Comments RichardWeirick has made

  • Iron-ically the Best

    Just my two cents here....but what is so difficult about cast iron?  The "hard" part I guess is the first seasoning for a brand new pan, but that takes the i.q. of a squirrel.  Most come pre-seasoned nowadays anyway.  Just keep cooking and it gets better!  Wipe it out when your done, oil lightly w/ olive oil and you're ready to go next time.  If you burn stuff, don't be afraid to scrub it out - it won't the hurt the pan at all.  Re-oil after.

    These pans wear like....well - iron!  My great aunt had some from her mom.  WAY better than non-stick.  Unless you dunk the whole thing in cold water when it's really hot (something you wouldn't do with any pan) they won't warp, don't ever go bad - even rust will scrub out and then you reseason - and are the ultimate in heirloom durability.

    They say they use more energy to cook with, but since they hold more heat (which means less escapes) they actually are about the same as other pans IF you turn off the heat before you take the food out.  You put all the heat into the pan, simply use it.  It's not as tricky as it sounds.  Also, you can use a much lower heat setting.On Umbra on green cookware posted 1 year, 1 month ago 12 Responses

  • Not That Simple

    I'm afraid it is not that simple.  While for most people using the cruise will improve gas mileage, it really does depend on the make/model of the vehicle and the driver's habits.

    Using the A/C will most assuredly reduce your mpg.  It's simple physics.  More resistance on the engine means more energy (fuel) required to overcome that resistance.  But here again, make/model makes a huge difference.

    My commute doesn't involve too many long unbroken stretches that enable a lot of cruise driving, so I have been forced to perfect my non-cruise driving skills....and now I can consistently get better mpg than what I could using cruise control, especially in hilly terrain.

    Tips:

    1. Pay attention to the road, not the cell phone.  You will be better able to predict braking/coasting stretches, as well as adjust acceleration for short spaces between stops.
    2. It may sound silly, but using the same logic that pilots use seems to make a big improvement on the mpg.  And that is, accelerate to your maximum speed on a moderate stretch (up to 2 or 3 miles), then back off the gas just enough to SLOWLY lose speed until you need to brake.

    My car has real time mpg data displayed on the console - so these techniques are proven.

    Most of all be safe!On Umbra on cruise control posted 1 year, 2 months ago 8 Responses

  • Just do a search...

    These are all good ideas, but there are many other things that can be included.  LCD televisions vs. plasma for instance.  Basically, if someone is really interested in conserving energy, there are a plethora of websites out there that talk about energy use.On Umbra on being an energy-efficient renter posted 1 year, 2 months ago 15 Responses

  • Self Sufficiency

    bur 83 makes a really good point.  I don't think one even needs to be self-sufficient to start thinking about their energy, water and resource usage.  You know, our grandmothers and grandfathers were "green" by default in many ways.  Planting a garden, recycling EVERYTHING, throwing all the kitchen scraps on a compost heap, driving only to a place when really needed and even then taking a neighbor with them- those were all just common sense, economical habits that we have lost today.  There's no reason we can't have Ipods and DVD players, but let's be responsible again.  Let's return to common sense.  Recycle your electronics, food scraps, and of course paper and plastic.  Buying used is always more green than buying something new even if it's made with 100% recycled material.  The mantra is old, but still gold.  Reduce, reuse, recycle!  And for goodness' sake, let's just quit consuming so much!  It's good for the pocketbook and good for the planet.

    Representatives are supposed to do just that - represent us.  So let's start living the life we want represented!  Be the change you want to see in your reps.  And of course, hold them accountable to us...not corporations and other big money/power entities.On Interviews and info on the presidential candidates' environmental positions posted 1 year, 3 months ago 53 Responses