The recent recall of half a billion eggs from 2 large farms in Iowa is shining a spotlight on our food chain. Are factory farming practices of increasing profits by squeezing hens in close quarters causing these problems?  Having just a handful of food producers due to industry consolidation add to the problem.  California has new regulations taking in effect in 2015 requiring cage-free treatment of hens.  It also bans all eggs coming from outside the state that fail to comply with this battery-cage rule.

Confusing Egg Terminology

Cage-free - Most cage-free hens live in very large flocks that can consist of many thousands of hens who never go outside. However, unlike battery hens, cage-free hens are able to walk, spread their wings and lay their eggs in nests.

Organic - As certified by the USDA, this label requires some outdoor exposure.

Pasture-raised - This and other classifications indicate outside forage on vegetation and insects.

Certified humane - Endorsed by the Humane Society, this does not require access to the outdoors but has standards for air quality and lighting.

Organic Eggs

Organic Eggs have better flavor and the chickens laying them have been feed organic feed. Eating them is a good way to  help minimize risk of exposure to antibiotics, or synthetic hormones and pesticides while obtaining a healthy dose of nutrients.  We could not find studies that validate these suggestions though.

Egg Cooking Tips

Eggs need to be fully cooked properly to prevent food poisoning and salmonella contamination. Bacteria can exist inside an uncracked, uncooked whole egg. Avoid eating raw cookie dough with egg or making ice cream with egg or Caesar salad dressing with raw eggs. Cook eggs until the egg yolk and the egg white are firm. Cook egg custard used in eggnog, homemade ice cream, and quiches to at least 160 degrees. Bake egg meringues at 350 degrees for at least 15 minutes on the lower rack of your oven.

Be sure to read our Healthy Food Options to avoid Chemicals

New rebates have been added for 2010.

San Diego’s power utility San Diego Gas and Electric rebates are here.  SDGE or SDG&E has a bunch of cash SDGE rebates and ways to go green for energy efficient refrigerators, older refrigerator recycling, attic or wall insulation, Central Natural Gas Furnace, dishwashers, Whole House Fan, water heaters, pool pumps and motors (Variable speed), room air conditioning, and more. You can print rebate forms out online and then send in proof of purchase.

Instant rebates are available select retailers including:

• B&B Appliance
• Costco
• Home Depot
• Humphrey Appliance
• La Mesa Appliance
• MCAS Miramar Home Center
• The Navy Exchange 32nd Street
• Phillips Maytag

Check your local utility’s web site for similar deals before you buy a new item.  Most rebates run through December 31.

We recently bought a new dishwasher that had a $50 rebate that was not advertised by the vendor. The rebate in only 2 weeks. Green your home and get cash back.

You can also call San Diego Gas and Electric at 800-411-7343 and ask about San Diego Gas and Electric rebates, SDG&E rebates, or SDGE Rebates.

Be sure to also take advantage of the 30% Federal Energy Tax Credit which expires 12/31/2010.

Ways to Save Energy, Money on your Energy Bill is full of tips to save you money.

Interested in Solar? Read our article Are Solar Panels for Me?

For Northern California Energy Rebates see: PG&E Energy Efficiency Rebates
For Southern California see: SCE Rebates or Southern California Edison Rebate for Energy Efficiency
For San Diego see: SDGE Rebates, SDG&E, or San Diego Gas and Electric Rebate for Energy Efficiency

New rebates have been added for 2010.

Southern California’s power utility Southern California Edison rebates are here.  SCE has a bunch of cash SCE rebates and ways to go green for EnergyStar refrigerators, $50 Old Refrigerator or Freezer rebate, Energy efficient Electric Water Heater, Pool Pump & Motor Rebate, ENERGY STAR Qualified Room Air Conditioner Rebate, Whole House Fan Rebate, Energy Efficient Evaporative Cooling Rebate, and more. You can print out rebate forms online and then send in proof of purchase.

SCE’s Operation Light Exchange allows residential customers to exchange halogen torchiere floor lamps and incandescent floor/table/desk lamps/night lights for new ENERGY STAR® labeled lamps.

Check your local utility’s web site for similar deals before you buy a new item.  Most rebates run through December 31.

We recently bought a new dishwasher that had a $50 rebate that was not advertised by the vendor. The rebate in only 2 weeks. Green your home and get cash back.

You can also call Southern California Edison and ask about an Southern California Edison rebate or SCE Rebates at 800-655-4555.

Be sure to also take advantage of the 30% Federal Energy Tax Credit which expires 12/31/2010.

Ways to Save Energy, Money on your Energy Bill is full of tips to save you money.

Interested in Solar? Read our article Are Solar Panels for Me?

For Northern California Energy Rebates see: PG&E Energy Efficiency Rebates
For Southern California see: SCE Rebates or Southern California Edison Rebate for Energy Efficiency
For San Diego see: SDGE Rebates, SDG&E, or San Diego Gas and Electric Rebate for Energy Efficiency

We recently traveled to Asia and needed to find a reliable, yet safe insect repellent or natural mosquito repellent. DEET is a strong effective repellent but looking at a toxicology report on DEET makes one squirm and the NRDC has some warnings on it. Recent research shows that DEET is a neurotoxin and could have long-term effects. Moreover, DEET may increase the toxicity of other chemicals to which people are exposed. EPA lists it in Toxicity Category III for eye, dermal and oral.

If you must use a DEET containg Insect repellant  choose one containing 30% of DEET. The protection afforded by 30% is sufficient for almost all circumstances. In Canada, 30% is their legal limit.

Another alternative is Picaridin, also known around the world as KBR3023, or Bayrepel (trademark of Bayer AG). It was developed by Bayer. EPA ranks its toxicity as Toxicity Category III for acute oral and acute dermal. Toxicity Category IV for primary eye and skin irritation.  Several insect repellents use this chemical.

We choose to use Burt’s Bees Herbal Insect Repellent as or Natural mosquito Repellent. Rosemary, Lemongrass, and Citronella oils mix with 5 other oils that bugs hate. The proof was that it worked well on our trip and prevents all the bug bites our fellow travelers got.  Different insects work in alternate ways, so this may not be potent in other regions.

People are trying to save money by reducing or eliminating their Cable or Satellite TV bills.  Many people do not realize that all recent HDTVs have digital tuners built in designed to pull in Free TV signals with an antenna. The number of channels you will receive will vary by your location.  We use a simple indoor antenna to receive many local channels in HD.

AntennaWeb is an industry website designed to help you maximize your television reception.

We have covered the Digital TV Transition in the past, so if you  have an old TV, sign up for digital converter box coupons. These boxes use the same antennas to pickup free programming.

Most modern flat panel TVs have VGA computer inputs, so you can hook up your computer and view online broadcast sites like Hulu and nuke your monthly cable TV or satellite TV bills.

If you want to build your own antenna, check out this video.