Jonelle Simons

Here are five ways you can lower your impact on the environment this thanksgiving!
1) Buy locally and regionally produced food! Most farmers markets will carry locally and organically grown sweet potatoes, carrots, home made jams, cheeses, breads, and much much more! If you're family tradition includes a turkey, look for an organic, free-range turkey. Yes, it does cost a few bucks more, but it's also much healthier!
2) Minimize your use of Plastics! Use re-usable leftover containers instead of disposable plastic wrap, and even tin foil wrap! Try to avoid using plastic plates, silverware, etc. Plastic never fully breaks down, so if you MUST use plastic, make sure it gets recycled.
3) Celebrate at home! Thanksgiving is one of the busiest travel weekends of the whole year! Why not help to reduce global warming? Skip the stressful holiday travel, and celebrate an eco-friendly Thanksgiving at home. If you MUST travel, be conscious about the environment. Drive as little as possible, and take your most fuel efficient vehicle. Carpool whenever possible. If you're flying, consider purchasing carbon credits to help offset your portion of the carbon dioxide emissions.
4) Don't OVER Cook. While Thanksgiving leftovers are great, most people end up THROWING OUT over half of their leftovers Spend a few extra minutes planning, and try to cook only what you and your family will be able to eat.
5) Here's a great way to give back on Thanksgiving. Consider donating to a local charity or food bank, or give a donation to The United Way. Thanksgiving is all about being thankful for everything we have - why not help by giving back to those who need it most?
Please comment on my BLOG if you have any questions, or ideas I can share with others!

I have just finished reading in detail the Obama/Biden health plan... and what do you know - it makes SENSE!! Finally, self employed individuals, such as Realtors, will have access to health coverage at a decent price... and here's the best part! Insurance companies will NO LONGER BE ALLOWED to exclude people for pre-existing conditions!!!

This is issue #1 to me this time around... It has gotten absolutely outrageous! I am a 26 year old, very healthy, active, non-smoking female, who can NOT get health insurance coverage because of a small spot of Melanoma that I had removed from my back over 3 years ago. It's considered an "uninsurable condition", and I've been declined numberous times.

My ONLY option in the state of Utah is a state insurance pool called HIPUTAH. They have to accept anyone, but they are still allowed to exclude coverage for a period of time on whatever the "pre-existing" condition is/was. And for me, a single, 26 year old, non smoker, coverage is a WHOPPING $400 PER MONTH, for CRAPPY coverage. I mean crappy, it has high deductibles (you can opt for lower ones, but a LOT more $$), it does not cover chiropractic, and physical therapy, and does not cover most preventative treatments.

It is absolutey outrageous that the United States is still the only civilized nation that does not provide health care for all of it's citizens. This plan is definitely a huge step in the right direction!

For more information, and to download a full pdf of the Obama/Biden health plan, visit http://www.barackobama.com/issues/healthcare/

Yes... "that one" definitely has my vote!

Park City has always been known as a great resort community with CLEAN mountain air! A new study, however, shows that Park City's air pollution is on the rise. Summit county residents need to get on board to nip this problem in the but before it becomes worse. Salt Lake City has some of the worst winter air quality, and Park City residents need to take steps to prevent our great community from getting the same problem that Salt Lake has.

CLICK here for the story from KSL.

A great way to help is to get involved with UTAH MOM'S FOR CLEAN AIR who are coming together to help improve the air quality throughout the state of Utah.

As always, please feel free to comment with questions, or if you have anything to add!

Here in Utah, Summer temperatures are still hot!! But the nights are starting to cool off, so instead of cranking your AC all ay, instead try opening windows at night, and using a fan to help bring in some of the cool night air! Then, in the morning, close your windows and the house will stay cool most of the day! You'll save energy, and $$!

As always, feel free to comment with questions or if you have anything to add!

It's nearly May, and the weather is finally starting to get nice here in Park City! Today, it is sunny, and nearly 70 degrees outside, a BIG change from the snow we had last week!!

There is so much great stuff to do here in Park City in the summer! It is not nearly as crowded, Winter is our big tourist time, so there are locals specials all over!! there are TONS of 2 for 1 coupons in the local newspaper for dining at some awesome restaurants, and specials on just about everything else too!

Park City Resort has some very fun summer activities, including Horseback Riding, The Alpine Coaster and Alpine Slide, The Zip ride, and much more! Check out their website for more!

Deer Valley is home to the Mountain Town Stages summer concert series, which is SO much fun in the summer! On Wednesday afternoons, there are free concerts. You can bring chairs or a blanket, a cooler, and enjoy!

The Canyons hosts free concerts on Saturday afternoons too, and they have the Farmer's Market every Wednesday in their lower parking lot!!

The Park City area is also home to over 400 MILES of trails for hiking, biking, and more! So if you're considering a mountain trip this summer, Park City should be at the top of your list! For links to all of these and more, please visit http://jparkcity.com/activities.htm

Summer is also a great time to find some incredible bargains on real estate, and you can stay in a beautiful condo for not too much money per night! It's a very fun vacation for a family in the summer, and a great time to look at all that Park City has to offer!

As always, Please feel free to comment with questions or anything to add!