The AquaLiv Components

Here is the set of AquaLiv components that provide the healthful water we have been experiencing for a little better than a month. Today my oldest son John installed the AquaLiv System at his brother and sister-in-laws' home. An eye-opening explanation on water science is available here.

This set-up includes an optional filter that removes fluoride and arsenic. The photo above shows how neatly everything installed, occupying only half the space under our kitchen sink. Today's installation at David and Lupes' is quite similar to ours.

In this coming week John will install an AquaLiv system at his other brother and sister-in-laws' home. David and Lupe were thrilled to get their system today, and James and Stephanie are looking forward to having theirs.

One very amazing thing about water from this is system is how easily we all can drink a pint (even two pints) and never feel bloated or uncomfortably full. I wish everyone could have an AquaLiv system.

Shower Filters

Sprite Industries

Shower Chlorine-Free with Sprite.  Chlorine is universally used to disinfect water, killing bacteria and other microorganisms.  But once it arrives in your home, chlorine can negatively affect you family's long-term health, comfort and even personal appearance.  Sprite Shower Filters with patented Chlorgon non-carbon media - outperform other filters for chlorine removal in hot shower conditions.  The world leader in shower filtration technology for 15 years, Sprite has earned more than 18 U.S. and international patents.

For Softer Hair and Smoother Skin.  Millions own water filters to remove chlorine from drinking water.  But 50% of chlorine exposure occurs in the shower.  Unfiltered shower water can double their exposure to chlorine by absorption through the skin and by inhalation of chlorine vapors.  Sprite filters chlorine for softer hair and smoother skin.  Now you can fight brittle hair, dry skin and dandruff - where health and beauty begin - right in your shower.

Breathe easier with Sprite.  Chlorine vaporizes in hot shower water and, when inhaled in the lungs, is transferred into the blood stream.  Scientific studies have linked chlorinated water to potentially harmful by-products that can, over time, contribute to such health-threatening conditions as cancer of the bladder, liver, stomach and colon.  Heart disease, high blood pressure and allergies have also been linked with chlorine.  Sprite Shower Filtration helps reduce these risks - so you can breathe easier.

For Today's Healthy Home. Shower filtration by Sprite is a logical addition for people concerned about home environmental issues including the quality of water and air in their homes.  Help protect your home's personal environment and entire family with a Sprite filter in every shower.

The Future Is Now

At 4:15 p.m. — after five hours incubation — a new batch of yogurt will be ready. I will transfer it into a container, place it in the refrigerator. This is a bulk product after adding 2 tablespoons starter to one liter of prepared milk, stirring well, and launching my yogurt project.

Shirley and John each take a glassful of yogurt to work every day. However, there are only 7 glasses. So the bulk yogurt can be put in cleaned glasses to get them through the week.

Needless to say, I am eager to try out this new batch. It will need to chill in the refrigerator for an hour before enjoying some.

Is This In My Future?

Currently I am making another batch of yogurt. This time I have used an ultra-pasteurized organic milk. The dairy's cattle freely graze on grass, are not corn-fed. Meat and dairy products from grass-fed cattle is said to have a good kind of trans-fat. The yogurt I use as starter for the new culture is an organic product.

The next step for me may be to graduate to a large yogurt maker. It makes, in bulk, 2 quarts of product. A double-walled construction — presenting a 'cylinder of water' — provides even heating with an incubation time of half that as for my '7 single-servings' maker.

The positive reviews given this item are very compelling. I believe that it will be smart to include yogurt daily in my diet. I love the flavor plain; therefore, can avoid always adding sugary fruits. Yet, I have been throwing in frozen blueberries occasionally. Yummy, healthy treat both ways.

Gadget Freakism

Logitech offers this incredibly inexpensive (cheap) sound system. I want a sub-woofer for my bedroom television sound. One buyer noted distortion when the sound gets cranked up. Well… that's not going to happen. I simply want a nice bass sound when viewing a program or DVD on our bedroom TV. And I always keep the volume relatively low.

Global Warning

Still not full daylight and the 41° temperature is temporary. Yesterday we climbed into the 80s. January can present some balmy days when there is full sunshine; however, these warmer January days are new to me.

No complaints about these comfortable days. Too bad it is not like this year-round. Summer's triple-digit heat is awful.

Probiotics for Health

European Yogurt Maker

This $40 item is on my 'wish list' at Amazon.com and will be ordered next week. A yogurt culture is now on its way. Another method is to add store-bought yogurt (containing live culture) to heated whole milk. The mixed product is maintained at a low temperature for several hours. Said to be mighty delicious.

Shirley likes fruit mixed in, so any kind of fruit preserves should work perfectly well. I suspect that once I start Shirley on this she will not want to go back to yogurt off the grocery store shelf. Imagine adding strawberry preserves and some ripe banana slices to this home-made treat.

BTW, Shirley continues to drink around 95 ounces of water from our AquaLiv system daily. Initially she noticed that never did she get fluid-overload from extra water consumption and she lost 7 pounds (water weight I am sure). As well, recently she stopped her evening Lasix dose, taking only the morning medication without untoward results.

As for me, I continue consuming six pints daily and have had to reduce my evening Lantus insulin dose. And I feel better overall since starting hydration with better water.

The GPS Device Mount

 The GPS Bird

  The GPS Receiver

 The GPS Device Vent Mount

At least three satellites are needed to triangulate the receiver's position on the ground. The software in Garmin's Nuvi relates the positioning coordinates to its installed map set.

In California it is not legal to attach a GPS device to one's windshield. A suction cup mounting attaches to windshield glass or a metal disk that adheres to the dashboard. For less than ten dollars we went with a vent mount that ensures good viewing of the Nuvi and using the device legally.

GPS navigation is a wonderful technology. On two occasions I recently got directions to a destination that I would have otherwise needed MapQuest or Google Maps to provide prior to my beginning my trip. In one instance I was already in another community and my Garmin eliminated any stress about the best way for me to proceed.

Yes, I am a gadget freak; yet, its initial cost makes my Nuvi one of my best purchases of 2010.

Memories

My ID badge triggered the time clock for start and end of work day. It provided access to and from stairways. The badge is our 'key' for entry most everywhere in the facility, and even the gate for secured parking.

Associated with our Injury and Illness Prevention Program (IIPP) all department safety reps had a card that would be placed directly behind his or her ID badge. I had the pleasure of chairing our IIPP Taskforce, a sub-committee of ARMC's Safety Committee.

My California State License is due to expire in August, 2011. However, it might as well expire this month of January. That was $220 bi-annually which I will not need to pay this year.

I have thirty-four years of terrific memories, and leave my job with a sense of pride and satisfaction with regard to my employment experiences.

I am investing in 'Internet Advertising Affiliation' right away. I cannot be bored after retirement with nothing to do.

This is a happy start of a Happy New Year because today — New Year's Day — is my outdate. Yes, my first day of retirement.