April 2009 Archives

Here's a great website I just discovered:  Still Tasty

It's a food items shelf life guide to help you save money, eat better and help the environment.  You can browse shelf life by category and there is also a question/answer section that answers questions every day.  Like: Is bottled water still safe after the expiration date?  (the answer is yes)

Happy Earth Day everyone!  If you're in New York City, or will be this weekend (Apr 24 & 25) - there's and Earth Fair going on at Grand Central Station.  And all week they're showing cool giant Earth images in the main concourse.

 

I'm going to take in my old cell phone, I'd been stashing that stupid thing for years, not knowing what to do with it!

Earth Day reminds us all of the little things we can do to help save our perilous planet. Now more than ever, people are making a conscious effort to incorporate earth friendly practices into their everyday lives, whether through greening their diets, curbing their pets' carbon footprint, or becoming a more eco-friendly parent. Intent.com has collaborated with a host of holistic living sites to create the content series 30 Days to a Greener You, which offers simple and original ways to adopt a greener lifestyle.

"Intent is partnering with other leading wellness sites such as Beliefnet.com to offer practical solutions, original tips and support for people looking to become a little more 'green' and eco-conscious. We recognize that it's often our small, daily choices that have the greatest impact on our planet," states Mallika Chopra, the founder of Intent.com and daughter of wellness guru Deepak Chopra. Rapidly emerging as a premier wellness site and social network, Intent aims to provide the best content in the categories of personal, social, global and spiritual wellness.

30 Days to a Greener You encourages individuals to take an active role in helping our planet. Readers can share their intentions for becoming more green and receive support and ideas from the community, take quizzes, weigh-in on polls, listen to exclusive podcast interviews between Mallika Chopra and green experts, and watch video demonstrations on DIY green beauty and household cleaning products.

Series contributors include leading experts in the green movement Simran Sethi (Green Journalist and TV personality), Rex Weyler (original director of Greenpeace) and Jeff McIntire-Strasburg (Sustainablog).

Highlights of 30 Days to A Greener You include:

• A Quiz to Assess Your Eco-Savvy-ness
• 10 Frugally Green Workout Tips
• 9 Green Date Ideas
• Eco-Parenting in 8 Simple Steps

"The Chopra family have always been enormously popular personalities with the Beliefnet audience and we are very excited to be partnering with Intent on this creative Earth Day initiative," says Valerie Reiss, Holistic Living Editor for Beliefnet.com. "Contributing to the growing green movement is a priority for many in the Beliefnet Community, and we are very happy to support these creative suggestions and ideas."

SOURCE Intent

When the going gets tough, the tough get fitter, healthier and blasts stress. So it stands to reason that Equinox Fitness Clubs is still going strong despite these challenging economic times. On April 13, 2009 Equinox opens its second Boston location at 225 Franklin Street. The 40,000 square foot landmark building is situated in the heart of Boston's financial district.

"After making a strong entry into the Boston market on Dartmouth Street in 2007, we are truly excited about this second powerful location," says Jeffrey Weinhaus, Executive Vice President of Development for Equinox. "225 Franklin is a premiere site in a Class A building that will serve as a perfect complement to our Back Bay facility."

225 Franklin Street will provide an award-winning menu of programs and services, including a cardio area, strength training area, five fitness studios (a main studio, yoga studio, studio cycling, boxing and pilates) and the proprietary Three-Cycle Training system taught by nationally-certified personal trainers. Also consistent with its sister clubs, the Franklin Street location will offer a pro-shop, cafe/juice bar and a full service spa, as well as a full array of amenities in the locker rooms.

The design of the club was inspired by the club's interior vault and its glamorous 1970's machined door pattern and finish. Equinox has translated that sensibility of precision precious metals in a new decorative language.

"In the Equinox tradition of designing world class facilities in the prime business districts of the US; 14 Wall street in New York, 301 Pine in SF, and 200 West Monroe in Chicago, to name a few; we are excited to create another remarkable installation in one of the premier properties in Boston's financial district," says Paul Boardman, Design Consultant for Equinox. "The combination of 20 foot ceilings, 18 foot windows and its eccentric features like a 2,000 pound engraved vault door will result in one of the most remarkable interior spaces in all of downtown."

"We are continuing to institute an aggressive growth strategy not only for this year but for many years to come. To that end we are actively pursuing real estate and expansion opportunities in several markets," says Equinox CEO, Harvey Spevak.

This year despite the continuing economic downturn, the company has already opened a new club on New York City's Upper East Side, completely renovated and reopened its original flagship, its 76th street club on the Upper West Side and is set to open its second Dallas location in the fall.

Known for its innovative programming, immaculate facilities, celebrity clientele, plus its award winning-design from world famous architects (David Rockwell, Arthur Casas, Piero Lissoni and Clodagh). Equinox now has over 48 locations nationwide.

Meanwhile, Equinox expects 2010 to be another year of active expansion; so far a club is slated to open in Bethesda, MD in the spring. In addition, according to Jeffrey Weinhaus, the company is vigorously seeking further real estate opportunities in the New York metro area, Southern California, Boston, and D.C.

"For 2010, our strategy is to create eight new Equinox Fitness Clubs nationwide," says Weinhaus.

SOURCE Equinox Fitness Clubs

Since their emergence into the market, hybrid vehicles have been popular with consumers. With so many options now available, Cars.com editors have put together a list based on vehicle size that identifies which hybrids offer the best value for the money you'll spend on them.

"Even with money saved on gas, and federal tax incentives to defray purchase costs, hybrids are still more expensive than conventional cars," said Cars.com Editor in Chief Patrick Olsen. "Cars.com put together its list of Best Hybrids for the Money for hybrid shoppers looking to go green without spending too much green. The list highlights the hybrids in each vehicle segment that stand out from the pack and really deliver the most for your money."

Cars.com's Best Hybrids for the Money

In a Class By Itself:

2009 Toyota Prius

MSRP: $22,000 (2009)

Gas mileage (city/highway -- combined): 48/45 -- 46

Efficiency-cost rating: 2.09

To understand the Prius' longtime appeal, look no further than this list. It's ahead of the 2010 Honda Insight hybrid (2.07), which is a smaller car. A few gas-only models -- including the two-seat Smart ForTwo (3.0), the Nissan Versa 1.6 sedan (2.9) and the Toyota Yaris (2.62) -- are affordable and efficient enough to outrank the Prius, but they can't compare in terms of size. (We don't have third-generation 2010 Prius pricing yet, but the combined mileage increase to 50 mpg means Toyota could boost the price by thousands without hurting its ranking.) Regardless of size class, the Prius earns our top efficiency-cost ranking of all.

Compact Cars:

2010 Honda Insight

MSRP: $19,800

Gas mileage (city/highway -- combined): 40/43 -- 41

Efficiency-cost rating: 2.07

The lowest-priced hybrid as of its debut, the 2010 Insight is intended to compete with efficient non-hybrids. One could argue that it does, as its rating beats that of the Chevrolet Cobalt LS (1.92), which has the best efficiency-cost ranking among cars in the traditional gas-only compact class. Though it's not as nice inside, the Nissan Versa hatchback and its low, low price of $13,100 compete in the subcompact class. The Versa is, however, technically large enough inside to be called a compact, and the base model has a jaw-dropping 2.14 rating.

2009 Honda Civic Hybrid

MSRP: $23,650

Gas mileage (city/highway -- combined): 40/45 -- 42

Efficiency-cost rating: 1.78

The Civic Hybrid's place on this list is tenuous: It costs more than the Prius despite being smaller, and the cheaper Insight has comparable cabin size and more cargo space. The Civic Hybrid's efficiency-cost ranking is lower than that of the regular Civic (1.89) and some other compacts. All the same, it's a proven entity and one of the most efficient cars sold, with plenty of appeal for traditional hybrid buyers. Will the Insight eat into Civic Hybrid sales? You bet it will.

Midsize Car:

2010 Ford Fusion Hybrid

MSRP: $27,270 - $1,700 federal tax credit = $25,570

Gas mileage (city/highway -- combined): 41/36 -- 39

Efficiency-cost rating: 1.53

Our midsize-sedan entry, the 2010 Ford Fusion Hybrid, comes in well ahead of the 2009 Toyota Camry Hybrid, which has an efficiency-cost rating of 1.30. Note that the Fusion Hybrid benefits from a $1,700 federal tax credit if bought between April 1 and Sept. 30. The credit then decreases to $850, until it expires March 31, 2010. Tax credits have already expired for prolific hybrid sellers Honda and Toyota, but that's not the deciding factor; the Fusion Hybrid's efficiency cost would spank the Camry Hybrid's even if calculated with the lower tax credit (1.48) or none at all (1.43). The Fusion is the only car model on the market whose hybrid ranks higher in efficiency cost than its gas-only version (roughly 1.35). The Fusion Hybrid's sibling, the Mercury Milan Hybrid, has a higher sticker price that ranks it well below the Fusion Hybrid, at 1.35.

Compact SUV:

2009 Ford Escape Hybrid FWD

MSRP: $29,645 - $1,500 federal tax credit = $28,145

Gas mileage (city/highway -- combined): 34/31 -- 32

Efficiency-cost rating: 1.14

The Ford Escape gets the compact-SUV slot because it's priced lower than its sibling, the Mercury Mariner Hybrid (1.12). The Mazda Tribute Hybrid actually ranks higher (1.16) due to a lower starting price, but it's sold only in California. All three models are good choices. They are the most efficient SUVs on the market, though the recently improved non-hybrid Escape and Tribute outrank them in efficiency cost (1.22 for the Tribute), as does the miserly Jeep Patriot (1.43). Like the Fusion's, the hybrid SUVs' tax credits halve Sept. 30. Note that all-wheel-drive versions of these models already get a lower, $975 credit to begin with.

Midsize SUV:

2009 Toyota Highlander Hybrid AWD

MSRP: $34,700

Gas mileage (city/highway -- combined): 27/25 -- 26

Efficiency-cost rating: 0.75

Being the only midsize non-luxury hybrid SUV helps the Highlander Hybrid land this position. Its size and price show in its sub-zero efficiency-cost rating. Though it ranks behind some gas-only midsize SUVs, starting with the Dodge Journey (1.00), it ranks above the regular Highlander with all-wheel drive (0.65). It doesn't quite catch the Highlander with front-wheel drive (0.78), but the hybrid is only offered with all-wheel drive.

Luxury SUV:

2008 Lexus RX 400h FWD

MSRP: $42,080 (2008)

Gas mileage (city/highway -- combined): 27/24 -- 25

Efficiency-cost rating: 0.59

The RX hybrid rated is a 2008 model; Lexus skipped the 2009 model year pending the 2010 RX 450h, which comes mid-summer 2009. Because of higher prices and typically lower mileage, luxury models don't rate as high in efficiency cost as do non-luxury models of the same size. That's the case with the 2008 Lexus RX hybrid, especially because it's less efficient than the 2010 model, which the EPA rates at 32/28 -- 30 mpg. Thanks to the bump, it's likely that the 2010 RX 450h will take the 400h's place on this list when its pricing is announced, even if the price is substantially higher.

Pickup Truck:

2009 Chevrolet Silverado Hybrid RWD

MSRP: $38,020 - $2,200 federal tax credit = $35,820

Gas mileage (city/highway -- combined): 21/22 -- 21

Efficiency-cost rating: 0.59

As a full-size pickup truck, the Silverado Hybrid has lower mileage and a lower efficiency-cost rating than the smaller hybrids, but that doesn't change the end result: a significant improvement in efficiency over non-hybrid trucks, especially in city driving, where the difference is almost 50 percent. The Silverado LS RWD is priced lower, but its accompanying lower mileage (14/19 -- 16 mpg) puts it just shy of the hybrid in efficiency for your dollar, with a 0.58 rating. The low-priced Silverado work truck is more efficient than the LT (15/20 -- 17 mpg), so its rating is 0.88, but the Hybrid is not incapable of work; it can still haul and tow.

Full-Size SUV:

2009 Chevrolet Tahoe Hybrid RWD

MSRP: $50,455 - $2,200 federal tax credit = $48,255

Gas mileage (city/highway -- combined): 21/22 -- 21

Efficiency-cost rating: 0.44

Once you account for its higher price, even with a tax credit the Tahoe Hybrid RWD's efficiency-cost rating is a relatively low 0.44, but it's the lowest-priced of GM's full-size hybrid SUVs, a category that also includes the GMC Yukon and Cadillac Escalade hybrids. Its story mirrors that of the Silverado Hybrid: It grants a substantial mileage improvement over non-hybrids, especially in city driving, but it trails the gas-only Tahoe LS in efficiency cost. (Ironically, the XFE -- extra fuel economy -- version of the Tahoe is priced high enough to negate its 1 mpg advantage. Both rate 0.43.) In terms of the full-size market, the Ford Expedition beats the Tahoe Hybrid's price by enough to deliver better efficiency cost, at 0.47.

Luxury Car:

2009 Lexus GS 450h

MSRP: $56,400

Gas mileage (city/highway -- combined): 22/25 -- 23

Efficiency-cost rating: 0.41

It's very likely that the 2010 Lexus HS 250h, a small and affordable hybrid model due to go on sale late this summer, will run away with the luxury car distinction, but for now that honor goes to the hybrid version of Lexus' 2009 GS sedan, which is a midsize car. The GS 450h beats the gas-only GS 460 V-8 (0.38), but it can't touch the V-6-powered GS 350's 0.49 rating.

Methodology:

In evaluating Best Hybrids for the Money, Cars.com devised an efficiency-cost rating to reflect overall bang for the buck. The formula takes each vehicle's combined city/highway mpg rating and divides it by its base MSRP. The resulting number is then multiplied by 1,000 to determine the efficiency-cost rating. Editors accounted for federal tax incentives, but not for equipment levels, quality judgments, cost of ownership or any inaccuracies in EPA mileage estimates. 

SOURCE Cars.com

Did you know that April 16th is National Stress Awareness Day? Coincidence that it falls the day after taxes are due? I don't know, but spas can help. ISPA's research shows that the No. 1 reason people go to the spa is to relax and relieve or reduce stress. Here are some other facts on stress:

• 1/3 of Americans are living with extreme stress and nearly half believe their stress has increased over the past five years. (American Psychological Association)
• People who go for a single deep-tissue massage reduce their blood pressure by seven points. Over time, lowered blood pressure can add six years to your life. (Journal of Alternative and Complementary Medicine)
• By 2020, the top five diseases will all have the underlying contributing factor of stress. (World Health Organization)

Dealing with your stress today can help prevent stress-related illnesses (heart disease, stroke, depression) tomorrow. "There's quite a bit you can learn at a spa to help reduce stress," said Dr. Brent Bauer, director of the Complementary and Integrative Medicine Program at Mayo Clinic. "Things like meditation, acupuncture, massage and guided imagery - the right answer is to find what fits for you and incorporate it on a regular basis."

"Spas are not about luxury, they're about teaching healthy living; they're a place where people can get tangible results and work on overall well-being," said ISPA President Lynne McNees. "So many spas are offering great ways to help you manage your stress that it's easy to find a spa experience that fits into your budget."

A sampling of the stress relieving treatments offered by ISPA members during April include:

• Saybrook Point Inn & Spa's Calming Combo includes your choice of any 50-minute massage with a scalp treatment or foot massage. $99 Mon-Fri (CT)
• Skinsational Skin & Body Spa offers free mini-massage or mini-facials from 11a.m. - 1 p.m. Mon-Thu (CA)
• Relache Spa has a De-Stress for Less package with a massage, facial or manicure/pedicure combo. $99 (TN)
• Le Boe European Day Spa's Tax Stress Relief Package includes 60-minute aromatherapy massage, 15-minute face and scalp massage and 15-minute reflexology. $130 (FL)
• The Founders Inn & Spa's Stress Less is a 50-minute massage and 50-minute pedicure. $99 Mon-Thu (VA)
• The Spa & Fitness Club at South Coast Plaza is offering complimentary lunch and 25% off all services and retail on April 16th. (CA)
• The Spa at Ballantyne will offer free seminars to help combat stress from 4 - 6 p.m. April 16th. (NC)

For a complete list of ISPA members offering stress relieving treatments please contact ISPA, and visit www.experienceispa.com to find an ISPA member.

SOURCE International SPA Association

Go Green Expo, the largest environmentally-focused business and consumer show in New York's history, announces today its exciting return to New York City for the second year in a row April 17-19, 2009 at the New York Hilton in Midtown Manhattan. The nation's premiere eco-friendly business and consumer show promises the strongest show yet with big name exhibitors including Disney's Earth movie, The Sundance Channel's The GREEN, DELL, Home Depot, Food Network's Good Food Garden, and Honda's all-new advanced hybrid vehicle, The Honda Insight.

"We are so pleased to bring Go Green Expo back to New York for the second year in a row," said Bradford Rand, CEO and Founder of Go Green Expo. "Last year's event was such a success with over 10,000 attendees, and we have even more to look forward to this year."

The event will showcase a variety of special interest consumer and business areas including: Home Building and Energy Conservation; Health, Beauty and Fashion; Travel and Transportation; Business and Electronics and a Kids Zone, giving New Yorkers a chance to see, learn and interact with the latest in energy-efficient and environmentally-friendly products and services, as well as participate in interactive seminars with leaders in the green industry, local politicians and community organizations.

Corporate buyers and trade professionals are invited with complimentary admission on Friday for Go Green Expo's business-to-business day, encouraging organizations to embrace the large-scale use of earth-friendly products, services and ideas. Go Green Expo will open its doors on Saturday and Sunday to the public from the savviest environmentalist to the newly green.

Go Green Expo is pleased to announce today in conjunction with their return, the region's top news outlets have signed on as media partners to help further communicate the importance of thinking and living sustainably to the people of New York City, including the New York Post for the second year running, and WNBC 4New York.

Event Highlights:

• Stars Mariel Hemingway and Nigel Barker will join environmental leader Josh Dorfman and bestselling authors Julie Edelman and Seth Leitman as just some of the headlining names participating in this year's event

• Over 20 notable environmental and business leaders including Jen Boulden, Founder of IdealBite.com and Gay Browne, Founder of Greenopia, on speaking panels about today's most topical green issues including Greening Your Business, Greener Transportation, Renewable Energy, Green Tech, Green Leadership, and more

• Attendees will enjoy being among the first in the United States to view the 2010 Honda Insight. The five-passenger, five-door vehicle gets an EPA-estimated city/highway fuel economy rating of 40/43 and at just under $20,000, it is the most affordable new hybrid available in the US, helping to bring greener transportation to everyone

• Major blue chip companies including Home Depot, DELL and Disney are exhibiting at Go Green Expo New York in a move that signifies their commitment to sustainable business practices

• Disneynature, a division of Disney, will preview their new film, Earth, narrated by James Earl Jones, which will play a film trailer all-day throughout the weekend event. The film debuts on Earth Day, April 22, 2009, in theatres everywhere

• Attendees will have the opportunity to see a premiere screening of The Sundance Channel's THE GREEN original programming "The Lazy Environmentalist" starring Josh Dorfman and "EcoTrip: The Real Cost of Living"

• Food Network, in conjunction with their charitable partner Share Our Strength(R), a childhood hunger relief organization, will feature a Good Food Garden on the show floor where Go Green Expo attendees can learn how to plant fresh food, demonstrating the importance of sustainable agriculture in urban areas, helping to save money and eating well in a city environment

• Green Spaces, a New York City based green business competition, will announce this year's semi finalists at Go Green Expo on Friday April 17 at 2pm, followed by a panel discussion that will include the winning companies' three-minute elevator pitches to an audience of venture capitalists and entrepreneurs

• New York City Public School children were asked to create art that represents the environmental movement. The winning art piece will be featured in a special section of the New York Post and the finalist will receive passes to a private screening of Disney's Earth

• ConEdison Solutions WIND Power Program allows ConEdison users to get FREE admission for the weekend when they bring their ConEdison energy bill to Go Green Expo and sign up for wind power.

Committed to Green:

In an effort to make every aspect of the show as green as possible, Go Green Expo has enlisted Brighter Planet to calculate the event's electricity usage, on-site fuel use, staff travel, event vehicles, waste disposal and attendee travel, and then offset their carbon emissions for a completely carbon neutral show. The Go Green Expo National Tour will boast the latest in green design and function, supported by Metropolitan Exposition Services and Printing Responsibly, such as: 100% compostable and biodegradable table top coverings, recycled material booth ID signs, biodegradable banner material, soy and water based inks and a waste management program that takes environmental and social ramifications into account by utilizing local donation programs.

All Go Green Expo 2009 Dates and Locations:

Past:

• GO GREEN EXPO Los Angeles -- January 23, 24 & 25, 2009 -- LA Convention Center
• GO GREEN EXPO Philadelphia -- March 13, 14, & 15, 2009 -- PA Convention Center

Upcoming:

• GO GREEN EXPO New York -- April 17, 18 & 19, 2009 -- Hilton New York
• GO GREEN EXPO Atlanta -- June 26, 27 & 28, 2009 -- Cobb Galleria Centre
• Stay Tuned for More Cities to Come This Fall!

 

SOURCE Go Green Expo