Category Archives: Guest Post

Camping Chairs That Move

Most everyone knows that foldable camping chairs have the ability to be moved from one place to another, but what many people may not be aware of is that the chairs, themselves, can actually move. Similar to traditional-looking folding chairs is the outdoor folding rocking chair. These chairs feature a director’s style chair with metal rockers on the bottom. Whereas traditional wooden rocking chairs have pointed rockers at their bottom, a folding rocking chair has a rocker on each side that connects from the chair frames front to its back eliminating the need for sharp points. This makes the rocking chair ideal for children, the elderly, handicapped and those with low vision. Even better, by having no sharp edges, the chairs cannot cut or poke their users when packing or carrying them.

While they may be somewhat plain in color, as the popularity of these camping chairs increase, more and more designers will implement more colorful fabrics or patterns. Currently, some of the most widely available shades for camping rocking chairs include black, brown and navy blue. They may be the most basic colors however, these hues do a great job of camouflaging stains, should any ever occur.

Price wise, rocking chairs tend to cost slightly more that traditional folding outdoor chairs. Expect to pay anywhere from $40 to $60 or more depending on the chair’s size, quality and thickness of metal, manufacturer, and type of fabric used. Sometimes online bargains can be found that include free shipping and no sales tax. A great way for those who enjoy rocking chairs to relax on-the-go, folding rocking chairs also store in backpack sacks for easily portability. Consider purchasing a foldable rocking chair, and as an outdoor enthusiast you will get a highly-functional, easy-to-use item that is a great investment for present and future use.

Four Great Soy-Based Products That Replace Fossil Fuel Alternatives

You probably know by now about the many great benefits of eating soy-based foods, including soy milk and tofu. But did you know that soybeans also provide a more eco friendly alternative to a whole list of fossil-fuel based products that are not always so good for the environment?

It’s preferable to use soy-based products over man-made synthetic materials simply because they are far more likely to be easily biodegradable and non-toxic. They also lessen our dependence on fossil fuels, which isn’t great for the environment–as the BP oil spill disaster and climate change make clear. Take a look at these four soy-based products you may or may not have heard about:

1) Crayons. Your kids probably love their crayons, but they are made of paraffin wax, a petroleum by-product. If that gives you pause, then why encourage its further use? Instead, consider buying soy-based crayons, which are made of soy wax and work just as well for your kids without the environmental hassle.

2) Soy Candles. Traditional candles are likewise made of paraffin wax and pose the same challenge, with the additional problem that this petroleum-based wax gets burned in our homes and in the air we breathe. A soy candle is likewise made of soy wax and burns just as well as regular wax, making for a more eco friendly, less petroleum-based alternative.

3) Solvents. Think of solvents and you might think of some nasty black substance that dissolves anything it touches. But solvents too can be made of soybeans, which as you can imagine is much more environmentally friendly. Soy-based solvents are versatile and can be used for anything from dissolving old wax to cleaning stubborn oil-based paint off paintbrushes.

4) Diesel Additive. Unless you drive a diesel truck you may not have heard of diesel additives. They are generally added to the gas tank to improve performance, reduce engine knocking, improve fuel economy, and the like. Instead of, again, using a petrol-based product, you could use one made from soybeans instead. Not only do you help lower the use of petroleum, but you encourage an agricultural business that is more friendly to the environment than digging deep under the ocean.

These are only four examples among many that show how wonderful soybean is as a crop. From making healthy foods to maintaining a more healthy planet, you should seek out soy-based products whenever you shop–particularly if you are seeking out anything wax based, solvents, or cleaners. The environment will thank you for it!

Choosing Garden Netting For Pests

After all the careful preparation in the spring and months of tending to your young garden, the last thing you want is to be overrun by pests before you can enjoy the harvest from your efforts. Whether it is insects, rodents, small animals, deer, or birds, the chances are that you would prefer to keep them from your vegetables and fruits in the garden. And while there are a number of good alternatives for keeping these uninvited guests out of your plants, one of the most effective is garden netting for birds.

Specialized netting can be used for a surprising number of applications in the garden. Not only can it be utilized to provide shade to your plants or support to your vines, but it is quite effective in keeping unwanted visitors from eating your crops. For whatever reason, most people tend to hesitate when it comes to applying garden netting in their own gardens.

A common problem for home gardeners is keeping birds out of their fruit trees and berry bushes. Bird netting is an excellent way to protect these fruits from the birds. Simply find a netting style that meets your expectations, drape the netting over the plant, and enjoy your crop when you want to enjoy it. The netting effectively keeps the birds from your crop, and can integrate quite seamlessly into the flow of your garden design.

For many of the insect problems that the average gardener faces, a combination of natural sprays and garden netting is often sufficient to keep these critters away. For your plants that will allow a protective layer of netting, draping the nets over the plants is quite effective in keeping larger bugs from infiltrating your plants.

Whatever your pest problem, there is likely a netting that will help to protect your garden. If you find yourself faced with pests, don’t be afraid to take action. You’ve worked hard on your garden, take the time to protect what you have created.

A Rainbow of Jade Stone Color

Jade, a name which is used for both the minerals nephrite and jadeite, is a stone which can be extremely valuable. This stone can vary in hardness from 6 to a 7 on the Mohs scale and can have a wide variety of colors depending on the type of stone and content of foreign minerals contained within it.

Nephrite jade, the softer of the two jades, is actually the toughest of both. It measures a 6-6.5 on the Mohs scale but due to its tough, interlocking crystalline structure, is much tougher to break. It is said to come in less colors than jadeite, yet has a very large range (not just the stereotypical green which comes to mind when people think of jade as a color).

Jadeite is the harder of the two jades, and measures a 6.5-7 on the Mohs scale. This stone is more valuable due to its rarity. It only comes out of Burma in commercial amounts while nephrite is found all over the world (though produced in commercial amounts in British Columbia).

The colors of jade vary depending on its mineral composition. When there is a content of iron present in jade it can appear red, orange or yellow. When graphite and iron are present the jade can appear black. When chromium is present the color of the jade stone can appear green. When there is no foreign mineral content, and therefor just pure jade, the jade stone will appear white.

The color of the piece of jade can affect its price. Today, green jade is considered much more valuable. In the past it was white jade which was the most valuable to the Chinese due to its purity.

Though jade can appear in green, blue, white, red, black, orange, yellow or violet (just to name a few of the colors) the shades of each color can vary enormously. Due to this fact the price of jade is also determined on how vivid and striking the color actually is. Value is not only determined by the jade stone color but also by its translucency, depth and if any fractures are present.

Activities to do Near Arches National Park

Arches National Park is set among the red rocks of Utah’s southern desert making it a great hiking and camping destination.  It is home to Delicate Arch, featured on license plates in Utah, and one of the most famous rock arches in the world. There are plenty of activities for the family or outdoor adventurer to enjoy, including hiking, camping, and mountain biking.

Hiking trails lead visitors to the 200 plus sandstone arches in the area and the trails vary in levels of difficulty for all hikers.  You have so many places to explore while hiking Arches National Park you could hike for days and not see everything.  The most popular trail is by far Delicate Arch which is a 3 mile round-trip trek across the desert’s slick rock.  The path is anything but shaded and the hot sun beats down unmercifully on hikers.  You should heed the park’s advice and bring lots of water on this trail; you will need it when the summer temperatures are 100 degrees or more.  The Fiery Furnace is another good hike, but one that requires a permit and a ranger to accompany hikers.  If there aren’t enough trails here for you another national park is nearby, Canyonlands.

Delicate Arch, Arches National Monument, Utah

Delicate Arch, Arches National Monument, Utah

Arches national park is located near the city of Moab and the Colorado and Green Rivers.  Adventurers in the area can enjoy all of the water activities that are available like river rafting down the white water rapids.  Families can head over to enjoy calmer waters if the rapids are too much.

You can also go mountain biking or off-roading in the area.  Many mountain bikers from all over the world come here to enjoy the trails offered and they also have various degrees of difficulty depending on your expertise. Many businesses in the area cater to visitors by offering ATV and jeep rentals for the area’s extensive off road trails.

Campers too will enjoy visiting here.  There are plenty of places to pitch your tent.  Just remember the area can be busy during the summer and holidays so make sure you reserve a campsite.  You don’t want to get there and find out there aren’t any spots left.  Also, temperatures are very hot in the summer but it does snow here in the winter.  You want to be equipped for whatever conditions you might face.

Regardless of the reasons you decide to visit this area you won’t be let down.  You will have plenty of adventures and can enjoy all the outdoors has to offer.