Monthly Archives: November 2007

The buzz about fluorescents

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Dimmable Fluorescent Light

Fluorescent lighting is the poster child for efficient technology and electronics. While the long white tubes were traditionally seen in large institutions, like office buildings and product warehouses, CFLs (Compact Fluorescent Lighting) can now be found in household floor lamps, street lights, and ceiling fixtures in restaurants.

According to EnergyStar.gov, CFLs use 75% less energy and last 10 times longer than incandescent bulbs. Since they’re more efficient, and a byproduct of energy consumption is heat, CFLs create less heat, making them safer to use in the home.

These kinds of statistics are impressive, but how many typical consumers understand the science behind lighting technologies?  And further, what are the health impacts of fluorescent lights?
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Inspiration

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This news from the FDA caught my eye because I take the drug Advair every day, and I have for years. I see the warnings that were given today were targeted at children.

Serevent and Advair were the subject of a review Wednesday by the agency’s pediatric advisory committee, which looked at the safety of products containing salmeterol. While clinical studies have showed all three drugs are successful at controlling asthma in the vast majority of patients, some have showed that salmeterol can cause severe – and sometimes fatal – asthma attacks in a small group of patients.

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Horse therapy

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Thunderhoof designs

I never met a horse I didn’t like. My father grew up on a farm with horses – I’ll get him to share a fond memory. I love a good horse story, too. I’ve been told that horse is a strong “power animal” according to shamanic tradition.

For all native peoples the arrival and domestication of Horse shortened the distance of journeys making travel easier. This made it more possible to visit with distant clans and communities, which increased the ability to communicate and to strengthen relationships. It also enabled people to experience the world beyond their immediate environment.

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Culture of wellness

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Health Patio is pleased to report on the the 2007 National Prevention and Health Promotion Summit: Creating a Culture of Wellness.

Tuesday, November 27–Thursday, November 29, 2007
Hyatt Regency Capitol Hill
Washington D.C.

Exploring innovations in science and policy that support engaging in regular physical activity, eating a healthy diet, taking advantage of appropriate medical screenings, making healthy choices to avoid risky behaviors, and other healthy practices.

The main supporting agency, The Coordinating Center for Health Promotion (CoCHP), was created to bring us into the twenty-first century ways of knowing about health. Realization of the need to reduce the environmental and lifestyle causes of ill health, as well as emerging infectious diseases, terrorism, environmental threats (hurricanes, wildfires, toxic chemical spills) and an aging population make this health summit literally vital.

'Tis the season to wash your hands

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Hand washing

The point is, healthy habits keep you well. That according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. I’m sure you’ve heard of them. (smile)

My four year old goes to an accredited preschool where each child washes his/her hands upon entering the building. It has become a routine for everybody and, like the water cooler at work, the kids and parents gather around the sink to gab about the latest happenings– as if we hadn’t just seen each other yesterday!
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Guitar Hero

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Guitar hero

In our society, video games and media are the supreme rulers. We bow to the sacred game consoles and and beg for the latest brain rot (video game).

But now the Guitar Hero by Harmonix series is taking a new hold on the nation, an interactive game with a mini eletric guitar with 5 or 6 keys. It encourages players to get on their feet and rock out! At least it encourages me.

I don’t know if it’s healthy, but it makes you move more than the standard sitting-down-and-veggitizing game controler. The only things those things do is make your hands hurt.

Hit the corresponding buttons on a toy plastic guitar, and some familiar rock anthems, from Weezer’s “My Name is Jonas,” to Foghat’s “Slow Ride,” blare fluidly from your television’s speakers. Miss a note, and you’ll hear a loud clanking sound. Continue reading →

Health patio of the north

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Ice Road, Barrow, Alaska (USA)

A delightful and interesting garden of the north- way north- the tundra itself – Barrow, Alaska (USA) was graciously shared with us by Jessica Damiano, of Garden Detective (blog.) The catchy tag line of this blog? “A garden blog by Jessica Damiano that gets to the root of things.” (literal LOL)

I learned all about Anne Brygger from Barrow, Alaska, her blog, Tundra Garden, and it was a lot of fun. Thanks!
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Two worlds pedagogy

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Sioux lookout
In Ontario (Canada), Ways of Knowing is bridging Aboriginal and Western qualifications as of last month. Brock University joined together with the Northern Nishnawbe Education Council in Sioux Lookout to make it happen.

The new program aims to deliver teacher education to 24 Native communities throughout Sioux Lookout District. The Bachelor of Education Program, which includes Indigenous knowledge and a land-based curriculum, embraces a “Two Worlds” pedagogy that reflects both Anishnawbek and mainstream ways of knowing.

The really cool thing was that the land mass area is so large that the teachers enrolled in this accreditation program will have to fly in to meet together to meet the requirements of the program!
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The big ask

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Friends of the earth
172,567 people ask you to be friends of the earth.

How? Promote strong climate law. It is being promoted in the U.K. with Friends of the Earth spear-heading the effort, and they say it’s working.

How?

This promotion caught my eye because of their use of web media – you can upload your own video or animation! Some of the clips will also be chosen to appear in a short film produced by Friends of the Earth. Way cool!

What does Friends of the Earth say about themselves?
Friends of the Earth wants a healthy planet and a good life for everyone on it. In fact, we believe you don’t get one without the other. We are trusted and determined and have been making life better for people and the planet since 1971.

Micro-loans, macro-benefit

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Skara Brae
I run a small free loan charity. The idea is to loan small (and very small) sums of money and allow repayment to be made over time without any interest. The charity derives it name from our first son who unfortunately died after only one day of life in 2002.

This micro-loan concept isn’t original to me, obviously. Today, The Tyee (like the tyee salmon for which the online magazine is named) reported the Big Power of Small Loans.

Microloans are based on character, not collateral, and the principal is to allow people, often women, with few assets or a poor credit history to access small loans for self-employment projects.

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