...research has shown that about 44% of junk mail is thrown in the garbage without being opened. You'd think that the companies paying to advertise on bulk mailers, catalogs and fliers would be upset by the fact that people ignore their mail. The truth though, is that they don't mind - they only anticipate about a 2% response from all that glossy paper. That means the companies paying to advertise on bulk mailers, catalogs and fliers fully expect that 98% of the recipients of their mail will throw it away.

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Curious about the differences between oil based and water based hardwood floor stains? I consulted with an expert on the subject, Elektra Grant, an associate with Livingreen. The following, based on Elektra's expertise, is a tell-all product comparison reviewing the many differences, similarities, benefits and drawbacks the consumer should be aware of before making a final product purchasing decision.

The Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) Green Building Rating System™ is the nationally recognized benchmark for the design, construction and operation of green buildings. There are LEED standards for new construction and existing building maintenance, commercial interiors and schools, retail spaces and healthcare facilities and - you guessed it - for your home.

Though their vampiric tendencies may seem purely sadistic, mosquitoes don't subsist on blood-lust; the blood is important in necessitating the development of the eggs in female mosquitoes; the bite simply feeds the cycle of propagation. So those red bumps on your skin have borne more than your irritation.

From one of our experts, Deborah Tull of All Shades of Green, I recommend checking out one of their helpful workshops if you live in the Los Angeles area.

Healthy Child Healthy World is an organization, "leading a movement that educates parents, supports protective policies, and engages communities to make responsible decisions, simple everyday choices, and well-informed lifestyle improvements to create healthy environments where children and families can flourish."

Gathering around the hearth to be near a good fire rather than a television can really warm the home, body and spirit. Building a safe fire can be simple and only requires a basic understanding of fire fundamentals. Here are a few tips on how to build a proper fire in a fire-safe environment.

Water Saving Tip: While waiting for the water in the shower to heat up, fill a bucket and use the cold water for hand washing delicates or to water the garden....

It should go without saying, pouring a quart of Liquid-Plumr® or Drano ® down the drain to 'burn' through a clog is hardly a nod to personal safety or environmental responsibility. For those concerned with general good health and wellness, there are several safe alternatives to chemical cleaning products that will prove to be just as effective.