Better then Sliced Bread Banana Loaf

Found this amazing banana bread recipe from The Baking Bird (original recipe from Veganomicon) and made a loaf as a pre-camping/hiking/grueling rock climbing treat for me and Mike - our all-time favourite bread!

I tweaked it of course to have less sugar and more natural sweetness ...


Banana Maple Bread 
(from Veganomicon via The Baking Bird)

Makes one loaf

2 large or 3 small very ripe bananas
1/4 cup applesauce
1/4 cup canola oil
1/4 cup maple syrup
2 tbsp molasses
1 cup gluten-free flour mix
1 cup spelt flour
3/4 tsp baking soda
1-2 tsp ground cinnamon
1/4 tsp ground nutmeg
1/2 tsp salt
  1. Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F.
  2. Lightly grease a 9 x 5-inch loaf pan.
  3. Puree bananas until smooth. Add the maple syrup, applesauce, oil, and molasses, and whisk briskly to incorporate.
  4. Sift in the flour, baking soda, spices, and salt. Use a wooden spoon to mix until all the wet and dry ingredients are combined well.
  5. Transfer the batter to the prepared pan and bake for 45 to 50 minutes.
  6. Remove from the oven and cool on a cooling rack or cutting board.

Spesifikasi teknis jalan jembatan bina marga tahun 2010


DIVISI 1 - UMUM
DIVISI 2 - DRAINASE
DIVISI 3 - PEKERJAAN  TANAH
DIVISI 4 - PELEBARAN PERKERASAN DAN BAHU JALAN
DIVISI 5 - PERKERASAN  BERBUTIR
DIVISI 6 - PERKERASAN  ASPAL
DIVISI 7 - STRUKTUR
DIVISI 8 - PENGEMBALIAN KONDISI DAN PEKERJAAN MINOR
DIVISI 9 - PEKERJAAN  HARIAN
DIVISI 10 - PEKERJAAN PEMELIHARAAN RUTIN

Download Spesifikasi Teknis jalan jembatan Binamarga 2010

Kilarney Provincial Park Brutal Bliss

Kilarney Provincial Park view from our hike
They say that Kilarney Provincial Park is one of Ontario's crown jewels and now, speaking from experience, I can agree, they are right!  This weekend was spent hiking through some of the tougher parts of the Kilarney back country trail but the stunning views, the majestic beauty all around us and the serenity made it well worth the 6 hour trek.

Kilarney Provincial Park view from the top of "The Crack" trail

Scarlet sniffing out something good in the park
The experience of hiking through the back country was amazing, grueling, exhausting and yet satisfying all at the same time.  It was quite an adventure for us and especially for our little Scarlet.  I think she thought we were completely nuts the whole time!


A resting butterfly in the park

Me with Scarlet, on our first day, hours before we REALLY knew what we were getting into!

Mike with Scarlet nearer our campsite
At this point in the hike we were so incredibly exhausted and wondering if the end was even near (but it was close, sort of ... maybe another 30 minutes on top of our 5.5 hours already).

Victory! Me, enjoying the view from our campsite.
So, a 4.5 hr car ride and a 5.5 hour hike later we make it to our site! And the view is breath-taking (almost literally, we were high up and just finished our trek, exhausted and breathing heavily).  The first night was lovely, serene and peaceful and we enjoyed it by a warm fire.


On the menu our first night: We had been munching for most of the hike on trail mix and protein bars and lots of water.  When we finally got to sit down, I was too tired to cook anything so thankfully I brought along with easy snack foods that quickly filled us up.


Dinner (from the top going clockwise): Homemade vegan bean dip (high protein), cheddar rice crackers (for Mike), gluten-free herb crackers (for me), carob chocolate pieces (for smores), graham crackers, ginger snap cookies, and Spicy Hummus dip.


Breakfast: The next day we woke up to a very foggy, very cold and very damp morning.  We decided that if the rain didn't let up we were going to pack everything up again and start hiking back.  The plan was to hike halfway to another site and stay there a night but that plan quickly changed.

Either way, we had to start our day with some healthy and hearty carbs to help us recover, heal and prepare for the day ahead. We have: Bob Red Mill's Organic Hot Cereal, topped with dried cranberry, blueberry and almond slivers (I also added some fresh strawberry slices after this picture was taken).



Lunch: About halfway through our hike we stopped for a lunch break, cooking up some more fuel for the second half of the trip.  We have: Rice noodles with broccoli and carrots, cooked in a tahini sauce, premade at home and reheated during our stop.

We made it! A victory kiss and snuggle from Scarlet
I still find it amazing that Mike and I even did this hike, having basically little to no camping or real hiking experience and doing the 6 hours each way within a 24 hour period and with about 30-35 lbs on each of our backs ... through mud, water, valleys, ridges, bridges and massively huge jagged rocks and survived it all in one piece!  But what's really amazing is that Scarlet, our 2 year old dog did it with us.  What a trooper!

Back Country Campin' Kind of Weekend

Waking up, getting ready and SO excited for my first back-country camping trip this weekend.  Not so excited about the 5-hour drive but at least I won't be sitting behind my desk at work.

It took some research and lot of shopping at MEC (our new best friend) to figure out what essential items were needed for our trip - a.k.a. what can we actually carry that we really need in our backpacks for 10km without passing out?

We found some fantastic items, spent a lot of money and did a lot of planning and I think we are good to go! No turning back now anyway.

So for those of you who might be experiencing your first back-country or any camping trip this summer, here are a few good essentials to add to your packing:

Campsite Stuff:

Tent...Check.
Sleeping Bag..Check
Air Mattress?...Um maybe not! An air mattress might be way too heavy to trek through the back country.

For this trip we went with the more affordable and lighter option: foam pads from Canadian tire.  



Cooking & Eating Stuff:

 
Water purifying tablets - these are the more affordable version of a full water filtration system which is used to clean lake water to make it ready for drinking.

VERY IMPORTANT. Enough said.







Perhaps a camping stove is not so essential but but after some good advice from an experienced camper it was advised that we get a light-weight portable stove similar to this one.

 
The "don't leave home without it or you're eating with your fingers" Light My Fire Spork or as I like to call it, the sporfe (spoon/fork/knife combo) from Mountain Equipment Coop.





Personal Stuff:



Sunscreen, also VERY important.  I actually bought the kids sunblock simply because it's not as harsh and good for sensitive skin (or for those with fairer skin, like redheads).







Perhaps as equally as important if not more so then sunscreen, is bug repellent.  Unscented is best, as all your products should be unscented as to not attract animals.

I bought the Watkins brand at MEC.









Essentially for staying, feeling and smelling clean this weekend.  This Eco-friendly shampoo/conditioner soap bar by The Soap Works is perfect for camping.




Food Stuff:

On the menu for this weekend:

  • Trail mix
  • Fruit
  • Hot cereal
  • Noodles and veggies
  • Vega and protein bars
  • Water, water and more water!

More on food later ....

An Edible Vegan Self-Portrait

Recently, while planning my many mini summer vacations, I came across this fantastic upcoming August 2011 Vida Vegan Conference in Portland, Oregon.  I was however heart-broken to see that it was sold out!  So what's my next logical step?

Enter a contest to win tickets of course!

And so I found the best, most creative contest just perfect for me on Vegtastic Voyage blog.
  
The Contest: Recreate a completely vegan and edible self-portrait to win two tickets to Vida Vegan Con.
Steps to creating an edible food self-portrait ...


Step 1: Using parchment paper I drew out a contour image of my face.  My boyfriend was so impressed with this step alone ha ha, it was sweet.


Step 2: I covered the paper in plastic wrap more as a precautionary measure in case I messed up, and thank goodness I did that - the next steps get pretty messy!


Step 3: Prepping the ingredients.  In this case the cantaloupe which would now be my new skin.


Step 4: I started with my skin since it was the largest area to cover and then worked around it adding the other parts.  This part was tricky but cantaloupe worked like a charm! It was easy to cut out the perfect shaped pieces.


Step 5: Next my hair, which was made from cooked black rice Soba noodles.  Although I added oil during the cooking process the noodles were still very sticky and the biggest pain to work with.


Step 6: Once most of the surface area is covered it's onto the details like the eyes, mouth and then my shirt.


Step 7: Adding the final and finishing touches, the background, made of sesame seeds, pumpkin seeds and walnuts.


Voila! My final food portrait in just under two hours.

Self-portrait made from: Cantaloupe, watermelon, apple, sesame seeds, black rice Soba noodles, walnuts, sunflower seeds, pumpkin seeds, and dates.

New Additions to the Garden Family


As an anniversary gift Mike bought me garden flowers. I picked out these greens plus the pansies because they are edible flowers! They can be used in baking or in salads, plus they're very pretty and add some colour to our garden.

Our sweet onions weren't doing so well, in fact most of them were drying out.  The lesson here: create a good water drainage system in your containers.  Very important! Instead (courtesy of my father) we have these green onion beauties ready to cut and ready to eat whenever we please.

Also from my dad (the best farmer/gardener I know), a tomato tree, a 'sweet golden' tomato tree to be exact.


In your garden containers it is so important to help prevent roots from drowning and your plants from dying.  The best way to avoid this is to:

Create a good water drainage system

1. Add a base layer of rocks (similar to a pile of gravel rocks) on the bottom of your container, which should also already contain holes on the bottom for excess water to escape out of.

2. Then some people will add a layer of newspaper on top of the rocks  Since our containers are a bit small I didn't do this step.

The second very important lesson I learned:  

Mix your potting soil

The reason: it helps prevent your soil from being too heavy and weighing down your young plants and their roots, especially during the early growing stages.


For my plants I used a combination of thick organic garden soil and peat moss mix.  Of course always remember to ensure there are water drainage holes on the bottom of your containers.

The final step will be mulching, which in my case is too early yet to start.  Adding mulch to your garden containers will help to keep your soil moist and cool and from drying out.

A lovely Chocolate Avocado Pudding Recipe

chocolate avocado pudding served with fresh cut strawberries
I learned to make a few dinner party recipes in Marni Wasserman's cooking class last week and decided to then re-make the entire dinner for my family this weekend, including this awesome Chocolate Avocado pudding ...

2 avocados
1 tbsp vanilla extract
2 tbsp maple syrup
4 medjool dates (soaked overnight or in boiling water for 20-30 minutes)
1 tbsp pure unsweetened cocoa powder
1 tbsp almond butter
1 very ripe banana
1 tsp of cinnamon

Blend all ingredients together in a food processor on high until well blended, thick and creamy.  Enjoy!

Soy Foam Insulation Benefits

As climate changes begin to take affect all across the world,  governments, corporations, non-profits, and individuals are beginning to take steps toward building more eco-friendly homes, and greener buildings.

Even individual homeowners, and some smaller for profit companies are becoming energized by the increased demand for building in a green and sustainable way, which stems from a wide spread of new knowledge and awareness about benefits of green building on the environment, general health, and fiscally.

In addition to more commonly known green building and alternative energy options like solar panels and energy saving lighting, one of the more advantageous options for insulation homes and commercial buildings is soy spray foam insulation

Soy Foam Insulation Basics



Though it’s a bit more expensive than traditional insulators, insulation made from soybean oil remains a great “green” and fundamentally superior option. Soybean insulation is both renewable and sustainable, addressing a number of energy related issues, and can even reduce utility costs by up to 50%. By creating an air tight seal, unlike tradition fiberglass insulation, soy insulations keep air-conditioned air inside and heat out, and can reduce airborne noise pollution.

The growth of soy involves no drilling, spilling, or dredging - a massive benefit towards the environment. Most insulator companies also use American-grown soybeans and help to support over 600,000 farmers that grow them. The foam is applied using water as a blowing agent unlike most other spray-foam insulations that are applied using greenhouse gas causing refrigerants during the installation process. Best of all, soy foam insulation has an extremely small negative carbon impact on the environment, and personal health.


Pros

Soy insulation is an inert material and the water applicatory method used in installation means there is no worry of the breakdown or release of toxic carcinogens and contains no volatile compounds, chlorofluoarbons, hydrofluocarbons, or Formaldehyde, thus reducing the chances of illnesses like leukemia, asthma, a mesothelioma, a cancer related to chemical and asbestos exposure. The soy foam insulation also will not rot or foster any sort of mold growth.


Cons

The only glaring downside of soy bean insulations is initial costs. Even though the technology is more expensive to install, the savings stemming from the efficiency of soy insulators will eventually surpass installation costs. 


Conclusion

As the discussion about the risks of the by-products of traditional  construction materials and energy sources continues, eco –friendly technologies like soy foam insulation should continue to flourish.

Analisa Harga satuan Jalan Jembatan 2008 - SE Dirjen Bina Marga No.008/BM/2008

Penyusunan Analisa Harga satuan Jalan Jembatan 2008 ini dilakukan sebagai revisi Analisis Harga Satuan No. 28/T/BM/1995 guna mengantisipasi kemajuan teknologi yang erat hubungannya dengan pelaksanaan pekerjaan di bidang jalan dan jembatan serta penyesuaian seiring dengan adanya perubahan Spesifikasi Teknik dalam dokumen kontrak pekerjaan jalan dan jembatan, serta adanya peralatan baru dan bahan yang belum diakomodasi dalam panduan sebelumnya.
  • Terdiri dari 10 DIVISI, yaitu DIVISI 1 s.d. DIVISI 10.
  • Analisa harga satuan terdiri dari koefisien yang  tergantung pada variabel perencanaan.
  • Item Uraian Pekerjaan  sesuai dengan  perkembangan teknologi keBina Margaan.
  • Kesesuaian antara Analisa Harga Satuan dengan Spesifikasi.
  • Format Standar analisa harga satuan sudah  mengakomodasi Perpres 54 Tahun 2010, yaitu ada keuntungan dan biaya overhead max 15% 
  • Kesesuaian antara volume realisasi dengan Satuan Pembayaran sudah  sesuai.
Untuk Lebih lengkapnya Download disini :
Analisa Harga satuan Jalan Jembatan 2008 - SE Dirjen Bina Marga No.008/BM/2008


sumber : 
DEPARTEMEN PEKERJAAN UMUM DIREKTORAT JENDERAL BINA MARGA
Catatan Mas_Trianto

Another Farmer's Market, A Different City

My dad, looking very serious as usual.
I went to the Brantford Farmer's Market with my father this weekend to see what I could find.  I fortunately found some great stuff, for one thing, I was able to get all organic veggies which I needed for the dinner I made my family.  That was a bonus!


I also bought most of it from these lovely ladies.  Laura Lucas (on the right) runs the shop here and she's also a grower and speaker on behalf of healthy living.

 They had some other fantastic food items like these Live organic, raw vegetable crackers which we enjoyed with my homemade bean dip.


No plants today, other then the tomato and onion plants my father gave me.  Hope the garden at home is surviving and thriving.

Happy Long Weekend Canada!

Quinoa Mung Bean Salad

Quinoa Mung Bean Salad

A lovely Spring-time salad or a side-dish perfect for BBQ's this Summer! I got the idea from a salad I bought at the grocery store but then made a few adjustments to it to fit my liking so it's mostly made up.

I do hope we see a bit more Summer sun and a lot less Spring rain this weekend!










Ingredients

1 cup cooked Red Quinoa
3/4 cup cooked chickpeas
3/4 cup cooked mung beans
1/2 cup chopped green onions
1/4 cup chopped sun dried tomato
1/4 sliced black olives
2 tbsp olive oil
1 tbsp balsamic vinegar
Fine Sea Salt to taste
Pepper to taste (can substitute for cayenne pepper for more spice)

Directions


Mix the oil and vinegar in a small bowl, can add a spoonful of lemon juice or two to help them bind.  Then add the rest of the ingredients all together in a large bowl and pour the dressing on top, mixing it in. Serves about 8-10 people.


Serve and enjoy!

A Lovely Green Dinner Party Menu

Collard Greens cut in Angel hair stripes
Last night I attended another fantastic cooking class with Marni Wasserman and lovely group of inspiring home chefs. The theme: Dinner Party, which of course included many lovely green vegetables and recipes.

Marni discussing tempeh to the class
On the menu for this dinner party:
  • Velvety Black Bean Dip
  • Wild Rice and Yam Pilaf
  • Sweet and Sour Tempeh Skewers
  • Angel Hair Collards
  •  Mango Rice Paper Rolls
  • Green Beans Almondine
  • Chocolate Avocado Pudding

Prepping the Tempeh
Mango Rice Paper Rolls
I worked on this dish with fellow gym-mate, Yvonne, but everyone in the group had a chance to work with the rice paper and make their own rolls.

My dinner plate
On the far right are the tempeh skewers, in the forefront the wild rice and yam pilaf and in the far back the green beans and collards - so colourful, so healthy and so very delicious!

Bon Appétit, indeed!

LEDs vs. CFLs vs. Incandescent Light Bulbs

Definition of LEDs

A light-emitting diode (LED) is a semiconductor that emits light when the electric current passes through it. The original LEDs from the early 1960s only emitted a very low intensity red glow light. Early LEDs have commonly been used as airplane and automobile indicator lights, in TV remote control units, and as calculator read outs.

LED lighting technology has advanced in recent years to include wavelengths that are not only visible, but also very bright/having a lot of luminescence. Modern LEDs capable of producing bright white light are now being used more frequently as energy efficient replacement light bulbs alternative to CFLs and incandescent light bulbs.

How do LEDs work?


LED lights glow when an electric current passes through the device causing electrons to take up empty electron holes inside the device at a lower energy level than that of free moving electrons. Once an electron takes up an empty hole at a lower energy level, the excess energy gets released as photon that we see as light, an effect called electroluminescence. The color of the light is established by the resulting energy gap in the semiconductor. LED lights are designed to use electrical power of between 30 and 60 mW. Continuous use LED lights use a larger semiconductor in order to handle bigger outputs of power, and have a heat sink mounted on in order to keep the device from overheating.

Pros and Cons


LED lights have a number of advantages over CFLs and incandescent light bulbs. Latest bright LEDs use far less energy, and last far longer than CFLs or incandescent lights. Unlike CFLs that need some time to warm up, LEDs can be turned on instantaneously, providing a reliable and durable source of light that is up to four times more energy efficient than CFLs, and up to 12 times more energy efficient than incandescent light bulbs.

LEDs' Prohibitive costs to most homeowners

Currently LEDs costing between $40 to $100 per LED light bulb are not very affordable for your average consumer, but that situation is expected to change as LEDs prices are expected to decrease by some 15-20% per year. Not only that as LED's prices decrease their performance is expected to increase. Who knows, maybe in a few years LEDs will have rendered CFLs and incandescent obsolete?

Reliability and Durability

Most LEDs that were created in the 1970s and 80s are still functional today. Modern bright LED lights have a life expectancy of 25,000 and 100,000 hours, provided they are used under optimal conditions being lit up for 8 hours per day. LEDs perform best under normal conditions. If you were to use LEDs in extreme heat such that LED light bulbs would overheat, then higher temperatures could actually lower the life expectancy of your LED light bulbs. Typically, LED lights will gradually fade over time rather than burn out immediately.

Potential Hazards

Some very bright LED lights could potentially cause eye damage and are classified as Class 2 LEDs. LEDs are considered safe when used under normal conditions, and very few LEDs pose any risk of temporary blindness. According to the state of California, all LED lights with the exception of low-intensity yellow can be hazardous due to levels of copper, Pb, nickel, or silver. Unlike compact fluorescent light, LEDs do not contain mercury found in CFLs, which could also contain arsenic and lead (poisonous/hazardous materials).


LEDs Vs. CFLs

Compact fluorescent lights (CFLs) are also known as energy saving lights, and were designed to replace many existing incandescent light bulbs. As such, most CFLs can fit into incandescent light fixtures. CFL bulbs are comparable to incandescent, and generally provide the same amount of light. An advantage to CFLs is that they use less power, and can last up to eight times longer than incandescent.

Current biggest advantage of CFLs vs. LEDs is a substantially lower cost of CFLs vs LEDs.

Evolution of Florescent Lights

An important development in fluorescent bulbs came with the replacement of the electromagnetic ballasts with ballasts that are electronic. CFLs do not experience flickering or slow starts that traditional fluorescents were known for. Integrated lamps in CFLs allow for a simple replacement of incandescent bulbs with the CFLs. Non-integrated CFLs are typically more expensive.

CFLs Vs. Incandescent Lights


The average lifespan of CFL bulbs is at least 8 times, and sometimes as much as 15 times longer than incandescent bulbs. The rated lifespan of a CFL light ranges from 6,000 to 15,000 hours compared to the 750 to 1,000 hours of an incandescent light bulb. If a CFL light is turned off and on habitually, their lifespan can be reduced to nearly that of an incandescent light bulb, though.

CFLs Do a lot of good in Third World Countries

CFLs do have a few disadvantageous when compared to incandescent bulbs. A CFL bulb warms up to complete brightness only after a few minutes, while incandescent only needs a fraction of a second to reach full brightness. In cold temperatures, CFLs can take even longer to reach full brightness. Modern CFL bulbs are very cost effective and are leading the way for relief agencies to replace kerosene lamps in third world countries.

Recycling of CFLs

Environmental concerns are also at the forefront of many recycling company policies as leaking mercury can cause problems if released improperly. Many states in America and countries within the European Union regulate fluorescent bulb disposal and recycling. If you want to recycle your old CFLs properly, then simply bring them back to the store where you bought them, and they will recycle them for you.

How do Incandescent Lights Work?

Incandescent bulbs have been the standard lighting choice for since Thomas Alva Edison invented them. Incandescent bulbs work by heating a metal wire inside the glass bulb until it gets hot and starts to glow. The glass bulb is filled with an inert gas to prevent air from reaching the filament.

Good ol' Incandescent Lights are fading away...

Modern CFLs and LEDs are more environmentally friendly and longer lasting, are thus justly replacing incandescent bulbs. Many countries are in the process of phasing out incandescent bulbs completely, and some have already done so.


Why Incandescent Bulbs are Obsolete?

Almost all of the energy that is emitted by an incandescent bulb is heat rather than light, meaning that incandescent lighting is not very energy efficient. Incandescent lighting emits much more heat than compact fluorescent lights or LEDs, and therefore makes air conditioning costs rise in the summer.

Hybrid Incandescent Bulbs

While the initial cost of an incandescent bulb is less than that of a CFL, the wasted energy costs are much greater, and replacement intervals are too short compared to CFLs. Some incandescent light bulb manufacturers had been working to raise the efficiency levels of the bulbs, but have been unable to reach their initial goals. Hybrid bulbs have shown to be as much as 30% more efficient than original incandescent bulbs, working to redirect and recycle the excess heat back to the lighting filament.

State of The Lighting Industry

While manufacturers of incandescent light bulbs are trying to hold on, modern consumers tend to opt for CFLs, as incandescent light bulbs are too old, and LEDs are still too expensive. In the mean time, LED lighting manufacturers are continuously working on improving the performance of their products and are gradually decreasing their costs in order to edge out their competition. Early adopters, and green building conscious businesses are not scared off by a higher price tag of LEDs and take advantage of all that modern LED lighting technology has to offer. They are the primary beneficiaries of the state-of-the-art lighting products such as dimmable LED lights designed to work with standard dimmers. As for the rest of us, we are holding on till the prices drop even further. Perhaps in a few years consumers will be more open minded and ready to pay a higher price for LEDs.

LEDs vs. CFLs vs. Incandescent Lights

Definition of LEDs

A light-emitting diode (LED) is a semiconductor that emits light when the electric current passes through it. The original LEDs from the early 1960s only emitted a very low intensity red glow light. Early LEDs have commonly been used as airplane and automobile indicator lights, in TV remote control units, and as calculator read outs.

LED lighting technology has advanced in recent years to include wavelengths that are not only visible, but also very bright/having a lot of luminescence. Modern LEDs capable of producing bright white light are now being used more frequently as energy efficient replacement light bulbs alternative to CFLs and incandescent light bulbs.

How do LEDs work?

LED lights glow when an electric current passes through the device causing electrons to take up empty electron holes inside the device at a lower energy level than that of free moving electrons. Once an electron takes up an empty hole at a lower energy level, the excess energy gets released as photon that we see as light, an effect called electroluminescence. The color of the light is established by the resulting energy gap in the semiconductor. LED lights are designed to use electrical power of between 30 and 60 mW. Continuous use LED lights use a larger semiconductor in order to handle bigger outputs of power, and have a heat sink mounted on in order to keep the device from overheating.

Pros and Cons


LED lights have a number of advantages over CFLs and incandescent light bulbs. Latest bright LEDs use far less energy, and last far longer than CFLs or incandescent lights. Unlike CFLs that need some time to warm up, LEDs can be turned on instantaneously, providing a reliable and durable source of light that is up to four times more energy efficient than CFLs, and up to 12 times more energy efficient than incandescent light bulbs.

LEDs' Prohibitive costs to most homeowners

Currently LEDs costing between $40 to $100 per LED light bulb are not very affordable for your average consumer, but that situation is expected to change as LEDs prices are expected to decrease by some 15-20% per year. Not only that as LED's prices decrease their performance is expected to increase. Who knows, maybe in a few years LEDs will have rendered CFLs and incandescent obsolete?

Reliability and Durability

Most LEDs that were created in the 1970s and 80s are still functional today. Modern bright LED lights have a life expectancy of 25,000 and 100,000 hours, provided they are used under optimal conditions being lit up for 8 hours per day. LEDs perform best under normal conditions. If you were to use LEDs in extreme heat such that LED light bulbs would overheat, then higher temperatures could actually lower the life expectancy of your LED light bulbs. Typically, LED lights will gradually fade over time rather than burn out immediately.

Potential Hazards

Some very bright LED lights could potentially cause eye damage and are classified as Class 2 LEDs. LEDs are considered safe when used under normal conditions, and very few LEDs pose any risk of temporary blindness. According to the state of California, all LED lights with the exception of low-intensity yellow can be hazardous due to levels of copper, Pb, nickel, or silver. Unlike compact fluorescent light, LEDs do not contain mercury found in CFLs, which could also contain arsenic and lead (poisonous/hazardous materials).


LEDs Vs. CFLs

Compact fluorescent lights (CFLs) are also known as energy saving lights, and were designed to replace many existing incandescent light bulbs. As such, most CFLs can fit into incandescent light fixtures. CFL bulbs are comparable to incandescent, and generally provide the same amount of light. An advantage to CFLs is that they use less power, and can last up to eight times longer than incandescent.

Current biggest advantage of CFLs vs. LEDs is a substantially lower cost of CFLs vs LEDs.

Evolution of Florescent Lights

An important development in fluorescent bulbs came with the replacement of the electromagnetic ballasts with ballasts that are electronic. CFLs do not experience flickering or slow starts that traditional fluorescents were known for. Integrated lamps in CFLs allow for a simple replacement of incandescent bulbs with the CFLs. Non-integrated CFLs are typically more expensive.

CFLs Vs. Incandescent Lights


The average lifespan of CFL bulbs is at least 8 times, and sometimes as much as 15 times longer than incandescent bulbs. The rated lifespan of a CFL light ranges from 6,000 to 15,000 hours compared to the 750 to 1,000 hours of an incandescent light bulb. If a CFL light is turned off and on habitually, their lifespan can be reduced to nearly that of an incandescent light bulb, though.

CFLs Do a lot of good in Third World Countries

CFLs do have a few disadvantageous when compared to incandescent bulbs. A CFL bulb warms up to complete brightness only after a few minutes, while incandescent only needs a fraction of a second to reach full brightness. In cold temperatures, CFLs can take even longer to reach full brightness. Modern CFL bulbs are very cost effective and are leading the way for relief agencies to replace kerosene lamps in third world countries.

Recycling of CFLs

Environmental concerns are also at the forefront of many recycling company policies as leaking mercury can cause problems if released improperly. Many states in America and countries within the European Union regulate fluorescent bulb disposal and recycling. If you want to recycle your old CFLs properly, then simply bring them back to the store where you bought them, and they will recycle them for you.

How do Incandescent Lights Work?

Incandescent bulbs have been the standard lighting choice for since Thomas Alva Edison invented them. Incandescent bulbs work by heating a metal wire inside the glass bulb until it gets hot and starts to glow. The glass bulb is filled with an inert gas to prevent air from reaching the filament.

Good ol' Incandescent Lights are fading away...

Modern CFLs and LEDs are more environmentally friendly and longer lasting, are thus justly replacing incandescent bulbs. Many countries are in the process of phasing out incandescent bulbs completely, and some have already done so.


Why Incandescent Bulbs are Obsolete?

Almost all of the energy that is emitted by an incandescent bulb is heat rather than light, meaning that incandescent lighting is not very energy efficient. Incandescent lighting emits much more heat than compact fluorescent lights or LEDs, and therefore makes air conditioning costs rise in the summer.

Hybrid Incandescent Bulbs

While the initial cost of an incandescent bulb is less than that of a CFL, the wasted energy costs are much greater, and replacement intervals are too short compared to CFLs. Some incandescent light bulb manufacturers had been working to raise the efficiency levels of the bulbs, but have been unable to reach their initial goals. Hybrid bulbs have shown to be as much as 30% more efficient than original incandescent bulbs, working to redirect and recycle the excess heat back to the lighting filament.

State of The Lighting Industry

While manufacturers of incandescent light bulbs are trying to hold on, modern consumers tend to opt for CFLs, as incandescent light bulbs are too old, and LEDs are still too expensive. In the mean time, LED lighting manufacturers are continuously working on improving the performance of their products and are gradually decreasing their costs in order to edge out their competition. Early adopters, and green building conscious businesses are not scared off by a higher price tag of LEDs and take advantage of all that modern LED lighting technology has to offer. They are the primary beneficiaries of the state-of-the-art lighting products such as dimmable LED lights designed to work with standard dimmers. As for the rest of us, we are holding on till the prices drop even further. Perhaps in a few years consumers will be more open minded and ready to pay a higher price for LEDs.

LEDs vs. CFLs vs. Incandescent Light Bulbs

Definition of LED

A light-emitting diode (LED) is a semiconductor that emits light when the electric current passes through it. The original LEDs from the early 1960s only emitted a very low intensity red glow light. Early LEDs have commonly been used as airplane and automobile indicator lights, in TV remote control units, and as calculator read outs.

LED lighting technology has advanced in recent years to include wavelengths that are not only visible, but also very bright/having a lot of luminescence. Modern LEDs capable of producing bright white light are now being used more frequently as energy efficient replacement light bulbs alternative to CFLs and incandescent light bulbs.

How do LEDs work?


LED lights glow when an electric current passes through the device causing electrons to take up empty electron holes inside the device at a lower energy level than that of free moving electrons. Once an electron takes up an empty hole at a lower energy level, the excess energy gets released as photon that we see as light, an effect called electroluminescence. The color of the light is established by the resulting energy gap in the semiconductor. LED lights are designed to use electrical power of between 30 and 60 mW. Continuous use LED lights use a larger semiconductor in order to handle bigger outputs of power, and have a heat sink mounted on in order to keep the device from overheating.

Pros and Cons


LED lights have a number of advantages over CFLs and incandescent light bulbs. Latest bright LEDs use far less energy, and last far longer than CFLs or incandescent lights. Unlike CFLs that need some time to warm up, LEDs can be turned on instantaneously, providing a reliable and durable source of light that is up to four times more energy efficient than CFLs, and up to 12 times more energy efficient than incandescent light bulbs.

LEDs' Prohibitive costs to most homeowners

Currently LEDs costing between $40 to $100 per LED light bulb are not very affordable for your average consumer, but that situation is expected to change as LEDs prices are expected to decrease by some 15-20% per year. Not only that as LED's prices decrease their performance is expected to increase. Who knows, maybe in a few years LEDs will have rendered CFLs and incandescent obsolete?

Reliability and Durability

Most LEDs that were created in the 1970s and 80s are still functional today. Modern bright LED lights have a life expectancy of 25,000 and 100,000 hours, provided they are used under optimal conditions being lit up for 8 hours per day. LEDs perform best under normal conditions. If you were to use LEDs in extreme heat such that LED light bulbs would overheat, then higher temperatures could actually lower the life expectancy of your LED light bulbs. Typically, LED lights will gradually fade over time rather than burn out immediately.

Potential Hazards

Some very bright LED lights could potentially cause eye damage and are classified as Class 2 LEDs. LEDs are considered safe when used under normal conditions, and very few LEDs pose any risk of temporary blindness. According to the state of California, all LED lights with the exception of low-intensity yellow can be hazardous due to levels of copper, Pb, nickel, or silver. Unlike compact fluorescent light, LEDs do not contain mercury found in CFLs, which could also contain arsenic and lead (poisonous/hazardous materials).


LEDs Vs. CFLs

Compact fluorescent lights (CFLs) are also known as energy saving lights, and were designed to replace many existing incandescent light bulbs. As such, most CFLs can fit into incandescent light fixtures. CFL bulbs are comparable to incandescent, and generally provide the same amount of light. An advantage to CFLs is that they use less power, and can last up to eight times longer than incandescent.

Current biggest advantage of CFLs vs. LEDs is a substantially lower cost of CFLs vs LEDs.

Evolution of Florescent Lights

An important development in fluorescent bulbs came with the replacement of the electromagnetic ballasts with ballasts that are electronic. CFLs do not experience flickering or slow starts that traditional fluorescents were known for. Integrated lamps in CFLs allow for a simple replacement of incandescent bulbs with the CFLs. Non-integrated CFLs are typically more expensive.

CFLs Vs. Incandescent Lights


The average lifespan of CFL bulbs is at least 8 times, and sometimes as much as 15 times longer than incandescent bulbs. The rated lifespan of a CFL light ranges from 6,000 to 15,000 hours compared to the 750 to 1,000 hours of an incandescent light bulb. If a CFL light is turned off and on habitually, their lifespan can be reduced to nearly that of an incandescent light bulb, though.

CFLs Do a lot of good in Third World Countries

CFLs do have a few disadvantageous when compared to incandescent bulbs. A CFL bulb warms up to complete brightness only after a few minutes, while incandescent only needs a fraction of a second to reach full brightness. In cold temperatures, CFLs can take even longer to reach full brightness. Modern CFL bulbs are very cost effective and are leading the way for relief agencies to replace kerosene lamps in third world countries.

Recycling of CFLs

Environmental concerns are also at the forefront of many recycling company policies as leaking mercury can cause problems if released improperly. Many states in America and countries within the European Union regulate fluorescent bulb disposal and recycling. If you want to recycle your old CFLs properly, then simply bring them back to the store where you bought them, and they will recycle them for you.

How do Incandescent Lights Work?

Incandescent bulbs have been the standard lighting choice for since Thomas Alva Edison invented them. Incandescent bulbs work by heating a metal wire inside the glass bulb until it gets hot and starts to glow. The glass bulb is filled with an inert gas to prevent air from reaching the filament.

Good ol' Incandescent Lights are fading away...

Modern CFLs and LEDs are more environmentally friendly and longer lasting, are thus justly replacing incandescent bulbs. Many countries are in the process of phasing out incandescent bulbs completely, and some have already done so.


Why Incandescent Bulbs are Obsolete?

Almost all of the energy that is emitted by an incandescent bulb is heat rather than light, meaning that incandescent lighting is not very energy efficient. Incandescent lighting emits much more heat than compact fluorescent lights or LEDs, and therefore makes air conditioning costs rise in the summer.

Hybrid Incandescent Bulbs

While the initial cost of an incandescent bulb is less than that of a CFL, the wasted energy costs are much greater, and replacement intervals are too short compared to CFLs. Some incandescent light bulb manufacturers had been working to raise the efficiency levels of the bulbs, but have been unable to reach their initial goals. Hybrid bulbs have shown to be as much as 30% more efficient than original incandescent bulbs, working to redirect and recycle the excess heat back to the lighting filament.

State of The Lighting Industry

While manufacturers of incandescent light bulbs are trying to hold on, modern consumers tend to opt for CFLs, as incandescent light bulbs are too old, and LEDs are still too expensive. In the mean time, LED lighting manufacturers are continuously working on improving the performance of their products and are gradually decreasing their costs in order to edge out their competition. Early adopters, and green building conscious businesses are not scared off by a higher price tag of LEDs and take advantage of all that modern LED lighting technology has to offer. They are the primary beneficiaries of the state-of-the-art lighting products such as dimmable LED lights designed to work with standard dimmers. As for the rest of us, we are holding on till the prices drop even further. Perhaps in a few years consumers will be more open minded and ready to pay a higher price for LEDs.

Food Inc. - Incredible!

 
I finally got around to watching the incredibly informative and eye-opening documentary film Food Inc. this weekend and might I just say EVERYONE needs to watch this movie now, today, go - no, run to your computer download it, rent it, buy it, whatever - just watch it!

Entertaining but so eye-opening and for me quite emotional at times, there were definitely a few scenes I could not bare to watch.  The film has such an important message, something we often forget about or take for granted, that is, where does our food come from and who pays the real price?  For me, this film was just a warm up before I can bare to watch The Cove or Green - two other powerful films with important messages about just how badly we are destroying the earth and ourselves.

Film synopsis (from the official website):
In Food, Inc., filmmaker Robert Kenner lifts the veil on our nation's food industry, exposing the highly mechanized underbelly that has been hidden from the American consumer with the consent of our government's regulatory agencies, USDA and FDA. Our nation's food supply is now controlled by a handful of corporations that often put profit ahead of consumer health, the livelihood of the American farmer, the safety of workers and our own environment. We have bigger-breasted chickens, the perfect pork chop, herbicide-resistant soybean seeds, even tomatoes that won't go bad, but we also have new strains of E. coli—the harmful bacteria that causes illness for an estimated 73,000 Americans annually. We are riddled with widespread obesity, particularly among children, and an epidemic level of diabetes among adults.

Have you seen the film Food Inc?
Would love to hear your thoughts about the  film!