Those of us who enjoy cooking but would also like to do our bit to save resources and the environment can feel unbelievably superior and smug by choosing eco kitchen accessories that once had a former existence. Recycled cast iron cookware is also readily available with a range of pots and pans that are extremely durable, high quality and built to last. These recycled pans are free from enamel or any chemical coating so no noxious materials are released, even when the pan is heated to over300° C. An oxide film which is produced naturally on the surface prevents the pan from rusting and provides an effective non-stick surface, so these pans are even better for cooking.

The more obvious candidates for recycled kitchen products are eco tableware items.Many products made from eco friendly materials can be obtained, such as handmade linen, bamboo, raffia and bead placemats.Most are also ethically sourced from co-operatives supporting fair pay and promoting basic human rights for workers.

Home furnishings too can be just as ethically responsible but functional and attractive.Fabrics can enhance your living space with rugs and throws made from reclaimed yarn or sustainably sourced linen, hand-crafted on traditional looms. There’s even a range of ingenious , attractive, wall clocks that look like elegant slate timepieces that are made from recycled vending machine coffee cups. The cups are sourced directly from the national Save-A-Cup scheme and processed into creations that look fantastic in the home of the garden.

One thing that seems to be prevalent these days in Western society is the new age fascination with east Asian traditions, wisdom and spiritualism.

Glossy magazines extol the virtues of Chinese herbal medicines. Celebrities endorse oriental exercise regimes, Musicians worshipping eastern mythology, Gurus give out advice on our lives and predict futures. Alt therapies like Acupuncture and reiki stones are touted as cures for everything from headaches to cancer. These things represent an industry of billions of dollars/euros/pounds,

Speaking as perhaps a sour and cynical rationalist, BS is BS,regardless of where it comes from.

Some of these practices may indeed hold some value, and if so then study and analysis should be able draw out the useful ideas from the superstition – eg. finding new drug agents in traditional herbal remedies.
However what I’ve been disturbed by is how some atheists I know are into eastern alternative therapies and swear by silly ideas like Feng Shui. I get the impression from some people that ancient exotic wisdom must somehow be more knowing than the products of the scientific and industrial revolution. If eastern practices were so special, why did they not forge the enlightenment instead of dark and ignorant Europe? Chinese and Indian civilisation made many crucial contributions to knowledge, but none of those are what are now so admired in their culture.

Am I wrong to hold such a low regard for religions like Buddhism just as I do for any religion, or wrong to dismiss faith healing like Reiki? Am I missing the point somewhere? Is it all just harmless cultural fascination for the exotic?

Related Blogs

• Related Blogs on A question on the mysteries of the east.?

I really think that it is down to how many of your friends have similar kitchens and if you wish to compete with them or not.

The first thing a new guest to a house does it go into the kitchen. That is the first thing somebody will do when they get into someone’s house, they will walk straight into the kitchen and compare it to their own. We all judge everything we see, kitchens incuded. So, how amazing does your kitchen have to look before people see it as an amazing kitchen? If people are going to judge everything from your flooring to your choice of dinnerware, is there much point trying to impress at all?

A decision in my house has still not been made to extend the kitchen to make space for a bigger one. I dont think I ever will see the point in having a huge kitchen. In our house and Im sure most houses its really only used to cook dinner and there is usually only one person doing the cooking. So why after a party does everyone want to get a bigger kitchen? People care about the opinions of their friends and family, thats why and I have never understood that. As well as this there are some fantastic top of the range kitchens out there as well as the bespoke kitchens that you design yourself. You can customise everything from your lighting plan to the style of your wine racks Still, I really dont see the point of forking out so much money for something you use once or twice a day.

Even at a young age we are taught that heat moves from a hot surface to a cold one. We can see this everyday in our lives. For example, if you have a chair next to an electric heater then it is going to heat up faster than a chair further across the room. The basic principle is referred to as radiation.

There are other processes involved with heat transfer. Conduction occurs when the heat energy flows through a solid object. If you place a metal poker in a hot fire then the energy will transfer through the metal. This is important to comprehend when it comes to insulating a home. You will need to choose the right type of material for the environment and climate that you live in.

Another form of heat transfer is what is referred to as convection. This occurs when the heat is dissipated by water or air. We imagine a convection current as an actual moving body. The world’s climate system is driven by convection currents. If you have an electrical fan heater than this will also use the same principle. In a negative way a draughty room loses heat energy through convection.

So, the basic ways in which heat is transferred are now clear. But how can we use this knowledge to improve the energy efficiency of our homes? Well, to start with it is important to realize that heat mass transfer also needs to involve ensuring that our properties do not get too hot in the summer months. The right type of insulation will lessen your requirement for an AC unit in the summer and a heating system in the winter; the flow of heat inwards and out needs to be controlled.

When you check out various materials as insulation look for the “R” rating. This will help you to understand how suitable the product is. The higher the “R” rating the more efficient it will be at stopping the transfer of heat.

It is essential to realize that heat is not just lost through the roof or ceiling. Doors, walls, windows, and any physical structure can be a surface through which heat is transferred. You need to address your building as a whole rather than focus on individual rooms.

The technology and understanding relating to heat transfer fundamentals have dramatically advanced over the last ten years due in part to the work by Pratt & Whitney. Now you can ensure that your home is kept at the optimum temperature at any time of the year. As a greater emphasis is placed on energy efficient homes, so is the availability of the right products. Alongside the financial savings, by correctly insulating your home you will also be reducing your carbon footprint.