Wind Power

West, Larry. (No date). About wind power and how does it work. Retrieved from http://environment.about.com/od/renewableenergy/a/wind_power.htm


Wind power is a form of solar power. Wind power is versatile, clean and renewable, and will last a lifetime. The way wind power works is the Earth's surface warms and cools at different rates. The movement of air is, wind, and wind is caused by hot air rising and reduces the atmospheric pressure at the Earth's surface, it then draws in cooler air to replace it. When the wind moves it's called, kinetic energy (energy created when mass is in motion) is captured and converted into other forms of energy, either be electric or mechanical. Wind turbines are then set into the ground and connected to a power grid to generate clean, safe, and renewable energy into homes. The only down fall to wind power is having enough winds to promote your energy.

Energy Drinks 101

Fact Expert (2010, April 7). Retrieved from http://energydrinks.factexpert.com/890-energy-drink-hazards.php

Personally I hate all energy drinks, I don't know how people can drink a whole can, let alone become addicted to them! But they are full of pure sugar and caffeine, which most people think they need in their everyday activities. Just like with everything, moderation is the key. Over doing can and will lead to health problems. If you are the occasional energy drinker, you obviously don't have as much to worry about. On the other hand, if you are the everyday, I need an energy drink to get me throughout my day person, then that's when you need to worry. As I said before, energy drinks are full of nothing but bad, caffeine and sugars, by the cups loads! Caffeine is a natural diuretic, which doesn't mean it's good just because the word, "natural" is being used. Natural diuretics are foods/drinks that increase flow and remove fluids from the body. Although this may sound good, but unfortunately you are also losing important vitamins and minerals that are needed for your body and helps with dehydration. Dehydration caused by caffeine is minimal and not too dangerous, but dehydration can impact your body's health and performance, in a negative way.

Energy Saving Tips

PG&E. Retrieved from http://www.pge.com/myhome/saveenergymoney/savingstips/

Energy Saving Tips:

There are many ways to save and reduce the amount of energy being used in your home. One thing that I didn't know and I am sure many of you don't know as well is, if you are not using something but it's still plugged into the wall it's still using electricity. About a year ago, I was watching Oprah and the topic of her show was quick, energy saving tips. A lady came on the show and said she started unplugging everything in the house after she used it, she would only plug it in to use it then she would unplug it when she was done. Just by doing that she had cut her electricity cost by more than half. Her bill went from $65 a month to $20. That is a great way to save energy. There are many more tips including: replacing all bulbs with energy-efficient low-wattage compact fluorescent bulbs, caulk windows and doors so air doesn't leak out, install energy saving shower heads, replace and recycle old refrigerators and appliances with Energy Star labeled models, fix plumbing and dripping faucets, and wash full, short loads in the dishwasher. There are many ways to conserve energy and save money.

How To Make An Energy Shake

Hellam, Megan retrieved from http://www.ehow.com/how_5047708_make-protein-energy-shakes.html

Step One: Gather ingredient's and utensils: a shaker cup, water, juice, or milk and then choose a power supplement that is right for you. Read all labels and find products that are low in sugar. Energy supplements tend to have higher amounts of carbohydrates.

Step Two: Add desire power supplement into the shaker cup, then add 8-12 oz of desired liquid (milk, juice, or water). For an energy drink juice is a better option because it has added vitamins. You can add desired fruits and veggies too.

Step Three: Place the lid on the shaker and shake your shake until the powder is completely dissolved.

Step Four: It is best to drink your energy shake right after exercising, when your muscles are needing fuel to repair themselves after your hard workout. You can also drink an energy shake when you need an extra boost to get you throughout your day.

Step Five: Wash and clean up, dry, and store for later shake use.

How Energy Is used In The Body

John Hopkins Medicine, U.S. News (2010, April 7). Retrieved from http://health.usnews.com/usnews/health/living_well/weight_control/how_does_the_body_use_and_stor.htm

In order for your metabolism to convert food into energy, your body requires a certain amount of calories and when more calories are consumed they store and turn into fat. When your body digests, enzymes start to break down carbohydrates into sugars that will eventually produce glucose. It also converts proteins into amino acids, and triglycerides into fatty acids and glycerol. Any extra proteins and carbohydrates that are not being used immediately for energy they quickly turned into glycogen and triglycerides. Then, the simple sugars and amino acids are quickly being absorbed from the small intestine into the bloodstream. A good source of energy comes from the liver. The liver converts other sugars, like lactose and fructose, into glucose. Amino acids are also being used as an energy source, but serve mainly used for proteins in the body. Fatty acids combine with bile salts and form tiny droplets, as they enter as cells in the intestinal wall, and then again they are formed into triglycerides. The triglycerides transport lipoproteins, which carry the triglycerides to the fat tissues for storage. When you diet the body uses the fat stored in these cells as a source of energy. Once fat cells are formed they can shrink, but will never be eliminated.

The Dangers Of Energy Drinks

Moodie, Andy. ( 2009, September 11). Dangers of Energy Drinks. Retrieved from http://www.qualityhealth.com/dieting-articles/dangers-energy-drinks


Just because energy drinks are the cool thing to drink and are marketed as, "a dietary supplement" doesn't mean they are good for your body! Red Bull, claiming one can, "gives you wings," affects the blood system and causes it to become sticky, which can lead to cardiovascular problems, such as heart attack and stroke. But, you most likely wouldn't find these warnings on the back of the energy drink you are addicted to because the Food and Drug Administration's caffeine limit of 71 milligrams per 12 oz can doesn't apply to energy drinks, go figure! Energy drinks are packed with sugar and caffeine, one energy drink is equivalent to fourteen cans of Coca-Cola. The caffeine amounts are often unlabeled and only a few energy drinks labels include the dangerous warnings about the health risks of caffeine intoxication, dental decay, energy highs and crashes, headaches and heart palpitations, poor perception of intoxication, higher risk of injury, and increased risk taking; just to name a few. So the next time you pop open that Red Bull to get your "wings" for the day, just remember, your heart wants to stay not fly away.

How Does Solar Power Work?

Ashley, Stephanie (2009, June 25). How does solar power work?- A quick overview. Retrieved from http://ezinearticles.com/?How-Does-Solar-Power-Work?---A-Quick-Overview&id=2528343



Basically, there are three main points to know about solar power: how solar power works, how is it used, and how you bring solar power into your own home. Photovoltaic cells are installed in each solar panel, which are partially made up of silicone. The panels are then placed on the roof where they can receive direct sunlight. When the sunlight hits the cells, the negatively charged neutrons are then sent out from each cell of the silicone. The neutrons are then trapped by a magnetic field and then are feed off by tiny wires in the silicone to form an electric current, which then are produced to energy. You use solar energy to power throughout your entire home. Solar power typically takes two days to install and if you are installing them yourself it costs about $200. If you are hiring a company to install them for you it normally runs anywhere between $5,000-$25,000. There are many advantages of using solar power in replace of electricity. One big, surprising advantage is receiving a check from the electric company, instead of a bill. If you generate more energy than you use, your electric meter will run backwards, which then the electric company is then required to send you a check at the end of the month.