As
the last days of summer slowly come to an end, people everywhere are gearing up
for the fall semester of school. Whether you’re enrolled in classes online,
moving into a new apartment, or settling in at an on-campus college, check out these
unique back-to-school gifts that will surely help anyone feel more at home.
1. Twirl
& Scoop, Unite!
It’s
no secret that many college-aged students opt for quick, delicious meals like
Ramen’s Cup-o-Noodles. However, this delicious, almost-instant meal can be
tricky to enjoy: do you twirl with a fork or do you scoop with a spoon? Why not
both? Try eating this slimy yet satisfying meal easily with a stainless-steel
spork. The spoon-like scoop plus
tines of the fork make twirling and sipping this delicious snack even easier!
2.
Maximum Chill, Miniature Size
If
you’re prone to all-nighters full of endless energy drinks, can’t open your
eyes without a Starbucks double shot, or find yourself having frequent
must-have-Ben-and-Jerry’s cravings, you’re the perfect recipient of a mini
fridge/freezer. These compact units are ideal for any room and can be easily
stored under lofted beds or discretely underneath desks. Also, you can control
the settings to either keep leftover pizza warm, or chill ‘soda’ and other
beverages.
3.
Shoot ‘em Up: Toy Marshmallow Shooter
You’re
never too old for toys. In fact, what’s better than a toy and a snack at the same time? This fantastic toy Marshmallow Shooter
combines play time and snack time with its rapid-fire marshmallow shooting
capabilities. The Shooter can easily fit up to 25 mini-marshmallows, or 20 foam
cubes. Whether you’d like to give unsuspecting friends a treat or hone your
aiming skills, the Marshmallow Shooter is the perfect, tasty gift!
4.
A Foreman for Everyone
If
your student is like most college-aged kids, their diet most likely consists of
soda, late night take-out and other unhealthy, yet quick options. Give the gift
of a lean, mean, grilling machine like this George Forman Grill. The Forman
line of portable grills is guaranteed to reduce the fat on most products, and
offers the added convenience of non-stick cooking. It’s small, portable and so easy
to use; it’s perfect for anyone, and cooks just about anything from sandwiches
to veggies.
5. It’s Electric!
A
cell phone charger, computer power cord, iHome and desk fan are just some of
the appliances the average student has plugged in at any one time. In order to
avoid shorting out appliances and potentially losing the unsaved draft of those
last minute ten-page papers, invest in this
expandable power strip. The strip, which provides 6 sockets, can
expand and contract, and has the
ability to fit those annoying three-pronged plugs.
6. Building Blocks
If
your one of the millions of people with an iPod, you’ve probably purchased a white
speaker system with changeable faceplates. Want something different? Even if
you aren’t a Lego or Linking Logs devotee, these retro iPod block speakers are compact,
sturdy and colorful. With these speakers, you’ll no longer worry about mixing
up whose speakers are whose.
7. Conformity is the Spice of
Life
When
your mother told you being different was good, she lied. Well, no, she didn’t.
Being different is great, especially when it comes to decorating your room.
Motivational posters are ubiquitous and a thing of the past. Purchase an
atypical poster like
Conformity to decorate your walls; it’s a guaranteed conversation
piece and potential hide-the-hole-in-the-wall cover.
8. Say ‘So Long’ to the Sniff
Test
We’ve
all been there, done that: it’s early morning, your laundry is in heaps, and
you can’t distinguish between your clean and dirty piles, so you sniff your
clothes to determine its wear-ability. With these "Wash" and "Wear" laundry
bags, you’ll not only stay organized, but also, no longer have to suffer
through Psych 101 wearing last Saturday night’s shirt (again) by accident.
9.
Delivery, Please
Does
this mantra sound familiar: “If it’s not delivery, it’s not for me”? Then check
out this handy take-out menu organizer. With enough space for 60 delivery
menus, plus tabs for quick searches, this binder is ideal for the stay-at-home
diner. This organizer also comes with a tip sheet, so you’ll never over or
under-tip again.
10.
Dolla, Dolla Bill, Ya'll
This
gift hardly needs explaining: students, parents, kids…everyone loves, wants and
needs money. But when students are focusing on their schoolwork and rarely have
time for a part-time or weekend job, their spending is limited. So, when in
doubt, offer to donate some dough on behalf of their studious cause. If you’re
concerned about where cash will go, give gift cards to local pizzerias, the
school bookstore, or a favorite clothing shop.
Are
there more gifts you’d like to see on this list? Add a comment and let us know
what you think!
Former Vice President Al Gore is urging Americans to abandon the use of electricity generated by fossil fuels within the next decade and rely solely upon "
environmentally friendly sources of power, or risk losing their national security as well as their creature comforts." Gore recently gave a speech at an energy conference that reiterated the issues of Global Warming and Greenhouse emissions he made in his Oscar-winning documentary
An Inconvenient Truth as well as the potential risks national security faces should we continue using electricity as opposed to natural energy sources. His work to stop Global Warming, the former VP has also won a Nobel Prize.
As gasoline prices inch closer and closer to five dollars per gallon, you don’t need a
degree in economics to see that the problem of Global Warming is on the forefront of everything these days: the current presidential campaigns, film and television, and most importantly, our minds. Though many are urging us to make the switch to hybrid cars and other energy-saving solutions, they can be costly and time consuming.
StopGlobalWarming.org offers a list of energy-saving tips that are inexpensive and easy to adjust to. So, if you’re not quite ready to convert your car to run on surplus wine like Prince Charles, follow some of the tips listed below and do your part to help end Global Warming.
1. Unplug un-used electronics. Even when your stereo system is turned off, it still uses energy. By unplugging electronics, you can save over 1,000 pounds of carbon dioxide and over $250 per year!
2. Plant a tree. Trees absorb carbon dioxide, making the air safe for us to breathe. Planting a tree can save up to 2,000 pounds of C02 each year.
3. Stop using plastic. According to StopGlobalWarming.org, approximately 2.5 million individual plastic bottles are thrown out every hour. Switching to reusable drinking containers is much more economical.
4. Let the breeze dry your clothes. Air drying your clothing during warm seasons can save you $75 dollars each year as well as saving the earth 700 lbs of C02.
5. Cut back on meat. The average American’s meat-loving diet adds close to 1.5 tons of greenhouse gases per year to the atmosphere, a lot more than the average vegetarian’s meat-free diet. Eliminate meat and dairy products from your personal nutritional regime at least one day a week and reduce the amount of gasses ruining the atmosphere.
It's no surprise that Americans all over the national are feeling the effects of prices at the pump. What many didn't expect was the sudden increase in
enrollment in online programs. A recent study shows that more and more college students who live off-campus and commute are moving toward distance learning in order to save money. For some schools, student enrollment has
increased by 50% or 100% compared to even just last year.
Summer heat can be hard to handle, especially with energy bills rising and skyrocketing prices of gas and groceries. There’s no need to worry about blasting the air conditioning this summer with these simple solutions to surviving the sweltering temperatures.
1. Do it the old fashioned way. Your grandparents survived their younger years without air conditioning, so can you! Take a note out of their books and open the windows. Fresh air will circulate through the rooms of your home, bringing in the breezes.
2. Have a cold one: Make a picnic of chilled foods and sit in the shade to enjoy. Line the bottom of a cooler with ice packs and fill the remaining space with sorbet, fruit salad, and cold drinks.
3. No goggles required. Too busy for the beach or pool? Take a cool shower or bath after work – it’s relaxing, saves on hot water and beats having to drive to the ocean or community pool for a dip.
4. Pass the popcorn, please! Go to the movies! With all of the summer movies coming out this month, why not sneak off to a darkened movie theater for a few hours. Grab your MilkDuds and popcorn and kick back in a chilly theater and watch this season’s coolest super heroes tear up the big screen.
We've all seen the Saturday Night Live skit regarding Bessie the Cow and methane. Researchers from Buenos Aires are conducting a similar study involving the amount of methane
released from cow burps and their effect on the environment. Of the 10 cows studied, researchers found that an average cow weighing 1,210 lb could produce 800 to 1,000 liters (28 to 35 cubic feet) of emissions each day!
Is it possible to find reason to be happy gas prices are rising? One reporter thinks so. Amanda Ripley for Time Magazine has given readers a list of
10 reasons to appreciate higher gas prices. Most of them actually make sense. Take a look and tell us what you think.
These unique phone call stations are powered by renewable energy created by
constant pedaling. It's environment-friendly
and healthy!
The 2008 Annual Review of Prince Charles's household reveals that he has reduced his carbon footprint by an astonishing 18% over the last year! The review, which documents his income and activities over the year, has noted that Charles has had all of his cars converted to run on biofuels, namely
surplus wine! This is just one of the many ways the famous prince is trying to do his part in he face of the increasing global environmental issues. Find out what you can do to help
stop Global Warming.