Clever minds out there are always coming up with interesting inventions.  Have you heard of these?
ORANGE SOLAR POWERED TENT WITH ELECTRONICS


Camping is always fun. A chance to get away from the world, and live in a world of isolation without any form of electrical aids or entertainment. Well, up until now that is. Orange recently revealed their new solar-powered tent which is labelled as a ‘tent of the future’. The tent will ensure that all your gadgets and electronics will function during your camping visit, though some may feel this defeats the purpose of camping.
Orange teamed up with American product design consultants, Kaleidoscope, to create this modern day tent which harnesses solar energy in order to power your gadgets and equipment via a wireless charging pouch. The tent uses a photovoltaic fabric to receive the maximum amount of energy directly from the sun throughout the day. There is also an integrated “glo-cation” technology instilled which assists campers in finding their way back to their tent. You can use your mobile phone to send a text message to your tent, which will then cause the camp to glow and become easily identifiable.
The solar powered tent has a wireless control hub which illustrates the total amount of energy generated and also the amount of that energy consumed. There is also a wireless internet signal on a touch screen display, and even a heating system, which kicks into action as soon as the temperature within the tent drops below a certain level. SO MUCH FOR ROUGHING IT, HUH?
AN ATM FOR BOOKS

The Espresso Book Machine—meaning “fast,” not coffee—can churn out a 300-page paperback on demand, complete with color cover, in just 3 min. The $50,000 machine could transform libraries into minibookstores, making hard-to-find titles as accessible as cappuccinos. At $3 a book they might be cheaper too.
GOOD MORNING, SUNSHINE


Most people hate their alarm clock. That’s why Eoin McNally and Ian Walton created the glo Pillow. Embedded with a grid of LEDs, it uses nothing but light to wake you up. About 40 min. before reveille, the programmable foam pillow starts glowing, gradually becoming brighter, to simulate a natural sunrise. This helps set your circadian rhythm and ease you into the day.

This week marks the official start of fall.  It has felt more like summer lately, but we can be sure that the crisp, cool air is on the way.  For many of us, fall is a season that we look forward to with anticipation.  Who doesn’t love the changing colors of leaves and kicking your feet through them as you take a leisurely walk on a beautiful afternoon?
Fall also brings to mind delicious, juicy apples.  We’ve all heard the old saying about an apple a day…but what IS it about apples that are so good for you?
Here’s the skinny on why apples are a perfect snack: Apples have no fat, cholesterol or sodium, and contain small amounts of potassium, which may promote heart health, help maintain healthy blood pressure and a healthy weight.  The disease-fighting profile of apples provides a multitude of health benefits, including a potential decreased risk of cancer and heart disease.  Several studies suggest apples may provide a “whole body” health benefit. So crunch away!

Mmmm–we also love to enjoy apples in baked goods.  Looking for a new recipe to try this season? Click here for a yummy Harvest Apple Cake recipe.
We are fortunate to have an abundance of fun places in the area to visit for apple picking and a whole lot more! Make it a point to venture out to a new spot this season.  Use the list below of some of the popular apple orchards in the metro area to find a new adventure.  And don’t forget your camera!

Aamodt’s Apple Farm and Bakery

6428 Manning Ave.
PO Box 295
Stillwater, MN 55082
Washington County
Phone: (651) 439-3127
Open: August through December; 9am to 6pm
Directions: MN 36 (60th St. No.) and Manning in Stillwater.
Description: Aamodt’s Apple Farm and Bakery is an Upper Midwest favorite destination. Here, you can experience a fresh world of fun that encompasses the rich past and represents the best of the present. all within a few miles of the Twin Cities and Western Wisconsin. Our Infamous Minnesota Honeycrisp Apples are available on line and at the farm. We are Minnesota’s largest supplier of the Honeycrisp apple.

Apple Jack Orchards

4875 37th St SE
Delano, MN 55328
Wright County
Phone: (763) 972-6673
Open: Mid June-December. Call for berry hours. Apples season: Monday through Saturday, 10:00am – 6:00pm, Sundays Noon – 6:00pm.
Directions: Located one mile south of Hwy 55 on Cty Rd 32 just west of Rockford.
Description: Pick your own or picked strawberries, raspberries, apples, tomatoes and pumpkins. Large applemarket, cafe, bakery,giftshop and on the Crow River open daily Aug – Dec. Wagon rides daily Labor Day til Halloween. Weekend activities: Corn Maze, music, cow train and apple cannon and more. Company picnics. Fresh Christmas trees. Certified by the Food Alliance.

Applecrest Orchards

7306 24th Ave North
Hugo, MN 55038
Washington County
Phone: (651) 426-7388
Directions: Located between Hugo and Centerville; 1/4 mile east of 35E and Cty Rd 14 (Exit #123).
Open: September – December; Evenings and Weekends
Description: On farm sale of quality apples, pears, and pumpkins at very reasonable prices. Close to St. Paul and easy to find. Welcome!

Applewood Orchard

22702 Hamburg Avenue
Lakeville, MN 55044
Dakota County
Phone: (952) 985-5425
Directions: Located 1/4 mile west of Cedar Ave. on 225th St. W.
Description: Come picking at Applewood Orchard. Welcome to the newest apple orchard in Dakota county! Pick 12 varieties of apples on dwarf trees. We have Haralson and Honeycrisp of course! We also hope to have ready a crop of delicious fall raspberries. Come and enjoy a hayride in the orchard, a maze or two for kids of all ages and new this year scarecrow making by appointment.  We do offer school, senior center and professional group tours.

Deer Lake Orchard

1903 10th St SW (Cty Rd 108)
Buffalo, MN 55313
Wright County
Phone: (763) 682-6159
Directions: From Buffalo take Hwy 25 S to Cty Rd 12 – 2 1/2 miles to Cty Rd.
Open: August through October; Daily 10am – 6pm
Description: Good times & great apples! 26 varieties of apples & fresh cider, pumpkins, squash, ornamental corn, homemade apple pies, jams, jellies, gifts & crafts. Visit the orchard during “Apple Fest” weekends in Sept & Oct. Live entertainment, wagon rides through our scenic orchard and into Groggins Woods, pony rides, caramel apple sundaes, grilled bratwurst & apple turnovers. Call for schedule of events, group tours by prearrangement.

Homestead Orchard

Maple Plain, MN
Hennepin County
Phone: (763) 479-3186
Directions: Located 23 miles west of Minneapolis. Take 394 (Hwy 12) & watch for sign 3 miles west of Maple Plain, then 2 miles south on county road 92.
Open: ; call for hours
Description: Pre-scheduled orchard tours. Largest orchard in Hennepin County. Pick your own apples & pre-picked apples and our own cider.

Pine Tree Apple Orchard

450 Apple Orchard Road
White Bear Lake, MN 55110
Ramsey County
Phone: (651) 429-6577
Directions: Located northeast of White Bear Lake, north on Hwy 61, E on Hwy 96, north on Apple Orchard Road.
Open: June-February; Seasonal hours, call ahead
Description: Picturesque orchard setting offering a variety of apples (Aug-Feb), homemade apple bakery/dessert products, caramel apples, fresh cider, apple gifts, gift baskets, jams & jellies. For family outings-wagon ride, PYO pumpkins in Oct, entertainment. Call for schedule. Tours Aug-Oct are educational and fun, reservations needed. PYO & ready picked strawberries in June.

It is hard to believe that we’re back to this time of year again! Many of you are out there braving the busy stores doing back to school shopping for your kids.  It can be a stressful time of year.  When the first day of school finally arrives and you can catch your breath, come on in for a relaxing massage to rejuvenate yourself! We’ll be waiting for you! Here are some ideas of ways to ease the burden on your pocket book this fall:
Shop at Bargain and Dollar Stores
Your local dollar or discount store is a great place to save money on back-to-school supplies. Name-brand versions of supplies like pencils, rulers, highlighters, scissors, erasers, folders, and notebooks may be discounted to around $1 at dollar stores. You may not find everything you need, but it’s worth a shot to see what they have in stock.
Check Out Yard Sales and Thrift Stores
If you like to bargain, then yard sales and thrift stores are your one-stop deal spots. Binders, notebooks, backpacks, lunch boxes, and other school accessories can be purchased at unheard-of prices. Many times yard sales have unused items, but if your finds have some wear and tear, a little creativity and family craft-time can bring them back to life. You can also find quality vintage accents for a dorm room, if your teen is heading off to college. Couches, nightstands, lamps, desks, and other furniture and accessories are heavily discounted there.
Use Loose-Leaf Paper
A common mistake when the school year ends is throwing away spiral notebooks — blank pages and all. Instead, use binders with loose-leaf paper. That way you use only the paper you need and can save the rest for next year. If spiral notebooks are necessary, purchase notebooks with perforated pages that rip out cleanly, so blank pages can be reused as loose-leaf.
Buy a Reusable Lunch Box
Instead of packing your child’s lunch in a new brown bag every day, pack it in a fun, reusable lunch bag that reflects her personality.
Shop Online
Save money on school supplies and back-to-school clothes by shopping online. Office supply companies may offer better prices online than in their stores. Be sure to look for inexpensive delivery options, to keep the overall price down. This way, you save time, gas, and money.
Have Kids Chip In
It’s amazing how much your child does not need when it comes to spending his own money. By having kids chip in on their school supplies and especially school clothes, you can save money while teaching your child a lesson in money management. Kids may even feel a sense of accomplishment, knowing that they contributed their own money.
Stock Up for Next Year
Every school season follows the same routine: School supplies are bought, kids go back to school, and then the stores put everything on sale. Retail stores tend to discount school supplies even more after the “buying season” is over. By thinking ahead and taking advantage of markdowns this year, you’re sure to save money for next year.
Get Creative
Most schools suggest that books be covered with a protective layer to keep them newer longer. Instead of spending money on fancy book covers, get creative with what you have at home. Extra wallpaper, old wrapping paper, newspaper, and brown-paper bags make great book covers at little or no cost. A plain cover also provides a blank canvas for kids to express themselves creatively. Forgo expensive, novelty pencil and lunch boxes, supply boxes, and binders, for plain, less expensive versions. Then let your kids dress them up with stickers, decals, and paints.
Here are some helpful links for you on everything back to school:
http://www.amazingmoms.com/htm/bts_main.htm
http://www.schoolfamily.com/
http://www.foodfit.com/cooking/archive/foodfamily_july16.asp
http://kidshealth.org/kid/feeling/school/back_to_school.html