Natural Swimming Pools

Cooling off for summer

olgavolodina / 123RF Stock Photo

Haven't seen or heard anything about natural swimming pools yet? They are less expensive than many conventional pools, however they are much more common in Europe than in the U.S. They are considered be more natural and earth/eco
friendly than conventional pools due to the fact that they use almost no manufactured chemicals or materials. Chlorine itself can be a very dangerous to swimmers causing asthma problems, skin rashes and of course changing your hair color. Add the fact that sweat or urine can combine with chlorine to form chloramines toxic breakdown products.

The area needed for natural swimming pools is larger than for conventional pools due to sloping sides and plants space for filtrating plants. Plants are necessary to work as the filter system in a natural pool compared to mechanics and chemicals in conventional pools. The plants are usually contained in the shallow end of the pool.  A layer of gravel in the pool also helps with maintain a clean and safe bacterial level.

Entrance into the pool is most often accomplished by a dock or deck structure that extends out into the deeper water, ensuring that the plant filtration system is undisturbed.It sounds a lot like a pond, but that is not necessarily the case. Many of these pools look very similar to your standard everyday in ground pool.

If you are interested in this type of pool you can search the Internet for more
information on natural and swimming pools and check for builders that offer
these types of pools.

Power From People

Exercising off the grid

< kzenon / 123RF Stock Photo

The topic of alternative power is really hot right now. The most comes forms being wind and solar, however a new one or is it an old one? It is source gathering a bit of attention. It is as old as people themselves, because it is human energy!
There are generators that you can purchase for home use. These use the energy to charge 12 volt batteries which can in turn run small household appliances, radios, phones and LED lights. Saves money and inspires your workout potential.

There are some gyms now sporting this type of energy to provide their own power. They use generators attached to the workout machines, turning the workout energy into electricity. A person in tiptop shape can produce about 500 watts and a person lacking condition can make approximately 150 watts. Perhaps this option is not a lot of power, but it is unique and productive just the same.

Just A Memo

Recycled Toilet Paper

Just mention recycled toilet paper and see how many funny faces people make. The thought conjured up mental images that most people would prefer not to have. Thank goodness that is not the case!
The truth behind recycled toilet paper is that it is mostly used office paper. Recycled toilet paper. is made from both colored and white stock, with staples and pins removed. The old paper is put into a large vat called a pulper. Then, hot water is added and the contents are turned into liquid slurry. Next is a series of screens and rinses so that all of the old ink is removed. Then it is treated and sanitized with oxygen-based products like peroxide to whiten the pulp. The finishing steps are the same for recycled as it is for lumber made, traditional toilet paper.

The recycled version offers less energy use and consumes less water in its making, along with producing less air and water pollution. Regular toilet paper is made from trees cut down in the forest just for making a product that is flushed away in no time. When it comes down to choice the basic question is what would you rather flush: a tree or a discarded office memo?