Tips to Save Money on Laundry

Laundry is a never-ending chore in most households. We don’t typically think about how much it costs to do laundry at home, nor do we worry about the impact of washing our clothes has on the environment. But we should concern ourselves with doing laundry as efficiently as possible.

Here are some tips for a more efficient wash day.

• Clean the lint trap every time you use the washer or dryer. This not only improves the efficiency of laundry machines, but also can help prevent dryer fires.

• Do full loads. Don’t overstuff the washer or dryer, but wait to clean clothes or bedding or towels until you have a full load, to make maximum use of the machines.

• Use cold water. Most modern detergents are formulated to work well in cold water. Cold water is less hard on cloth, so your clothes will last longer. And you won’t use (and pay for) the energy required to heat a laundry tub full of hot water.

• Use high spin speeds. This removes more water from the clean laundry before it goes into the dryer. The time wet clothes spend in the dryer is reduced, saving you additional money on your energy bills.

• If you will be buying a new washer or dryer, look for a certified Energy Star model. These machines use less water and less energy, which will save you money over the worklife of the new machines. 

Tip - Why You Should Clean Your Refrigerator Coils

The coils on the back of the refrigerator release the heat extracted from the food inside into the air in your kitchen. If these coils are coated with dust, lint or pet hair, they are not able to operate efficiently.

You can increase the efficiency of your refrigerator by pulling it (carefully!) from the wall and cleaning off those coils. Do this at least twice a year, and more often if you have a pet that sheds. Leaving the cooling coils dirty not only shortens the life of your fridge, but also increases the energy costs of your refrigerator by up to 35%.

Save your money and help the environment by keeping your refrigerator’s coils clean.

Love Cats? Contribute to Science!

Here’s your chance to advance our understanding of cat behavior, genetics, evolution, and health by providing data about your pet. While domestic cats have lived alongside humans since neolithic times, cats are surprisingly understudied.

 

The nonprofit organization, Darwin’s Ark, is conducting a citizen science project called "Darwin’s Cats."

 

Participants from around the world can add to a massive database of cat information by filling out a quick survey about their feline friends. The survey takes only about 15 minutes to complete.

 

If you choose, you can donate to sequence your cat’s DNA. This is not required in order to participate in this project.

 

To find out more about this fun science project, please visit Darwin’s Ark at https://darwinsark.org/darwins-cats and create an account.

 

P.S There is a parallel "Darwin’s Dogs" project (https://darwinsark.org/darwins-dogs) that has already contributed to knowledge about dog cancers.

The heat and humidity are brutal this summer. Plan ahead to stay comfortable and healthy during the hottest time of the year (in whichever hemisphere you reside). Here are some suggestions to keep you comfortable and healthy.

• Be aware of temperature changes throughout the day. Pay attention to more than just the predictions for highest and lowest points. Avoid going outside during the hottest time(s) of day.

•Keep cool by staying in air-conditioned places. If you don’t have AC at home, try to spend time during the hottest parts of the day in a cooler public place such as a mall, library, or movie theater.

Some states and communities even open public cooling centers in hot weather.

• Your body tries to remove excess internal heat by moving warm blood to the skin, where it can escape into the air. If the air is cooler than your body, a fan blowing on you can move the warmed air away from your skin. Set ceiling fans to spin counterclockwise in hot weather.

• Evaporative cooling is important. When liquids evaporate off your skin, they remove heat from your body. This is why you sweat! But you lose water from your body as the sweat evaporates, so it is important to stay hydrated.

While fluid needs vary among individuals, the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics recommends women drink about 11.5 cups of water daily, and men about 15.5 cups. If you sweat a lot, you will need to drink more.

About a fifth ofwater intake comes from foods, so be sure to eat plenty of hydratingfoods such as soup and watermelon in hot weather.

• You can aid evaporative cooling by wiping your arms and the back of your neck with wet wipes or spritzing your skin with a spray bottle of cool water. For extra coolness, keep the wet wipe pack and spray bottle in the refrigerator between applications.

• If you must be outside in very hot weather, take breaks regularly to rest where it is cooler. Always wear sun protection. Sunburned skin can’t release heat.

• Dress to feel cooler. Wear loose, lightweight clothes so that air can circulate near your skin and increase evaporative cooling as you sweat. Some high-tech clothing is made from special fabrics that wick sweat from your body to improve evaporative cooling. Many types of cooling clothing, including cooling vests, bandanas and hardhat liners can make life more comfortable in hot weather.

You can make your own cooling clothing. Wet a kitchen towel in cold water, then wrap it around your head or neck. Soak a cotton T-shirt in cold water before putting it on. Rewet the item as it becomes dry.

• Cool your skin. You can take a cool (not cold) shower or bath in water that is tepid, slightly cooler than your body temperature. Once you get out of the shower or tub, stand in front of a fan to increase evaporative cooling. For quicker cooling, submerge your hands and arms up to the elbows in cool water for up to 5 minutes.

Ice packs or sacks of frozen peas applied where large blood vessels are near the surface of the skin (the back of the neck, armpits, groin) will help cool the body down. A chilled drink bottle works too. Icepacks even work throughsynthetic and plaster casts!

You can make your own frozen gel packs too. Just don’t put them directly onskin; always put a cloth between your skin and the ice pack. Don’t leave it on too long, either, as excessive cold is damaging to skin.

• Cool down internally by drinking cool water, eating a popsicle, or sucking (not biting!) ice chips. Just don’t do this too fast, as that can lead to gastrointestinal upset.

• Be aware of when to seek medical assistance due to heat exposure. If you have tried several of the tips above and still aren’t cooling down, go to the nearest emergency room.

Keep in mind the symptoms of heat exhaustion:

•     cold, clammy skin

•     dizziness or faintness

•     excessive sweating

•     extreme fatigue

•     fast or weak pulse

•     headache

•     muscle cramps.

If you experience these symptoms, seek medical help or call 911.

Infants, children, senior citizens, pregnant women, outdoor crews, individuals who take medications that make them less able to sweat, and people with health conditions such as cardiovascular disease are all more prone to suffering heat exhaustion. If you’re not in one of these high-risk categories, be sure to check on people who are.

For more information, read “How Hot Is Too Hot For The Human Body?” in the link below:

https://www.scientificamerican.com/article/how-hot-is-too-hot-for-the-human-body1/ 

August Grains of the Month – Rye and Triticale

There are two grains for the month of August: rye and triticale.  Triticale is a durum wheat-rye hybrid, and has the largest seeds of the three grains. This man-made crop was created in Scotland and Germany in the late 19^th century. 

Rye is a cereal grain grown most commonly in Eastern and Northern Europe and in Russia. Germany is the world’s largest producer. Rye is the grain most tolerant of poor soil which is full of clay, sand or peat. It endures cold weather, making it an ideal crop in those regions. Winter rye is planted and starts to grow in autumn, survives under snow cover, and grows rapidly in the spring, making it an excellent fodder crop for grazing animals.  Edible rye can take many forms. In the Americas, rye is known mainly as a dark bread or an alcoholic beverage. 

Pumpernickel rye bread is especially popular in northern Europe. Scandinavian crispbread is made from rye flour. 

In addition to use as a flour, rye “berries” can be cooked whole and used in casseroles, pilafs, and salads. The rye grains can also be milled into flakes and grits. In the diet, rye is a good source of fiber, B vitamins (niacin and thiamine) and minerals (manganese, magnesium, phosphorus and zinc). Its soluble fiber helps lower blood cholesterol and regulate blood sugar. Like wheat, rye contains gluten, so eating it is not recommended for people with celiac disease. Rye is closely genetically related to wheat.  An iconic red paint is made in Scandinavia by boiling rye flour with red iron oxide from the Falun copper mine in Sweden. This paint protects wooden structures from weathering and gives them the appearance of brick buildings owned by more affluent persons.

Displays and Exhibits for Healthinfo Island for August 2025

You can teleport to Second Life to any of the eight displays and exhibits using the SLURLs in this posting. In Second Life, click on the poster with the same name as the title of the poster set, and you will get a notecard that contains all the text of the posters plus descriptions of the images. If you click each poster, you will get a private message with additional information and live links.

Can You Eat a Rainbow?
http://maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/Healthinfo%20Island/195/158/22

Healthcare for the Homeless
http://maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/Healthinfo%20Island/188/181/24

Exercise Your Brain
http://maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/Healthinfo%20Island/172/155/22

Health in the Heat
http://maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/Healthinfo%20Island/114/79/24

Psoriasis Awareness
http://maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/Healthinfo%20Island/98/40/26

Your Hormones As You Age
http://maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/Healthinfo%20Island/50/28/28

Eating in the Heat
http://maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/Healthinfo%20Island/24/23/30

What is Neuropathy?
http://maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/Healthinfo%20Island/21/63/32

Thank you to Mook for assistance with the posters this month.

TIP - The Card Pick-Up Scam

This new type of identity theft is becoming more common. Don’t get caught by these scammers!

First, the identity thieves call, email, or text you, posing as your bank or the issuer of your credit card. That’s the first red flag—those institutions will NEVER contact you by phone.

They ask for your PIN number in order to verify details of your account. That’s the second red flag—legitimate financial institutions will NEVER ask you to divulge your PIN.

If you are too trusting and give them your PIN, then they claim you should mail your card (or the chip on it) back to an address they give you so it can be “safely recycled.” That’s the third red flag—your bank will never ask you to return your card. Instead, when it’s time to get a new one, you should destroy your old one.

If you do send in your card, then the thieves have your intact card and your PIN. They will quickly clean out your account.

Don’t let this happen to you! Never respond to phone calls from your bank. Never give out your PIN. And never ever mail back your card.

TIP - Get Cool Before It’s Hot

A properly maintained cooling system can save on energy costs and keep your home comfortable all summer long. Now, before it gets hot, is the best time to have your HVAC cooling system serviced.

You can do some routine maintenance, like changing or cleaning filters, inspecting equipment and checking refrigerant levels. You can also schedule a professional check-up and needed servicing with a qualified HVAC technician before the peak-season rush.

These simple steps will help you avoid expensive emergency repairs and extend the lifespan of your equipment. So get ready for air-conditioning season before the hot weather strikes.

QUIZ- Which is more ecological, hand washing dishes or using a dishwasher?

Of course the answer will depend on the size of your sink, your dishwashing procedure, and the specifications of your dishwasher. But generally, the dishwasher is more energy efficient. Why is that?

It’s all due to hot water.

Filling the average kitchen sink to soak dirty dishes in takes 4-6 gallons of hot water. Some people rinse the washed dishes in a second sink full of water. Others run the water, which uses about 2 gallons of water per minute, depending on the faucet.

On the other hand, a dishwasher uses about 3-4 gallons of hot water for one cycle.

Doing the math, the dishwasher uses less hot water. That means it uses less electricity to run the water heater, meaning you save on two utility bills.

How can you make using the dishwasher even more efficient?

• Only run the dishwasher when it is full.
• Don’t pre-rinse dishes. Just scrape them before loading them.
• Skip the heated drying cycle. Instead, open the door slightly at the end of the cycle to allow steam to escape.

How can you make hand washing dishes more efficient?

• Be sure to scrap the dishes before putting them in the soapy hot water.
• Fill the sink only half way. That’s enough water to do the job.
• Rinse the cleaned dishes in cold water.

Heat Domes

You may have heard about heat domes in the news. Perhaps you have even experienced one, or are living in one right now. What exactly is a heat dome? How does it form? And what are the consequences of being in a heat dome? Does this have anything to do with climate change?

A heat dome is a weather phenomenon. A large area of high pressure traps warm air over a region, and this can last days or weeks. High pressure means the air is being pressed down, and compressing air heats it up. The high pressure is like a lid, keeping the heated air from rising, so the temperature at ground level increases significantly. The temperature under a heat dome is often above the average normal high temperature for the region.

Normally, the jet stream, which is a band of strong winds in the upper atmosphere, moves from west to east, pushing weather across the continent. Sometimes the jet stream becomes weak or stalls. Then a large high pressure system can become persistent. The high pressure also suppresses the formation of clouds. Less cloud cover means more sunlight hits the surface of the earth, increasing the temperature at ground level. Changes in oceanic climate patterns, such as La Niña, can also affect wind flow patterns, causing stagnation of warm air.

Heat domes have consequences at various levels. For individuals, heat domes can increase health risks, especially for vulnerable populations such as children, elders and persons with underlying health conditions. High temperatures increase the amount of water vapor in the air. Sweating, the body’s natural cooling mechanism, is impaired by high humidity, adding to the problems. Individuals may suffer heat exhaustion, heatstroke or death. The extreme weather can negatively affect mental health as well as physical.

Heat domes also impact the environment. The extremely high temperatures increase evaporation rates, reducing soil moisture and causing or increasing droughts. High temperatures can cause mass die-offs of vegetation and marine life. Dry plants and high temperatures are favorable conditions for wildfires.

In addition to health and environmental impacts, heat domes also impact infrastructure. Crops can be damaged or destroyed, leading to a depressed agricultural economy and higher grocery costs. Power grids are strained by very high usage.

Climate change does seem to be increasing both the frequency and intensity of heat domes. Greenhouse gases trap heat lower in the atmosphere, contributing to the high pressure areas that create heat domes. And since the Arctic is warming faster than the equatorial regions, the jet stream is weakened.

For information on how to prepare for and how to stay safe during a heat dome:

https://www.everydayhealth.com/general-health/how-to-stay-safe-during-a-heat-wave/

Healthinfo Island Displays and Exhibits for July 2025

You can teleport to any of the eight displays and exhibits using the SLURLs in this posting. In Second Life, click on the poster with the same name as the title of the poster set, and you will get a notecard that contains all the text of the posters plus descriptions of the images. If you click each poster, you will get a private message with additional information and live links.

Kidney Knowledge
http://maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/Healthinfo%20Island/195/158/22

Social Wellness Month
http://maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/Healthinfo%20Island/188/181/24

Our Amazing Hands
http://maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/Healthinfo%20Island/172/155/22

Our Wonderful Feet
http://maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/Healthinfo%20Island/114/79/24

Why You Should Read More
http://maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/Healthinfo%20Island/98/40/26

Racial Disparities in Health and Healthcare in the U.S.
http://maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/Healthinfo%20Island/50/28/28

Have a Safe and Happy Summer
http://maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/Healthinfo%20Island/24/23/30

July is Sarcoma Awareness Month
http://maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/Healthinfo%20Island/21/63/32


Central Pavilion of Healthinfo Island
Check out the calming breathing exercise on the back wall!
http://maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/Healthinfo%20Island/128/126/24

Thank you to Mook for help with the posters this month. 

Surgery on Friday? No, thanks!

If you have a choice of dates to have elective surgery, go for Monday if possible. And definitely, don’t have surgery on Friday or on a Thursday before a long holiday weekend. What’s the difference?

 

Researchers studied over 450,000 common surgeries performed in Toronto between 2007-2019. They looked at 30-day, 90-day, and one-year outcomes for patients. They checked for complications during the hospital stay, readmission to the hospital, and death within those time periods.

 

People whose surgery was on a pre-weekend day were 5% more likely to have a negative outcome up to a year later than were people whose surgery was on a post-weekend day (Monday, or Tuesday after a long weekend). The surgeries in which this effect was most noticeable were for heart and vascular problems. Plastic surgery and obstetrics showed very little calendar-related effects.

 

This is not just a Canadian phenomenon. Similar research has been done in the UK, in the US, and in the Netherlands. It has been labeled the “Friday effect.”

 

Several theories exist to explain this effect. It is possible that hospital staff on duty over weekends are less experienced or more overworked, which might lead to delayed or less efficient care. Specialist care may be less available on weekends. Some researchers concluded that “disparities in resources, expertise, and healthcare providers working during weekends may explain the observed differences in weekend mortality.”

 

However, sometimes there does not seem to be a Friday effect. A study of elective anterior cervical discectomy and fusion (ACDF) surgery found that “the day of elective ACDF surgery does not affect mortality, readmissions, or reoperation rates.” The authors note that it is likely that there may be more negative outcomes for patients with early-week surgeries because surgeons prefer to schedule “more complex cases or higher risk patients” earlier rather than later in the week.

 

Conclusion: It’s always wise to ask lots of questions before elective surgery. Be your own best advocate. And remember that even if there are risks, they seem to be small.

Medical Insurance Terms to Know

The language used in medical bills, health care forms and other paperwork can be very confusing. Here are some plain language explanations of some of them.

Allowed Amount – what the insurance company believes should be the price for the medication or service

Balance Billed – the difference between what the provider believes should be the price for the medication or service and the insurer’s allowed amount – you will have to pay this amount

Coinsurance – after you have paid the deductible, coinsurance is the percentage of the cost of the allowed amount you will have to pay

Copay – a fixed amount you will have to pay for covered prescription medications and medical services, due when you receive the service

Deductible – your insurance won’t pay anything until you have paid this amount total for the year

Evidence of Coverage – an explanation of your insurance plan, including what is covered and how much you pay

Explanation of Benefits - Not a bill! This is a summary of charges, insurance payments, and your payments for a month.

Formulary – lists the medications your insurer will pay for

In-Network Providers – providers or facilities with a contract with your insurer. It usually will cost you less to use an in-network provider than to go to an out-ot-network provider.

Step Edits (Step Therapy) – requirements to be met before your insurer will pay for a medication. You may have to try using less effective medications before they will authorize what your doctor prescribes.

Read all insurance-related text carefully. Look up or ask for an explanation of any term you do not understand. 

Easy Tips to Cool Down a Hot Home

Keep as much heat out as possible.

• Hot air and sunlight coming in through windows heats up the inside. During the day, close the windows and shut the curtains and blinds.
• The exception: If some windows are shaded during the daytime, by trees or shadows from nearby buildings, open them. 
• If you can open two windows during the day, you will get a cross-breeze that will help the room cool down.
• When it’s cooler outside than inside, perhaps at night, open windows to allow cooler air to come inside.

Remember that heated air rises and cooler air sinks.

• You may be more comfortable downstairs than upstairs in hot weather. Basements are naturally cooler than attics.
• Switch the direction of ceiling fan blades when the seasons change. They should be spinning counterclockwise in hot weather. This creates a cooling downdraft. Remember to turn the fan off when nobody is in the room.

Lower the humidity.

• Moisture in the air doesn’t really add to the temperature. However, it does make the air feel hotter. Remove the excess humidity with an energy-efficient portable dehumidifier to make the room feel cooler than it is.

Don’t add more heat.

• Indoor appliances such as the dishwasher, clothes dryer and washing machine, oven and stove add heat to the air. Cook food in the microwave or outdoor grill if possible. 
• Wait until nighttime when it is cooler outside to use other appliances. 

Sorghum is the June Grain of the Month

Although sorghum is the fifth most widely grown cereal crop globally, it is not well known in the US. The Whole Grains Council has declared sorghum to be the grain of the month of June.

In North America, sorghum is mostly grown to make silage for animal feed and used as biomass in the production of ethanol. Many varieties of the tall plant are native to Africa, Asia, and Australia, where it thrives in areas prone to drought. Sorghum stalks are high in sugar, and can be crushed to yield a sweet juice.

Ben Franklin wrote about the use of sorghum as a crop. It was likely brought to this country by enslaved Africans. In addition to food for humans and animals, the fibrous stalks are made into brooms, earning sorghum the nickname “broomcorn.”

With its many varieties and multiple uses, sorghum is an important crop. The US is now the world’s largest producer, although sorghum syrup is no longer a common staple on breakfast tables here.

Sorghum is naturally gluten-free, and has high natural antioxidant levels. It may have several health benefits, including protection against insulin resistance, managing cholesterol, and inhibiting cancerous tumor growth. In addition to being a good source of fiber, sorghum seeds provide manganese, magnesium, phosphorus, and vitamin B3.

Sorghum grains are easily cooked in water or broth, with a grain to liquid ratio of 1:3. More commonly eaten in the South, sorghum may appear in Cajun or Creole recipes. When cooked, the grains can be stored in the refrigerator or freezer, and quickly reheated in the microwave. Sorghum grains can be ground into flour. The seeds can even be popped like popcorn!

Sorghum has been part of human diet for at least 8,000years. Are you ready to try cooking another ancient grain?

Displays and Exhibits for Healthinfo Island for June 2025

You can teleport to any of the eight displays and exhibits using the SLURLs in this posting. In Second Life, click on the poster with the same name as the title of the poster set, and you will get a notecard that contains all the text of the posters plus descriptions of the images.  If you click each poster, you will get a private message with additional information and live links.

NOTE: June is Men's Health Month. All the posters this month are about men's health.
Men's health is a family and community issue. Everyone needs to check out these poster sets!
*Due to current news about prostate cancer, three of these exhibits deal with that health issue.

June is Men's Health Month
http://maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/Healthinfo%20Island/195/158/22

Men Get it Too!
http://maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/Healthinfo%20Island/190/181/24

You've Been Diagnosed with BPH!
http://maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/Healthinfo%20Island/172/155/22

Men, What Screenings Do You Need?

http://maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/Healthinfo%20Island/114/79/24

Gay, Bi & Trans People Have Distinct Health Issues
http://maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/Healthinfo%20Island/98/40/26

* Prostate Cancer
http://maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/Healthinfo%20Island/50/28/28

* Prostate Cancer Diagnosis and Treatment
http://maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/Healthinfo%20Island/24/23/30

* Addressing Prostate Cancer Risk Factors
http://maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/Healthinfo%20Island/21/63/32


Check out the calming breathing exercise on the back wall!
http://maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/Healthinfo%20Island/128/126/24

Thank you to Mook for help with the posters this month.