Using renewable, recyclable materials is an increasing trend in building.  Both builders and consumers are more concerned about energy efficiency and leaving a smaller carbon footprint on the planet.  The new energy efficient movement is leaning toward sustainability.

Energy efficient appliances are now standard in new construction and in remodeling. The initial cost is more expensive than that of non-designated energy efficient appliances; however, over the long term the savings outweigh the slightly higher purchase price. Homeowners may qualify for a federal tax credit for making improvements or installing appliances design to boost the energy-efficiency of their home. You must purchase new energy-efficient equipment, and the equipment must be…

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Whether you are a vegetarian or not, a healthy lifestyle is essential to long and healthy life.  In general, most vegetarian diets are low in cholesterol, saturated fats, high in fiber and folate, with zero animal protein.  It has been studied that in western countries most vegetarians live longer than most non-vegetarians live. They have substantially reduced risks for heart disease, obesity, high blood pressure and reduced risks for such cancers, particularly lung cancer and colon cancer.

Not all vegetarians eat clean.  Many replace protein with high fat cheeses and junk food.   After all, there is no meat in brownies, chips and ice cream.  One can easily consume large quantities of high sugar, carbohydrates and fats. If meat proteins are not…

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The “Great Florida Reef” is the only living coral barrier reef in the continental United States.  It is the third largest coral reef on the planet.  Florida is the only state that has wide-ranging shallow coral reefs along the coastline.  The Florida Reef Track expanses 358 miles.  These reefs are habitats for a multitude of plants and sea life, providing shelter, breeding grounds, and nourishment.

A natural coral reef occurs in specific environmental conditions. The favorable environmental conditions required for the growth of a natural coral reef are rather warm, clear waters, a solid configuration for attachment, low phosphate and nitrogen nutrients as well as water movement (waves).

Microsoft co-founder and marine conservationist Paul…

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Its seems the majority of the public is bound to their smartphone.  It is anticipated within the next two years a smartphone could be your only computer.  The original (mass marketed to the public) smartphones of 2011 and 2012 were not powerful enough to accomplish all our computer needs.

Consumer trends industry expert and Chief Researcher Carolina Milanesi feels we will not all need desktops. She stated, “Some of us already don’t.” Thanks to increased processing power, better battery life, vastly improved networking speeds, and larger screen sizes on mobile devices, the shift away from the desktop is accelerating. Nevertheless, battery power is not powerful enough.

Solar energy may be the solution.  An environmentally aware company based in…

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This Sunday, January 31, will be the fourth annual Ibis Charities Care and Share Food Drive. The premier West Palm Beach Country Club, Ibis Golf and Country Club, offers some of the top golf and country club real estate in southern Florida. This local event of good will and generosity has become the largest food drive of any community in Palm Beach County, according to the Palm Beach County Food Bank.

This year’s Ibis Charities Care and Share Food Drive is sure to make an impact! Over the past three years, the food drive has brought in over 51,000 pounds of food and almost $25,000 just from resident’s donations and hard work. All of the food and money raised at the event is given to the Palm Beach County Food Bank as well as the Grove Park Elementary…

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Properties with "perks" have always been a stand out in the real estate market.  Architects have masterfully designed homes with al fresco kitchens, resort style pools and cascading waterfalls, wine cellars and unparalleled home theaters.  Sometimes amenities are just unusual think hydraulic lift transports in the garage to allow double level parking – exotic cars upper level and daily driving cars lower level or hi-tech home security and monitoring panels.  The luxurious amenities available are countless.  If you dream it, they can make it happen!  

Some of the most sought after homes listed feature guest cottages and outdoor living areas containing such open-air amenities as summer kitchens with sub-zero refrigerators and state of art appliances.…

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Voting closes January 25 for CoastalLiving.com and their annual “Happiest Seaside Town in 2016”.  From Hawaii to Alabama and Florida to California, they are considered based on their rank with the Gallup-Healthways Well Being Index.

The Gallup-Healthways Well Being Index methodology is “designed to be the Dow Jones of health, giving a daily measure of people's wellbeing at the close of every day. With a daily measure, determining the correlation between the places where people work and the communities in which they live, and how it impacts their wellbeing”.  It takes into account healthiness of the beaches, percentage of sunny and clear days, standard of living and financial demographics of the areas.

The editors of CoastalLiving.com then focus…

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Purchasing a home is similar to looking for life partner.  You may go on many first dates and in the end, the one that has the most, but not all the characteristics that you desire, will win you heart. The same holds true when searching for your dream home.

However, first-time homebuyers and even the most experienced homebuyers can get frustrated and disappointed with how long the process can take.  Yet they may not understand how their expectations, views, and lack of action may be causing the delay in finding the right home.

One of the biggest hazards a buyer can fall into is not working with an expert buyer’s agent. Waterfront Properties and Club Communities buyer’s agents can assist buyers readily identify the best-suited properties in the…

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Given the fact that most homebuyers use the Internet to aid them in their search for a home, using the Internet as part of your marketing strategy is an important step toward getting your home sold. After all, the more people who are able to see your home, the more likely you are to find an interested buyer quickly.

When it comes to listing your home online, there are many websites available. The most technologically perceptive real estate agents will have websites for their own business and will list homes on directly on their sites. There are also many websites that are dedicated to helping those who are trying to sell their homes on their own. Listing a home on these sites is not free. When hiring a real estate agent, on the other hand, listing…

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With an average winter daytime temperature in Palm Beach County being 74 degrees,  now more than ever the Jupiter area has been attracting professional golfers and golfing enthusiasts for its exclusive golfing communities and secluded atmosphere.  Palm Beach County is known as the “Golf Capital of the World” with more than 150 public and private golf courses.  

Saltwater and freshwater enthusiasts enjoy some of the best fishing in North America.  Polo and equestrian events are also very popular in Palm Beach County.   Polo tournaments such such as the World Cup and Winter Equestrian Festival draw large crowds and international celebrities. Other outdoor sports are enjoyed year-round here in South Florida, making it the most desireable place in the…

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