z We like it hot. Our showers, that is. So we stand in the glorious fountain of water that comes out of our shower, enjoying the hot cascade and using up the contents in the hot water tank in the process. Ah, the enjoyment. Oh, the guilt of using hot… Solar 2011-09-27T01:19:49+00:00 http://www.neutralexistence.com/begreen/easy-water-conservation-tip-take-a-navy-shower/ http://www.neutralexistence.com/begreen/easy-water-conservation-tip-take-a-navy-shower/#When:00:53:07Z There are so many great and painfully simple ways to conserve water at home. Here’s one way you might not have considered before, though: take a navy shower! A navy… Green Your Home 2011-08-11T00:53:07+00:00 http://www.neutralexistence.com/begreen/online-solar-assessment-tools/ http://www.neutralexistence.com/begreen/online-solar-assessment-tools/#When:19:40:34Z It’s summer, it’s sunny, and solar power abounds. You’re sitting on the deck, watching the sun beat down on the roof, and you begin to think… Green Your Electricity 2011-08-04T19:40:34+00:00 http://www.neutralexistence.com/blog/find-recycling-locations-near-you-with-this-online-directory/ http://www.neutralexistence.com/blog/find-recycling-locations-near-you-with-this-online-directory/#When:17:35:11Z Do you have a bunch of old electronics sitting around, just waiting to be recycled? Is it difficult to find a location near your home that will accept even standard recyclables such as paper, aluminum, and plastic? Thankfully, this website will let… General 2011-08-01T17:35:11+00:00 http://www.neutralexistence.com/blog/buying-green-and-renewable-energy-weighing-the-options/ http://www.neutralexistence.com/blog/buying-green-and-renewable-energy-weighing-the-options/#When:16:56:41Z Many of us want to buy renewable energy for our homes. We are tired of burning natural gas or coal, both of which contribute to climate change and changes in air quality. However, for many people renewable energy is a challenging thing to create at… General 2011-06-04T16:56:41+00:00 http://www.neutralexistence.com/blog/outdoor-temperature-and-the-efficiency-of-home-solar-panels/ http://www.neutralexistence.com/blog/outdoor-temperature-and-the-efficiency-of-home-solar-panels/#When:23:48:11Z The weather outside is hot: really hot. You sit inside, pleased because all of this sunshine must be good for your… Solar 2011-03-25T23:48:11+00:00 http://www.neutralexistence.com/blog/solar-kits-for-kids/ http://www.neutralexistence.com/blog/solar-kits-for-kids/#When:23:41:02Z While it is winter and the sun has yet to make an appearance for more than a few minutes, it is coming. At least I hope that it is. While we wait for the sun to shine, teachers and parents can plan for summer and for children’s birthdays by thinking… Solar 2011-03-22T23:41:02+00:00 http://www.neutralexistence.com/resources/other-links/ http://www.neutralexistence.com/resources/other-links/#When:17:13:40Z GeoMagnets - Neodymium Magnets Design, create, and manipulate these magnets into thousands of different patterns, or use them individually to hold… Recommended Links 2011-01-10T17:13:40+00:00 http://www.neutralexistence.com/blog/growing-water-wise/ http://www.neutralexistence.com/blog/growing-water-wise/#When:20:04:46Z It’s the heat of summer. The plants are wilting rapidly in the garden, and you reach for the hose. Wait a moment. If you want to be water wise, you might want to reconsider your watering habits. If you live in a desert, chances are that… Natural Living 2010-08-12T20:04:46+00:00 http://www.neutralexistence.com/blog/home-of-the-first-drive-thru-bans-new-fast-food-restaurants/ http://www.neutralexistence.com/blog/home-of-the-first-drive-thru-bans-new-fast-food-restaurants/#When:21:12:14Z Baldwin City, with a population of 80,000 and home to a whopping 17 fast food drive-thrus, was home to the very first drive-thru back in 1948. But now the city wants to put a ban on any new drive-thru fast food restaurants, in hopes of fighting pollution… News 2010-08-01T21:12:14+00:00 http://www.neutralexistence.com/blog/growing-networks-growing-food-community-food-security/ http://www.neutralexistence.com/blog/growing-networks-growing-food-community-food-security/#When:14:13:17Z Food security: it sounds so formal, but the concept is actually very simple. If you can eat fresh and healthy food every day, you are food secure. If you struggle to buy or grow or glean enough food for yourself and your family, you are food insecure.… Natural Living 2010-07-24T14:13:17+00:00 http://www.neutralexistence.com/blog/it-is-getting-warm-yet-its-summer-time-for-winter-gardening/ http://www.neutralexistence.com/blog/it-is-getting-warm-yet-its-summer-time-for-winter-gardening/#When:09:35:15Z It’s summer. While the sun might be sporadic in many places, it’s time to plant your winter garden. Winter garden? Yes, that’s right. Planting a winter garden is a summer time activity, however hot it might be right now. Plants need… Natural Living 2010-07-16T09:35:15+00:00 http://www.neutralexistence.com/blog/how-humans-have-impacted-the-oceans/ http://www.neutralexistence.com/blog/how-humans-have-impacted-the-oceans/#When:18:05:12Z The devastating BP oil spill is still on everyone’s minds as its ecologically dire impacts on the ocean continue to take a toll. The scale of this particular problem is huge, but unfortunately, it’s just another way humans have wrecked… General 2010-07-11T18:05:12+00:00 http://www.neutralexistence.com/blog/local-produce-is-fungi/ http://www.neutralexistence.com/blog/local-produce-is-fungi/#When:00:23:19Z Growing your own? It never looked so good. The grow it locally movement is growing in leaps and bounds, and with it come new trends in urban gardening and foraging. Stinging nettles and dandelions are on the list for foragers in urban areas. Bees in… Natural Living 2010-07-01T00:23:19+00:00 http://www.neutralexistence.com/blog/climate-change-might-result-in-mass-extinction-of-lizards/ http://www.neutralexistence.com/blog/climate-change-might-result-in-mass-extinction-of-lizards/#When:19:43:12Z New research from a study in Science claims that nearly 40% of all lizard populations, and 20% of species could become extinct by 2080, due to the effects of continuing climate… Global Warming 2010-06-19T19:43:12+00:00 http://www.neutralexistence.com/blog/where-does-your-milk-come-from/ http://www.neutralexistence.com/blog/where-does-your-milk-come-from/#When:02:53:41Z Ever wonder where that jug of milk came from that you just purchased at the supermarket? Just how far away were those cows raised? Well, thanks to this super nifty website, you can find out exactly where. From the website “where… General 2010-05-28T02:53:41+00:00 http://www.neutralexistence.com/blog/growing-soil/ http://www.neutralexistence.com/blog/growing-soil/#When:01:09:43Z It’s spring. The birds are singing, the plants are growing, and at garden stores across the nations there is a run on potting soil and other soil amendments. Everyone is heading out to buy soil. I confess to buying soil upon occasion,… Natural Living 2010-05-26T01:09:43+00:00 http://www.neutralexistence.com/blog/super-green-home-turf-houses-in-norse-era/ http://www.neutralexistence.com/blog/super-green-home-turf-houses-in-norse-era/#When:11:29:37Z Talk about a green home! This website documents some ancient turf home reconstructions that date from the Norse Era in Canada and Iceland. The… Natural Living 2010-05-18T11:29:37+00:00 http://www.neutralexistence.com/blog/bestbloc-organic-sunscreen/ http://www.neutralexistence.com/blog/bestbloc-organic-sunscreen/#When:23:22:57Z I went to a marketing convention a while back and met the owner of Best On Earth Products and he gave me a sample of BestBloc Organic… Product Reviews 2010-05-11T23:22:57+00:00 http://www.neutralexistence.com/begreen/living-car-free-is-good-for-the-environment-and-your-community/ http://www.neutralexistence.com/begreen/living-car-free-is-good-for-the-environment-and-your-community/#When:14:32:55Z In the eyes of many young Americans, the chance to one day own a car is likened to gaining a new kind of freedom and independence. However, many people are wising up about the realities of owning a personal vehicle, such as the writer of this particular… Green Your Car 2010-05-10T14:32:55+00:00