If you are into the “green revolution“, then there is a good chance you’re into weather.  The Oregon Scientific, +Eco Clima Control is the first home weather station to remove the need for power.  Powered by a built in solar panel makes it completely powered by the sun.   Don’t think this needs full sun everyday either.  Only 8 hours of sunlight powers the unit for up to 3 months!

I was so distracted excited by the solar aspect, I almost forgot to mention the weather features.  The +Eco Clima Control gives you the ability to track the current temperature and humidity in up to 4 rooms in the home.   It will also predict future weather and display the graphic of what’s to come.  Other features include a clock, calendar, LED backlight and even an all important mold detection alarm.

Highlights:

The Roto Basket is the answer you been waiting for your whole life and just eliminated many jobs at Disney.  How to get perfect symmetrical hanging baskets (inside or out) without exerting your own energy to spin the plant.  The answer is the Solar Powered Hanging Plant Basket Rotator.  A weatherproof, internal solar cell (and timer) power the weight-activated turning mechanism.  Once a plant is attached the basket revolves slowly during daylight hours.  The plant carousel rotates a full 360 degrees twice a day and holds up to 27 lbs.  Seems silly in the grand scheme of things but, a great product none the less…

$15 – Smart Solar Roto Basket

Backyard birds need a drink year round and come winter, the bird baths freeze over.  Enter the Happy Bird Solar Sipper.  No, it’s not a spa for birds.  It’s a solar heated, portable drinking water station for birds.  The insulated chamber, using it’s dark cover, is designed to draw warmth from the sun and keep water from freezing down to 15 degree Fahrenheit (assuming the sun is out).   The included mounting bracket and flat bottom allow for use just about anywhere.  So, while you are inside by the fire, drinking your hot coco… give the birds a drink too…

Highlights:

I think the majority know that composting is a great way to eliminate waste in landfills while capturing great fertilizer for yourself.  It reduces emissions of methane, a harmful greenhouse gas produced when organic matter decomposes in oxygen starved landfills. Most people don’t compost for several reasons: 1) it’s work  2) it takes to long  3) it smells and 4) not everyone has an outdoor space…  Well, what if I told you the NatureMill Composter solved all of these issues.

The NatureMill PRO Indoor Compost Bin is an appliance that recycles its weight in waste every 10 days, diverting over two tons of waste from landfills over its life… and all of this occurs right in your home and costs less then $1 per month to run!

How does it work you ask?  Deposit cut up food waste items at any time.  Items remain in the upper chamber while the magic happens.  Mixing, air flow, heat, and moisture are all part of this process called “Hot Composting”. The compost is later transferred through a trap door to the lower cure tray chamber, where it continues to compost while you add fresh waste items to the upper chamber.

In about 2 weeks of continuous work and you adding more material, the full light should come on. More than seventy percent of the initial waste will be gone, converting it into water vapor. What’s left is a very concentrated compost fertilizer. You can use it immediately, or leave it in a heap outdoors until you are ready to work in your garden.

This is so on my wish list this year and heck, it comes in eight different colors to match any decor.  So, spend a little green to go green…

$399 for Pro – NatureMill PRO Indoor Composter

$299 for Plus version – NatureMill PLUS

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If I told you, you could make your own soda for about 25 cents a can, would you do it?  With the Sodastream Soda Maker Kit, you can!  With this kit, you can turn tap water into sparkling water or flavored soda with a touch of a button.  In less then one minute you can replicate your favorite flavors and you can even set your fizz level for more or less bubbles. Not only is it cool that you can make your own soda but, there is green aspect as well.  No more stockpiling cases of soda from the store and no more empties to discard.  Win, Win…

The Starter kit includes: SodaStream Fountain Jet soda maker, 1 carbonator (under license, makes up to 60L), 2 reusable BPA-free carbonating bottles, 6 sodamix flavors of your choice (each bottle makes 12 liters.) 60-day money-back guarantee; 3-year manufacturer’s warranty. Made in Israel. Measures 5″ wide x 17″ high x 8.5″ deep.

Sodastream Fountain Jet Soda Maker Starter Kit

Summer is here, and we all know what’s that mean. More fun out side the house. But, little problem: the lawn is not green as it used to be. You noticed it there are some dead spots. Then this Sprinkler comes to rescue. From directing the water exactly where you want it to go is extremely gratifying and gives one a sense of achievement. By putting just the right amount of water precisely where you want it! On a hot summer day children love playing in the sprinkling water. They seemed to achieve even greater pleasure by grabbing and bending one of the noodles to purposely squirt one of the other playing children. As your garden grows, simply rebend noodles to customize new watering patterns.

* You control the spraying of only that which you want watered.
* Conserves your water by not spraying streets, sidewalks, buildings, windows, people or cars.
* No more brown spots in your lawns, simply point more noodles at them.
* Adapts to any shape or pattern you can imagine.

Only $12.99 Noodlehead N111C Flexible Lawn & Garden Sprinkler

Who knew a beach ball could also be educational.  Thanks to NASA mapping, the Glow In The Dark Earth Beach Ball is fun for all ages, day and night.  Using the sun or other light sources, it charges up the population around the world.  So, by day you see the globes land and water masses.  By night, you get to see the world’s light pollution.  At least the kids won’t think the world is flat…

Highlights:

• After charging under a light source or in the sun, photo-luminescent inks glow in the dark according to population
• The more populated the area, the more dense and bright the glow of the lighted globe, just as the earth is seen from space
• Globe replica includes a 20-page handbook full of games, activities, and resources

Frontgate – Glow-in-the-dark Earth Beach Ball

Recently wife purchased a computer system and along with the store threw in a “cheap” printer. What I have begun to realize is that nothing is free, or in my case really cheap.

The cost to consumers today for printing is not the printer itself, but the highly expensive print cartridges that seem to run out quite often. Many electronic companies are realizing this.

Dell has released a printer called the WasabiTM PZ310 Photo printer. In addition to being completely wireless (using Bluetooth technology), Dell advertises this printer as being Zero-Ink (i.e. no expensive ink cartridges are required).

The printer uses AmorphochromicTM Crystals inside ZINK PaperTM to produce the image. The only cons I see to the design is the available paper sizes are not large. Hopefully producing a Zero ink “photo” printer is only the first step to getting rid of those pesky and costly ink cartridges.
Specifications

• Eco friendly printer
• No ink
• Uses Bluetooth wireless technology
• Compact size
• Holds up to 12 sheets of adhesive-backed ZINK PaperTM
• Available in three colors: blue, pink and black
• Print speed: 55 seconds per print
• Average battery life: 15 prints per charge
• Automatic reprint button
• Happy/Sad LED icons
• Automatic power save mode

Dell WasabiTM Ultramobile Photo Printer