<p>For many of us, losing weight is an ongoing struggle. The main cause is the hustle-and-bustle lifestyle that often results in us saving time by grabbing a double bacon cheeseburger. However, the results of such eating habits can be devastating.</p><p>Continuing such a diet can result in several problems related to weight. Thus, several diet programs, including Medifast, have emerged on the market. Since its creation in the early 1980s, Medifast has gained more than 15,000 recommendations from medical care professionals!</p><p>A physician developed Medifast, with the goal of providing healthy food to people, through quick and easy meals. Each Medifast meal is full of needed nutrients and is perfectly balanced. The three stages of the Medifast plan are: 5 and 1 Stage, the Transition Stage, and the Maintenance Stage.</p><p>The three stages help dieters to experience a change in their lifestyles, rather than simply making meal portions smaller. Medifast takes a long-term approach that won't end until you've lost all the weight you want to.</p><p>First, there's the 5 and 1 Stage. This includes five pre-made meals from Medifast, and one balanced meal. The balanced meal, called the Lean and Green meal, includes protein and veggies. With the Medifast 5 and 1 Stage, there's no preparation because the meals have already been created.</p><p>The 5 in One stage lasts for only a few weeks. During that time, you use certain tools to learn which foods are healthy and tasty enough, to create a lifelong diet program. Medifast foods are low in fat and sugar, and contain lean meats.</p><p>Next, there's the Transition Stage of the Medifast diet plan. This is where dieters start to add more regular food to their everyday diet. In this stage you can start to try different recipes and find foods that are tasty to you. Your everyday intake of calories will rise marginally.</p><p>In this stage, you should boost your workouts, though after consulting your physician. For instance, you could increase your cardio workout from your 5 and 1 Stage, and add some weightlifting. Walking remains one of the best exercises to complement the Medifast diet program.</p><p>During the Transition Stage of the Medifast diet, you'll add more vegetables and lean proteins to your daily meals. During this stage, you should avoid foods such as Brussels sprouts, carrots, corn, potatoes, and peas. You can add them during the Maintenance Stage. However, veggies that you can safely add during the Transition phase include:</p><p>• cabbage
<br>• cucumber
<br>• greens
<br>• kale
<br>• mushrooms
<br>• onions
<br>• peppers
<br>• spinach
<br>• tomato</p><p>The Transition Stage helps to provide alterative snacks and meals that can help to satisfy you.</p><p>Finally, there's the Maintenance Stage, which is the final phase of the Medifast diet. In this stage you strive to make healthy food options and add an active lifestyle. The goal is to keep the weight off that you've lost in the other stages. You should now be aware of what foods to eat and how much of them to eat.</p><p>Medifast is certainly not a fad diet. It's a lifelong diet!</p><p>For more tips and information about <a target="_new" href="http://www.medifastcoupons.org/" rel="nofollow">medifast coupons</a>, check out <a target="_new" href="http://www.buzzle.com/articles/medifast-diet-review.html" rel="nofollow">medifast coupons</a></p>
Tuesday, October 6, 2009
How to Get Discounts - Use Coupons!
<p>Coupons have been around for decades and while they started out as a promotion for consumers to shop brand names, they are used now to lower grocery bills and even offer discounts on almost any product you want to buy. Discount coupons come in many forms in the modern era including paper coupons, online coupons, printable coupons, loadable coupons and online coupon codes. Almost every industry and store offer coupons of some sort throughout the year to draw in more business and reward loyal customers. You can save on everything from groceries and household items to televisions and other big purchases with coupons if you know where to look and when to use the coupons for the best deals.</p><p>Big ticket items are generally placed on sale at different times than when coupons are issued. The two promotions are seen as different in the hard lines industry. However, in the grocery and household product industry coupons are often partnered with in-store and other promotions to help you get the best deals at the right times. This can help you save hundreds on your monthly grocery bill while still providing your family with the brands they love and the healthy choices they deserve. When you are looking for a way to save money, and who isn't, you should take the time to find coupons every time you make a trip to the store to purchase anything in your home. The money saved may seem small at the time, but will add up to save you lots over the month and at the end of your shopping trips.</p><p>Discount coupons offer you the opportunity to save on the items you buy the most and even on some of the ones you don't. When you are tightening your purse strings and looking for a way to save money coupons are the way to go. Your family deserves the best and you deserve to save money giving it to them. You can feed your family in a healthy way, maintain your brand loyalty and save money all at the same time.</p><p>There are many ways to save money on your monthly food budget, and using <a target="_new" href="http://grocerycouponssavemoney.com/free-grocery-coupons/" rel="nofollow">grocery store coupons</a> is easy-- and the savings can quickly add up! Visit our website for more detailed information on how you can save money with grocery coupons: <a target="_new" href="http://GroceryCouponsSaveMoney.com/" rel="nofollow">http://GroceryCouponsSaveMoney.com</a></p>
Monday, October 5, 2009
Bifold Doors For Flexibility and a Terrific Look
It is part of the frustration of our fast moving world that improvements are continually becoming available on most products - often making our purchases "last season's" within months. On the up-side, it is also the reason why, as consumers, we enjoy more and more choice.
<br>
<br>Replacement windows and doors used to be available in grey aluminium if you didn't want wood and the styles rarely improved the aesthetics of the buildings they adorned. Consequently, we are left with a legacy of spoiled period homes which in some cases constitute a fire hazard because windows were designed without large enough opening sashes to escape through.
<br>
<br>And then they became available in white PVCu which were initially cheap and of poor quality and poor design but which went on to become the excellent quality they are today and designed to suit the house - not the pocket. As the old-fashioned designs become obsolete, home owners now have a plethora of window and door styles and materials to choose from. The majority of products' enhancements reach a plateau at some point when the essentially ideal has been achieved and what follows are simply tweaks. As with all home improvement products, doors are no exception.
<br>
<br>For many years, there has been a very big market for patio doors, which offer convenience and allow light and air into a home whilst providing a highly effective thermal barrier when closed. This market is still buoyant and the products will continue to be installed successfully in homes where economics or taste insist, but fairly recent developments in this market looks to have found us at that plateau where doors are concerned. Patio doors have recently made way for the "Rolls Royce" in this market which is now the hugely flexible bifolding door. Anyone looking to buy patio doors now should first be considering whether they could increase their investment to a bifolding door.
<br>
<br>Bifold doors can be configured to span a very wide aperture or smaller spaces, behaving when closed as a glass wall to allow in increased light and to provide panoramic views over the outside vista or garden. They can very easily open up an entire wall to allow seamless integration of external and internal areas, for example, for parties or for children to play safely inside and outside on a lovely day. Alternatively, they can serve to expand available space in restricted areas, such as allowing inclusion of a balcony to form part of a small apartment on a clement day or lightening up an otherwise dark corner.
<br>
<br>Fully opened, the doors concertina and store compactly to left, right or both sides to limit their intrusion. They can be configured to provide french style doors when full opening is not required and a single opening door for pedestrian access in the normal way.
<br>
<br>Available in most modern materials, including timber, aluminium, PVCu and aluminium clad timber, this product is available in a wide range of colours and finishes from specialist window companies. It is particularly attractive in aluminium clad timber where the choice of colour on the maintenance-free aluminium outside can complement your home's exterior whilst the beauty and warmth of wood can enhance any interior.
<br>
<br>A not insignificant investment, this product should last, trouble free, for very many years. It is essential to ensure that your supplier can offer all of the many security features available for bifold doors which make them a high security option, suitable for commercial use by garages displaying high worth cars and restaurants alike. The manufacturer should use only a top quality sliding mechanism for guaranteed trouble free use and should offer the widest range of materials and finishes to ensure you are happy with your investment for many years to come. As a new product, not all door manufacturers can offer these and consumers should be prepared to shop around and ensure that they buy the best quality from a reputable manufacturer.
<br>
<br>About the Author: Derek Rogers is a freelance writer who writes for a number of UK businesses. For information on Bifold doors, he recommends Henry James Doors and Windows, a leading supplier of <a href="http://www.henryjamesdoorsandwindows.co.uk/public/bifold_doors.php" rel="nofollow">bifold patio doors</a>.
<br>
<br>
<br>Replacement windows and doors used to be available in grey aluminium if you didn't want wood and the styles rarely improved the aesthetics of the buildings they adorned. Consequently, we are left with a legacy of spoiled period homes which in some cases constitute a fire hazard because windows were designed without large enough opening sashes to escape through.
<br>
<br>And then they became available in white PVCu which were initially cheap and of poor quality and poor design but which went on to become the excellent quality they are today and designed to suit the house - not the pocket. As the old-fashioned designs become obsolete, home owners now have a plethora of window and door styles and materials to choose from. The majority of products' enhancements reach a plateau at some point when the essentially ideal has been achieved and what follows are simply tweaks. As with all home improvement products, doors are no exception.
<br>
<br>For many years, there has been a very big market for patio doors, which offer convenience and allow light and air into a home whilst providing a highly effective thermal barrier when closed. This market is still buoyant and the products will continue to be installed successfully in homes where economics or taste insist, but fairly recent developments in this market looks to have found us at that plateau where doors are concerned. Patio doors have recently made way for the "Rolls Royce" in this market which is now the hugely flexible bifolding door. Anyone looking to buy patio doors now should first be considering whether they could increase their investment to a bifolding door.
<br>
<br>Bifold doors can be configured to span a very wide aperture or smaller spaces, behaving when closed as a glass wall to allow in increased light and to provide panoramic views over the outside vista or garden. They can very easily open up an entire wall to allow seamless integration of external and internal areas, for example, for parties or for children to play safely inside and outside on a lovely day. Alternatively, they can serve to expand available space in restricted areas, such as allowing inclusion of a balcony to form part of a small apartment on a clement day or lightening up an otherwise dark corner.
<br>
<br>Fully opened, the doors concertina and store compactly to left, right or both sides to limit their intrusion. They can be configured to provide french style doors when full opening is not required and a single opening door for pedestrian access in the normal way.
<br>
<br>Available in most modern materials, including timber, aluminium, PVCu and aluminium clad timber, this product is available in a wide range of colours and finishes from specialist window companies. It is particularly attractive in aluminium clad timber where the choice of colour on the maintenance-free aluminium outside can complement your home's exterior whilst the beauty and warmth of wood can enhance any interior.
<br>
<br>A not insignificant investment, this product should last, trouble free, for very many years. It is essential to ensure that your supplier can offer all of the many security features available for bifold doors which make them a high security option, suitable for commercial use by garages displaying high worth cars and restaurants alike. The manufacturer should use only a top quality sliding mechanism for guaranteed trouble free use and should offer the widest range of materials and finishes to ensure you are happy with your investment for many years to come. As a new product, not all door manufacturers can offer these and consumers should be prepared to shop around and ensure that they buy the best quality from a reputable manufacturer.
<br>
<br>About the Author: Derek Rogers is a freelance writer who writes for a number of UK businesses. For information on Bifold doors, he recommends Henry James Doors and Windows, a leading supplier of <a href="http://www.henryjamesdoorsandwindows.co.uk/public/bifold_doors.php" rel="nofollow">bifold patio doors</a>.
<br>
Free Your Kitchen: Declutter and Make the Most of Your Cooking Space!
Are you secretly craving a stress-free cooking haven? Has your kitchen turned into a disorganized and cluttered nightmare that any cook would dread? If you've answered yes to both questions, you might not have to panic just yet. Interior designers in Seattle will tell you many people like to think of their kitchen as the heart of their home. It's important that you keep it in good shape so not only will you be able to cook with ease, but also enjoy cooking and preparing the meals that feed you and your family. Luckily, that stress-free kitchen haven is not out of reach. Follow these three simple steps and you're sure to fall in love with your cooking space again:
<br>
<br>1. Get ready to get tough
<br>You'll need to empty out all your cupboards, units, and drawers. Then you should evaluate what really needs to stay in your kitchen and what you should throw away, give away or sell. This means making tough decisions to help you reclaim valuable kitchen space. Get rid of appliances you know you will hardly use and can do without, like that fondue set or bread maker you were given last Christmas. Throw away duplicates of any kitchen tools that you don't need. And let go of chipped kitchenware or containers with missing lids that you've always hoped you might find a use for one day. Don't forget to look through your food closet, fridge and freezer too - make sure you aren't keeping hold of foods you'll never get around to eating.
<br>
<br>2. Make your cooking space make sense
<br>The next step is to evaluate how you use your kitchen. Assign different areas of the kitchen to different cooking tasks, e.g, cutting and chopping foods or mixing and stacking ingredients. Then store your foods and utensils that are most relevant to these areas close by. Keep utensils that you will need at the stove, like wooden spoons and pans, within close reach, and likewise with oven and sink. You can then place items that you use less often in cupboards that are harder to reach or access.
<br>
<br>3. Organize as much as you can
<br>Once your cooking space makes sense, you'll still need to ensure each cupboard and drawer is well organized so you don't have to search hard or route around to access the items you need. It's easy to buy organizers for kitchen areas such as the cutlery drawer or for foodstuff like spices. Invest in a lid organizer for your pot and pan lids, too, as stacking these in your cupboards can be a messy and clumsy affair. If you want to organize a cupboard but can't find the appropriate organizer, use simple plastic baskets to store and separate where possible.
<br>
<br>Once you've completed these three steps, enjoy the difference of a stress-free, clear and uncluttered kitchen!
<br>
<br>If you enjoyed this article, please feel free to post it to your site or blog and forward this link to your friends. Have a great day!
<br>
<br>Don't forget to visit my interior design blog.
<br>
<br>About the Author: Amely Wurmbrand is nationally-recognized for both her West Coast and <a href="http://www.amelydesigns.com" rel="nofollow">Seattle interior design</a> work. Amely and her team work closely with clients to reflect their personalities and lifestyles through innovative and sophisticated designs.
<br>
<br>
<br>1. Get ready to get tough
<br>You'll need to empty out all your cupboards, units, and drawers. Then you should evaluate what really needs to stay in your kitchen and what you should throw away, give away or sell. This means making tough decisions to help you reclaim valuable kitchen space. Get rid of appliances you know you will hardly use and can do without, like that fondue set or bread maker you were given last Christmas. Throw away duplicates of any kitchen tools that you don't need. And let go of chipped kitchenware or containers with missing lids that you've always hoped you might find a use for one day. Don't forget to look through your food closet, fridge and freezer too - make sure you aren't keeping hold of foods you'll never get around to eating.
<br>
<br>2. Make your cooking space make sense
<br>The next step is to evaluate how you use your kitchen. Assign different areas of the kitchen to different cooking tasks, e.g, cutting and chopping foods or mixing and stacking ingredients. Then store your foods and utensils that are most relevant to these areas close by. Keep utensils that you will need at the stove, like wooden spoons and pans, within close reach, and likewise with oven and sink. You can then place items that you use less often in cupboards that are harder to reach or access.
<br>
<br>3. Organize as much as you can
<br>Once your cooking space makes sense, you'll still need to ensure each cupboard and drawer is well organized so you don't have to search hard or route around to access the items you need. It's easy to buy organizers for kitchen areas such as the cutlery drawer or for foodstuff like spices. Invest in a lid organizer for your pot and pan lids, too, as stacking these in your cupboards can be a messy and clumsy affair. If you want to organize a cupboard but can't find the appropriate organizer, use simple plastic baskets to store and separate where possible.
<br>
<br>Once you've completed these three steps, enjoy the difference of a stress-free, clear and uncluttered kitchen!
<br>
<br>If you enjoyed this article, please feel free to post it to your site or blog and forward this link to your friends. Have a great day!
<br>
<br>Don't forget to visit my interior design blog.
<br>
<br>About the Author: Amely Wurmbrand is nationally-recognized for both her West Coast and <a href="http://www.amelydesigns.com" rel="nofollow">Seattle interior design</a> work. Amely and her team work closely with clients to reflect their personalities and lifestyles through innovative and sophisticated designs.
<br>
Sunday, October 4, 2009
Signs of a Cheating Spouse | ArticlesBase.com
<p>People who are bonded by marriage often do so in a hurry or due to family and societal pressures. The practice of cheating a spouse and having an extramarital affair has been there across many generations. The main reason why such affairs took place and continued to exist is because there were not many ways of confirming an affair and catching an affair and doing something about it. Though there is a suspicion, one needs to have solid proof in order to prove the other person's infidelity.</p> <p>Here are 4 signs of a cheating spouse. You can check on these signs before you take further steps to investigate an affair that your spouse possibly has:</p> <ol> <li>Changes in schedule:though all people do not have a set time table that they follow,most of us do have a pattern of doing things. It can be the order in which you do things,certain grooming styles and the like. If you find relatively sudden and drastic change in behavioral and schedule patterns of your spouse,It can be a sign that he/she is seeing someone. </li> <li>Complaining about you:You see yourself as a support to your spouse and do everything you can to show your love and support to your spouse. Your spouse appreciates this too. This is an ideal situation. But if you finds that your spouse has lately been having problems with everything you do and complains about your habits and actions unnecessarily,it could be because your partner is comparing you to someone else he/she likes. Talk it out. If it doesn't help go ahead and look for strong clues. </li> <li>Suspicious telephonic or computer activity:If your spouse is spending an unusual amount of time on phone or computer and is trying to conceal this habit form you, you should try and figure out what's going on. </li> </ol> <p>4.Spending less time together:as time passes, the amount of time your partner spends with you may reduce. This is common. However,if the time spent with you have drastically reduced,you should figure out what's going on. But find out the truth before confronting your better half with this.</p><strong>About the Author:</strong><br /><p>I am a family counselor and have over twenty years of experience in counseling couples and family members and resolved various relation issues including cases of <a href="http://affairspotter.com/" rel="nofollow">cheating spouses</a>, emotional cheating, infidelity and the like.</p>
Saturday, October 3, 2009
English Tattoo Designs - Get the Best English Tattoo Artwork
<p>If you know where to look, the internet is an absolute goldmine for awesome English Tattoo designs. But there are also alot of rubbish designs out there, and if you are not careful you could end finding yourself wading through hundreds of cookie cutter junk designs. To make sure that this doesn't happen to you there is one important thing that you Must do. Don't use the search engines.</p><p>This may seem strange at first, but if you think about it, it makes perfect sense. You see search engines are designed to help you find information that you are looking for, and they are very good at this. But they don't have eyes, or an artistic brain so they are completely useless at finding quality tattoo designs. Seriously, if you type English tattoo designs into google or yahoo you will understand what I am talking about. All you get is a load of information, and a few dodgy designs if your lucky. Even if you do happen to come across a design that you like, chances are that millions of other people have also found and used that exact design because in my experience search engines throw up the same designs time and time again for years!</p><p>There must be a better way than this, surely! Well luckily there is and I'm going to share it with you. If you head over to some of the tattoo forums on the internet you will discover that lots of tattoo artists like to use them as kind of an exhibition area for their latest designs. They like to get feedback from other users, and this means that you can see all of these designs by professional tattoo artists before virtually everyone else!</p><p>Sounds good right. Well wait because there is more! In the archive section of most of these forums they have a section of links where the users of the forum have got together a list of their favourite online tattoo art galleries. These places are chock full of awesome tattoo designs and my favourite place to find English tattoo designs. The reason why these places are so awesome is because they are always adding fresh content, and none of it shows up in the search engines so you know you are getting fresh, original content.</p><p>If you want to find that English tattoo design that you always dreamed of, forget about the search engines and go straight to the forums and online tattoo art galleries.</p><p>To make your job even easier, I have checked out all of these online tattoo art galleries and hand picked three of the very best ones with some amazing English Tattoo Designs, <a target="_new" href="http://tattoodesignworld.blogspot.com/" rel="nofollow">Check these out!</a></p>
Lessening Your Summer Vacation's Environmental Impact
As summer approaches, we all look forward to escaping our day to day and taking trips with family and friends. With energy prices rising and more people conscious of the ecologic impact of travel, many are starting to have second thoughts when planning summer getaways. However, with just a few adjustments, you can have a wonderful summer holiday while substantially lowering both trip cost and emissions. Here are a few our of top tips.
<br>
<br>Travelling Green
<br>How you get from point A to point B can be another opportunity to stretch your green lifestyle. There are so many options, with commercial aircraft probably at the top of the carbon impact list. Get creative! Explore options like a sailboat, whitewater rafting, or overland exploring on horseback. Green Tortoise Adventure Travel (www.greentortoise.com) offers funky and fun sleeper buses that stop at hot springs and beaches as they travel from British Columbia to Mexico.
<br>
<br>Try the Train: It might take more time, but you'll see more countryside, avoid the hassle of airport security, and feel good about contributing fewer greenhouse gas emissions. Rail travel uses less fuel per passenger mile than cars or commercial airlines
<br>
<br>Driving Lightly: Rather than put miles on your own car, rent a hybrid electric vehicle or efficient diesel car that you can even fill up with biodiesel. Go to www.evrental.com to find hybrid-electric cars, or try www.bio-beetle.com for rental of Volkswagens fueled with biodiesel.
<br>
<br>Green Accomodations
<br>One way to make your vacation greener and healthier is to choose a hotel that's committed to bettering its environmental footprint. Eco-resorts are available in most tourist destinations, and nearly every major hotel chain seems to be going green in one way or another. Help more hotels go green by patronizing one that matches your environmental ethic. Check these websites:
<br>
<br>- www.ethicaltraveler.org: a grass-roots alliance uniting adventurers, tourists, travel agencies, and outfitters.
<br>- www.environmentallyfriendlyhotels.com: Rates properties worldwide in seven areas on a point system depending on their eco-friendly commitment.
<br>- www.responsibletravel.com: Displays hand-picked holidays from global tour operators.
<br>- www.rezhub.com: Helps you find a hybrid vehicle and book a green hotel.
<br>
<br>No matter where you stay you can also:
<br>
<br>- Let housekeeping know you're O.K. with keeping your same sheets or towels for a few days. (Most hotels will have signs you can hang out.)
<br>- Bring a reusable water bottle for everyone in your group.
<br>
<br>Green Activities
<br>Entertain the possibility of experiencing different natural systems like a desert, river, lake, seaside or forest. State and national parks are also a great place to chill, especially with kids in tow. You can create a holiday camping under the stars or find a four-star retreat lodge with all amenities. Either way, you'll be rewarded with the added bonus of creation's natural regenerative, healing, and inspirational effects.
<br>
<br>If you're traveling to a city, see the local sights on foot, or rent a bike. You can also search for a vacation by event (cycling, rafting, etc.) or by location at www.sustainabletravelinternational.org. Or visit www.rainforest-alliance.org for sustainable tourism options. The site www.unep.fr/greenpassport offers a U.N. program with great information on sustainable tourism that's good for the local economy, the local community, and the planet.
<br>
<br>Offset Your Impacts
<br>Carbon offsets are a way to lower the environmental impact of a plane trip or other impact by investing money in companies that plant trees, help to build wind farms, or develop energy saving projects; basically paying for emission reductions to take place somewhere so that it offsets your own emissions. It's much better to lower your own personal carbon footprint first, and then look at supporting sustainable projects that sequester carbon responsibly in other parts of the world. Be sure to check the credibility of the carbon-offset fund you want to support.
<br>
<br>Here are some carbon footprint calculators:
<br>www.carboncounter.org
<br>www.carbonfootprint.com
<br>www.safeclimate.net
<br>
<br>You can also calculate your emissions and purchase offsets from:
<br>www.terrapass.com
<br>www.nativeenergy.com
<br>
<br>About the Author: Adam Whinston is Director of Marketing for New Leaf America, a provider of <a href="http://www.newleafamerica.com" rel="nofollow">environmental products</a> and <a href="http://www.newleafamerica.com" rel="nofollow">home energy audits</a> that help customers make their homes more energy efficient. New Leaf America has more than 20 years green building experience, often cutting utility bills 50%-75%.
<br>
<br>
<br>Travelling Green
<br>How you get from point A to point B can be another opportunity to stretch your green lifestyle. There are so many options, with commercial aircraft probably at the top of the carbon impact list. Get creative! Explore options like a sailboat, whitewater rafting, or overland exploring on horseback. Green Tortoise Adventure Travel (www.greentortoise.com) offers funky and fun sleeper buses that stop at hot springs and beaches as they travel from British Columbia to Mexico.
<br>
<br>Try the Train: It might take more time, but you'll see more countryside, avoid the hassle of airport security, and feel good about contributing fewer greenhouse gas emissions. Rail travel uses less fuel per passenger mile than cars or commercial airlines
<br>
<br>Driving Lightly: Rather than put miles on your own car, rent a hybrid electric vehicle or efficient diesel car that you can even fill up with biodiesel. Go to www.evrental.com to find hybrid-electric cars, or try www.bio-beetle.com for rental of Volkswagens fueled with biodiesel.
<br>
<br>Green Accomodations
<br>One way to make your vacation greener and healthier is to choose a hotel that's committed to bettering its environmental footprint. Eco-resorts are available in most tourist destinations, and nearly every major hotel chain seems to be going green in one way or another. Help more hotels go green by patronizing one that matches your environmental ethic. Check these websites:
<br>
<br>- www.ethicaltraveler.org: a grass-roots alliance uniting adventurers, tourists, travel agencies, and outfitters.
<br>- www.environmentallyfriendlyhotels.com: Rates properties worldwide in seven areas on a point system depending on their eco-friendly commitment.
<br>- www.responsibletravel.com: Displays hand-picked holidays from global tour operators.
<br>- www.rezhub.com: Helps you find a hybrid vehicle and book a green hotel.
<br>
<br>No matter where you stay you can also:
<br>
<br>- Let housekeeping know you're O.K. with keeping your same sheets or towels for a few days. (Most hotels will have signs you can hang out.)
<br>- Bring a reusable water bottle for everyone in your group.
<br>
<br>Green Activities
<br>Entertain the possibility of experiencing different natural systems like a desert, river, lake, seaside or forest. State and national parks are also a great place to chill, especially with kids in tow. You can create a holiday camping under the stars or find a four-star retreat lodge with all amenities. Either way, you'll be rewarded with the added bonus of creation's natural regenerative, healing, and inspirational effects.
<br>
<br>If you're traveling to a city, see the local sights on foot, or rent a bike. You can also search for a vacation by event (cycling, rafting, etc.) or by location at www.sustainabletravelinternational.org. Or visit www.rainforest-alliance.org for sustainable tourism options. The site www.unep.fr/greenpassport offers a U.N. program with great information on sustainable tourism that's good for the local economy, the local community, and the planet.
<br>
<br>Offset Your Impacts
<br>Carbon offsets are a way to lower the environmental impact of a plane trip or other impact by investing money in companies that plant trees, help to build wind farms, or develop energy saving projects; basically paying for emission reductions to take place somewhere so that it offsets your own emissions. It's much better to lower your own personal carbon footprint first, and then look at supporting sustainable projects that sequester carbon responsibly in other parts of the world. Be sure to check the credibility of the carbon-offset fund you want to support.
<br>
<br>Here are some carbon footprint calculators:
<br>www.carboncounter.org
<br>www.carbonfootprint.com
<br>www.safeclimate.net
<br>
<br>You can also calculate your emissions and purchase offsets from:
<br>www.terrapass.com
<br>www.nativeenergy.com
<br>
<br>About the Author: Adam Whinston is Director of Marketing for New Leaf America, a provider of <a href="http://www.newleafamerica.com" rel="nofollow">environmental products</a> and <a href="http://www.newleafamerica.com" rel="nofollow">home energy audits</a> that help customers make their homes more energy efficient. New Leaf America has more than 20 years green building experience, often cutting utility bills 50%-75%.
<br>
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