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It’s snowing, windy and freezing, the thought of going outside literally makes you shiver. After the holidays, everyone can’t wait for the snow to melt and the heat to rise. Why is it that when the temperature drops so does our mood?

Many people start the day in the dark and end up coming home from work in the dark. This literal darkness and lack of sunlight exposure can actually affect your mood. Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD) is a mood disorder that affects people who normally aren’t depressed in the spring or summer months but become depressed during the autumn or winter year after year. According to Mind for a Better Health “When light hits the back of the eye (the retina), messages are passed to the part of the brain (the hypothalamus) that rules sleep, appetite, sex drive, temperature, mood and activity. If there’s not enough light, these functions are likely to slow down and gradually stop.” Your body’s biology dertermines how you react to the lack of light, some people aren’t affected at all and others are.

But most of us experience some sort of mood changes during the winter and summer months.We’re more isolated in the winter and tend to stay indoors and socialize less. We’re wearing more clothes, eating more and moving less. All these factors contribute to the winter doldrums. Think about it, as soon as the sunshine hits your face how much happier do you become? Combine that with some outdoor activities, al fresco dining, barbecues and people dressed showing more skin—it’s bound to put a smile on your face.

So, besides moving to a Caribbean island, what do you do to avoid getting into a funk in the winter? Please leave a comment below.

Thanks for reading,

Guest Blogger – Ashu

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Recycling and composting are the two best ways to reduce the EPA’s estimated 4.5 lbs. of garbage each American sends to the landfill each day. In fact, over half the stuff the average person throws in the trash can actually be recycled or composted.

Below are a few of the most common items people think are recyclable and/or compostable but actually belong at a landfill.

Recycling:

Plastic Bags

This is a tough one since current recycling technology offers the capability to recycle plastic grocery bags, but very few facilities utilize this technology at the moment.

A California-based company called MBA Polymers specializes in handling hard-to-recycle plastics like plastic bags. It uses a 30-step process to sort the various plastics and recycle it into small pellets. These small pellets are then used to make things like electronics and car parts.

Current recommendations for plastic bag recycling are contradicting. A 2010 article published at MNN.com specifically states to avoid composting or recycling plastic grocery bags and Earth911.com states that plastic grocery bags are ok to recycle.

So, the best approach is to contact your local recycle center or hauler and ask if they accept plastic bags for recycling. If not, toss them in the trash can. Plastic should never end up in your compost bin.

Pizza Boxes

Cardboard is great for recycling but not when it’s all greasy. Why? The paper and cardboard recycling process involves adding water to create a slurry mixture. Since grease and water don’t mix, the grease sits on top of the slurry and doesn’t allow the paper fibers to separate from the grease.

So, the best approach here is to avoid putting any type of greasy or oily paper/cardboard item into the recycle bin. Grease or oil on glass, metal or plastic is a different story. These items are melted during the recycling process, which rids the material of grease and oil.

Used Napkins/Paper Towels

Like pizza boxes, used napkins and paper towel should go in the trash, not the recycle bin. Paper products with grease, butter, oils or cleaning chemicals can disrupt the recycling process for reasons mentioned above.

Used napkins and paper towels may be good for composting, however. Just make sure the used paper towel or napkin wasn’t used for cleaning (unless you use homemade cleaning solution like vinegar) and isn’t saturated with grease, fat, butter or oil.

Composting:

Eggs

Keep eggs out of the compost pile to avoid attracting pests and to keep the compost from smelling bad. The same holds true for any type of animal product, such as meat, fish, bones, milk, cheese and fats.

However, egg shells themselves are great for compost. Egg shells contain a high level of calcium, which is an excellent nutrient for growing healthy plants and vegetables. The key is to wash the egg shells before adding to the compost pile. This helps get rid of any residual egg white/yolk.

Charcoal

Ashes are good for compost piles, but not all ashes are created equal. The good ashes are from wood burning fires while the bad are from charcoal fires. No type of coal should find its way into your compost bin.

Charcoal and coal in general, contain substances that are toxic to the microorganisms in the soil. These microorganisms are the key to breaking down the composting materials to form nutritious humus ideal for growing grass, flowers and other plants.

Magazines

Magazines fall into a category referred to as “mixed paper” along with things like cereal boxes, phone books and greeting cards. Mixed paper means exactly that; the paper product uses multiple types of paper and fiber lengths.

Magazine composting is sort of a quandary. Some types of magazines are actually beneficial when shredded and added to compost piles, according to a report published by the EPA. The “good” magazines include those that use eco-friendly inks (it may specify this in the front or back cover of the publication), or those that do not contain any of the specialty, high-gloss inks.

If you’re unsure about which magazines are good for composting and which are bad, it’s best to simply trash it. It’s not worth risking your entire compost harvest.

Joe Eitel is a web content writer for Hometown Dumpster Rental, the leading online resource for finding local dumpster rental and junk removal service providers nationwide. Check out the Hometown Dumpster Rental Blog for industry news and eco-friendly tips.

Thanks for reading,

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**Secret Revealed**

Tying shoes together by their laces and throwing them onto overhead lines is known as “shoefiti” (shoe + graffiti). Shoefiti started in the United States and spread throughout the world. There is no single reason why people do this, there are many reasons.

When sneakers are festooned on power lines in rough neighborhoods, the conclusion for their presence is often crime related. Some believe they mark crack houses where you can get your fix or some free shoes via ladder. Others say they are shoes that belong to (or hang in memory of) a murder victim. Some say they are for marking gang turf, but Tucson Arizona police have denied that and flagged the turf marker idea as myth.

They did mention that many shoes are removed each week, since they are unsightly and can cause damage to the lines.

They also said that the volume of shoes increases during the summer break from school. A couple of stories have been told that may support this. One is that of tradition, shoes are thrown on power lines to celebrate the last day of school or graduation. Teenage boys have also been said to do this when they lose their virginity.

Perhaps the oldest story about the origin of shoefiti claims it was tradition for soldiers to hang their boots on the power lines at base when they completed basic training, went home on leave or left the service entirely.

In some movies, it’s the school bully who steals your shoes and throws them onto the lines. There are also stories of kids retiring their own shoes when they get a new pair.

Chances are good that the people who are doing it now have no idea why their predecessors did it.

Some people may think it’s a harmless tradition, but the shoes can disrupt utility services by adding weight to the lines which causes them to sag and potentially touch other lines or trees, which could also result in fire.

If you want to remove shoes from the lines, because you want your kicks back or you just want to clear the eyesore, you should call the utility company to do it — a few Darwin Award candidates have earned their nomination trying to DIY their shoes back.

Chad Upton is the editor-in-chief of Broken Secrets and an official Yahoo Answers contributor.

Thanks for reading,

Sources: About.com, Snopes, Straight Dope, Wikipedia

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Common Dumpster Rental/Junk Removal Questions Answered by the Pros

What sized dumpster do I need for roofing cleanup?

Dumpster rentals typically come in 10, 20, 30, or 40-yard capacities. Some rental companies may offer varying sizes, but these are the most common. When replacing roof shingles, choosing the right dumpster size depends upon two main factors: how many layers of shingles are on the roof, and the square-footage of the roof.

A 10-yard dumpster may work well for smaller roofs up to 1,500 square-feet. Larger roofs up to 3,000 square-feet require a 20-yard dumpster or possibly larger. These estimates are based on removing a single layer of shingles, so choose a slightly larger dumpster for roofs with multiple layers.

LINK: http://answers.yahoo.com/question/index;_ylt=AqVGMCJb1kVAs4hx.c9YgRojzKIX;_ylv=3?qid=20080723122910AAtxPJQ

How much does a dumpster generally cost?

Dumpster rental prices vary depending upon several factors, including the location, size, material, tonnage charges and landfill fees. For instance, a 20-yard dumpster in San Diego may cost $625 for a seven-day rental while the same sized dumpster in Detroit costs just $420. The keys to getting the best price on a dumpster are calling multiple dumpster rental companies to compare prices, as well as inquiring about any and all applicable fees that are in addition to the base rental rate.

Many dumpster rental companies charge a landfill fee, which is an extra fee priced per ton. Be sure to ask if the base rental rate includes landfill fees, in addition to inquiring about possible overage charges, fuel surcharges and charges on handling certain materials. Some companies may offer an out-the-door pricing structure while others charge extra fees, so it’s important to ask about all fees when price shopping for the best deal.

LINK: http://answers.yahoo.com/question/index;_ylt=AqoeggNXG6QRBPEVyiO5S6IjzKIX;_ylv=3?qid=20091121191227AAJS7IJ

How can I dispose of a broken TV in the City of Chicago? Can I put it in a regular dumpster?

You should never throw a television, or any electronic device for that matter, in the dumpster. TVs contain levels of certain toxic substances, including chromium, lead and mercury. When a TV enters the municipal landfill system, there’s the potential these toxic metals leach into groundwater or emit toxic chemicals into the air when incinerated.

There are several more eco-friendly ways to get rid of an old TV. First, if the TV still works, donate it to your local Goodwill, Salvation Army or other local charitable organization. Otherwise, just set it outside your home with a “Free” sign on it – somebody will take it! If the TV is broken, check Earth911.com for a recycling center near you that accepts TVs.

LINK: http://answers.yahoo.com/question/index;_ylt=Av59fzRf_TFllFS7nsfn.u4jzKIX;_ylv=3?qid=1006030903119

Is mold on drywall considered Hazmat – Hazardest waste?

Mold is potentially dangerous when inhaled, especially for young children, the elderly and those with poor immune systems. Moldy drywall is certainly considered a health hazard and should be handled as so. Always wear a respirator mask and gloves when working around mold.

If you plan to remove more than a few sheets of moldy drywall, it’s best to consult a mold removal professional, or call in a junk removal service that specializes in this sort of cleanout. When renting a dumpster to dispose of the moldy drywall, be sure to inform the rental company you plan to put moldy material in the dumpster. While this usually won’t be a big deal, some dumpster rental companies may require that you place each moldy piece of drywall into a plastic bag or have you follow another type of containment procedure.

LINK: http://answers.yahoo.com/question/index;_ylt=Ai90ISV8J_Ks3MkUo7Zxy9AjzKIX;_ylv=3?qid=1006052224983

What is the best method for de-cluttering your home?

Whether it’s a single closet or an entire house, the key to de-cluttering a space is not getting overwhelmed. It’s easy to see the problem from a macro perspective, and that can prevent you from achieving success. So, break the space into smaller sections that make the cleanup a far more tangible goal to achieve.

Instead of tackling the entire room, divide the room into easier-to-manage sections and focus on de-cluttering each section before moving to the next. It will help you feel a sense of triumph each time you complete a section.

A cluttered home is a hint that you simply have too much stuff. So, some of the stuff has got to go. Divide items into three piles: sell, donate or trash. Get rid of items you never use or haven’t used in over a year.

After you complete the de-cluttering process, it’s important to put a clutter-prevention strategy in place. One useful rule is to get rid of an item every time you bring a new one home, such as getting rid of the old coffeemaker when a new one is purchased. Another useful tip is to spend 15 minutes per day de-cluttering tables, countertops and bathrooms while dinner is cooking or during commercial breaks when watching your favorite TV shows.

LINK: http://answers.yahoo.com/question/index;_ylt=AqoeggNXG6QRBPEVyiO5S6IjzKIX;_ylv=3?qid=20080313200309AAPZWii

Thanks for reading,

Guest blogger:

Joe Eitel is a web content writer for Hometown Dumpster Rental, the leading online resource for finding local dumpster rental and junk removal service providers nationwide. Search Hometown’s extensive dumpster rental listings for free and find reputable roll off dumpster rental companies in your area. Also check out the Hometown Dumpster Rental Blog for industry news and eco-friendly tips.

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After asking my manager to attend a conference I felt would be extremely valuable for our team, he finally said yes, and I should have been thrilled, but then reality hit! This will actually be the first time I will be away from my 2 year old for 5 consecutive days!

As the thought of separation from my toddler begins to cast dark clouds over my otherwise sunny and beautiful daydreams, I remember, technology is here to help us stay connected.

I was told by her Daycare teacher that I have to prepare her well by talking about the conference ahead of time– but as soon as I mention “Mummy having to take an airplane” she starts to cry.

Whenever I have questions regarding new parenting situations, I check out what the experts have to say.

• Ms. Smith, founder of MomTini Lounge, believes children thrive on routine and structure. To minimize the disruption at home caused by travel, she suggests canceling any unnecessary commitments like play dates to streamline the family schedule.
• Phaedra Cucina, author of the picture book “My Mommy’s on a Business Trip” advises mothers to use Skype video to show their younger children their hotel room when they are away on a trip. She notes, “it’s comforting for a young child to see mommy in her hotel room waving and making silly faces.” I will be sure to try this method, but I have a feeling it might cause my daughter to cry more and want to be right there with me.
• My Tips?
• Make sure you have all of your child’s medical records in one easily locatable place so the caretaker watching your child while you are away can easily find important info. If organization is not one of your top strengths, you might want to invest in a mobile app like ‘mother knows’ where you can have all of your child’s records at the tips of your fingers via an iPhone app.

Have you ever left your Toddler at home for a Business Trip and have some successful tips to share? We would love to hear them.

Thanks for reading,

Layla – Guest Blogger

Recalls Plus is a Knowledge Partner on Yahoo! Answers.

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