Month: January 2018

Going Green with Your Car

So you want to buy a car, but don’t know where to start. Before making any big investment, you need to do your research, compare models and car insurance rates, and drive the car yourself before making a final decision. Another important factor to note is that the average price of gasoline across Canada is over $1.10 per litre. Choosing to go green and buy a fuel-efficient vehicle or an electric vehicle will help you avoid those high gas prices while being environmentally friendly.

Fuel-efficient models save time spent filling up on gas and they also reduce the amount of smog-contributing pollution compared to driving other cars. Advanced technologies like plug-in hybrids and pure electric cars bring efficiency to a whole new level. No matter what size vehicle you’re shopping for, fuel-efficient vehicles are a smart choice against the inevitable rise of gas prices. That being said, follow this guide to find out what to consider before buying a fuel-efficient car.

1. New or used

The first question to ask yourself before buying a car is if you want it to be new or used. If you’re buying new, make sure to check the fuel-efficiency rating on the car’s EnerGuide Label. EnerGuide is the official Government of Canada mark for rating and labeling the energy consumption or energy efficiency of products including new vehicles. The fuel-efficiency rating can be found next to the gas pump logo on the label. This information will help you compare costs of vehicles and identify the most fuel-efficient car for your needs. If the car has no label you can ask the dealer about the manufacturers’ fuel consumption ratings.

If you’re buying a used car, make sure to check with Natural Resources Canada’s Fuel Consumption search & compare tool. This tool helps you compare the fuel-consumption information of different car models. You can also use this tool to look up the actual fuel consumption rating for vehicles from the 1995 model year to now. The tool will also help you to see how a vehicle compares to other vehicles in its class size, and how it compares in all size classes.

2. Hybrids

Hybrid vehicles are a cross between a conventional car and an electric car, making use of both gas and electricity. These cars are more efficient because they have a transmission capable of splitting power between an electric motor and the gas engine. The battery is charged from the engine during driving so they cannot be plugged-in.

The electric motor powers the car at low speeds while the gas engine powers the car at higher speeds. Hybrids usually are more expensive, however, depending on how often you drive, what you save on gas may be worth the investment within a few years of owning this type of vehicle.

3. Insurance policy

When looking for a new fuel-efficient car, you should compare more than just sticker prices and fuel consumption ratings, compare car insurance rates as well. Some car insurance providers are more than happy to reward environmentally friendly driving with a discount on your insurance. This discount is put into place because hybrid drivers pose a lower insurance risk than others since they drive fewer miles overall. Make sure to find out what you could save by contacting your agent.

How Professional Ballerinas Refuel and Recover

When we see a ballerina on stage moving gracefully and exhibiting her art, we only see beauty. We do not see the hard work, endless hours, and physical sacrifice that he or she has committed to this performance.

 

A ballerina never chooses that profession for money. The fact is, there are many ballerinas who struggle every day for the basics that we take for granted. Ballet companies have tremendous overhead and they rely on ticket sales (which are often expensive) and donations to exist. This means the dancers are not compensated highly.

 

Professional dancers must be conservative. They are careful with the foods they buy to get the most value for their money. They must have proper attire for their craft and they watch for bargains on the best dance costumes. They do not dance for the money. They dance because it is their passion. It is as necessary to them as breathing. They know the day will come when they can no longer master the human body and they will retire their art. Until that day comes, they harness every ounce of themselves to be a ballerina.

 

The professional dancer must know their body. They must understand the qualities and effects of the foods they eat both immediate and for future growth. Muscles must be strengthened and cared for. Use of those muscles requires fuel to recover.

Food as fuel

A dancer must love and respect his or her body, and they also must recognize that they are human and like all humans, want to treat themselves from time to time. It is recommended that a dancer follow the 90/10 rule. 90% of the time, they eat only what is good for their bodies and view their food intake as the fuel they need right now. 10% of the time they indulge in something extravagant like ice cream, candy, or even a few chips, If they want something sweet without added sugar they can fall back on classics like frozen fruits. Frozen watermelon tastes just like a slushy drink and it is low in calories.

 

Do not look at all foods as good for you or bad for you. For example, if you have had a long practice and your body needs fast recovery, experts suggest chocolate milk. It is much less expensive than protein drinks. It gives you the immediate energy you need and is a great fuel for muscle recovery. Also, having a post-exercise caffeine can be good for you and help your muscles refuel if you pair it with a carb, like a banana. Check out making-nice-coffee.com and you will find out what’s better for you – buying a preground or grinding a fresh coffee.

 

Mixing foods to get the nutritional boost you need is a great plan. Make high-energy (no-bake) fruit and nut energy balls and add whole grain oats with Cheerios. There are high-protein foods that are inexpensive that give you everything you need when mixed with other nutritional foods. Peanut Butter is a good example of this. The point is, balance your fuel intake and get everything you need. Do not omit a group of foods. Exercise portion control, but include all of nature’s bounty. Even fat consumption has its place in the body of a dancer as well as other high-energy athletes. Fat gives the dancer energy and fat-soluble vitamins they cannot get elsewhere. They also provide essential fatty acids. Moderation, not omission is the key.

 

If you have chosen the path of being a ballerina, you have chosen well. It is not an easy path but it is the path that leads the dancer to personal accomplishment and satisfaction that the world can enjoy. And that, is true success.