Best & Banned CFL Bulbs

The Environmental Working Group (EWG) has published a guide to the best compact fluorescent light bulbs with the lowest mercury content and the highest energy efficiency.

Unfortunately there are a lot of cheap CFLs on the market, and most are even Energy Star labeled because Energy Star only rates energy efficiency - NOT mercury content.

EWG has set a higher standard in their testing for their Green Lighting Guide.

They also list bulbs you should NOT buy because they have failed the new 2008 standards for mercury content. These bulbs were still on the market until July 1, 2009 to give manufacturers a chance to clear their inventories due to the world financial crisis. They are listed on their Buyer Beware page.

There is also a handy Savings Calculator page where you can calculate your energy savings based on the number of incandescent bulbs you plan to change for CFLs, as well as a comparison chart comparing savings with halogen, CFLs, and LEDs compared to incandescent.

“Energy Star labels can be found on the most efficient, safest bulbs available, as well as on some of the worst, misleading the consumer and giving manufacturers zero incentive to make a greener bulb,” said EWG Senior Analyst Sean Gray. “The Obama administration needs to reinvigorate the Energy Star program to drive innovation in safety and efficiency of home and business lighting.”

You can do your part to push for the lowest possible mercury content in CFLs by signing on to EWG's Tell Energy Star: lower the mercury content in CFLs page to send a message that you join them in their concern about the dangers of mercury in your home.

Just remember that, while mercury in CFLs is a concern, the exponentially greater mercury pollution spewed from coal-fired power plants to generate the electricity to run an incandescent bulb is the reason you should be running to buy low mercury CFLs. Energy Star calculates that each (Energy Star rated) CFL generates 70 percent less mercury pollution than a comparable incandescent bulb.

EWG also has a handy When a Bulb Breaks page detailing the steps you should take if you do happen to break a CFL bulb in your home. Be sure to bookmark it - just in case.

CFLs that made the list to date:

Earth-Mate Mini Size Bulbs

























Litetronics Neolite








Sylvania Micro-Mini Twist



















Sylvania DURA-ONE













Feit Ecobulb This product line has a full range of shapes - ALL of which are low mercury CFLs. You can even replace your Halogen PAR lamps with their products!





















MaxLite Again, a full range of shapes in this product line.

















Philips with Alto

Peggy

Honey Buns & Rosemary Walnut Cookies

First of all, I would like to apologise that I've made some mistake on my previous post on the soft bun sandwiches and cheesy bread strips. I simply forgot to include the 45 grams of unsalted butter at the recipes. Please accept my apology.

My hands feel very itchy when I'm away from home as I miss touching on those utensils and ingredients. Without any recipe books with me and my mind was running out of idea, I try to find out some interesting recipes from others blogger. First, I tried this Honey Buns recipe from HHB which the result came out really soft and fluffy. I must say, using her recipe will never fail. I was inspired by MH that had just tried out this recipe recently. It remind me I need to try out this recipe when the last time read HHB's blog. My family like this honey bun very much as it's really soft and the smell of honey taste really good. I've no chances to took more pictures as it's finished in no time.

Here is another recipe that I tried from Piggy's Cooking Journal. I must say it's really yummy as I like its smell and crunchiness! The smell of the rosemary is fantastic with the walnut gives extra crunch of texture. All thanks to all the great blogger sharing the excellent recipes!

Coffee Bread

Water roux dough again :P My first attempt on coffee bread making. This is a bread that rich in coffee flavour and super soft. It's nice to serve during tea time when it's freshly bake from the oven. I hardly resist the smell of coffee and I ate a whole loaf of it for my afternoon tea.
It's not as soft as the freshly bake on the second day but here is my tips of making it soft again. Preheat your oven to 120C for 10 minutes, turn it off then place the whole loaf of bread into the oven and close the door. Let it warm in the oven for five minutes. Took it out from the oven and enjoy the taste of freshly made soft bread. Enjoy!

Recipe for two loaf of 19cm x 8cm x4.5cm:

190g bread flour
44g caster sugar
2g salt
4g yeast
20g lightly beaten eggs
50g milk
12g instant coffee
60 water roux dough (refer to water roux formula)
20g unsalted butter
some nibbed almond or flake almond

Recipe for the water dough "water roux": Cook 250g water with 50g bread flour at medium low heat, keep stirring until it become thicken and no lumps left. If you've a candy thermometer, measure it until the temperature turn to 65C then turn of the heat. I didn't measure it with thermometer, so I cook it until like a baby porridge. Transfer to a clean bowl and cover with a cling wrap to avoid skin forming. The amount of water dough here would be more than a recipe required, you could store it in a the fridge for 2 days, if the color turn to dark grey, feed the bin :P OK OK don't waste it, use it for making other doughs before it turn to dark grey color OK!

Methods:

1. Combine all the buns ingredients except butter for kneading until smooth dough. Add butter and continue the kneading process until smooth and elastic. The dough is ready when it's no longer sticking at the side of the mixing bowl. Let it proof for 40 minutes in a clean bowl cover with cling wrap.
   
2. Divide the dough into even size of 12 portions and let it rest for 10 minutes. Shape the doughs into a ball shape and place on a loaf tray and let the dough proof for 40 minutes.


3. Egg wash the dough and sprinkle some almond flakes and bake at 180C preheated oven for 15 minutes, enjoy!