Thermos Bottle Products and Special Offers

Camping itself is by all means a practical option for experiencing the real Australia, affording you the opportunity to select a spot you find interesting and pitching your tent and then packing up and hiking out on your next adventure.

While camping holidays are a splendid option for your next vacation, it is of necessity to plan ahead to make sure you enjoy your time in the wilderness. You want to ensure you compile a packing list so that you know exactly what things you will need and how much of a load you are going to carry and how to distribute that load among the family. Lacking traditional shelter you most certainly want to make sure you are prepared for changes in your plans beset by mother nature. You will also want to take into account camping etiquette before setting up camp when you arrive at your destination.

If this is your first time embarking on a camping trip, at first just the packing list and preparations may seem a bit overwhelming. Therefore, I have put together a list of essentials you will want to make sure are on your final packing list. This information is designed to impart wisdom regarding the camping experience and assist you in ensuring the camping holiday is one where you plan ahead, use caution and travel safety and just as important, have a great time!

I cannot think of too many things that are worse than finding yourself in the middle of nowhere lacking something as crucial as your tent pegs; however it happens to the most ardent of campers.

With so many things to take into account, composing a packing list is the best way to make sure you have everything essential for your camping expedition. You will want to make sure you pack the following items before you leave out:

• For your vehicle tires, you will need a 12V compressor
• Dishwashing detergents and buckets
• Equipment for Barbecuing
• Bedding to include pillows, air mattresses, sheets and sleeping bags
• Toiletry items to include shampoo, soap, washcloths and shaving gear
• Camping stoves for cooking and boiling water
• A couple tables
• You will need wet weather gear, cold weather clothing to include thermos as well as loose fitting clothing for hot weather
• Be sure to pack utensils for cooking along with a good set of knives
• Portable heaters than run on batteries or are electric (gas heaters are not safe for camping)
• You will need to pack a first aid kit and a snake bite kit
• Freeze dried food or MREs and drink
• Candle lanterns operated by batteries or electric
• Flashlights and a good headlamp
• Athletic equipment, cards or board games
• Trash bags
• Plastic water thermos bottles and iodine tablets
• An emergency radio
• Rubber boots for wet weather
• Extra batteries, toilet paper, matches or lighters, sunscreen and a strong insect repellent
• Tarps, waterproofing and groundsheets
• Tools to include shovel, pocket knives and hammers
• A bright torch
• You will need a tripod for your cooking stove

For trips of long duration there are a few other things that must be taken into account. For men, electric or battery operated hair clippers will be needed for haircuts. Women will want to consider having a simple haircut before leaving out, a haircut that will not require styling or intensive maintenance.

Once you arrive at your camping site, before putting up you tent and setting out your camping equipment erecting look around. You should take into account the locations of other campers in the area. Camping etiquette is part of the experience and is required on most all camp sites to make sure all campers get along and enjoy their holiday.

Aside from buying a few cases for emergency preparedness,  bottle thermo water may not be your best option. Municipal water supplies are required by law to make public reports on the tests of the water they supply. According to a U.S. Congressional Report, the Food and Drug Administration has little authority to regulate thermos bottle water. All but a few disclose the three most important facts about their product. The water’s source,  the purification methods,  and the chemical pollutants remaining after treatment.

 

Independent testing of various packaged brands by the “Environmental Working Group” showed they contained such contaminants as chemical solvents and fertilizer residue. Some exceeded industry standards as well as state and federal limits. Additionally, there has been some evidence of contaminants leaching from the plastic used to package water. Obviously the longer the water is in the bottle thermo the more likely it will be for this to occur. It is recommended that stocks of any item for consumption be rotated regularly, using the oldest first, even thermos bottle water has a shelf life.

The “International Bottled Water Association” points out however that the “Environmental Working Groups” report on bottle thermo water fails to identify a single violation of the FDA’s regulations. The IBWA goes on to state they believe the report to be “sensationalized science and exaggerated claims.” The one fact that has not been discussed here is the millions of plastic thermos bottles that are littering the streets and end up in landfills.

Bottled water can be a lifesaver in an emergency situation or for disaster relief. We all remember the truckloads of water being handed out at the superdome in New Orleans after Hurricane Katrina. For everyday consumption, a more economical solution would be to purify your own tap water and use a stainless steel thermos to carry it. With a water filter or water purifier, you could be confident knowing you are drinking the safest and purest water available. Additionally, with a gravity type water purifier, you could use water from virtually any source. Rivers, lakes and streams could be used in the event of an emergency situation where public water is suddenly unavailable.

It is the time of year when everyone that owns a Classic Car is thinking about heading to a Car Show. It is always fun to meet the other car owners and answer questions from attendees about your car. I have a 55 Ford, belong to a car club, and attend shows regularly. Bring the lawn chairs so you can comfortably stay with your vehicle and relax between going to see the other entries. Which brings us to the issue of food at these outings?

How many times have you looked into the interior of one of the cars on show and seen bags of chips, small coolers, sandwich wrappers, etc? C’mon guys, this doesn’t present your ride very well. You have spent a ton of money on that interior, and in a lot of cases the trunk, so that the car presents well, only to clutter it up. You usually try to put your other things, cleaning supplies for example, in some kind of storage that is auto or time frame related, why not your food and snacks? I have found that a picnic basket or backpack works great for these events. Everything hidden from view until needed. And look great when inside the car or in the trunk. If you are really serious you can find Picnic Baskets that match the style of the era your car was made. They not only keep things neat and organized but actually look good when showing the car.

You have options here. A traditional style basket usually has a built in cooler and can come with all of the accessories, plates, cups, silverware, etc. Nothing is forgotten at home making your preparation for the trip to the show a lot less stressful. Another option is the Tailgating pack. Some of these include a gas BBQ Grill along with the other amenities and it all stores in one pack. Some companies offer 12 volt coolers so everything stays cold indefinitely. I would avoid any of these due to the drain on the battery. It is never a good thing when you are ready to leave for home and find the battery is dead.

What do you take? Try the following;

* Plenty to drink, especially water, sometimes water is the hardest thing to find.

* Fruit, like grapes, help quench you thirst and are a great non-filling snack.

* Beef Sticks provide a little more substance when you need something more.

* Snacks, I try to avoid real salty chips, etc., try one of the Trail Mix products instead..

* Keep the Luncheon Meat in the cooler and the bread separate. This saves room in the cooler and makes for fresher sandwiches.

* Thermos for coffee, tea, or hot chocolate. Or for Iced Tea.

* Paper Towels

It all goes into my basket and backpack. I have both. The basket is great to leave in the car or trunk and is used when we want to sit by the vehicle and enjoy a meal. The backpack is useful for drinks and snacks when walking around looking at the other cars at the show. At one show we attended the temperature was near 100 degrees and all of the drinking fountains had been shut off due to presumed cost to the hosting club. Needless to say drinks were at a premium and I was more than happy that we had cold water with us. It is always a good idea to use frozen water containers in your coolers instead of ice. Food items won’t get soaked from the melting ice. I freeze thermos bottles of water and as the ice melts I have ice cold water to drink. In my large coolers I use gallon jugs of frozen water. Believe me, you can never have enough water at times.

Car shows are an enjoyable experience and great places for kids to learn about old cars and bond with the people that own them. Make you experience more enjoyable by getting organized.

There’s no better way to distance you from the usual hectic lifestyle then to take a trip, they’re awesome and are always looked forward to. My biggest problems with trips are that I hate packing; I never know what to take and what not to. I’m also constantly worried that I forgot something (which I usually do) so I end up packing a ton of stuff I know I won’t even need. Although I’m pretty sure I won’t be able to get rid of all the uneasiness we all get while packing I’ve created the following “checklist” that should at least get you going on the right track and remind you of the most important things you need to back.

1. Safety first, you should never travel without a proper first aid kit, you don’t have to spend a ton of money on a first aid kit if you don’t have one but at least pick one that has all the essentials cotton, band aids, antiseptic, antibacterial solutions etc.. Don’t forget a pair of scissors (I’ve seen too many people trying to tear band aids with their mouth, and it doesn’t look good). Ideally you should also have some basic drugs like pain killers or cough medicine. Honestly you never know what could go wrong so better hope for the best but expect the worst.
2. Another priceless item you should always carry with you whenever you’re going on a trip is a flash-lamp. There are a ton of things that can and sometimes will go wrong (your car breaks down, you get lost etc…). Having a flashlight with you will not only provide you light but it will also comfort you in such situations. Honestly do you imagine yourself changing a tire at two in the morning in pitch black darkness without a light source? I can, it’s not fun. Make sure the light source has a decent power supply, I personally prefer the LED flashlights they’re brighter than any other flashlight out there, they’re very efficient (can usually run for hours on end without needing a recharge). I’ve also come across some hand wind flash light where you basically rotate a lever every couple of minutes (whenever the power runs out to get some more light out of it, that’s what I call self sufficient)
3. A portable radio, I would never travel without one. Even if you have all the gadgets and gizmos, cell phones, iPhones and iPods with an entire library of music I would still travel with a radio. It’s not only a means to entertain yourself during the trip and to prevent you from getting bored to death, it’s also a way to keep connected to the rest of the world. You can get a lot of information just by listening to the radio from the current time, news as well as weather warnings.
4. One last thing you should never forget to pack is water, you never know what can happen and I don’t think there’s anything worse than getting stuck somewhere with a dry mouth and not a drop of water in sight. You do not need to carry tons of water with you, just a couple small thermos bottles of water should be enough.

I hope these tips will help you whenever you’re worried on what you should be packing and that they’re of value to you.

With our economy in a recession and crime on the rise, what better place to hide your valuables than in plain sight. It puts the odds in your favor when a burglar enters your premise, because he would never guess your valuables would be hidden right in front of his nose. Diversion safes are unique and provide security for your prized possessions – jewelry, money, important documents, etc.

The Joneses went to dinner one night. Two burglars entered their home through an open window. Neighbors saw them enter the house and called the police. Meanwhile, the burglars rummaged through the house looking for valuables. The Jones’ returned home, greeted by the police and a ransacked home. As they were working with the police, listing the items stolen, they realized that all of their small valuables were safe! The burglars didn’t take the highly valuable jewelry hidden in a hairspray diversion safe in the bathroom. They also didn’t get the family’s “mad money” they had in a cleanser can under the sink. Fortunately, nothing of great value was taken as they had numerous diversion safes in their home to protect their assets.

This sold me! I wasn’t going to get caught off guard. I was going to be prepared and not allow street criminals to get my valuables that I work hard for.

Diversion safes come in a wide variety of containers with removable tops and bottoms. Just place your valuables inside and put the containers in their rightful places. How about a salt shaker? Or peanut butter jar? Maybe a shaving cream can? Or a book? How about a fake stone? A soda can? And even a wall socket? A cleanser can? A fruit or vegetable can? A dog food can? All these products are labeled with a brand-name. You can’t tell the fake from the real!

Best of all, these diversion safes are inexpensive. Prices are less than $20.00 per safe. Some are as low as $9.00!

If you’re in the market for a new picnic basket, you’re in for a surprise, as picnic baskets come in quite a few more different designs, shapes, and colors than one would expect. The traditional models are made of wood or woven, with dual handles for carrying purposes, but modern baskets have now taken over with different designs and materials. No need to worry though, as picnic baskets still serve their traditional purpose, despite having a more modern look to them.

When first deciding on what type of picnic basket you want to buy, you need to sort out what kind of functionality you want out of your basket. If you’re planning to have your picnic far from home, you will want one made for traveling in mind, in order to keep your food fresh until you decide to eat. For picnics that require traveling, you can get insulated baskets which will ensure your food tastes the way it should. These are great for the summer months as they will keep your foods from being exposed to the heat of outdoor weather.

If you plan on carrying more things than just food, you’re in luck because there are many varieties of multi purpose baskets on the market. With these, you can carry purses, phones, gadgets, and even clothes. Some picnic baskets are even waterproof if you plan on eating on the beach or near a lake. These are great so that your food and other items stay dry….nobody wants to eat soggy potato chips and sandwiches!

Specialty picnic baskets are also available that even have storage space for wine thermos bottles specifically. Others have built in mechanisms for securing plates, utensils, and other dinnerware. Whichever type of basket you think you will need, be sure to spend time shopping and comparing the different models out there because there are certainly plenty to choose from. Happy shopping, and happy picnicking!

There are quite a few different makes and models of the Igloo Ice Chest. There is the On The Go Series, the Office Series, and the Camping Series. And there is nothing worse than picking the wrong type, for the wrong occasion.

There are 3 main series of Igloo Ice Chests:

1. On the Go:

These are the typical ones you will find in the BBQ section of your department store. The most common colors you will see are blue and red. And will most likely come with a handle for ease of carry.

They come in many sizes, going from a larger carry model with a handle, down to a thermos size made just for drinks. The largest one in the On the Go Series is the Igloo Cool 16, this one can hold around 2 or 3 2 liter thermos bottles standing up, and has a capacity of around 15 L.

2. Office Series:

This line of Igloo Ice Chests were designed to carry your lunch, and are usually made of soft fabrics. However, there are still a few of the harder plastic kind the can be got, and are larger than the “lunch bag” style igloos.

3. Camping Series:

This is the line of Chests that have had the most exposure. Ever been to a football game? And seen the big orange barrel looking canister sitting on the site lines?

Well, that my friend is an Igloo Heavy Duty 10 Gallon Cooler. You may have even seen it dumped over the coaches head in celebration on a game well played. This line of chests also holds the much larger ones used for camping, and are used to store large amounts of food.

There you have it, the 3 main lines of Igloo Ice Chests. On the Go, a perfect size for a picnic. The Office series, designed to be used as a lunch bag for work. And the ever popular Camping Series, the large chests, used to keep your food cold while in the great out doors. Now you will be prepare to buy the right Igloo Ice Chest for just the right occasion.

We tend to get all too excited with the growing evidences that the economic recovery is just around the corner. These positive indicators do not give us enough reasons for us to return to our old ways and lower our guard on our spending. Those little cutbacks here and there are what could have tide you over during the most difficult times in the past. This brings us to the things that we must do amid the lingering economic difficulties. We may not have to make BIG sacrifices this time, but there is still room for some improvement as we try to stem and manage the expense side of finances.

Here are some little EXTRAS which you might seriously consider to add in your list of “must-do.”

1. Avoid paying annual fees for your credit cards. There are other credit cards that don’t charge annual fees and still offer the same perks such as travel insurance and warranty extensions.

2. Use VoIP service provider to cut down on your phone bills. You will spend about $30 for your local and long distance calls plus your caller ID and messaging.

3. Before you make your final choices, consider as many proposals and quotes as possible for your auto and home insurance to ensure that you are getting the best deals possible. Getting loyalty discounts from your current insurer does not mean that this is the best deal. Other insurers might offer the same proposal at a much cheaper price.

4. Replace regular bulbs with compact fluorescent lights or CFLs. While the CFLs are more expensive than regular bulbs, the amount you save for using the former is more than enough to cover this added expense. With a $3 CFL, you can save as much as $50 over a span of 5 years.

5. If your lock-in contract with your mobile communication service provider is about to end in a few months, discuss their retention offers. Make them feel that you are seriously considering offers from other service providers. In that way, you can leverage the best deal from them.

6. Consider cutting down on those regular trips to Starbucks and Tim Hortons. If you can manage, bring one to office in your travel mug or thermos. You will be surprised at how much you can save if you stick to this routine.

7. Install a tried and tested water filter system in your home to cut down on your expenses on thermos bottle water. You can just have refillable bottle thermoss to go with your water cooler. Just don’t forget to replace the water filter every 3 to 6 months.

8. Conduct an assessment of your current package with your cable TV service provider. Try to list up those channels which you can afford to give up. Downgrading by one tier can give you a monthly savings of about $20.

Another aspect that you must seriously work on is your spending behavior. You have to spend time to assess your shopping routine. It is important that you put yourself on a short leash every time you enter the grocery store. And the best way to do this is by having a checklist. Research has shown that over 60% of consumer purchases are considered impulse buys. You can better manage your expenses if you have a list of essentials every time you visit the supermarket.

You can think of other cost saving measures which you can implement in your home. The key to success of any cost saving option is the commitment and support of each member of your household. Be conscious about how much you are able to save on a monthly basis. The figures that you get are enough incentive for you to continue with your cost saving initiatives.

Travel can be a lot of fun, but it takes some advance planning. People with diabetes have to plan a little more. Here are a few things to keep in mind about your insulin when you head out for that dream vacation.

Your Blood Sugar

When you are traveling, it is important to monitor your blood sugar more closely. This means checking your blood sugar every four hours when you are awake. Travel can be stressful, which can raise your blood sugar level. Don’t treat your blood sugar without monitoring it, and monitor it to make sure that you are giving the correct dosages of medication and/or insulin.

Insulin Storage

Keep your insulin with you when you travel, in your carry-on or purse. Insulin needs to stay in a fairly moderate temperature zone, and as such, cannot go with your luggage in the depressurized compartment. Also, if there were ever a baggage handling mishap, you would want your insulin to be with you: if your bags end up in Minneapolis-St. Paul’s when you are in Sao Paulo, you want to make sure you have your insulin.

Insulin does not need to be refrigerated. To keep your insulin at moderate temperatures, however, consider the climate in which you are traveling. Often, keeping your insulin in an insulated container or thermos will be enough to keep it cool in warm temperatures. If you are someplace very warm, however, you might consider keeping some frozen water thermos bottles in your insulated container as well, which will help keep your insulin even colder. If you are going to be in cold climates, perhaps skiing, keep your insulin close to your body so that it stays warm.

Storing your insulin on a trip is another matter to deal with. Don’t leave your insulin in the glove compartment of a car, where temperatures can vary. Backpacks can also get very warm in the sun. Keep your insulin someplace where you can reach it.

X-rays

Insulin manufacturers have a warning on their insulin that you should not expose insulin to x-rays. This does not mean that being x-rayed once or twice as you carry your luggage on should be a problem. However, if you are going to be traveling a lot, and going through many security checks, you can ask for your insulin to be visually examined. You should also be cautious to make sure that your insulin is not in the x-ray machine for too long, so asking for a visual examination is never a bad idea.

Packing

When you go on a trip, be sure to bring an extra supply of insulin and medication with you. You want to have all of the medication with you. If you do need to get medication while you are in a foreign country, see our advice below. Be sure to pack extra syringes and extras of all of the materials you generally use to monitor and care for your diabetes.

Insulin Conversions

In the United States, insulin comes in the strength U-100. Not every country has insulin standardized, and some countries offer varying strengths of insulin. If you must get insulin when you are away, check the strength to make sure it is equivalent.

If you have to get insulin while you are away, get the same kind of insulin that you are normally prescribed. If you cannot get the same brand, get the same formulation in a different brand (for instance, if you are on Novolog and cannot find any, get Humalog). A pharmacist or doctor can help you establish which insulin is equivalent.

Consult a doctor

If you have to pick up insulin when you are in a foreign country, get the kind of insulin that you are used to. This particularly means that you should not switch from a slow-acting to a fast-acting insulin, or vice versa. These types of changes should always be made with medical supervision.

Go to a doctor that you trust in a foreign country. Consider calling home to get references if possibly, or ask a friend in your new location.

Insulin-dependence can be difficult to manage, particularly when traveling. But with a little forethought and some information, you can plan an exciting getaway that still maintains your health.

A challenge of tent camping is trying to get a good night’s sleep. One way this can be improved is by using camping cots. These favorites of the military and scouts provide a better sleeping surface than the uneven ground. In addition, since you are raised off the ground, it is closer to what you ome. Finally, because you are raised off the ground, there is less of chance for you to be bitten would be used to at hby ants and other possible non-flying insects.

Camping cots essential come in two types: (1) end bar construction and (2) no-end bar construction. End bar construction cots are the ones that have the the poles make “Xs” on the ends. They are great for providing full support for your body and are very stable.

No-end bar construction has essentially four rectangular bars spaced evenly along the cot. These tend to be geared more for decks and homes. Their main advantage for tent camping is the rectangular bars do not have sharp ends. This means they are less likely to cut a hole in your tent floor.

Regardless of the type of cot, almost all cots are made of a polyester fabric. This is great because they can last a long time and are usually water resistant. The frame of the cots tends to be made of either straight aluminum or a blend of aluminum and steel. Gone are the days of wood frames which could warp and were much heavier by comparison. All these cots have folding frames which make them great for storage. In addition, most cots have a carrying case that can be used for easier carrying.

Weight of the cots varies from item to item with the range going from 8 lbs up to about 25 lbs. The price range for cots goes anywhere from $20 up to $140. The higher end cots tend to have more support and padding and some can even be converted into lounge chairs. Although these tend to weigh a little more (around 22 lbs), they are great because you do not need to also bring camping chairs.

With the number of options available, it can be a little daunting trying to pick one out from among the full range of camping cots. Here, is our list of tips to make this easier:

1. Choose an oversized cot. There is nothing worse than having a cot where you feet hand over the end. The extra room will come in handy as it may allow you to turn over in your sleep and place other things on your cot like a small flashlight or your hiking boots. An added benefit is you won’t have to do as much rummaging around at night in the dark trying to find these items and waking up your other guests.

2. Cot must be able to fit in the tent. After reading #1, you may be thinking this one is contradictory. However, if you recall from my article on choosing a good tent, I recommend getting a tent with extra space. Getting an over-sized cot is one of the reasons why I suggest purchasing a tent with extra room.

3. Check for strong frame and strong fabric. If you are checking out camping cots at the store, be sure to take them out and test them there. You are essentially trying to see if you think you could break the frame or fabric of the cot. If you believe you can, I would pick another camping cot. If buying online, you will need to rely on other people’s recommendations to see about the quality. The good news is that most cots out there are of a good quality so this point is probably somewhat overstated.

4. Determine if the cot is rust resistant. It is also a good idea to get a cot that is rust resistant. Often times, cots end up in the garage where they are exposed to more moisture and if they are not rust resistant, they will rust after a few years. Do yourself a favor and choose one that will not rust.

5. Check screws and fasteners. In past cot models, one challenge was the screws would come loose over time and then, you could end up losing the screw or bolt or at least, have a more uneven cot. Now, there are some cot models that have addressed this issue. Be sure to check and see if you will need to do any re-tightening on the cot you purchase.

6. Weight occupancy. Most camping cots can hold up to 300 lbs. If you believe that this could be a problem for you or someone in your party, recognize that you can buy higher end cots that can allow for more weight.

7. Carrying weight. Giving advice on what size cot would be appropriate depends in large part on how much carrying you plan to be doing (how far is the camp site from your car) and what other camping equipment you will be bringing. As a rule of thumb, I would suggest getting a cot less than 16 lbs if you plan on hiking with it more than ½ mile. If within a ½ mile, you can pretty much choose whichever version you like.

8. Test your new cot at home first. As with all new equipment, be sure to set it up first at home. A number of camping cots need to have their fabric stretched out a bit to make for easier assembly in the field.

This should provide you with a good working list of suggestions for your next purchase. If you haven’t tried using camping cots before, I recommend you give them a try. A good night’s sleep can make a big difference in how much you enjoy your camping trip.