I have two cars- Car A and Car B. Is there a calculator that allows me to calculate the saving on cars on gas.

You can check the savings on car mileage using the following calculator.

http://hestecrv.com/car.php

If you were to build a new home in the Midwest and money were not an object in the construction cost, but you wanted the maintain the lowest utility cost. What things would you incorporate in your home design? How will the exterior walls be constructed and insulated? What type of heating and cooling systems would you use?

Build with block walls, they retain temperature so cool in summer and warm in winter.

I would use solar power throughout. If you use enough solar cells for most of the time you could use grid power when cloudy. so everything would be electric.

When I was in 8th grade (1979) I made a wooden rotor blade in shop class. I took it home and attached it to an old Chevy alternator. With a little help from my friends’ older brothers, we managed to make it operate a headlamp. We later added an old motorcycle battery. I was not smart enough to figure out how to make the light turn off at night, so it was lit all day and night. It lit up our back yard rather well, even though there was not always enough wind to keep the battery charged enough to operate a car headlight 24 hours a day. It was pretty ugly but it worked until a big storm destroyed it.

Today I am a software engineer but I have a lot of schooling in electronics. I could easily make myself two 1KW wind generators, at a low cost. I understand I need a synchronous inverter that meets certain specs before I can hook it up to my house, and sell the excess (if any) back to the power company. Were do I get information on such a device? And how much $$?

There are several companies that make "grid tie inverters" that you could use to resell the power from your turbines. Usually they are in the $2,000 and up category. Also, depending on the rules of your power company or city, you may need to have your system designed, certified and installed by professionals, permitted by the city or utility, and have to have special liability insurance.

The cost of meeting all the requirements for grid tie can easily exceed the cost of batteries. You might compare the costs after finding out what you need to do legally to sell power back to the grid.

DK

My family misses eatting out so we try make fast food at home once in awhile. One of the easiest is Taco Bell Burrittos. Beans, cheese, chopped onions, and taco bell condiment sauce. Do you have any other ideas?

Wendy’s Chili

2 lbs. fresh ground beef
1 qt. tomato juice
1 (29 oz.) can tomato puree
1 (15 oz.) can red beans, drained
11½ cups chopped onion (1 med.)
½ cup celery, diced
¼ cup. green pepper, diced
¼ cup chili powder
1 tsp. cumin (if you like real flavor, add more)
1½ tsp. garlic powder
1 tsp. salt
½ tsp. each: black pepper, oregano, sugar
Optional: 1/8 tsp. cayenne pepper, or to taste

In a frying pan, brown the ground beef; drain. Put the drained beef and the remaining ingredients into a 6-quart pot. Cover the pot; let it simmer for 1-1½ hours, stirring every 15 minutes.
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11 SECRET HERBS AND SPICES LIKE KENTUCKY FRIED CHICKEN

2 T. paprika
1 T. onion salt
1 t. celery salt
1 t. rubbed sage
1 t. garlic powder
1 t. ground allspice
1 t. ground oregano
1 t. chili powder
1 t. black pepper
1 t. sweet basil leaves, crushed
1 t. marjoram leaves, crushed fine

Combine all ingredients as listed in a small jar with a tight fitting lid (baby food jars work well). Shake mixture to combine. Stores for months. Keep out of direct sunlight, heat and humidity.
(makes about 1/3 cup)

TO USE:
Mix together 4 t. mixture, 1 c. flour, 2 T. packed light brown sugar and 1 t. salt. Place in doubled plastic food bag and add chicken to coat. Fry.

February, 2001 Menu Minder
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OLIVE GARDEN’S SMOKED MOZZARELLA FONDUTA
Serves Eight

1 loaf Italian bread, such as ciabatta or semolina, sliced into ¼ inch slices
1 cup sour cream
1 teaspoon thyme
½ teaspoon crushed red pepper
¼ teaspoon cayenne pepper
3 cups shredded mozzarella or smoked mozzarella cheese*
3 cups shredded smoked provolone or provolone cheese*
(*This recipe calls for one of these two cheeses to be smoked and one to be regular)
3 tablespoons grated Parmesan cheese
3 tablespoons grated Romano cheese
8 teaspoons fresh diced tomatoes
Fresh chopped parsley

Preparation:

Arrange sliced Italian bread flat on a baking sheet and cover with foil. Set aside until ready to use.

Preheat oven to 450 degrees F.

Combine sour cream, thyme, red pepper, cayenne pepper and four cheeses in a large bowl and blend thoroughly.

If serving family-style, spray an 8” x 10” casserole dish with pan spray, then use a spatula to transfer the mixture. For individual servings, spray eight individual heat-resistant serving bowls, such as soufflé cups, with pan spray and fill each with ½ cup of mixture.

Place individual bowls on a baking sheet.

Using a large spoon, spread cheese mixture to create an even surface.

Place casserole dish or baking sheet with individual bowls on center rack in oven.

After five minutes, place baking sheet with bread, still covered, on top rack in oven. Bake for an additional five minutes.

Remove bread and fonduta from oven.

Garnish casserole dish with diced tomatoes and parsley in center of fonduta or divide evenly among smaller bowls.

Arrange bread slices around bowl(s) and serve immediately.

What do people have against fast food? I am really sick of reading things people write on here about how fast food makes people fat. Well, sure it does if you eat it every single day!!!!! If you only eat it once or twice or maybe even three times a week you should be fine. I eat fast food 1-3 times a week and I am not fat because I am always on the move. Why do people blame fast food for their weight? Please somebody explain this to me?

Okay, even if you can eat it three times a week and not get fat, it is NOT good for you. It's full of preservatives and trans fats which are negatively affecting your heart, your arteries, your liver, etc. Remember, you can't always see outwards evidence of what is going on in your body. You don't have to be fat to be unhealthy.