Tag: lifehacks

‘Zen Driving’ and other pointers to save gas

From NPR:

Oil company Exxon-Mobil released their first quarter earnings report Thursday, showing steep profits amid soaring costs. With gas prices hovering around $4-a-gallon, we ask our listeners for their money-saving tips. (link) Then we do some fact-checking with Jon Linkov, managing editor of autos at Consumer Reports. Filling up in the morning will only help you save one tenth of one percent, he says, so focus on more significant gas-savers, like the following:

1.) Check your tire pressure once a week.

2.) Keep your car well-maintained.

3.) Don’t carry extra weight in the trunk.

4.) If you are in really bad bumper-to-bumper traffic, turn the car off.

5.) Once you really break 55 mph, you are hurting your fuel economy, so try to slow down.

Save gas – don’t make left hand turns

Shipping giant UPS made a realization – they could save fuel and costs by reducing the number of left hand turns on their routes.
According to the NY Times, the international shipper is saving roughly three million gallons of gas a year by reducing those turns.

Think about the time and fuel used at each left hand turn. Left-hand turns are far more costly because of the waiting time involved. There’s rarely a “left on red” rule and thus drivers have to idle, wait for the lights to change and burn up gas. Depending on the cross street, that can take up considerable time and fuel.

Thinking about my new job, and duties at encounter and other places, it’s always exciting when someone comes in with a fresh set of eyes on things. You may never know how you’ve accepted doing something a certain way – only to find out there could be a much easier, simpler and cheaper way to do it.

What could you change in your ministry or church or organization to speed things up and cut costs?

Stretching for energy

Dumb Little Man has some tips on stretches to do when your afternoon starts dragging on.
1. Touch the Sky.
2. Side Stretch.
3. Touch Your Toes.
4. Shoulder Opener.
5. Twirl ‘Em.
6. Loosen Your Neck.
7. Arm Stretch.
8. Arm Circles.
9. Seated Twist.
10. Quad Stretch and Balance.
11. Hip Opener.
12. Seated Back Bend.
Check the site for more information. Any other ideas for getting an added burst of energy in the afternoon or morning?

Hat tip to Lifehacker for the link

Things to do with boxed wine

To continue with my recipe postings…
Wisebread has seven things to do with boxed wines:
Mulled Wine
Fruit Salad Glaze
Sangria
Marinades
Salad Dressings
Spritzers
Gourmet Cooking on the Cheap
It may be a while before Laurie and I try any of these. We bought a red and white wine from De Vine Wine Saturday and I think were planning on saving that till Friday or Saturday when we close and move into our new house! Whoo hoo!

Beef – it’s what I want for dinner (or How to Turn Cheap “Choice” Steaks into Gucci “Prime” Steaks)

Lifehacker posted a link to Jaden’s Steamy Kitchen and her tips on how to get a prime steak out of a choice steak.
Here’s the tip. Salt salt and more salt.

Read what she writes. Wonder if I can get some steak for dinner tonight.