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A little bit of anything and everything that's part of
​creating, enjoying, and living a simpler life!
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Why I Don't Consume Hot Tap Water

7/31/2017

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Recently we had a last minute backyard barbecue. My sister and her family had nothing to do, and neither did we. Since we literally live on the same block, and it was really hot out and we have a pool, they came on down for some swim time, and of course, food. We are Italian and we had to have food. Not just a little either. We had enough to feed half the block because well, you never know who else might decide to visit!  

Anyway, thats not the point of this post. The point is that when my niece was filling the pot to boil the fresh corn I noticed that she was using the hot water to fill it so I said that she shouldn't be using the hot water out of the tap.  And of course being a highly intelligent young lady she questioned me as to why. Naturally I was more than willing to share my reasoning with her but it started me thinking that maybe a quick post with some information for anyone who is interested in why would also be a good idea.
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So why not consume hot tap water? This is really a personal choice and I personally choose not to drink it because I would rather be safe than sorry.  The science teacher in me further solidifies this decision and I have taught my children to never consume hot tap water as well for three basic reasons (and in this precise order): lead, contaminants, and disease.
​

Lead

How old is your house? When was it built and what are the pipes made of? Just about any home or building built before 1986 has lead in the pipes unless they have been fully replaced. Even newer metal pipes have some lead in them. Read about this at the CDC.

I live in a house built in 1931 and I KNOW there is lead in these old pipes. Drinking the cold water without running it for a few minutes (5 is recommended) first would be foolish, but drinking the hot tap water would be even more foolish! Keep reading for the reason why...
​

Contaminants

Where does your water come from? Is it treated by a water company with chemicals or does it come from a  private well? Do you have a filtration system in your home? If it is well water have you ever had the water tested for contaminants and particulate matter?

I have lived in both situations. Years ago I had well water and I paid to have it tested once a year.  I also had a filtration system since we lived in an area where the water table was only 4' below the surface.  Now I live in an area with a government run company that pumps up the groundwater, tests it, filters and treats it with chemicals as needed. Not ideal, but it is what it is. But either way, using hot water means that the contaminants and/or the added chemicals are more concentrated. Think about it: when you boil water only the water is steamed away. Everything else remains behind in whatever water still hasn't become steam. Simply put, the amount of contaminants stayed the same and the amount of water decreased. The heating that boiled some of the water created a greater ratio of contaminants to water. The same thing happens in the hot water tank. As the water is heated and some turns to steam, the amount of ratio of contaminants and/or added chemicals to hot water in the tank will be greater. When you use the hot tap water you will be getting water with a greater than average amount of contaminants.

Then if you cook with it the ratio of contaminants to water becomes even greater!  Of course there are variable such as the temperature you keep the hot water tank set at, how often you use the hot water, how much hot water you use each time, etc. Me, I still prefer to be safer than sorrier. Oh yeah: and lead is considered a contaminant so that would mean there would be a greater concentration of lead in the hot tap water verses the cold.
​

Contaminants and Disease

How old is your hot water heater storage tank and how often do you use it? How long does the water sit in there heating up? An older tank releases potential contaminants into the tank. Some people say there is actually a sludge in the bottom. I am not sure if this is true or not, but why test the theory out?  Maybe if I ever need the tank replaced I will open it up to get a look! But for now, I am not taking any chances.

The same goes for how often you use it.  If your hot water sits for hours, or even days (or more if it is a vacation home) at a time in the tank this is just more opportunity for more water to boil away and the contaminants and chemicals to become even more concentrated. Sitting also allows molds and bacterias to grow in there. Some of the growth depends upon the temperature that you keep the water at, but it could be a potential problem that I don't even want to think about. Again, no thanks.
​

Disease

Do you live in a large apartment building? Or maybe you're away on vacation staying in a big hotel and just want a quick cup of hot tea. Don't do it! These types of buildings have huge water storage tanks with the potential for Legionaires disease  according to the EPA.  

​I don't live in an apartment building but I have friends that do and I have stayed in many a hotel in my travels over the years. For me it is just something to remember and keep in mind during my visits and travels. 


Those are my personal reasons for not drinking hot tap water in my home, or anywhere else for that matter. In my opinion, it's just not worth it to use it. Do you have any other reasons to add? I would love to hear from you! But remember, everything is a choice. I am not telling you not to drink hot tap water, just the reasons that I choose not to! The choice to drink it or not is yours!

Check our our other Health & Wellness posts and follow us on social media :-)
Sincerely,
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Sources:
http://www.nytimes.com/2008/01/29/health/29real.html
​http://mesaaz.gov/residents/water-resources/services/water-quality/lead-and-copper
​https://www.cdc.gov/nceh/lead/tips/water.htm
​http://www.labtechtests.com/page/Common_Drinking_Water_Contaminants.aspx​​
​
https://www.epa.gov/ground-water-and-drinking-water/legionella
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How to Be Happier & Healthier

7/22/2017

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Happy people are healthier people. I know you have probably heard this a thousand times, but it is true, and it's pretty simple too!

Why are happy people healthier?
  • The biggest reason that happy people are healthier is because of their heart. They literally have healthier hearts. I believe it's because they have less stress which we we know is the big K>I>L>L>E>R when it comes to heart problems. 
  • Happy people are also healthier because they are able to fight off infections easier and have less aches and pains. It is because they tend to have better immunity and a more positive attitude about not getting or feeling unwell!
  • And finally, happy people are healthier and generally will live longer, mostly because of the reasons stated above. ​So why waste time being unhappy and miserable?  Start being happier today.

But how? How can you simply make yourself happy when  you really aren't? 

Mind over matter, with a little practice.  Trust me when I tell you, I have my good and bad days just like anyone else but here is what I do to be, and stay, happy:
  1. Think happy thoughts and choose to be happy. This is the most important thing you can do. I say to myself , " I am going to choose not to let 'such and such' bother me." And then I don't let it bother me. I also try to find some positive about everything, even if it is small. If the thought creeps back in I shut it down again and focus on the positive instead.
  2. Smile. A lot. It's contagious.  I can't stress this enough. If you are smiling all the time for yourself and at others, they generally will smile back and it just makes everyone nicer, and happier, to be around. Including you!
  3. Be thankful and count your blessings for what you have, not what you don't have. One of the big reasons people find themselves unhappy is because they are always thinking about what they don't have. Instead, think about what you do have: family, friends, your pet, a nice home, etc. Focus on all the wonderful things in your life instead.
  4. Let go of anger and forgive. This is huge.  It takes a lot of energy to stay angry at people for both big and little things. Thats angry, stressful energy and it is very unhealthy. For your own health you need to move forward and forgive. It doesn't mean you have to forget, but if you forgive them their transgression no matter how big or small, you can then use that energy to move toward happiness instead.
  5. Be generous. Do nice things for others for no reason other than to feel good about it. Hold a door, help out, compliment them, smile and ask them how they are. When you do nice things expecting nothing in return it feels good and leads to feeling better about who you are as a person which in turn leads to happiness.
  6. It's your responsibility to to make yourself happy, not anyone else's. It's also not your job to make others happy, it's theirs. If we leave it up to others to make us happy then we can never really be truly happy inside.
  7. Find a balance. This is the last thing, but it is important.  There has to be balance between work and play. Take time to chase butterflies, smell the flowers, etc.  You deserve it!
​Of course you can find this extra time by creating a simpler life for yourself and your family!
You knew that was coming, didn't you?
Hang in there, my book "The ABC's of Creating A Simpler Life" should be out this fall, but in the meantime there are a lot of ways to help simplify your life throughout this site so there is no reason not to get started right away!
​But most importantly, be happy :-)

Thanks for visiting!
Sincerely,

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Sources:
https://greatergood.berkeley.edu/article/item/six_ways_happiness_is_good_for_your_health​
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Why Napping is Good for You

7/1/2017

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I take a nap every single day. I just have to. My body wants it and needs it. Even a small 15 minute nap rejuvenates me so that I can get through the rest of my day! Taking a nap is good for you at any age and this post will share why!

Taking a nap is nothing new, People in other countries take naps too! After all, isn't that what a siesta is?

According to the National Sleep Foundation, the siesta, or midday nap, goes back thousands of years and is still common in warmer countries where Spanish is spoken. However, they are also relatively common in other countries such as Italy (called a riposo), Greece, the Philippines, Mexico, Costa Rica, Ecuador, and Nigeria.

Apparently, the tradition began so that farmers could take a rest during the hottest time of the day, usually for about 2 hours. Even though this reason may no longer be necessary (for many of us anyway), a nap, or siesta, is still a good idea for many reasons!
  • It is still a very good idea to be out of the Sun at the time of day when the rays are the most direct (think skin cancer and more....) which is usually around noon.
  • ​Even if you don't rest for two hours, any rest 15 minutes or more will help energize you for the remainder of the day.
  • Many countries recognize the afternoon siesta as being important whether for resting or just spending time at home with family for a meal and their day literally stops for the afternoon siesta!
  • Napping not only re-engerizes you, but it will help with your motor function and thinking. You will be able to work like new again! This reduces mistakes and accidents as well.
  • Stress can be relieved through napping every day.
  • This in turn can boost your mood levels and make you feel better.

Some interesting facts:
Source: http://sleep.org/articles/napping-around-the-world/
Note: These are taken word for word from the site above as changing them would not have made any sense!
  • In China: Workers often take a break after lunch and put their heads on their desks for an hour-long nap. It’s considered a Constitutional right.
  • In Italy: The riposo may begin anytime between noon and 1:30pm and run until 2:30pm to 4:00pm. Businesses shut down, and public venues like museums and churches lock their doors so their employees can go home for a leisurely lunch and a snooze.
  • In Spain: The siesta is deeply ingrained, as businesses often close for hours to accommodate the mid-day rest. While the siesta can span two hours, only a fraction of the time is actually spent napping; first, there’s lunch with family and friends, then a rest. Because of the mid-day break, people often work later into the evening.
  • In the U.S., napping isn’t quite a cultural tradition—at least not yet. But we’re gradually moving closer to that lifestyle. Some big-name companies (like Google) are becoming increasingly nap-friendly, largely because they believe that it increases productivity. Go Google!​

I know that many people think that if you nap regularly you are either lazy or sick. Napping is usually only associated with babies, children, old people, or sick people after all. Right? Well, no, not right. There have been some very famous, and very significant people in history that were nappers! Here are just a few: Winston Churchill, Ronald Reagan, Albert Einstein, Napoleon, John F. Kennedy, and George W. Bush are all said to have taken afternoon naps regularly!
​
Moral of the story?
Take a nap every day!
​It should be obvious by now that it is
​good for you :-)


Thanks for visiting!
Check out more Health & Wellness here and please follow me on social media.
Sincerely,
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Sources:
https://sleepfoundation.org/sleep-topics/napping
http://sleep.org/articles/napping-around-the-world/
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    Hi there! I'm Kathie, the author behind Creating A Simpler Life blog. I'm excited to share our longterm projects (and planning) toward building our future retirement homestead in the Adirondack Mountains of New York. In the meantime I will be sharing all the other little things we do that are part of creating our simpler life!
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  • Home/About
    • What does OFF-GRID mean?
    • MINIMIZING >
      • Home Size
      • Room by Room
      • Get Organized
      • Household Waste
    • MINIMIZE DEBT, MAXIMIZE SAVINGS >
      • Bills & Other Debt
      • Saving Money
      • Shopping Tips
      • Affordable Fun
    • BACKYARD CHICKENS >
      • The Coop
      • The Chickens
      • Feeding the Chickens
      • Fresh Eggs
    • HOME GARDENING >
      • Building the Garden
      • What We Grow
      • Seeds, Weeds, & More
      • Preservation & Storage
    • DO-IT-YOURSELF >
      • Health & Wellness
      • Simple Cleaning & Tips
      • Crafts & More!
      • Printables
    • CROCHET >
      • IDEAS & MORE
      • VIDEO TUTORIALS
  • HOMESTEAD
    • The 5 Year Plan PLUS! >
      • 2017
      • 2018
      • 2019
      • 2020
      • 2021
      • 2022
    • WHY AN EARTH SHELTERED HOUSE?
    • OFF GRID TINY TRAILER
    • BUILDING our HOMESTEAD from Scratch >
      • BUYING LAND & GETTING STARTED
      • BUILDING THE CONCRETE DOME
      • FROM DOME to HOME
      • SURVIVING OUR FIRST WINTER
    • HOMESTEAD MACHINERY >
      • GENERATORS
      • KUBOTA TRACTOR
      • ATV'S & UTV'S
      • WOOD CHIPPER
      • CHAINSAWS
      • LOG SPLITTER
      • POWER TOOLS
      • SNOWMOBILES
      • AUTOMOBILES
    • BUDGETING THE BUILD
    • SUSTAINABILITY >
      • WATER
      • FOOD
      • SHELTER
      • ENERGY >
        • SOLAR POWER
    • The Adirondacks >
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