The enchanted-looking tree above harbors a wondrous secret. Using an ancient technique called “chip grafting,” artist and Syracuse University professor Sam Van Aken has carefully nurtured trees that can bear over 40 different types of stone fruits, including peaches, nectarines, apricots and almonds. The process is one of patience: Over several years, Van Aken splices branches with buds of various varieties into a base branch called the “working tree.” By springtime, the “Tree of 40 Fruit” sprouts pink and purple blossoms. In the summer, the tree begins to [.....]
Fortunately I stumbled upon the world’s best, and eco-friendly, mosquito repellent: Coffee grounds. That’s right, old dried up coffee grounds work as an effective repellent for mosquitoes, according to the EPA. Mosquitoes and other insects hate the way used coffee grounds smell. So what do you do to keep them away? Collect your old coffee grounds and put them on a plate covered with foil. Place in a dry, dark spot until completely dry. Once dry, place the plate of grounds on a flat surface, like a picnic [.....]
There are smartphone apps that can help you keep track of healthy habits, like how much exercise you do and the number of steps you take in a day. But how do you keep track of those not-so-healthy habits, like how much wine you guzzle? Well, now there's an app for that, too. Developed by doctors in Singapore, the Alcohol Tracker is a smartphone app that lets users enter how many drinks they have each day. If a user drinks more than the maximum amount of alcohol recommended [.....]
Take it to the next level. 1. The Coolest cooler The world collectively freaked out when the Coolest cooler hit Kickstarter last year. Backers pledged over $13 million to the party-in-a-box. Many supporters STILL haven’t received their ultimate beach cooler, but it’ll be worth the wait. The Coolest includes a rechargeable blender, waterproof Bluetooth speaker, USB charger, LED light, cutting board, wide tired, bottle opener, and more. But it ain’t cheap. Current pricing: $485 3. The HidrateMe smart water bottle Life is busy and sometimes staying hydrated is *not* priority number [.....]
There are plenty of easy choices you can make that will both save money and be better for the world. Small changes in your day-to-day life can make a huge difference by reducing waste, pollution, and greenhouse gas emissions, in addition to contributing to energy efficiency. Even if we look solely at saving money and energy in the home, between cooling, heating, lighting, appliances, water heating, electronics, windows, and roofing, there are countless green tips worth trying.
Here are 40 ways to save money while you save [.....]
Here are my top 10 hidden cool Android tricks. These features are built to save you money, power-up your GPS tracking, and even help you get a lost phone back if you need it. 1. Add hard-to-type words to your dictionary Hard-to-type words can be the bane of any on-screen keyboard user's existence. Especially if they aren't in your phone's dictionary. The process of adding it into your phone can be difficult, with many menus to navigate. Android actually makes it easier than you think. Simply type a [.....]
