Monthly Archives: March 2011

So you have decided you’re going to transform your backyard into a tropical paradise. You installed yards and yards of bamboo fencing, you’ve built a tiki bar that will make the neighbors jealous and purchased numerous thatch panels to insulate your palapa, line your tiki bar or accent any flat surface. But how do you install that thatch? It won’t just stand up on its own and there is no magical sticky surface to secure it to. Thatch is easy to install if you employ the proper technique.

First of all, thatch requires a stable, solid surface to be attached to. When securing to a tiki bar, a sub-surface of plywood is recommended. Simply lay a piece of plywood larger than the bar, over the bamboo skeleton and secure with nails. The surface needs to be free of debris and suited for stapling or nailing.

When purchasing thatch, first measure the total square footage of the area to be covered in feet and divide by the length of each panel in feet; double this number if you wish to install a double layer of thatch for generous coverage. Add 10-15% on to the total for overlapping and overhang. This number is the total number of panels you will need for your project.

Once you have a secure surface, attach the base of the thatch panel or runner roll using a staple gun with at least ½” staples or a hammer and at least ½” nails. Start at the bottom and overlap each panel horizontally, working your way up, working in a spiraling pattern for circular roofs or palapas. The thatch should lay flat and run down the length of the awning or roof with a few inches hanging over the edge. When laying thatch, be generous in the number of layers to avoid bare spots.

Protect yourself against unnecessary scratches by wearing long sleeves, pants and gloves whenever cutting, installing or otherwise working with thatch. Additionally, you will want to have heavy duty scissors and zip ties on hand in case you need to cut the thatch to fit the roof or hold seams together if you run out in the middle of a layer.

Once your thatch is installed, it requires little to no maintenance. It can withstand surprisingly strong winds and rain. Initially, there may be some runoff after the first rain, but this washes away easily. Additionally, you can use a diluted bleach solution in a spray bottle if the thatch starts to mold. With minimal upkeep a thatch roof will last 3-5 years, depending on weather. The top will need to be replaced first as it is the most exposed to harsh weather conditions. Keep an eye on your roof and replace or clean panels as necessary.

Summer is just around the corner and while we’ve been planning how to make our home and yard ready for entertaining all day and late into the evening we might have forgotten that we have packed on a few extra pounds under our winter coats. Getting the weight off doesn’t have to involve a painful crash course, and if you start now, you can walk your way to fitness with the following guidelines. To enjoy the maximum benefits of walking as exercise, follow these quick tips:

Train in intervals. Interval training has been proven to burn more calories over the length of a workout and because it takes your body longer to recover after the workout, more calories are burned for a longer period of time. Try this interval, good for beginners and advanced walkers alike:
Warm-up: 5 minute easy walk followed by 1 minute at a moderate pace
Intervals: 30 seconds fast walking followed by 1 minute of moderate walking (repeat 13 times for beginners or 23 times for advanced walkers or to step up intensity)
Cool down: 5 minute easy walk

Invest in a Pedometer. Aim for 6,000 steps a day to maintain a healthy weight or 10,000 steps a day to lose weight. You can start adding steps throughout your day by parking farther away, taking a walk on work breaks and lunches, going on a walk with your significant other rather than watching television at the end of the day, taking the stairs instead of the elevator or placing the treadmill in front of the television so you don’t miss your shows.

Stop Weighing Yourself. Measure your waist and hips or use a belt to gauge your progress instead of the scale. Walking builds long, lean muscles that will ultimately burn more calories over time. Muscle tissue requires more energy to function than fat tissue so you will be using more calories even when you are at rest.

Don’t ‘Just’ Walk. Add lunges, squats and jumps to your walk to ensure that your posterior muscles are exercising too. Walking on even surfaces primarily works the quads and hamstrings and leaves out the glutes. Consider walking backwards or tackling more hilly terrain.
Check Your Shoes. Make sure to wear shoes specifically designed for walking to avoid unnecessary strain and potential injury. Replace your shoes every 6 months or every 500 miles. After this time period, the cushions will absorb less impact, putting more stress on your joints.

Remember the more you walk, the more calories you will burn and the more weight you'll lose.  Just remember, as with any new exercise routine, to take it slow in the beginning until you know what your body can handle.  As you increase frequency and intensity the results will keep showing.

As news of the aftermath of earthquake in Japan continually looks worse and worse, we continually feel powerless to help. However, even if as individuals we may not be able to affect much change, many charitable organizations are capable and ready to assist those who need it most. Here are some non-profit organizations that are actively improving the situation in Japan and working to save as many innocent lives as possible:

Save the Children – Contributions provide food, medical care and education to children and families affected by the disaster; helps to rebuild the area through long-term recovery programs using the Children’s Emergency Fund; To Donate: Visit savethechildren.org.

Doctors Without Borders – Has already sent 2 three person teams to conduct mobile clinics that provide oxygen, non-food items, medical supplies and water; will deploy more volunteers and supplies as needed; To Donate: Visit doctorswithoutborders.org

Shelterbox – Delivers boxes of aid that include a tent suited for a family of 10, a cooker, blankets, a water purification device and a tool kit to familes and individuals affected by the earthquake and flood; To Donate: Visit shelterbox.org

Other organizations standing by with emergency teams, staff and supplies include: International Rescue Committee, Peace Winds Japan, Convoy of Hope, AmeriCares, AMURT, Islamic Relief USA and World Vision. Visit any of these organizations websites or visit networkforgood.org to donate.

As the state of disaster gets progressively worse and the death toll rises, the international community becomes more and more bound together. We highly encourage you to donate time, money or supplies to any well-prepared and responsible organization.

The past year everyone from small businesses, to large corporations, to individuals, to families is trying to save more and consume less. Whether this is in an effort to save money, time, the environment or just piece of mind is an individual choice but the end goal is essentially the same. As the summer approaches, our mindset will stay the same even if our intentions change. Summer is a season for relaxing with friends, enjoying the sun and taking advantage of the hot days and warm nights.  However, we can’t forget our efforts to save. Solar lighting is a perfect solution if you want to save AND enjoy the outdoors into the evening. Here are some reasons to go solar for the summer:
1.) Save money. You don’t have to continually pay a higher electricity bill through the summer months to light your yard or patio. Though it will be a higher upfront cost, your solar lights will last long enough to save you money through the years.

2.) Save time. Don't bother with complicated electrical systems and trying to run extension cords all over the yard. Solar lights require only a simple mounting and exposure to the sun to work all night long.

3.) Save energy. If forgetting to turn your outdoor lights off is a problem, solar lights turn off automatically at dawn. Additionally, most come equipped with timers and manual off switches for easy manipulation.
4.) Save your health. As with any electrical unit, there is always a danger of fire and/or electrocution, especially if the light source is near a pool or exposed to rain. Solar lighting does not require electricity so you, your children and your pets are at minimum risk for an electric accident.
5.) Save your artistic vision. Solar lights come in so many styles and variations that you are sure to find the right one for your taste and needs. Bulbs can be exchanged for different colors and solar units can be attached to plastic, wood and aluminum.

So remember that whatever you are trying to save, solar lighting can probably help. As we find ourselves inching towards the best months of the year, remember that your beautiful summer days need not be sacrificed to the dark; they can proceed long into the night with the use of solar lighting.