Popular Brands of Energy-Efficient A-Shape Bulbs

A-shape CFL bulbs look almost like the standard incandescent bulb. They come in different sizes and wide range of brightness. A-shape bulbs are most suitable for lamps, ceiling fixtures and fans, recessed can fixtures, wall sconces, track lighting fixtures, and hanging pendants.

Here are popular brands and makers of energy-efficient A-shape bulbs:

11-watt Soft White A17 (General Electric)
Size: 4.4 inches long
Brightness: 400 lumens, equivalent to a 40-watt incandescent bulb
Use: This bulb is for home use. Its warm white light and low brightness are perfect for ambient lighting
Life expectancy: 10,000 hours

15-watt Soft White A19 and A21 (General Electric)
Sizes: 4.7 inches and 5.4 inches long
Brightness: 825 lumens, equivalent to a 60-watt incandescent bulb
Use: This bulb is good for home use. Its warm white light and medium brightness particularly suit hallway and room lighting.
Life expectancy: 10,000 hours

20-watt Soft White Biax A23 (General Electric)
Size: 6.1 inches long
Brightness: 1,125 lumens, equivalent to a 75-watt incandescent bulb
Use: This bulb is good for home use. Its warm white light and medium brightness particularly suit hallway and room lighting.
Life expectancy: 10,000 hours

13-watt A-Style (Maxlite)
Size: 4.3 inches long
Brightness: 800 lumens, equivalent to a 60-watt incandescent bulb
Use: This bulb is good for home use. Its warm white light and medium brightness particularly suit hallway and room lighting.
Life expectancy: 15,000 hours

20-watt A-Shape Soft White (Westinghouse)
Size: 6.58 inches long
Brightness: 1,000 lumens, equivalent to an 80-watt incandescent bulb
Use: This bulb is for home use. Its warm white light and high brightness are suitable for reading
Life expectancy: 6,000 hours

Diet Strategies That Lower Cholesterol Levels

Have you been eating oily and fatty foods for as long as you can remember? You may have to have your cholesterol levels checked. A diet high in cholesterol poses risks to one’s health and increases the likelihood of developing heart disease, diabetes, and cancer.

You can modify your eating habits slowly and with conviction until you reach normal cholesterol levels. Diet modification may sound like you’re stripping away all the fun in eating, but it does not really. Sensible diet strategies and personal discipline will provide you good food and good health. A well-balanced diet from all food groups is doable. Here are ways to cut down on saturated fat:

Put vegetables on top of your list
Remember what your mother used to tell you at the dining table? Eat your vegetables. Research has proven that a diet that consists mainly of vegetables help reduce a person’s risk of developing heart disease, diabetes, and certain cancers. Vegetables are rich in fiber that help flush out bad cholesterol, vitamins and minerals that boost the immune system, and antioxidants that fight cancer.

Use non-fat milk or soy milk
It may be good to eat fiber-rich whole grain cereals every day. But if your milk of choice for that bowl of cereal is high in fat, you may not reach your desired cholesterol levels at all. Choose non-fat milk, skim milk, or soy milk for your cereal. The taste is almost the same but the nutritional benefits are definitely high.

Choose lean meats
Do you like grilling meats during a cookout or picnic? Consider using lean meats. These don’t have that much fat in the center and in the edge but taste just as good as the usual slab of steak. Enjoy lean meats with mash potatoes (use low fat butter) or vegetable salad.

Eat seafood more often
Food from the sea is rich in Omega 3, a type of oil that fights the bad cholesterol in our body. Eat fish or shellfish every day for lunch or dinner. A seafood diet can be very effective in lowering levels of cholesterol. Best to have the fish grilled or boiled instead of fried.

Have nuts and fruits for dessert
Candies, cakes, and ice cream are all rich in sugar and fat. Do away with candies altogether. Eat cakes in moderation and go for ice cream that contains less fat or no animal fat. The best desserts by far are nuts and fruits. These contain high levels of vitamins, minerals and fiber which are all good for your body.

Don’t chicken out on chicken 
Love fried chicken? Roasted, poached, or steamed chicken may be better. Flavor the dish with herbs and olive oil to make it more delicious. In time, you’ll learn to say no to fried chicken. It is never too late to make some changes in your lifestyle and diet. You can have more control over your plan if you cook your own food. Recipes and cookbooks on healthy eating are available everywhere. Come up with your own low-cholesterol recipes and share them with friends and family!

5 Things to Consider When Buying a Swimming Pool

Guide to Buying a Swimming Pool

Making the decision to buy a swimming pool can prove to be quite difficult, especially when you are trying to choose between an in ground pool or an above ground pool.  Either pool type can be good for you and your family, but you may want to compare each one’s features before you make that final decision.

Here are 5 things to consider when buying a swimming pool:

1. The Shape
Choosing the shape of the pool is important because it’s when you get to consider how many people are going to use that pool. In ground pools are available in square, oval, or kidney shape.  Above ground pools only come in round or oval shape.  If you have a large family or many friends who enjoy swimming, you may want to choose a shape that can accommodate many people.

2. The Size
The size of the pool is also an important consideration.  Take note that above ground pools are much smaller than in ground pools.  In ground pools are a lot bigger and offer many different sizes.  However, they are more expensive than above ground pools.  Above ground swimming pools are cheaper and use less water, although they tend to limit the activities you can do in water.

Get an Intex Easy Set 12-Foot by 30-Inch Round Pool Set for your family!

3. The Depth
If you like to dive, you will have to choose an in ground pool.  Above ground pools can’t have diving boards, as most are only 6 foot deep.  Having an in ground pool will provide you with your preferred diving height.

4. Your Budget
If you are on a budget but want to get a pool anyway, your best choice shall be an above ground pool.  The above ground pool is way cheaper than an in ground pool and can definitely save you a lot of money.  The money that you save can be used to purchase add-ons to your pool such as a deck or privacy fence.  If you choose to purchase an in ground pool, however, you will have no need for a deck and the privacy fence need not be as high as it would with an above ground pool.

5. Installation
Installation is also something that you should consider when buying a pool. You can install above ground pools by yourself with little or no help in a few hours.  The installation of an in ground pool, on the other hand, will take several days and must be done by a professional.  The cost of having it installed can be costly.

Get a Mushroom Baby Pool for your little one! 


Choosing the right type of swimming pool really comes down to how you want to use the pool.  If you need bigger space or want to dive and swim laps, an in ground pool is your best choice.  If you can be content with a smaller pool for yourself or your kids, an above ground pool would be just right.  Choose the pool that will work best for you.

Use Coupons to Save More and Spend Less

The financial recession isn't over yet.  This is what the news tells us every day. If you're feeling the crunch, you might as well start adopting certain measures to curb your usual expenses.  Whether you're an individual fending only for yourself or a parent running a household, using coupons and promo codes will help you save more and spend less money.

Why use coupons?

Coupons are a great way to save on purchases, especially on groceries.  Sure, most coupons are promotional in nature. But by and large, it's a win-win situation for both manufacturers and consumers.  Get a liter of cooking oil and get another one for half the price? That's not so bad, especially since you'll be using that extra bottle of cooking oil soon, anyway.

Why avail of promo codes?

Promo Codes are great to use practically anywhere and for whatever type of purchase.  Use them to buy clothes, gadgets or to purchase travel tickets. Avail of promo codes at the right time and in the perfect season. For example, if you spot a promo code for a good game of baseball on a good weather, grab it!

Saving money is all about strategy.  More than scrimping whatever you got, using coupons and promo codes is a sure way to spend less and get more of what you buy. Save Money. Print Free Coupons Anytime.

How to Start a Child Care Business

Are you thinking about starting a child care business? Before doing so, you may want to consider a few important things. Putting up a private child care establishment requires convenient location, ready market, and special training among other things. Here are some tips to help you get started:

Know what you need

As with any other type of business, you will have to sit down and determine what you need to be able to start your child care service. Find out how much money you will need, the equipment you will have to purchase, and the staff or personnel you need to hire.

Choose a good location

Location is integral in the operation of your business. Will you set up child care within the premises of your own home or rent a commercial space in a more accessible area? There are pros and cons to either option. Setting up shop in your own home saves rental costs and other overhead expenses. It is also beneficial if your clients live near your house for this will save them time and money. Setting up shop at home, however, may limit expansion and clients. On the other hand, renting space in a busy commercial area may help you with marketing and advertising. The commercial building can also provide you other amenities which are not available in your home office setup. Being in a commercial area will also provide a steadier stream of clients compared to a small neighborhood, on-the-block child care. Choosing this type of location, however, will require additional costs and funding. If you still opt for this and you fall short of capital, you may want to consider getting into a partnership with similar establishments or signing up for franchise.

Choosing a location may also depend on your own preferences. Some people want to work from their home, while others want to travel to their business office.

Obtain licenses and necessary permits

Before you begin any commercial endeavor, it is necessary to obtain required licenses and permits. There are legal conditions that you will have to adhere to before you start operating your business.  Go to your local business services office and find out what kinds of requirements are needed, how to obtain them and how much they will cost.

The types of licenses and permits will depend on your business location. In general, they may include health code regulations, fire safety regulations, business permit, etc.

Get certified

Putting up a child care business requires more than just a business sense and a business capital.  You will have to obtain special training and certifications to successfully operate this type of business.  Enroll in certificate courses on child care and child development. Read about child care laws and industry. Join associations on child care. You may also want learn about first aid and CPR.

Getting these certifications will further legitimize your business and improve your reputation among parents and guardians.

Have your business insured

This may seem unimportant but if you truly value your assets, you will have to have it covered for any damages or injuries that might occur during the life of your business.  If you have decided to set up the child care business in your home, it may be wise to increase the limits of your existing insurance policy. Another option would be to buy a separate policy for the home-based child care business.

If you’re running your child care business in an establishment outside of your home, you will need to look into insurance for that place.

Tap the market

The current location of your business should be convenient for your target market: the parents.  You can do your own initial market research by checking out other private child care providers to see if they have more clients than they can handle.  You should also be able to determine if their businesses are going smooth in that particular area.

The best way to tap the market, however, is to set up business in an area with many parents needing child care.  If your services are most needed in that location, then your business will thrive. 

Choosing and Raising a Cat

Cats are probably the most popular pet in the household. In the United States alone, there are already millions of cat owners from the country and the city. Cats make wonderful, independent companions, and they often live to be as much as 15 years old.

If you lead a busy life and you often leave your home, a cat is the best pet you can have. Cats can be perfectly happy by themselves. Leave them food and a litter box and you wouldn’t have to worry about them for the entire time you’re away.

If you want to raise a cat, you may want to educate it early on. Get a kitten not younger than 10 to 12 weeks. Younger kittens may have been weaned too early from their mothers. No matter how adorable, they may not have been properly litter trained and socialized. Such a kitten may grow up into an irritable cat that wouldn’t cooperate with anyone.

If you don’t have the time or patience to watch over a kitten, consider adopting an older cat. Choose one that is healthy, stable, well-mannered, and loving. The best cat or kitten has been raised as a member of a human family. This cat knows and trusts people and is not timid or withdrawn. Male cats are generally more affectionate than female cats.

If you’re having a male, you’ll want to have it neutered. An unaltered male will grow into a wandering feline who often gets into fights. Females, too, should be spayed to prevent yowling, rolling, and carrying on during heat. An altered cat of either sex makes an excellent pet.

Bring your cat to the veterinarian for regular checkups. This is to make sure that your cat lives with you for a longer time and is prevented from suffering illnesses.

Gardening Tip: How to Divide Daisies

Do you have a dense mat of daisies growing in your garden?  Daisies are ‘wild’ perennials that can be quite invasive if left alone for several years.  The good news is, you can actually tame and manage these daisies with little effort. How? Divide, replant and share them.

Note: Apply this process only if you’re growing the following types of daisy:

• Shasta daisy or “Becky
• Ryan’s Pink daisy
• Ox-eye daisy

How to divide daisies:

1. Work from the outer edge of the clump. Use a sharp spade to dig around and to lift large sections of the daisy foliage.
2. Gently separate each small plant cluster with your hands, carefully untangling roots as you go.
3. After you dig and divide the daisies, prepare the bed for replanting.  You can improve the quality of the soil by adding soil conditioner or organic compost to the garden.  Make sure you mix the conditioner or compost well with the garden soil.   
4. After separating the thick tangle of roots, replant the daisies spacing them 8 to 10 inches apart. 
5. Once the flowers are planted, fertilize with a timed-release, granular product.  Water thoroughly.
6. Share the excess daisy clusters with neighbors or gardening friends.

Additional tip: Other pass-alongs flowers include cosmos, cleomes, zinnias, morning glories, and moonflowers.  You can share the annual seeds of these flowers. In autumn, share iris, daylilies, ginger lilies, and black-eyed Susans.

Choosing the Right Colors for Your Home

Colors enrich our world. When we are surrounded by colors, we are able to create a particular atmosphere that suits our needs. This article lists four tips on choosing colors for your home.

We can harness the strength and benefits of colors when we use them to enhance our home. Blending colors successfully can help create a harmonious environment that is calm and relaxing or lively and energizing. Here are four tips on how you can enhance your health and well-being by choosing the right colors for your home:

Sumersault Window Valance- Geo Girl

1. Let the yellow sunshine in 

When you are designing your home environment, consider the amount of sunlight that enters each room. Make sure you get enough glow from the sun’s beams. When sunlight is received into your mind and body, it will give you a feeling of purification. Allowing sunlight to flood into dark corners also rids a room of its staleness and kills some bacteria.

2. Choose colors that heal and inspire 

When you are decorating, think about the effects of color on the room itself and its future inhabitants. How will the room be used? Who will occupy it? Will their problems be alleviated or worsened by your color choices? What are their ambitions and aims? An orange room, for example, will instill cheerfulness into its occupants.

3. Match color with size

Before choosing colors, consider the size and shape of each room. The stronger the color, the smaller a room will appear. Small rooms tend to look more spacious when decorated and painted in pale colors. In larger areas, colors may appear to be more intense. Avoid using a strong color for a big room as it can cause claustrophobia. For dark narrow rooms use light, clear colors.

4. Light and shade 

Before using white, check how much daylight the room receives. A bright white room can be tiring for the eyes and cause frustration. Deep colors may look good with a room that gets plenty of sunshine. When deep colors blend with sunlight, they become several shades duller at night, but can look cozy on firelight or candlelight. If you are painting only one wall in a different color, do not choose a wall where there is a door or window as this dissipates the color energy.