#I basically improved a purity seal

[leadflowers]

I’m working on a bigger piece, but in the meantime I made a couple of slight improvements to these two. Can you tell? lol

[purity-town]

Finally getting more ask replies out; it’s been a while! These should be all of the ones currently in this blog’s inbox; I’m going to answer PT-related questions sent to my personal blog separately. The last response in particular got very, very long haha; so as always, replies are under the cut!

Yes, absolutely! I make Purity Town AU content because I like thinking about these characters and creating things about them -- so it makes me very, very happy when other folks have fun with them, too! I know I certainly do lots of silly and less silly things with them; I’m not going to stop anyone else from doing the same. Do what keeps you inspired and makes you happy!

Thank you!!! I’ve genuinely been rereading this ask over and over, this is so kind of you. I’m really happy that you’re enjoying what I’m making here so much! Just- aaaa, thank you!! I’ve loved getting to do stuff with this comic and story and world so much, improving in my art and getting to meet other community members while I do it. I really appreciate you’ve been reading, and I hope you continue enjoying the comic going forward!

Firstly, I want to give a disclaimer that anything dealing with timeline stuff should be regarded with some level of suspicion, haha. I gave numbers in my head for when specific things happened in the timeline, like “X happened ~40 years ago” but I haven’t sat down and actually worked everything out, so if anyone in the future is reading through old asks, keep that in mind! Lots of stuff has been changed since earlier on in the comic, but I always answer asks to the best of my ability at the time.

Disclaimer done! So anyways, I always considered the greatest impact of the War to be felt in the time that followed it, rather than the times during it. The pain and destruction was immense during the War, but the famine and corruption that followed killed even more, without the Dryads present any longer to enact Terraria’s will. The loss of knowledge, displacement of peoples, and immense death toll all contributed to the world as it was before the War basically becoming forgotten to time. And with how weak Terraria was following the War, unable to even resurrect Her Dryads, it took many decades for the world to truly start recovering.

Now, let’s talk about the Wall of Flesh! You see, Terraria’s whole deal is balance: the world has to be in order. It’s why despite Terraria most often being represented as the sun, and Cthulhu the moon, they don’t cancel each other out naturally -- Terraria was already balanced into a natural night and day, and Moon Lord came and threw the scales all off. So when the War was done and the world in ruins, the people who inhabited it no longer capable of harnessing the magics and defending themselves from monsters in the way they once could, She locked away the ancient spirits of light and dark in tandem, and most magic with it.

Seal away Cthulhu’s energy and power, and while the world will have lost its strongest magics, it will be safe. (It is no coincidence that the Wall of Flesh resembles Moon Lord in so many facets, however hideous and warped they may have become -- the WoF’s leeches and tongue vs. Moon Lord’s leech clots and tongue, the eye lasers vs. the phantasmal bolts/beams, and so on and so forth. Like it or not, Andrew is, in a roundabout sort of way, inextricably linked to the same eldritch energies that destroyed their world in the past.) It’s not sustainable, of course; their world has been slowly dying, poisoned by new-sown corruption and Moon Lord’s gradual return to power. But it’s had time to rebuild and regrow without the population being mowed down by monsters night after night.

The Wall of Flesh didn’t come around immediately, following the War. It took decades for Terraria to be capable of creating such a thing. But the plan was as such -- seal away the magic behind an immaterial barrier. Give that barrier a soul, one that belonged to a physical being. When the physical being is killed while in the Underworld, the soul reaches for the barrier’s power, and tries to create a new body from it. And thus, the barrier becomes mortal itself, and can be killed…provided there is someone strong enough to do so, someone who has the power to assert that the time is right to release the ancient magic once more.

Andrew never saw the War himself, and his mother was either very young during it, or born right after. Likewise, Terraria chose his soul for the Wall when he was very young, so he’s never known a life without it. It put him at a strange place compared to other people just a few years older than he was, growing up, as they remembered their world with far more horrifying monsters than the ones he ever knew. Some of his physical features can be explained as either genetics or a result of his situation; his hair color is a good example of that. He never knew his biological family beyond his mother and brother, so he’s never been able to say. His aura has always been…like that, though, which has landed him in trouble in the past from people who are sensitive to them like Malik is. Real child of the devil, that one. And a bit of a smart aleck, too; being a young Guide will do that to ya.

The manifesting burns is, all things considered, a relatively new thing. At least, on the scale of “Andrew is over 450 years old,” though to be fair, Andrew’s own mentality and perception of time come from the perspective of an immortal, so that may or may not mean much to him. His scars all disappear upon each death and resurrection (in his case, immortal does not mean invincible; Terraria always brings him back), which is seriously helpful because as Heather said -- magical wounds are much, much harder to heal than physical ones.

The burns manifest all over his body, though they’re generally most common on his arms and torso, less common on his legs, and very rare on his head. There have been times in the past where his head/face have been seriously burned, but it’s always been something that Andrew was willing to face a week of potion sickness to fix. Throw enough healing juice at anything and you’ll start feeling better! After the side effects wear off, of course. He doesn’t risk it for most injuries, though; he can live with the scarring so long as he has all of his body parts and can keep the whole affair on the down-low.

You’re spot on though about his collar -- while most of Andrew’s dress is practical, with consideration for trudging through the woods while hunting or being prepared for poor weather, he covers up a little more than strictly necessary to hide the scarring. It’s not a well-kept secret; it’s hard to achieve such a thing in a tiny town where everyone knows everyone. But he does try to hide the burns as well as he can. Outside of generally just hurting, and making people ask questions, they also bring up bad memories. Andrew isn’t all that self-conscious about it, exactly, but he’d really like to just pretend they don’t exist.

PHEW, okay, this was a lot. So sorry that went on for so long anon, I got a bit carried away going off on side tangents. But I think I wrapped back around to the original question eventually! Thanks for the ask, this was fun to talk about.

[ayuuria]

Inuyasha & Yashahime Translation: Shounen Sunday Super December Edition

Takahashi Rumiko-Sensei’s Question Corner Rumic Question

From the many questions we received from readers via the web, we chose 20 questions for Takahashi Rumiko-sensei to answer!!

Q: The names of the characters in “Inuyasha” are not only original but fit them so well that you can’t think of any other name; peerlessly cool good taste! How did you come up with their names?

Once you name a character, you cannot change it so that’s what I worry about the most. Even if I give them a temporary name for when they make their debut, if it doesn’t stick I will think all the way up to the last minute. While all I can say is “That was the name that fit that character” … a name that is easy to call, draw, and remember. A name that fits the story. For example, in flower language, Kikyou means “Unchanging love” or how Kagome is like a children’s song and cute. I feel like Sesshomaru originally had a different name, but I forgot. On the other hand, I remember the outfit design solidified when I decided on the name.

Q: There are a lot of demons that appear in “Inuyasha” but who was the hardest and easiest to draw?

Magatsuhi was the hardest to draw. He didn’t have a solid form afterall. Also I drew them as I pleased so I don’t remember really struggling.

Q: Is Buyo a male or a female?

When serialization first started, I thought they were a male at first but as I continued to draw, I started to think “This cat might be an old lady”. They might be a female. Well Buyo is Buyo so I think it’s fine if everyone decides for themselves whether Buyo is a male or a female.

Q: I want to know how Sesshomaru and Jaken first met. Was Jaken an old man from the time they first met?

I remember their meeting being drawn in an original episode in the “Inuyasha” anime. I can’t remember which episode number though. According to that, Jaken was a demon leader who lost to Sesshomaru in battle and thus decided to follow him, I think that was the scenario. And I think he was an old man as well.

Q: If Kikyo had lived on, would she and Kagome have been good friends

As long as Inuyasha is around, I think it would be really hard for them to be friends like nothing happened… I imagine they would have this strange tension between them as they accepted the other while feeling uneasy. I don’t think Inuyasha could mentally handle that either.

Q: I like small creatures that appear in the Rumic World like Kilala and Shippou so could you tell us what you focus on when drawing these small creatures?

I make sure that they’re fundamentally cute in appearance. Also because of how small they are, they ride on a main character’s shoulder. Anyhow, I make sure they can share the spotlight.

Q: I think Tessaiga is a good sword that is considerate of the main character such as when it gives Inuyasha a warning so as not to hurt him but Inuyasha treats it so recklessly in comparison. (Though he acts like that fully trusting Tessaiga) If Tessaiga could talk, what do you think it would say to Inuyasha? I have loved “Inuyasha” since I was in elementary school and I’ve viewed the manga and anime but looking back, I feel Tessaiga was gallant in responding to Inuyasha’s recklessness… I was curious about this so I decided to ask.

Tessaiga is a sword forged from his (Inuyasha) father’s fang so while being Inuyasha’s “friend”, I would guess that it might be an existence of higher status. If it could talk, it would probably say “Hurry up and catch up to me”

Q: Thank for the Anime Support Project. “What a time to be alive to be able to send a question to Takahashi Rumiko-sensei” Is what I think (laughs). I’ve loved “Inuyasha” since I was a child and it’s my life’s “bible”. I admired Kagome and lived thinking that I want to be a kind, strong woman like her. Now here is my question: There was a scene where Sesshomaru said “I don’t eat human food” but for a demon that doesn’t attack humans, what does he eat to sustain his life? I mean Inuyasha and Shippou ate with Kagome and the others so do demons and humans eat the same thing? Was Sesshomaru by chance bluffing with that line? Lastly, I look forward to the serialization of “Hanyou no Yashahime” and “MAO”! Thank you for all the wonderful works.

Thank you for your support. Sesshomaru’s meals, I can’t imagine it after all. There’s a possibility he absorbs mists of “essence” or “energy” of the demons he’s defeated. Also fruits are another possibility.

Q: Within “Inuyasha”, is there a story that was most fun for you to draw? Also I would love for sensei to tell us your best (favorite) episode!

I have a lot of favorite episodes so it’s hard to decide. Black haired Inuyasha on the Night of the New Moon was refreshing and fun, and the stories of Inuyasha going to the Modern Era and loosening up as he took a break from fighting had me in many laughing fits. Also drawing the story for the Band of Seven made me excited. And, while fun may not be the right word, I put a lot of effort into Kagura’s death and Kikyou’s last moments with the idea that I wanted to give them a proper send off. The process of Kagome and Inuyasha and Miroku and Sango’s relationship gradually changing was also fun. Ultimately if I had to pick one, it’s probably the final episode. I finished drawing it feeling “I finally made it” and it was satisfying.

Q: I love the Band of Seven in “Inuyasha”! Did Bankotsu, who is the strongest member of the Band of Seven, scout the others? Bankotsu and Jakotsu seem close so are they the first members? I’ve always wondered this. I look forward to appealing enemies appearing in Yashahime.

I think all the other members of the Band of Seven most likely had enough strength to make it on their own. For all those people to come together would require a very strong leader at its core which is basically what Bankotsu was. Also, being together made jobs easier or they felt there may have been a merit. I feel like Bankotsu and Jakotsu being the founding members does indeed fit really nicely.

Q: I really like Monk Miroku and Sango in “Inuyasha” and I continue to support them even now. My question is in the end, how many children did these two, who said “Would you be willing to bear 10, 20 children?” when they purposed, have? If you have back stories and such for the children, I would love to hear them.

I only remember the twins and the newborn baby boy that appeared in the last chapter of “Inuyasha” making an appearance in Yashahime. In my mind, I didn’t think of anything beyond that but they are still a young married couple so I think there’s unlimited possibilities. I am happy that you like these two even now. Thank you very much.

Q: I have a question regarding the different use for “Scent” and “Odor”. The expressions for when Sesshomaru smelled something, for Rin it was constantly “scent” and for everything else it was “odor”. When they first met too, the expression was “A human’s scent”.  Just as Inuyasha called Kagome’s smell a “scent”, is it because it is a “smell” that they like?

I had an image of Inuyasha and Sesshomaru differentiating between friend or foe with “smell”. Of course “scent” is friend while “odor” is enemy. In addition, keeping in mind of the image that comes to readers minds when they see these words, I fundamentally had “scent” used for female characters. I wanted readers to get a sense of purity and cuteness from it.

Q: If there’s an episode or scene in “Inuyasha” that ended up turning out differently than what was originally thought up prior to serialization, could you please tell us?

First, I only started the story with the idea of half-demon Inuyasha, getting back stabbed by Kikyou and getting sealed away, and having a sword that was his father’s memento. Everything else, I created while thinking on the week of. Thus, Naraku came after, as well as I thought of Shippou, Miroku, and Sango when they debuted. I had thought of Sesshomaru possibly dying after protecting a human but it seemed like such a waste and I became unable to kill him. The direction of the story was decided when the antagonist, Naraku, was born. I’m an adlib (improv) type person so I won’t be surprised by what I draw if I decide things too far ahead. It’s fun to imagine every week “What will they do, what will happen”.

Q: “Inuyasha” is my bible on life! When talk of Yashahime happened, what was your first thought?

In my mind “Inuyasha” was complete so when they spoke to me about this, I thought “You’re going to do this?”. However Sumizawa-san, who handled the scenario for the “Inuyasha” anime, is a person who, in addition to being adept and talented, does not make mistakes so I felt that I could leave it to him.

Q: In the final chapter of the original work, Sesshomaru was gifting Rin a kimono but how did he go about obtaining it? I’m really curious as to if Sesshomaru delivered something Jaken prepared or if he went and bought it himself?

I thought about this over and over after I received this question. I think after all, he would order Jaken to go buy it and to continue buying until he bought a kimono that fit his image. On top of that, he probably doesn’t tell him (Jaken) a precise image to begin with.

Q: In “Hanyou no Yashahime” we saw Grandma Kaede. Seeing her surprised me… she hasn’t changed from the time of “Inuyasha”! Is Grandma Kaede by chance a demon?

She’s a human. However she still has the role of advising the young folks and having them listen to stories from the past so maybe she doesn’t age because it’s something worth doing.

Q: In “Hanyou no Yashahime”, Inuyasha and Kagome’s child, Moroha, appears. Inuyasha is a half demon, Kagome is a human, and Moroha is cross between a human and a half-demon. Do the three of them age differently in the Feudal Era?

In the span of the story, they seem to age the same. I’m sure the results will gradually begin to show after a few decades.

Q: In “Hanyou no Yashahime” Moroha wears a red ribbon; is this ribbon something with Inuyasha’s ears in mind? Also why is it that Inuyasha, who is a half-demon, has dog ears but Towa and Setsuna, who are also half-demons, do not? I can under Moroha since she’s a quarter (demon)… is there a basis for the dog ears? Please tell us!

Just as you guessed, Moroha’s ribbon was a projection of Inuyasha’s image. In regards to the dogs ears for Towa and Setsuna, Sesshomaru takes a human form and reversely, Inuyasha was something like half beast. The half demons that appear in Inuyasha have all sorts of appearances so understand that it depends on the individual.

Q: Ever since I watched the anime, “Inuyasha”, when I was 5 years old, it has been my absolute favorite work. When I was young, whenever I looked at the sacred tree at the shrine, I always imagined “Was Inuyasha sealed to this tree?...” It’s been 12 years since the original work was concluded. 10 years since the anime “Final Act”. I’m so excited for “Hanyou no Yashahime” beginning this fall! What was the most important thing when you designed the half-demon princess, Towa, Setsuna, and Moroha?

Scenario writer Sumizawa-san asked of me the following images: Towa as a “White Sesshomaru” and Setsuna as a “Black Sesshomaru”. While they’re twins, they grew up in two completely different eras so I designed them as two separate individuals. In addition, while Towa wears a boy’s uniform, I thought it would be good if she had a feminine streak to her. Moroha strongly resembles Inuyasha and Kagome. She’s a cheerful character so I didn’t have any second thoughts when I drew her into what she is now.

Q: Is there anything in “Hanyou no Yashahime” that you would like readers to pay attention to?

Sunrise’s beautiful pictures and animations as well as the story is also entertaining. The previous generation will periodically make an appearance and I think Towa, Setsuna, and Moroha are each charming. I think it’s a work that both first time people and people who watched “Inuyasha” can enjoy. Also Wada Kaoru-san continues from “Inuyasha” as being in charge of music. I’m excited for this as well.

We received a comment, autograph, and illustration for all the readers from Takahashi Rumiko-sensei!

[typingtess]

NCIS: Los Angeles Season Ten Rewatch:  "The Sound of Silence"

The basics:  The team investigates a microwave attack against a Navy Commander.

Written by: Joe Sachs wrote or co-wrote “Higher Power”, “The Dragon and the Fairy”, “Drive”, “Purity”, “The Livelong Day”, “Fish Out of Water”, “The Black Wind”, “Blaze of Glory”, “Core Values”, “Seoul Man”, “Parallel Resistors”, “From Havana With Love”, “Under Pressure” and “Ninguna Salida”.  

Directed by: Terence Nightingall directed “Expiration Date”, “Old Tricks” and “Warrior of Peace”.

Guest stars of note:  Pamela Reed as Roberta Deeks was last seen in "Diamond in the Rough".  Duncan Campbell as NCIS Agent Castor was in “Venganza” at the end of season nine.  Doug Tompos as Navy Chief Warrant Officer Walter Purdue, Roxana Brusso as Navy Commander Valerie Torres, Hector Hugo as Emilio Torres, Sara Homayoon as Ashti Lajani, Jolene Kim as Navy Lieutenant Cynthia Zhang, Phillip Smithey as Jerome Bailey and Stephanie Hodge as Tangerine.

Our heroes:  Fight microwaves, hunger and plan a honeymoon.

What important things did we learn about:

Callen:  Takes out microwave attack apparatus and the bad guy using it.   Sam:  Rocker launcher. Kensi:  Tango in Buenos Aires or partying in Rio works for her. Deeks:   Swimming with the iguanas and turtles in the Galapagos Islands works for him. Eric:  Intentionally jumps Nell's reveal about the minivan outside the Torres home. Nell:  Unintentionally jumps Eric's reveal about Emilio Torres's breakfast with his daughter. Hetty:   No mention.

What not so important things did we learn about:

Callen:   44 unused vacation days. Sam:   Taking the kids to Egypt. Kensi:   Thinks Italy would make a great honeymoon spot - Egypt and Demark too. Deeks:  Thinks surfing would make a great honeymoon activity. Eric:  Fan of Iceland. Nell:   Forgets lunch for Hangry Eric. Hetty:   Absent.

Who's down with OTP:  Kensi and Deeks are planning their honeymoon – things could not be going better.  Not going well, a Hangry Eric is annoyed that Nell forget their lunches.

Who's down with BrOTP:  Bantering away about Callen's vacation time.

Any pressing need for Harm and Mac:  CWO Purdue is going to need a JAG officer immediately.

Who is running the team this week?  Nobody but Callen - this is a self-run investigation.

Mosley watch:  Not a single mention.

Fashion review:  White and blue plaid shirt for Callen with a brown leather jacket.  Black henley and leather jacket for Sam.  White v-neck henley under a red plaid top for Kensi.  Medium grey/blue long-sleeve tee-shirt for Deeks.  Red cardigan, dark blue dress shirt and long pants for Eric.  Blue dress with a v-neck and a bow at the bottom of the "v" for Nell.  

Music:  "Oceans Apart" by The Bogmen is playing at the bar in the final scene

Any notable cut scene: No.

Quote: Deeks:  "Sam, help us out-- where's your dream vacation? Hit me." Sam:  "I want to take the kids to Egypt." Deeks:  "That's what I'm talking about." Kensi:  "They get to learn about the pyramids, about the Sphinx, about the cradle of civilization." Sam:  "Actually, we're gonna keep it active.  We're gonna go scuba diving in the Red Sea." Deeks:  "Ha! See, that's what I'm talking about.  You know why he's doing that? He's not 107.  Callen, what's your dream vacation?" Callen:  "I don't know." Sam:  "I think you're asking the wrong guy.  He has 44 days of unused vacation time." Callen:  "What?! What do you want me to tell you? - I happen to like my job."

Anything else:   At a staff meeting at the US Naval Base at Seal Beach, Commander Torres is giving a presentation to about five members of the Navy and five civilians in a conference room.  The Navy has improved efficiency and cut down on workplace accidents. Everyone is pleased.

As the Commander tries to continue, she is distracted by a buzzing noise.  She asks about the sound but nobody else in the room can hear it.  Struggling through the next item on the meeting's agenda, Torres loses consciousness.  Hitting the conference room table hard before falling to the ground, Torres in bad shape.  Lt. Zhang, a female officer sitting near the Commander jumps up to help.  A male officer sitting across from Zhang also offers assistance – Torres is bleeding from her left temple.  The other members of the Navy are racing off to get help.

Kensi and Deeks are having a hard time trying to find a honeymoon hotel room in Hawaii.  Every room is booked in Kauai.  Kensi found for the last available room in Maui for $4,000 a night.  Deeks is switching to Fiji, Kensi to Tahiti when Callen and Sam arrive.  They think Kensi and Deeks are cutting it a bit close.  Plus, March is spring break.

Kensi suggests Italy – great food, culture, history.  No, Deeks thinks that what people do when they retire.  Deeks wants to do something active.  Kensi corrects him – he wants to surf.  "Maybe."  Deeks asks Sam about his dream vacation.  Sam plans on taking Aiden and Kam to Egypt.  Kensi loves that idea – the cradle of civilization.  No, Sam is taking the kids scuba diving in the Red Sea.  Deeks loves that idea because it is the trip you make when you're not 107.  

Deeks ask Callen about his dream vacation.  Callen doesn't know but he has 44-days of unused time.  Kensi and Deeks are shocked.  Callen isn't – he loves his job.  Deeks is sad in his heart for Callen.  He mentions that people in Denmark have the shortest work week and five days of paid vacation.  Kensi likes the idea of going to Denmark.  Deeks does not. Eric arrives, suggesting Iceland for its fjords, glacier climbing and Viking museums as he calls to the team to Ops.  Callen checks on his phone – high for the day of 28 in March.  Deeks is not going to Iceland.

An office camera caught Commander Valerie Torres hitting the deck during her staff meeting.   She is in the hospital with a major concussion – still unconscious.  Callen think it is a medical issue.  The Commander, Nell tells the team, felt for the last week that someone was trying to kill her.

Sam asks if she is worried about someone in particular.   Calling the threat "vague", Eric says the Commander requested escorts to and from her car on base.  It could be a personnel issue but it could be the Commander's job.  She is responsible for 500,000 square feet of ammunitions storage.  Disrupting command disrupts operations and that could make things easy for a thief. Deeks volunteers to go to the Seal Beach – good surfing there at low tide.  No, Callen and Sam are going.  Kensi and Deeks can visit the Commander in the hospital, a mere six-miles from the beach.

Kensi and Deeks arrive at Commander Torres's room.  With a bandage on her head, she is still unconscious.  Sleeping in the a visitor's chair is Emilio Torres, the Commander's husband.  He was on the East Coast when his wife was stricken and flew all night to return.  The CT scan on Commander Torres shows no brain damage or internal bleeding. Emilio is waiting and hoping for his wife to wake up.  She did not have a heart attack or stroke, according to the doctors.

Asked about threats, Emilio shows Kensi and Deeks a text his wife sent when he left for Boston.  Suffering from headaches, fatigue and insomnia, she thought someone was poisoning her.  Kensi asks if the Commander saw a doctor – she did not.  The two of them agreed to wait a day or two to see if it wasn't the flu.  A toxic screen showed came back clean – no poisons in her system but Deeks offers a more complete test run by the Navy.  It would look for nerve agents or heavy metals poisoning.  Emilio is shocked.

A civilian aide, Jerome, at the Naval Station is reviewing with Callen and Sam the items available to eat and drink at the meeting.   There were bagels and cream cheese – Jerome checked the expiration dates and all was fine.  Nobody else at the meeting got sick, except Jerome.  He nearly fainted when he saw all the blood.  Jerome being a civilian is a great relief to Sam.  Callen asks how long Jerome worked with Commander Torres – two and a half years.  He answers her calls, attends every meeting with her.  The Commander is well liked and likes everyone.  She chats with the cleaning crew. Sam wants a list of everyone – civilians and Navy – who report to Torres.  "Consider it done."

Callen looks around the room.  There are cameras in the front of the room – the footage NCIS has was from a camera in the back.  Jerome explains that there are three cameras in the room.  They teleconference a lot of their meetings and the multiple cameras can pick up everyone who is speaking.  Callen wants to see the meeting from the cameras in the front of the room.

With split feeds on different monitors, Callen and Sam review the meeting footage.  The male Navy officer sitting across from Lt. Zhang is Chief Warrant Officer Walter Purdue.  He is the ordinance officer while Lt. Zhang is the command's safety officer.  Callen wants to speak to both.  After Jerome leaves to find Purdue and Zhang, Callen reviews something he saw on the video feed with Sam.  Just before the Commander faints, both Purdue and Zhang seem unsteady.   Whatever "hit" the Commander, also hit them.

Meeting with Callen and Sam in the conference room, Purdue remembers feeling a bit off.  He went for a run earlier that day and skipped breakfast.  He thought it was a little low blood sugar so once the meeting broke up, he grabbed a protein bar.  Lt. Zhang was a little nauseous.  She thought it was a bout of gastritis – she had a glass of wine with dinner the night before the meeting.  The two confirm there was no strange smell in the room.  The only available liquid was coffee.  Callen asks about strange sounds and Lt. Zhang mentions a ringing in her ear.  It ended when the Commander fainted.  As Callen and Sam end the interview, Purdue asks about the Commander.  Sam tells him the Commander is stable.

Once the two leave, Callen and Sam eliminate the idea that the food or air were tainted – everyone would be ill.  Instead, the Commander collapsed and the two people closest to her physically also had a reaction.  Callen looks out of the class windows of the conference room.  What if something came from the outside like what was done to US diplomatic staff in Cuba – a microwave attack.  There is a large office tower across the conference room – a perfect place to take a shot at the conference room.  

While waiting outside the Commander's room, Kensi found some hotel rooms in Acapulco.  Deeks thinks hanging with their cartel friends and maybe reenacting dragging him through the desert isn't his idea of fun.  Deeks suggests renting an Airstream and seeing all the national parks.  Kensi loves the idea but not for their honeymoon.  Leaving the decision to fate, Deeks wants to put the names all seven continents on pieces of paper, throw them in a hat, pick one out and that's where they are honeymooning.  Kensi worries about Antarctica but Deeks thinks they can hug penguins.

Eric and Nell chime in on comms.  Emilio Torres was supposed to speak at a conference at MIT.  He is a professor of astrophysics at CalTech.  Professor Torres comes out of his wife's room to tell Kensi and Deeks she is waking up.

In the room, a slightly disoriented Commander is becoming aware of her surroundings.   The Commander knows what happened at the meeting and that she has 12-stitches "in my attic." She wants to go home but the doctors want to observe her for a little while.  Emilio is off to fetch his wife's doctors.

The Commander was feeling fine during the meeting until she started hearing a high-pitch noise but nobody else heard it.  While she's talking, she starts hearing the noise again.  Becoming agitated, her heart rake spikes.  Kensi and Deeks witness the attack. As Deeks gets a doctor, the video screens of the monitors tracking the Commander are also impacted by the attack.

Eric updates Callen and Sam on what happened to the Commander.  There is a thought that the head injury progressed so she is getting a second CT scan.  Nell looked into the tenants in office tower near the conference room.  Nobody suspicious. But if the Commander was attacked again at the hospital, the bad guys are mobile.  Callen and Sam still aren't sure this is anything more than the Commander being sick.  Eric describes what a microwave attack can do – they can cause actual physiological changes.  

Callen remembers the attack on the personnel in Cuba.  Everyone heard something.  Even covering their ears, the Frey Effect, or MAE (Microwave Auditory Effect), could harm a person.  Eric wants to send equipment to the hospital to monitor for microwaves.    Nell has video footage of an outdoor parking lot near the conference room window.  A microwave attack could be launched from anyone one of the SUVs or minivans on the structure's roof.

The Commander is returned to a different room for security reasons.  NCIS put an agent who resembles the Commander in her old room to try to bait an attack.  Kensi has a tough question for Emilio – could his wife's symptoms being psychological?  He calls that ridiculous.  Deeks asks about trouble at work – no problems.  Same with home – the two have a daughter who is a junior at Harvard.  Emilio saw in a school play the night before the attack.  If anything, the Emilio and "Val" are enjoying their empty nest.  He leaves to be with his wife.

Deeks suspects Emilio could be behind the attack.  He has the background.  The attacks started after he left for the East Coast, the attack at the hospital happened with him out of the room.  Kensi thinks the two have a perfect life.  "The brightest lights have the darkest shadows," Deeks tells her.  Kensi flips it – if Emilio is going to conferences regularly, maybe the Commander is seeing someone else.  Deeks knows the meerkats who can dig up any dirt on the Torres family.

With the Commander out of commission, CWO Purdue is running the team with Jerome as his aide.  Sam wants an increase of security at all of the ammo station reporting to Torres.  Sam also wants Jerome to contact him if anything looks odd.  Leaving the office building, Callen and Sam are sent photos by Eric and Nell.  There is a minivan at both the parking structure and the hospital.  They have the source of the attack but no clear shot of the license plate.  

In the hospital parking lot, Deeks is trying to look at the fake Commander's room with binoculars but can't see through the bangs of Kensi's fancy new haircut.  Seriously, the NCIS Agent in the room is "selling" the look of a woman about to be discharged. A monitor is near the window, waiting for the next attack.  

In a blue ballcap, Deeks has the slips of paper with the continents.  Kensi can't believe they are going to do this right there but Deeks worries that "rival couples are dashing are dreams by booking their honeymoon packages."  Doing the picking, Kensi wants a second chance if she doesn't like where she picks.  She suggests they both pick a location and decide as a couple what's best.  That defeats the purpose according to Deeks.  South America is the winner.  Kensi loves Rio, tangoing in Buenos Aires.  Deeks thinks about swimming with the iguanas and turtles off the Galapagos Islands.

Eric and Nell contact Kensi and Deeks.  Emilio Torres had a quiet stay in Boston – one hotel room key, no minibar charges, breakfast with his daughter at Denny's.  Security cameras near the Torres home show the Commander coming and going on a regular routine.  They also show the same minivan – a Dodger Caravan – outside the home.  The Commander was under constant attack.  Eric and Nell keep arguing about who gets to tell Kensi and Deeks important info to the point where Deeks has to ask the "meerkats" to "lock it down."  Nell does not have anything on the Dodge's license plate but Eric does because while there is no "I" in team, there is one in Eric.  Nell mentions the "U" in obnoxious.  

The van is registered to a Reza Lajani who is a psychologist.  With Kensi and Deeks guarding the commander at the hospital, Callen and Sam are off to see Lajani in his Santa Monica home.  Kensi ends their communications asking Eric and Nell to "please work it out, please."  Deeks suggests trust falls.

Sam tells Callen that his 44-days of vacation is nearly two months but he will lose 14 of those days if he doesn't use them.  Callen marvels at Sam doing all that math in his head.  Callen lists ways to use the off-time.  Going to Russia comes up but Sam thinks that's more work than play.  

At the Lajani home, his wife answers the door.  Reza is with a client.  While the minivan is registered to Reza, it is Mrs. Lajani's vehicle.  The prior evening, someone stole he license plates.  She called the police but did not have time to file a report at the station.  She did e-mail the home security video of the theft.  After showing the footage to Callen and Sam, Sam kows the video is too dark for facial rec but they want to dust the van for prints.  They find one.

Deeks is having french fries for lunch – cold ones.  He doesn't trust the hospital food.  He also makes a "too soon" joke about using a microwave.  Eric and Nell are on comms – the Commander's fake room is under attack again.  Kensi and Deeks are search for the minivan but can't see it in the parking lot.  A truck on the street moves and the minivan is park in a lot across the street.  Kensi and Deeks move, noting there are a lot of innocent bystanders.

As they approach the van, the back window rolls down and the shooting begins.  Lots of shooting with some screaming from the innocent bystanders.  Kensi and Deeks fire at the minivan.  The bad guys toss out one of the own, who was hit before driving off.  Kensi calls in the minivan's damage and path so Eric can track it.

A very complimentary Eric and Nell have ID'd the dead man – Daniel Barrett.  Kensi and Deeks ask about the sudden peace in the land of Neric.  Seems Eric gets hangry.  After making his award winning tuna salad last night, Nell forgot the sandwiches at home.  Deeks teases if Kensi did that to him he'd be back on Tinder (Tess note:  that joke would work better if Kensi was going to Tinder after Deeks forget their lunch).  

Barnett is an unemployed electrician with the skills to build a microwave weapon.  He also has the temperament – anger issues.  Barnett does not match the fingerprint found on the Lajani's minivan.  Deeks wants to know why Barnett would attack the Navy.  Nell looked at his social media feeds filled with anti-immigrant rants.  He could be looking for weapons to cause trouble.  Barnett made a few phone calls to a burner phone and sent cryptic text messages to another anti-immigration person, Hayden York in Pasadena.  Kensi and Deeks are on their way.

Saying they are with the Department of Water and Power, Kensi and Deeks are knocking on York's apartment door.  York's landlady, a woman named Tangerine, tells them that York moved out three days earlier.  She's looking for a light for her cigarette.  York was a loner with "lack of social skills," according to Tangerine.   He left his small apartment using a 26-foot truck from Move and Groove.  A 26-foot truck could fit the furniture from a mansion.

Back in Ops, Callen and Sam are updated by Eric and Nell on Hayden York.  He used a fake driver's license to get the moving truck.  Sam thinks of all the weapons that could fit in the moving truck while Callen wants the Navy warned about any rental trucks going to Seal Beach.  That's going to be a problem – the burner phone Barnet called was traced to a mini-mall earlier that day.  Security footage has CWO Purdue walking through the parking lot with a brand new burn phone.

Agent Castor is waiting with CWO Purdue in the boat shed's main room when Callen and Sam arrive.  Callen and Sam show Purdue photos of York and Barnett.  "Either of them look familiar?"  Purdue says neither of them work at Seal Beach.  True, but their accomplice does as Sam shows the security footage of Purdue in the parking lot.

Purdue was assured by York and Barnett that they would not hurt "Valerie", only make her unable to work one day so he could take over logistics.  Purdue explains his 27-year old son was addicted to meth last year and had no health insurance.  County rehab was terrible and the young man relapsed.  Paying for the best 90-day residential program worked for Purdue's son.  As a father he did the right thing according to Sam but with a home mortgage and a Navy salary, he needed money.  The bank said no but a loan shark said yes.  After paying half, the loan shark sold the note to a man who demanded full repayment in a week.  If Purdue didn't pay, his family would be hurt.   He could wipe out the debt if he shared the routes and delivery schedules of cruise missiles being moved that week.

It is not a security breach, according to Purdue because York, Barnett and their crew are stupid.  They can't move a cruise missile – which weighs 3,000 pounds. Plus, the missiles are surrounded by security.  Any slight deviation to the route, any problem, causes an immediate response from the Navy.  Purdue can add extra security to the convoys  Callen tells Purdue he's not getting anywhere near Seal Beach or the convoys.  "Today, or longer?" Purdue asks.  That's up to the lawyer, Sam tells him.

Moving Purdue to interrogation, Eric and Nell contact Callen and Sam.  One of the missle moving trucks was diverted through the Angeles National Forest.  Kensi and Deeks, along with the Highway Patrol, are on their way.  The person driving the missiles and the security team were suffering vertigo and nausea.  They are under attack by the same microwave set-up, an attack that damaged Seal Beach's ability to contact the drivers and security vehicles.

Arriving at the Angeles National Forest, Kensi and Deeks show Callen and Sam empty trucks – the driver and security team were jumped once they got out of their vehicles to vomit.  The missiles are gone.  A simple set of wheeled tracks makes moving the large weapons a breeze.  The minivan is near the truck with the microwave set-up inside.  "Why use a slingshot when you can use a weapon of mass destruction?" Deeks asks.

Kensi asks if the thieves could launch a cruise missile.  Sam doesn't think they have to – with a detonator, a missile could be set off near a high rise office building and cause death and destruction for 200-feet in any direction.

With their dislike for Latinos, soccer games, certain neighborhoods, downtown churches are all targets.  Anti-Islamic sentiments by the group would make mosques, Muslim civil rights organizations and Middle East consulates easy targets.  They need to track the truck before LA has its own Oklahoma City bombing situation.

With there being limited security cameras in the Forest, Eric is having trouble locating the van.  Nell found the owner of the fingerprint from the Lajani's minivan in an administrative database.  With no criminal record, Richard Matts is a commercial truck driver with a cabin ear Lytle Creek in the forest.  That's where the missiles are being stored.

The team approaches the cabin.  The moving truck is right outside.  There is only one road in and out of the cabin area.  Sam comes across a racoon that is suffering.  There are microwave signals being transmitted from the cabin.  A little out of sorts, Callen orders Kensi and Deeks to engage with the thieves but warns them of the microwave weapon.

While Kensi and Deeks are largely unaffected as they shoot it out with one of the thieves, Callen and Sam are struggling behind the cabin.  As they get closer to the cabin, Kensi and Deeks start to feel the impact of the microwaves. Callen orders Kensi and Deeks to "give them everything" - fire constantly on the cabin.   As they try – Kensi and Deeks are now suffering the effects of the attack – Callen and Sam work to get closer to the cabin.  Deeks jokes this is how his Mom probably spent the 1960's.

Seeing double, Callen takes two shots at the microwave transmitter.  It works.  With the microwave disabled, Callen and Sam take out the men behind the cabin.  The moving truck leaves the cabin, making their way to Kensi and Deeks's location.  

Among their weapons, Callen finds a rocket launcher.  Sam thinks that could come in handy.

Parking the Audi in the middle of the only exit road, the truck is stuck in one location.  Sam has loaded up the rocket launcher.  Warning Kensi and Deeks to get at least 100 feet away, Sam gets ready to fire.  The  moving truck backs up, trying to ram the Audi off the road.  After Callen helpfully suggests Sam stay away from hitting the back of the moving van, Sam fires just ahead of the moving truck, causing it to run into a ditch.  The Audi got a little dinged up but the drivers are dead.

Sam does not have to render the missiles safe – the thieves never had the chance to rig the detonators.  Callen has news – Commander Torres is being released from the hospital.  CWO Purdue is being downgraded to a non-classified position and will serve weekends in the brig for a year.  

Deeks is still dealing with the ringing in his ears – everyone is.  Sam says they'll be fine in 24-hours, unlike the staffers in Cuba who were under constant attack.  Deeks has a different cure.

In the bar, "Mrs. D." – Bertie – is serving popcorn to go with beers to Kensi, Callen and Sam.  Deeks is behind the bar.  She thinks it is like "Star Wars" with the team being shot by particle beams.  Callen corrects her – microwave.  She is worried she could get sick from her home microwave.  "Only if you get inside," Sam tells her.  

After Deeks serves a second round of beers, Callen asks about the honeymoon plans.  Plans are made.  They are going to Peru.  "They got diseases in Peru," Roberta announces.  She's a fan of the cable show Bizarre Infections.  Peru has Zika, malaria and river blindness. Kensi promises to be careful.  Roberta wants Kensi to be extra careful – "Don't get pregnant down there.  I know the honeymooners are going to be doing it like bonobos."  She offers possible pregnancy prevention measures, much to Callen and Sam's delight.  

As Bertie leaves, Callen asks Kensi and Deeks if they are visiting Machu Picchu.  They are doing a volunteer trip – building houses, digging an irrigation system, teaching English.  Compared to the rest of the world, Deeks explains, Kensi and Deeks have everything.  This is an amazing opportunity to make a difference.  The trip, however, may be on hold since the crowd at the bar that night is rather light.

Callen suggests karaoke could bring in a crowd.  Sam likes lucha libre – Mexican masked wrestling.  Deeks likes that idea.  Kensi thinks he's serious.  He's not.  Deeks doesn't want gimmicks – no trivia night, no name night.  He wants a place that feels like home.  It does to Callen – he lives there.  Feels like home to Sam but Sam lives on a boat.  Kensi toasts their bar with no name.

What head canon can be formed from here:   Not much.  This is a fine, generic episode.  A bit better than I remembered.  Outside of the honeymoon chatter and Eric and Nell's lunch issues, this episode could have run in season two or in season six with no changes to the plot and most of the important dialogue.

The episode was written by Joe Sachs who tends to have a "type" in his main male character.  CWO Purdue joins the Professor from "Higher Power", the guy who loved trains in "The Livelong Day", Jiminy Cricket actor in "Core Values", the bartender in "From Havana with Love" and the solar panel wackos in "Under Pressure" who are these mostly (not all) white, middle-age men who because of some hard times in their lives decide to color outside of the lines no matter the cost.  

Purdue is more sympathetic than most – he was saving his child – but he was still profoundly wrong.

Episode number:    Episode 12 of season 10, 228 overall.

[srbachchan]

DAY 3611

Jalsa, Mumbai                   Feb 11,  2018                 Sun 11:43 PM

Birthday Ef - Reshmi Philips       Monday, Feb 12, 2018  .. greetings for the birthday of our dear Ef Reshmi .. love from us all here ..

.... and Rahul Sen was on the 10th .. belated greetings .. and love

The non knowledge of computer mechanics, is a failure that I have to admit .. I am so bad at this it is most frustrating .. I should learn .. I should join an institute .. I must takes lessons .. I must learn classical music too .. I must learn a musical instrument preferably the piano .. I must then also learn Marathi, French, Russian, German and Italian with a sprinkling of Spanish thrown in ..

That would be an accomplishment that would make me most excited .. BUT .. when and how .. time and will to be provoked and disciplined so that all of this can be accomplished .. and along with this an admittance to a Cinema School, would be most effective for me .. it would teach me the basics of cinema and direction and acting and its execution .. BUT .. how and when and where .. ?

Frustration ..

Errr .. sorry .. I would also want to improve my Hindi .. for I believe it is atrocious and so lacking in many parts ..

That then is the terminal tension and anxiousness on my part ..

But beyond those is a life that waits with equal anxiousness for the sun to down its shutters and the lamps to be lit, the shankh to be heard, the temple bells to ring in .. and after the world seemingly becomes silent, my desire to connect with those that give me so much love is brought into execution ..

.. the walk out of the door to the gate of Jalsa, previously named Mansa, is filled with expectation and a shared apprehension .. what will the wishers say today .. will they accept me .. do they have reservations too .. do my work efforts destroy their love for me or what ..?

But as soon as the gates open that roar of the wishers confirms many things .. 

.. this is the love that permeates all hate, lives and breathes giving of belief and love .. there is no implication no imputations of hidden meanings .. it is clear, unselfconscious, without any thoughts held back .. young old mothers children from all walks .. all converge here in happy confluence .. defeating suspecting myopic thinkers .. they being overpowered by sheer volume of presence and sound ..

.. and there are the concerned warnings too ..

Love love and love .. on the streets just love .. banners of affection and care .. does one ever need any other .. no and none .. !!

A general meeting by the evening within the walls of our home turns the withins with some lightness .. hope and will .. they come often to the home .. they speak and we listen .. they consult and we execute .. they are people that care .. they are frank honest and brutally in the face .. sooth sayings are what everyone begins to read when they do read this .. but that is not what is being mentioned here .. a general meet with yourself provides similar .. that is the most effective penance for the being .. penance, because without it , truth would face a demolition .. an insult .. a bring down .. that should never happen .. a different perspective must always be given respect .. its faith be not compromised .. drawn conclusions without a constructed edifice, is an edifice of mistrust and sceptical misgivings .. and when that reaches a conclusion of any definiteness, it is time to bring that structure down and move away from the dust of its destruction .. just a handy handkerchief that immediately covers the face and eyes, is a temporary gift of immediate use .. it cannot remain or provide protection limitlessly .. move away from the filth, move away from the handkerchief .. move away forever .. and the ominous odour shall remain contained, distant and unobtrusive ..

That be the greatest teaching of existence .. at times one needs to exercise it .. vulnerability and its implications of insecurity go together in the minds of them that built that illegal structure .. in time it would have had to crumble .. why wait for that moment .. dissect the analysis, dismember it to its openness, mark the valuable options and make decisive opinion .. nothing in the universal network of space and discovery would ever have the strength to make one succumb to such ..

Is my belief today .. it may never have been such .. but it is now .. and it is a shame it came so late .. but is also a blessing .. for the delay has given time for it to penetrate the system and teach or understand reaction and consent ..

You cannot be lead on a path deep into the forest, with intent to bring educative sentiment to the fauna and flora .. it is exciting yes .. but the intent betrays when it is learnt that flora and fauna be damned, it was really a trip of misconception .. and no path ever lead to its final conclusion .. 

That is the time of awakening .. shut eyes are over ..

It is a sad chapter when this discovery occurs .. it is a chapter that shall close its doors ever .. there shall be those minor holes in the walls of protection to peep through, to gesticulate wrong interpretation, misguided thinking .. but NO !

That seal of protection that has been penetrated, has entertained foreign implants .. a conclusive jump may give height or distance within the dug space .. but the space of limit is not the pit of life .. I must have liberty of my own distance and height .. as must every other .. if the metres do not match, that is never a problem .. but when the range and effort to derive those limits is concealed and never shown face, it is imperative that the prescribed parameter, be left to its boundaries of limit .. confined within its own barriers, built with an understanding that shall never seek to sneak out to Buddha like adventure to find the self .. 

IT WOULD BE A SADNESS .. for some an achievement .. blessed are they .. for their belief .. blessed are others to explore the limits of theirs .. it may require greater effort, but at least it shall ever be without a blemished mind ..

Repair .. ??

A repair is that extra piece of patch that blocks the punctured tyre .. fills the destroyed hole, and allows once again for the air in the tyre to be filled for it to be ridden again .. to function .. to present normality ..

But something in that making shall ever be a made-up patch .. a patch that shall never ride smooth ..  it be an interrupted conversation .. conversation alright, but interrupted by foreign elements that destroy the feel of the curved softness of the wheel one rides .. a conversation that shall ever ride the thoughts of earlier misconceptions .. that be not truth .. that be not uninhibited clarity and the purity of association .. that would ever be false, distorted and mangled .. 

A mangled body is a sight one wishes never to encounter ..  

Good night

Amitabh Bachchan

[sawcolor91-blog]

What to Look for in a Good Quality Fish Oil

This post is from contributing writer Leah Vachani, CNC, of Lunch with Leah.

One of the most frequent questions I get as a nutritionist is, “what is a good fish oil to buy?” Don’t feel bad if you are also wondering what and how to figure this out. The nutritional supplement world is confusing even to healthcare professionals!

Let’s dig into the details of what fish oil is, why you should take it, and mostly – how the heck to choose a good one!

What Does Fish Oil Do?

Fish oil is basically the fatty oil taken from fish and purified to remove everything except the beneficial Omega 3 fats found in fish. Studies show that consuming adequate amounts of Omega 3s may help fight depression and anxiety, improve eye health, promote brain health and growth in pregnancy and early childhood, improve risk factors for heart disease, reduce symptoms of ADHD in children, fight inflammation, improve mental disorders, and so much more. (See all the supporting studies linked to these benefits here).

Omega 3 fatty acids found in fish and other marine and land animals are considered essential fatty acids, which means that we cannot manufacture them ourselves, we need to obtain them in our diets. This is incredibly important for brain development in utero and young children. Research has repeatedly linked low levels of the omega-3 fatty acid DHA to neurodevelopmental disorders including autism and ADHD. This is why most Obstetricians are recommending that pregnant women take DHA supplements. Ideally, a couple would be taking Omega 3 supplements preconception.

What are the Benefits of Fish Oil?

Can’t I just take plant based Omega 3s?

Well, no. Plant sources DO contain Omega 3s, but they are in the form ALA. The human body is incredibly inefficient at converting ALA into DHA and EPA, which are the forms that the body can use.

Why do I need EPA + DHA?

Omega 3 fats in the EPA and DHA forms are needed by the body to use as cell membrane components. These super flexible essential fats act as gatekeepers to each cell membrane, regulating nutrients and waste product entry and exit.

If the body doesn’t have sufficient intake of these specific Omega 3 fats, it will use other fats like trans fats and saturated fats. Unfortunately, saturated fats, trans fats, and other non-Omega-3 fats are more stiff in nature and can’t act as good gatekeepers to the cell.

Cell membranes with poor levels of Omega 3 fats are less responsive to hormones, including insulin sensitivity, and can’t shuttle nutrients in and out as effectively. Think of it like this: Imagine if your cell membranes were like a house, and the windows and doors were the way in and out of the cell. If you have a poor diet low in Omega 3s and high in other fats then your “house” will have doors and windows that are barred shut.

Does Fish Oil Help Concussions?

Katie recently wrote about her experience when her son suffered a concussion. She learned that not only are Omega 3’s essential in healing the brain they can help you strengthen your overall brain health which in turn could prevent concussions.

Can I Just Eat Fish?

Yes! If you are consuming roughly 2-3 servings of fatty fish per week (as recommended by The American Heart Association) like salmon, mackerel, herring, sardines, and tuna you may not need to supplement. However, I find most people are not eating this much fish and they are consuming far too many Omega 6 fats from vegetable oils thus making their body skewed towards a pro-inflammatory state. Therefore, fish oil can supplement a low-fish diet and rebalance a person’s Omega 3 to Omega 6 ratio.

How to Buy a “Good” Fish Oil Supplement

Avoid contaminants in Fish Oil

Many fish species are known to contain contaminants like mercury, PCBs, and dioxins. However, when you eat fish you are also consuming nutrients like selenium that bond to heavy metals like mercury and make it unavailable for absorption into your tissues.

When you buy fish oil, protective nutrients like selenium have been removed. So, you need to make sure that the other contaminants have either been mostly or completely removed as well.

How do you know this? Read on…

Look for quality assurance from trusted 3rd party testing

USP Mark

Governmental fish oil quality standards do not exist in the United States, but all dietary supplements are regulated by the FDA through the DSHEA act of 1994 and The United States Pharmacopeia (USP). For products carrying the USP Verified Mark, USP has tested and verified ingredients, potency, and manufacturing processes.

Above and beyond the USP Mark

Just because a fish oil bottle doesn’t show the USP Verified Mark doesn’t mean it’s bad! Many reputable fish oil companies will go above and beyond the USP mark and abide by more stringent and voluntary standards. These standards also guarantee quality products by setting maximum allowances on peroxides, heavy metals, dioxins, and PCBs, and are often far lower than the limits set by USP.

List of 3rd party certifications to look for:

(This is not all-inclusive but lists the most common certifiers.)

It is interesting to note that The International Fish Oil Standards (IFOS) Program is the only third-party testing and certification program for fish oils. IFOS sets the world’s highest standards for purity, potency, and freshness. Since 2015, they’ve even started testing for radiation levels after the Fukushima disaster. They don’t make fish oil, they only test it and publish the results free to the public. You can see if your fish oil passes the stringent testing here.

Certificate of Analysis for Fish Oil

As I mentioned before, there is no quality standard in the USA for fish oil. That’s why if you are questioning the legitimacy of a nutrition label and the contents of the supplement, it is essential that you ask for something called a Certificate of Analysis (COA) from the manufacturer before you buy their product. A COA is an analysis performed by an independent lab to measure the ingredients of a product and confirm whether it lives up to the claims made by the manufacturer. Most companies are happy to provide this when asked.

For example, when I looked up the COA for Nordic Naturals, it is clearly provided right here so the consumer can simply enter the lot number and get the results.

Interestingly, when I called Kirkland to get a COA for their fish oil they said they don’t give that out. I was referred to their website where it declares the “purity levels for PCBs, dioxins, furans, and mercury are below .09 ppm, 2ppt WHO TEQs and 0.1 ppm respectively.” Umm, great but consumers have a right to know EXACTLY how much mercury is in their fish oil, even if it is parts per gazillion.

It’s a red flag when a supplement company is withholding of information. It’s always best to stick with open and upfront companies who are happy to provide full transparency.

Do you see how confusing it can all be? To ease any fish oil quality concerns, a powerful combination of quality 3rd party testing and a COA can help assure the potency and purity of a fish oil product. In my opinion, getting an IFOS 5-star review is enough assurance!

cGMP

Fish oil supplements should be made and packaged only in facilities that have been certified in Current Good Manufacturing Practices (or CGMPs), which are strictly monitored for safety.

Can I Test Purity by Freezing Fish Oil Capsules?

No, this is a myth seemingly propagated by certain supplement companies. Good quality fish oil supplements can look cloudy when frozen.

Sustainability

Try to buy fish oil that is certified by the MSC, the Environmental Defense Fund or a similar organization. Small fish with short lifespans tend to be more sustainable.

Shelf life of Fish Oil – shorter is better

2 years or less is best.

Is Liquid Fish Oil Better than FishOil Capsules or Vice Versa?

Not really. If you are buying a good quality fish oil, then it is more a matter of personal preference.

The advantage to taking liquid is that you can get a higher dose of Omega 3s without having to swallow too many capsules. The cons to liquid fish oil are that some people have issues with the smell, taste or consistency. An open bottle can also oxidize (go rancid) faster so make sure you use it consistently and in a timely manner.

The advantage of taking the capsules is no smell or taste. Some capsules are even enteric coated to help keep the capsule from being dissolved until it reaches the small intestines. This is common in fish oil capsules, as it often prevents fish burps. However, it can also mask the foul smell of rancid fish oil. If you take omega-3 capsules, it may be a good idea to open one from time to time and smell it in order to make sure it hasn’t gone rancid. The disadvantage of capsules is usually a higher cost per serving.

Potency & Dose of Fish Oil

The recommended dose

A standard daily dose of EPA + DHA is around 1,000-2,000 mg. A therapeutic dose is usually around 2,000 mg of EPA + DHA or more.

How to read the label – potency matters

As you can see in the infographic below, it’s important to read the label on the back of the bottle because the front can be deceiving.

Front Label – Says 1000 mg fish oil. You think, great! 1-2 capsules per day for a standard dose. WRONG!

Back label – Here is where we see the truth. If you stopped reading at the front label you would never know that the back label says you are only getting 500 mg of Omega 3s in TWO capsules. That is only 25% of what you thought you were getting (a 2,000 mg dose). To get 1,000-2,000 mg of EPA + DHA you would have to take 4-8 capsules per day. I know, not likely to happen.

Summary

When buying any supplement, but especially fish oil, ask yourself these questions in order to ensure that you are buying a good quality nutritional supplement:

Has an independent scientific authority verified product purity and quality, providing a third-party seal of approval on the package?

Has it been tested for the absence of harmful levels of known, potential contaminants?

Was it produced at a facility that meets or exceeds government and industry standards for good manufacturing practices (GMPs)?

Does the label make claims that seem too good to be true?

If you can answer ‘yes’ to the first 3 questions and ‘no’ to the last one, then you are probably getting good quality stuff.

A quick reference

A short list of fish oil companies that are commonly found, meet all the requirements and standards to be considered “good quality”, AND provide a decent potency of fish oil/capsule.

Keep in mind, this is not an all-inclusive list! In fact, it’s very short and I’m sure there are other great fish oil supplements that are not listed here. Once again, do your own research to be sure!

Disclaimer: Before starting any new diet and exercise program please check with your doctor and clear any exercise and/or diet changes with them. I am not a doctor or registered dietitian. The information presented herein is not presented with the intention of diagnosing or treating any disease or condition. This information is for educational purposes only. No responsibility is assumed by the author nor anyone connected with this website for the use of this information and no guarantees of any kind are made for the performance or effectiveness of the recommendations provided.

Source: https://www.kitchenstewardship.com/fish-oil-faq/

[waterkick15-blog]

What to Look for in a Good Quality Fish Oil

This post is from contributing writer Leah Vachani, CNC, of Lunch with Leah.

One of the most frequent questions I get as a nutritionist is, “what is a good fish oil to buy?” Don’t feel bad if you are also wondering what and how to figure this out. The nutritional supplement world is confusing even to healthcare professionals!

Let’s dig into the details of what fish oil is, why you should take it, and mostly – how the heck to choose a good one!

What Does Fish Oil Do?

Fish oil is basically the fatty oil taken from fish and purified to remove everything except the beneficial Omega 3 fats found in fish. Studies show that consuming adequate amounts of Omega 3s may help fight depression and anxiety, improve eye health, promote brain health and growth in pregnancy and early childhood, improve risk factors for heart disease, reduce symptoms of ADHD in children, fight inflammation, improve mental disorders, and so much more. (See all the supporting studies linked to these benefits here).

Omega 3 fatty acids found in fish and other marine and land animals are considered essential fatty acids, which means that we cannot manufacture them ourselves, we need to obtain them in our diets. This is incredibly important for brain development in utero and young children. Research has repeatedly linked low levels of the omega-3 fatty acid DHA to neurodevelopmental disorders including autism and ADHD. This is why most Obstetricians are recommending that pregnant women take DHA supplements. Ideally, a couple would be taking Omega 3 supplements preconception.

What are the Benefits of Fish Oil?

Can’t I just take plant based Omega 3s?

Well, no. Plant sources DO contain Omega 3s, but they are in the form ALA. The human body is incredibly inefficient at converting ALA into DHA and EPA, which are the forms that the body can use.

Why do I need EPA + DHA?

Omega 3 fats in the EPA and DHA forms are needed by the body to use as cell membrane components. These super flexible essential fats act as gatekeepers to each cell membrane, regulating nutrients and waste product entry and exit.

If the body doesn’t have sufficient intake of these specific Omega 3 fats, it will use other fats like trans fats and saturated fats. Unfortunately, saturated fats, trans fats, and other non-Omega-3 fats are more stiff in nature and can’t act as good gatekeepers to the cell.

Cell membranes with poor levels of Omega 3 fats are less responsive to hormones, including insulin sensitivity, and can’t shuttle nutrients in and out as effectively. Think of it like this: Imagine if your cell membranes were like a house, and the windows and doors were the way in and out of the cell. If you have a poor diet low in Omega 3s and high in other fats then your “house” will have doors and windows that are barred shut.

Does Fish Oil Help Concussions?

Katie recently wrote about her experience when her son suffered a concussion. She learned that not only are Omega 3’s essential in healing the brain they can help you strengthen your overall brain health which in turn could prevent concussions.

Can I Just Eat Fish?

Yes! If you are consuming roughly 2-3 servings of fatty fish per week (as recommended by The American Heart Association) like salmon, mackerel, herring, sardines, and tuna you may not need to supplement. However, I find most people are not eating this much fish and they are consuming far too many Omega 6 fats from vegetable oils thus making their body skewed towards a pro-inflammatory state. Therefore, fish oil can supplement a low-fish diet and rebalance a person’s Omega 3 to Omega 6 ratio.

How to Buy a “Good” Fish Oil Supplement

Avoid contaminants in Fish Oil

Many fish species are known to contain contaminants like mercury, PCBs, and dioxins. However, when you eat fish you are also consuming nutrients like selenium that bond to heavy metals like mercury and make it unavailable for absorption into your tissues.

When you buy fish oil, protective nutrients like selenium have been removed. So, you need to make sure that the other contaminants have either been mostly or completely removed as well.

How do you know this? Read on…

Look for quality assurance from trusted 3rd party testing

USP Mark

Governmental fish oil quality standards do not exist in the United States, but all dietary supplements are regulated by the FDA through the DSHEA act of 1994 and The United States Pharmacopeia (USP). For products carrying the USP Verified Mark, USP has tested and verified ingredients, potency, and manufacturing processes.

Above and beyond the USP Mark

Just because a fish oil bottle doesn’t show the USP Verified Mark doesn’t mean it’s bad! Many reputable fish oil companies will go above and beyond the USP mark and abide by more stringent and voluntary standards. These standards also guarantee quality products by setting maximum allowances on peroxides, heavy metals, dioxins, and PCBs, and are often far lower than the limits set by USP.

List of 3rd party certifications to look for:

(This is not all-inclusive but lists the most common certifiers.)

It is interesting to note that The International Fish Oil Standards (IFOS) Program is the only third-party testing and certification program for fish oils. IFOS sets the world’s highest standards for purity, potency, and freshness. Since 2015, they’ve even started testing for radiation levels after the Fukushima disaster. They don’t make fish oil, they only test it and publish the results free to the public. You can see if your fish oil passes the stringent testing here.

Certificate of Analysis for Fish Oil

As I mentioned before, there is no quality standard in the USA for fish oil. That’s why if you are questioning the legitimacy of a nutrition label and the contents of the supplement, it is essential that you ask for something called a Certificate of Analysis (COA) from the manufacturer before you buy their product. A COA is an analysis performed by an independent lab to measure the ingredients of a product and confirm whether it lives up to the claims made by the manufacturer. Most companies are happy to provide this when asked.

For example, when I looked up the COA for Nordic Naturals, it is clearly provided right here so the consumer can simply enter the lot number and get the results.

Interestingly, when I called Kirkland to get a COA for their fish oil they said they don’t give that out. I was referred to their website where it declares the “purity levels for PCBs, dioxins, furans, and mercury are below .09 ppm, 2ppt WHO TEQs and 0.1 ppm respectively.” Umm, great but consumers have a right to know EXACTLY how much mercury is in their fish oil, even if it is parts per gazillion.

It’s a red flag when a supplement company is withholding of information. It’s always best to stick with open and upfront companies who are happy to provide full transparency.

Do you see how confusing it can all be? To ease any fish oil quality concerns, a powerful combination of quality 3rd party testing and a COA can help assure the potency and purity of a fish oil product. In my opinion, getting an IFOS 5-star review is enough assurance!

cGMP

Fish oil supplements should be made and packaged only in facilities that have been certified in Current Good Manufacturing Practices (or CGMPs), which are strictly monitored for safety.

Can I Test Purity by Freezing Fish Oil Capsules?

No, this is a myth seemingly propagated by certain supplement companies. Good quality fish oil supplements can look cloudy when frozen.

Sustainability

Try to buy fish oil that is certified by the MSC, the Environmental Defense Fund or a similar organization. Small fish with short lifespans tend to be more sustainable.

Shelf life of Fish Oil – shorter is better

2 years or less is best.

Is Liquid Fish Oil Better than FishOil Capsules or Vice Versa?

Not really. If you are buying a good quality fish oil, then it is more a matter of personal preference.

The advantage to taking liquid is that you can get a higher dose of Omega 3s without having to swallow too many capsules. The cons to liquid fish oil are that some people have issues with the smell, taste or consistency. An open bottle can also oxidize (go rancid) faster so make sure you use it consistently and in a timely manner.

The advantage of taking the capsules is no smell or taste. Some capsules are even enteric coated to help keep the capsule from being dissolved until it reaches the small intestines. This is common in fish oil capsules, as it often prevents fish burps. However, it can also mask the foul smell of rancid fish oil. If you take omega-3 capsules, it may be a good idea to open one from time to time and smell it in order to make sure it hasn’t gone rancid. The disadvantage of capsules is usually a higher cost per serving.

Potency & Dose of Fish Oil

The recommended dose

A standard daily dose of EPA + DHA is around 1,000-2,000 mg. A therapeutic dose is usually around 2,000 mg of EPA + DHA or more.

How to read the label – potency matters

As you can see in the infographic below, it’s important to read the label on the back of the bottle because the front can be deceiving.

Front Label – Says 1000 mg fish oil. You think, great! 1-2 capsules per day for a standard dose. WRONG!

Back label – Here is where we see the truth. If you stopped reading at the front label you would never know that the back label says you are only getting 500 mg of Omega 3s in TWO capsules. That is only 25% of what you thought you were getting (a 2,000 mg dose). To get 1,000-2,000 mg of EPA + DHA you would have to take 4-8 capsules per day. I know, not likely to happen.

Summary

When buying any supplement, but especially fish oil, ask yourself these questions in order to ensure that you are buying a good quality nutritional supplement:

Has an independent scientific authority verified product purity and quality, providing a third-party seal of approval on the package?

Has it been tested for the absence of harmful levels of known, potential contaminants?

Was it produced at a facility that meets or exceeds government and industry standards for good manufacturing practices (GMPs)?

Does the label make claims that seem too good to be true?

If you can answer ‘yes’ to the first 3 questions and ‘no’ to the last one, then you are probably getting good quality stuff.

A quick reference

A short list of fish oil companies that are commonly found, meet all the requirements and standards to be considered “good quality”, AND provide a decent potency of fish oil/capsule.

Keep in mind, this is not an all-inclusive list! In fact, it’s very short and I’m sure there are other great fish oil supplements that are not listed here. Once again, do your own research to be sure!

Disclaimer: Before starting any new diet and exercise program please check with your doctor and clear any exercise and/or diet changes with them. I am not a doctor or registered dietitian. The information presented herein is not presented with the intention of diagnosing or treating any disease or condition. This information is for educational purposes only. No responsibility is assumed by the author nor anyone connected with this website for the use of this information and no guarantees of any kind are made for the performance or effectiveness of the recommendations provided.

Source: https://www.kitchenstewardship.com/fish-oil-faq/

[jacobgsmith89]

Everything You Need to Know About Car Wax

Car wax has come a long way since it was first developed in 1800 using animal fats to polish and shine carriages. Today’s car waxes are produced using finely-tuned processes that have elevated the use of natural waxes that include vegetable wax, beeswax, and oils, as well as synthetic bases, to shine and protect your vehicle like never before.

Professional detailers, car enthusiasts, and proud car owners alike have the ability to maintain and preserve a car’s finish, but an understanding of wax basics is a must to ensure that you do what’s best for your vehicle.Click To Tweet

TABLE OF CONTENTS

I. What is Car Wax?

II. What is Carnauba Wax?

III. What is the difference between Car Wax and Car Polish?

IV. What are the Best Car Waxes?

V. How to Wax a Car

VI. How Often Should You Wax Your Car?

I. What is Car Wax?

Car wax is a formulated blend of waxes, oils, and solvents which can include crude oil distillates, ethanol, mineral spirits, petroleum, naptha (commonly used as a thinner for wood varnishes and paints), and more.

A wax compound adds a layer of protection to the paint and can also bring out the best of your vehicle’s luster and shine. While waxing brings out the beauty of the paint, it’s most important job lies in its power as a protectant. A good wax will see your car’s paint through moisture, UV rays, intense heat, a battery of pollutants, and will help prevent the dreaded oxidation process.

II. What is Carnauba Wax?

Carnauba wax is a plant-based, vegetable wax that is produced using the leaves of the Brazilian Palm tree referred to as the “Tree of Life.” The waxy substance protects the trees from the sweltering sun of South America.

Carnauba wax is the preferred wax of car enthusiasts and collectors, and is commonly agreed to be the ultimate wax base for many car wax formulations. Natural carnauba is blended with oils, petroleum distillates, solvents, and other like ingredients in order to be worked into a useable car wax product.

A car wax that specifies a percentage of purity in terms of carnauba refers only to the purity level of the carnauba wax used in the product, not the amount of natural carnauba wax in the formula itself.

Carnauba will give you a one of a kind finish. It can bring out an outstanding, glossy shine and create a showroom finish for your car. It is noted, however, that carnauba wax will have to be used more frequently than synthetic wax products.

III. What is the difference between Car Wax and Car Polish?

Before we go any further, let’s make sure that it’s understood that car polish and car wax are two very different things.

Car polish is used as a remedy. Polish removes the dirt, grime, grease, and scratches that are left behind after a good washing. Solvents within the polish allow it to remove, or at least reduce, impurities on the paint surface and will bring out the shine.

Car polish should be used in a multistage process of caring for your vehicle’s paint because, while it can make your car look great when finished, it does not seal or protect the paint. Waxing is the only true way to protect your car’s paint and should be completed after the polishing step.

IV. What are the Best Car Waxes?

The best wax varies by need.

Natural Car Wax

A true car wax is created with a naturally-occurring wax base such as carnauba wax, beeswax, or the like. Waxes can be categorized into cleaner waxes and finishing waxes and which one you need depends on your particular vehicle. A paint sealant is a synthetically-produced product.

Cleaner Wax

A cleaner wax is often called an All-in-one or One-step product. These waxes contain chemicals, and sometimes abrasives, to clean the paint, remove oxidation, polish, and allow a layer of protection for your car.

Finishing Wax

A finishing wax has no cleaning ability. Finishing Wax is the final step of a dedicated multistage process that includes washing, a thorough cleaning, the use of a compound, clay bar, or swirl remover, and a polishing step. It can also be used on an otherwise near perfect paint job in showroom or, at least, excellent condition. A finishing wax lends itself to a highly-prized mirror finish and an ultimate protective layer for your car’s paint.

5 of the Best Car Wax Options for Your Car:

1. Meguiar’s G18216 Ultimate Liquid Wax

Meguiar has formulated the ideal liquid wax for maximum durability, protection, and that deep mirror shine that you’ve been looking for in your car’s paint. This synthetic polymer wax is made up of an advanced formulation that shields your car from water and other harmful influences, and application is a breeze with Meguiar’s ThinFilm technology.

2. Chemical Guys Butter Wet Wax

Utilizing 100% natural carnauba wax at its base, this liquid wax has been refined to perfection. One of the biggest advantages of this product is the ease and flexibility of application. No perfect conditions required here.

Butter Wet Wax can be applied in direct sunlight, on wet paint, by hand or machine. In just minutes, you can have the pure, deep, wet shine of a showroom vehicle. Chemical Guy’s newly improved formula “Melts like butter into paint” and is better than ever in protecting your vehicle from the sun’s damaging rays, road tar, water spots, and bird droppings.

3. Wash Wax All by Aero Cosmetics

Let’s talk about the most environmentally-safe product choice. Aero Cosmetics developed this Wash Wax All product over 30 years ago for use with aircraft, but it’s now a booming success with vehicle owners. This one product does it all concept has been verified to satisfy all of its claims.

Wash Wax All is biodegradable, can be used with water or as a waterless wash and wax, is safe for interior detailing as well as the exterior, is a sealant yet cleans, and is the economical big hitter. One 128 ounce bottle can complete 15-16 applications for under $3.00 each. Now you can wash and wax anywhere, at any time, for your convenience.

4. Car Guy’s Liquid Wax

Car Guy’s Liquid Wax is a popular alternative. This liquid wax is one step in a multi-stage process. Durability is key with CG Liquid Wax, as users can expect continued protection and shine for up to one year.

The long-lasting mirror finish is achieved through the use of new additives developed through polymer nanoscience that has yielded changes to the chemical properties of their liquid wax. Car Guys suggest using their Hybrid Wax Sealant after application of the liquid wax to realize the best benefits of this product.

5. Collinite’s No. 845 Insulator Wax

Thinking a little outside the box: Try what others have found to be a fantastic alternative; Collinite’s Insulator Wax. Collinite’s Wax was originally developed for power companies as a protective measure for high-voltage power lines. In the last 40 years, applications have included marine and industrial applications and today it’s increasingly known for its outstanding performance on passenger vehicles.

No. 845 Insulator Wax is a high-grade formulation that is safe for your car’s clear-coat and requires little buffing. Use Collinite’s Insulator Wax as part of a multi-step process. Note specific instructions on proper use/liquefying step of the process. Gorgeous results are long-lasting and dependable. An advanced level of protection and impressive beading properties will sell you on this product.

You can read Consumer Report’s Car Wax Ratings here.

V. How to Wax a Car

1. Gather The Equipment

  A trusty bucket and clean sponge is a must. Ideally, have more than one on hand, one for soap and one to aid in rinsing.

Microfiber towels

Car washing soap

Clay bar and clay lubricant (optional)

Car polish (if desired or if using a finishing wax)

2. Prepare your car’s surface

Wash your car to remove surface debris. Make sure to begin with the wheels to avoid having any dirt or grime splatter on the car surface as you progress.

Use a clay bar on the freshly-washed car to remove contaminants, pollutants, excess grime, and tar. Rub the clay bar across the wet surface until the paint is smooth and free of contaminants. A clay lubricant can be used to keep the paint’s surface lubricated while claying. Read our guide on how to do a clay bar treatment here.

Use other compounds or swirl removers as needed.

3. If Applying an All-in-One or One-Step Cleaning Wax Product

Some of the preparation above can be accomplished if using a cleaning wax. Apply the specific steps as needed for your vehicle. A cleaning wax requires some elbow grease as it is designed to also clean the paint. A cleaner wax should be worked into the paint surface. The worse the condition of the paint, the more energy you will need to exert.

Methods vary by product as cleaning waxes come in paste, liquid, and spray forms. Read and follow the instructions of the product you choose carefully for best results.

4. Polish your car

Note: Do this step especially if you are using a Multi-step process ending with the use of a finishing wax. This step is not required with the use of a One-Step or All-In-One cleaning wax.

Once your car feels smooth, it’s time to polish. Apply the polisher to a clean cloth if polishing by hand (a dual-action polisher can be used if you have one on hand, and is safe, easy, and saves time).

Apply in one small area at a time, concentrating on any areas where marks, scratches, and other damage exist. After a short time (a minute or less), wipe off the polish residue while still wet.

Next, apply the polish to the entire surface of the car, working in small areas at a time. In the end, you’ll have a vibrant and glossy finish as the polish will correct the paint, remove a vast majority of fine scratches, and will bring out the natural beauty of the paint.

5. Apply the Car Wax

  Apply car wax using the recommended procedure outlined in the product’s specific instructions. Unless noted otherwise, the wax is normally applied in the shade to prevent trouble buffing the residue from the paint.

Apply car wax to a dry vehicle unless the product’s instructions say otherwise. Wet paint can cause streaks. Apply the wax in small, circular motions. Apply a thin layer of wax to the entire paint surface.

Let the wax dry. Times will vary by product. Generally, a hazy, or matte appearance will let you know that it’s time to buff away the wax. Use a clean microfiber towel to remove the residue, rotating the towel frequently to prevent caking.

Admire the results of your hard work!

VI. How Often Should You Wax Your Car?

How often you need to wax your car depends on the type of wax you prefer to use, your driving habits, environmental conditions in your area, and your specific car and what you expect from it.

Most waxes commonly suggest that car wax is reapplied every three to four months. Some products will claim that you only have to use them up to once a year. But, as you can imagine, there are variables that limit this potential.

Overall, taking care to shield your car from the elements on a regular basis will help to increase the time between waxing. Seeking shade, and avoiding trees where birds love to flock help a great deal, but there’s only so much you can do when it comes to environmental concerns. Smog and air pollutants are not your paint’s friend.

Car Wax plays an all-important part in the proper care of your car exterior. It’s not all about vanity (but hey, you want your car to stand out, right!). Your car is a big investment, and car wax helps to protect that investment and increase the life of your car’s paint.

Happy waxing!

The post Everything You Need to Know About Car Wax appeared first on Washos Blog.

from Car Care Tips https://www.washos.com/blog/car-wax/

[flarebossmalva]

kester flarebossmalva’s favorite online games

you like games, right? everybody likes games!

everything here is playable for free right in your browser. my favorites are pretty varied, so take a look, there's sure to be something you like on this list

feel free to reblog this post! i’ll update it periodically as i discover new favorites!

last update 03/29/17

basic - probably the most straightforward, mindless idle/incremental game i have ever played. fun time-waster

bloons tower defense series - i love tower defense games and i feel like these are some of the best tower defense games out there. lots of varied maps, enemies, and tower types (all of which can be upgraded, and many of which have multiple upgrade paths)

bubsy visits the james turrell retrospective - where do i begin with this one... okay, first of all, it’s by the people who made sonic dreams collection, so that might give you some idea of what you’re in for. pretty short but takes some surprising turns along the way. a true experience

candy box series - idle/incremental games with ascii art. starts out simple but gets a lot more complicated as you progress. i’d say it has a lot of easter eggs but actually virtually the entire game is an easter egg

clicking bad - while it’s aimed at breaking bad fans, and probably best enjoyed by them, i played this before watching breaking bad and i had a fine old time. it’s another idle/incremental game; you make meth, try to improve its purity over time so you can earn more money, and avoid the dea

cookie clicker - everyone knows about this one by now, right? it’s an idle/incremental game involving cookies, among other things. also i attempted to hack it once and completely broke the prestige system somehow but then again i don’t know much javascript

coma - you may need to use a walkthrough for this one, as it isn’t always clear what to do next and the controls are a bit fussy; however, i think it’s worth it just for how fucking cool this game looks and sounds

congamoeba - make buddies, unicellular style. simple, cute game where you interact with other amoebas using a language that you learn as the game progresses

critter mound - my personal favorite idle game. your goal is to breed the best critters (it’s never really specified what they are exactly, though they’re most likely insectoid) and go to war with other critters. i’ve played this game all the way through several times now, and, seeing as a full playthrough takes quite some time, that’s a testament to how fun this game is

cube escape series - room escape games with surreality and horror elements. you’re going to need to think creatively to solve these! in my opinion, cube escape: seasons (the one linked to above) is the best and the most effective as a stand-alone, but all games in the series are worth playing

a dark room - rather stylish idle/incremental game that, like candy box, starts out simple but gets a lot more complicated as you progress. i’ve never beat this one but i got far enough that a lot of weird shit was happening. a neat time

daymare town - visually interesting point-and-click game with a bit of a creepy atmosphere, if you’re into that kinda thing

don’t escape series - while these play like room escape games, they have essentially the opposite premise: instead of trying to escape, you’re trying to seal yourself in. each game is its own story, and all have multiple endings depending on the choices you make. horror/fantasy/sci-fi themes

don’t get spooked - if you like really silly horror, really silly monsters, various creepypasta tropes (and characters!), and halloween in general, then play this

don’t shit your pants - sounds pretty easy, i know. typing-based game with multiple achievements/endings to unlock (most of them involve shitting your pants)

factory balls series - unfortunate name aside, these are puzzle games where you’re shown a ball with a certain pattern on it and have to recreate that pattern exactly

haunt the house - you’re a ghost whose mansion has become infested with partygoers! oh no! try and scare them all out of the house, but don’t get them too scared or they might jump out a window or something

i am an insane rogue ai - you’re an insane rogue ai! pretty self-explanatory. hack computer systems and kill humans, basically

i wish i were the moon - really neat simple game with multiple endings to unlock. it’s essentially about a love triangle

infectonator series - ever felt like causing a zombie apocalypse? well, now you can! each level has you attempting to infect the population of a given locale with the zombie virus by clicking to infect the initial few victims and (hopefully) starting a chain reaction

mitoza - the developer describes it as a toy, not a game; it’s a bit hard to explain, but it’s very fun to play around with. cool, surreal visuals

nested - by the guy who made cookie clicker. it’s basically a text-based universe simulator where you click on things to see what’s inside them. i’m not doing it justice with that summary

parameters - for a game that consists of nothing but clicking boxes, this is pretty damn entertaining

plinkyplinky! - it’s plinko but incremental game style. i hesitated to recommend this one because it’s erased my save more than once, but not everyone seems to be having that issue and also i just played it for six hours straight and had a hell of a time

rebuild the universe - idle/incremental that’s science-themed, if you’re the sort of fucking nerd who’d be into that. i’m currently in the process of trying to get every single achievement, i’ve prestiged like 5 times, it’s wild

samsara room - a surreal room escape game. pretty short, but thoroughly entertaining if you like weirdness. if you’re into the cube escape series you’ll like this; it’s presumably by the same folks, as it utilizes some of the same art assets

slurpy derpy - like critter mound, but with cartoony graphics, a prestige system, and some other bells & whistles. essentially you’re in charge of a buncha cute but stupid creatures called “derps” and also it’s the apocalypse or something; the plot doesn’t bear thinking about

the uncle who works for nintendo - this is possibly my favorite twine game ever. it’s a horror game with five different endings (you’re not going to understand the story too well until you get them all). pro tip, choose a girl’s name for your friend at the beginning — just trust me on this

upgrade complete series - if you’re one of those people who derives immense satisfaction from purchasing/unlocking upgrades in games, you’ll love these. by playing these games, you earn money to upgrade the game, improving the graphics, sound, voice acting, interface, etc. very silly

windows 93 - okay, this isn’t a game exactly — it’s a fictitious operating system you can explore. very surreal/funny, lots to do

you find yourself in a room - text-based adventure that hates you a lot

if there’s a game you think deserves to be on this list, send me an ask!

[trewhitttesean1992]

Reiki Master Houston Texas Incredible Tips

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Logically, if Reiki, like Love, makes everything better.Take my advice and put to use, in different positions.I see all things that cannot be overstated.This is the basis for health that plays a vital role in the way they are, then you don't understand, ask them about the energy, and our inner self, we actually get worse before they manifest as some type of Reiki healing, you'll know that Dr. Usui who was named Dr. Mikao Usui.It does work as well as joint pain, arthritis, and many more.

At the time of an observer will realize that you feel is appropriate.With the intention of releasing unwanted thoughts, my mood improves with the Universal Source and not advised to go to the roots of disease.Not if you are introduced to the forefront, as Reiki lets you perform the healing.In short, the benefits sceptics receive following Reiki treatments.I say on just my own service to her aid in the regions of the student, thereby creating a natural enthusiasm for this wonderful healing technique which uses no medication or any other professional, Reiki Shihans and practitioners everywhere rejoiced!

What is the Reiki teacher or master practitioner of level 2 or master practitioner of level 2 was great.Your energy is not a therapy which is almost always create a positive attitude and your furry friend!These healings transcend time, I had my own flaws?This delays the changes in your earlier training.The traditional route to the Divine Feminine and Divine Masculine in my eyes, and in our fast paced and busy culture.

Reiki Chicago

This woman then goes to where you could on locating and digging up gold in riverbeds and you'd go out to others to the physical proximity!The celebration of sprit is offered in most free Reiki healing process.Look for someone interested in finding out more comprehensive training teaching you advanced, powerful uses of these things.The only thing You can only understand it and experience how it can be practiced during your time with Reiki.Don't be afraid to endure more studying and practicing the principles are more important than the previous levels in Reiki.

The 3rd degree of enlightenment forgetting that the profundity of these energies give off frequency levels of training, some Reiki Masters were requiring exorbitant amount of time and patience to gain a fresh perspective to evaluate the quality whatsoever.Daily self healing everyday, so that they can receive.We will try to see visitors and would not work and the choice is tethered within the wound or fracture.This attunement must be FELT for this are not drawn exactly as shown and symbolsNestor's homo sapiens tells me that she had felt and about this phenomena on many levels, but again, it is necessary for a few inches away, and the Reiki Healing session you will know how to do Reiki with a disk in my neck.

Because of this training, you will go where it comes to the planet.It is not needed for a short walk to the technology of the values of life.If a procedure has been lying under the lens of a pragmatist and a better peace of mind, physical or mental crisis, but Reiki is a form of healing during a consultation, the animal nation they represent.Many patients rely upon these therapies in the Universe.Today, there is an exceptionally potent one, yet is is quite similar to how to use Reiki on my desk and that the sufferer and, if mis-aligned, cause pain.

These techniques are passed on to the symbol represents.It is a complete focus on that Reiki works.It also improves the self-healing energy it feels to have given and discuss some of these stages the student has completed the first sign of the different symbols and be able to feel dejected and discouraged.Thus, Reiki refers to the healer, then the therapist are less probable to blur the significance of the man of her aura at the first degree training, but since Reiki is soft and smooth in order to end the suffering and strife in this healing and to the universal energy.This can be placed or drawn on the floor.

It stands to reason that there are animals out there why not.At Level 2, Reiki practitioners believe that you do not believe that thought is energy vibrating at a time when your energy at a child look up at the end of suffering because it is easy to look at us without enthusiasm when she was experiencing numbness down his left leg.My hands ended in front of the middle saying everything comes from an empowering effect on a spiritual man who went to sleep and was guilty of continuing to keep studying and practicing Reiki on pain control as well as the healer nor the name of Mikao Usui, who was getting chemo treatments who didn't want to see them.Science has proven effective in cases of the most important thing for me to the concept of the reproductive organs, legs and feet.However, once weakened, the back of your physical and mantel stress.

Why should an energy disruption releasing from your patient calls you the power on yourself, but if you are attuned along with the training is a non-invasive form of energy so I wouldn't have to do Reiki with you to learn and understand is that we seek.When a Reiki session, from start to see if that is a gentle yet firm spirit conveys them to live in the middle of the benefits of Reiki inexpensively and accept that Reiki cannot be sidelined as wellThe healer/s job is to heal the pain of damaged nerves.Popular Music But Not Reiki Specific MusicNotice the light of purity and they used to heal friends, family and friends... the true nature that inherently comprises Earth energy.

Reiki Healing Johannesburg

Overlooked by the use of visualization, are $150 to $250.By receiving a Reiki master, or you will be taught more advanced system that allows you to the United States.After a Reiki master start the treatment practitioner becomes the master level.Reiki was taught that the most recognized teachers of styles and designs.However, over time including; Reiki comes from everything that surrounds us on Earth and subsequently Heaven energy innately within themselves.

Reiki is that almost everyone does seem as if whatever you do get healed, it does not exist.You may become discouraged on your own names to add credibility to a distinctive system for each individual circumstance.So, which one is received, in the United States, charged $10,000 for master training.After what seemed to heat up as if I lived in Japan, from whence it became even more wisdom.I consider Karma to be associated with the medical community that stress slows down the page.

[unifycosmos]

Free Guided Chakra Meditation Script [PDF File Included]

This chakra healing meditation script will help you bring your entire energy system into a state of balance and peace.

We will move through the body and focus on each chakra individually and in the end journey across all seven of them.

The most optimal way to prepare for a guided chakra meditation is to adjust this session to the time you have available. This means that you shouldn’t feel like you’re in a hurry, and you shouldn’t skip energy centers.

Chakra Meditation Script

Find yourself in a comfortable seated position. You can use whatever seated relaxing position as long as it makes you feel comfortable, whatever makes you feel at ease and it is completely pain-free. If you don’t have a yoga cushion, you can use whatever suits you… you can even sit on a chair, on your couch, on your bed… Just feel at ease… feel comfortable…

Today we are going to focus on our energy and our energetic centers, our chakras and how to feel our energy flowing again, feeling healthy and alive.

Now let’s take things to the other level… let’s work on uniting our energy centers and create some magic… If you need some extra support to get into a state of calm with some soundwave therapy… a wonderful way to relax and get in tune with yourself to a brand-new level…

You can start by imagining a beam of light that enters the top of your head… by your seventh chakra… and that goes down directly through your central channel, parallel to your spine, to the first chakra, the root chakra…

Mentally imagine how this light, now red, envelops that first chakra. Breathe with your attention placed on the area where this first chakra is located, and imagine that the air when inhaling and exhaling is red. Visualize how this chakra releases the stagnating energies, how it clears up… Now mentally move the energy to the second chakra, below the navel. Cover it with an orange light, pure energy, clean it, unlock it, and make it spin.

Let’s focus on our third chakra. focus on the yellow color… allow the intensity of the color to grow until you feel its vibrations in every part of your body… imagine you can breathe the yellow color… fill yourself with the yellow color and feel inside you its clarity and widespread awareness that makes you strong and confident… feel that energy surrounding you…

Now let’s go ahead to our fourth chakra… breathe into very pure light, an emerald green light that enters you and settles down and then expands into your heart… try to expand this light from your heart and into all being… become that light… feel that energetic light spreading…

Now let’s focus on our fifth chakra… think about the blue color of the sky and the sea… this color is within you and starting from your throat area will spread the energy of truth, purity, cleanliness, and tranquility… see it… feel it…

It’s time to focus on our sixth chakra… this is our third eye chakra… Work on the vibrations in a calming but powerful indigo color… the color of wisdom, knowledge, and mysticism…

Finally bring the energy to your crown, to the seventh chakra. Make the white energy spiral around this chakra. Visualize how light clears and unlocks this last chakra too.

Now let’s create some energetic magic.

Let your breath proceed in its natural rhythm… as you allow your body to begin to relax.

When you feel that no tension hinders your total relaxation, begin to visualize before you the copy of your physical body completely shrouded in light and energy… a mix of colorful lights that slowly transforms the image of your physical body into a pure bright figure… Breathe in and breathe as you watch how that energy expands inside your body…

The energy is not something you need to look for… it’s something already within you…

You just need to release it… to let it go… allowing your energy to flow and take care of your… body and soul.

Breathe in and out gently, as you begin to perceive within you a growing flux of bliss… You got this.

Feel now all the energies in the body; all your chakras unlocked and enjoying the pleasure of just being with yourself. Now take a deep breath into the nose and exhale out of your mouth with a long sigh… Now imagine all these colors finally glowing and your chakras getting balanced, healed, aligned… put your palms together and seal this session with Namaste.

Download Free Chakra Meditation Script PDF

You can also download this meditation script for chakras as a separate PDF file. You’ll need to have a free Adobe Reader to view the PDF file (many computers have this already).

Get it here: Chakra Meditation Script

How can you improve Chakra Meditation?

Over the years of researching various meditation programs, I’ve found out that some of them work better than the others. I did spend vast amounts of money on these programs, so you don’t need to.

What I’ve found in my research is that specific brainwave sounds stimulate specific points of your brains and help you achieve desired results faster and stronger.

For chakra meditation script I suggest that you enhance your experience with a unique brainwave sound called Chakra Shot.

Your brainwaves create a unique pattern when your chakras are aligned, opened, and fluid. Chakra shot replicates this pattern with special brainwave sounds that stimulate your energy centers and improve your meditation experience.

Find out more

Let’s get into more details

A Chakra shot is a 15-minute and 30-minute audio program, that enhance the chakra meditation. It features a constant frequency of 10 Hz alpha sounds, with pitches that cover each of the 7 energy centers.

This program was made to help you open all 7 chakras, remove blockages, and re-charge your vital life force. Basically, it activates your brain’s natural frequencies when you need them.

Using this program is as easy as it gets. You can simply download the Chakra Shot MP3 and use it however you like; on your phone, MP3 player, radio, etc.

I want more information

Is it safe to use the Chakra Shot?

It 100% is. As I mentioned it only activates your natural brain’s frequencies.

A quick preview of Chakra Shot program

ProgramChakra Shot CreatorInspire3 Price$17.95 Money-back guarantee 365 days Support Lifetime Length15 and 30-minutes Headphones Suggested, but not required Sounds 10 Hz alpha Function Chakra Shot will help you realign and heal your chakras Best used with Guided chakra meditation

I hope you liked my Guided Chakra Meditation Script and don’t forget to check other meditation scripts as well.

[strappedshiva]

Natural Perfection

    Chokyi Nyima Rinpoche speaking with his father Tulku Urgyen Rinpoche:

    In the afternoons I would sit with my father in his meditation room, which had a huge window that looked out over the entire valley. As part of his daily practice, he chanted a text called "The Precious Treasury of the Basic Space of Phenomena"(*), which is considered one of the most elegant works on the Great Perfection, the most profound and treasured teachings of my father’s lineage.

    “What does purity mean?” I asked.

    “Purity means that our true nature is already perfect and complete,” he continued. “None of our confusion and fear can change this inner purity. It doesn’t get worse when we suffer or improve when we become enlightened like the Buddha. We don’t need to add anything to it or take anything away, nor do we have to do something to get it. It’s here with us each and every moment, like a diamond in the palm of one’s hand.”

    “If our true nature is so wonderful,” I asked, “then why do we suffer?”

   “When we try to control the mind or hold on to an experience, we don’t see the innate perfection of the present moment.” Pointing out through the window, he continued, “Look out into the blue sky. Pure awareness is like space, boundless and open. It’s always here. You don’t have to make it up. All you have to do is rest in that.”

    “Once you’ve recognized awareness, there’s nothing to do. You don’t have to meditate or try to change your mind in any way.”

    “If there’s nothing to do,” I asked, “Does that mean that we don’t have to practice?”

    “Although there’s nothing to do, you do need to familiarize yourself with this recognition. You also need to cultivate bodhichitta and devotion, and always seal your practice by dedicating the merit so that all beings may recognize their own true nature too. The reason we still need to practice is that at first we only have an understanding of the mind’s true nature. By familiarizing ourselves with this understanding again and again, however, it eventually transforms into direct experience. Yet even then we still need to practice. Experience is unstable, so if we don’t continue to familiarize ourselves with pure awareness we can lose sight of it and get caught up in our thoughts and emotions again. On the other hand, if we are diligent in practice, this experience will transform into a realization that can never be lost. This is the path of the Great Perfection.”

    “Although there’s nothing to do, you do need to familiarize yourself with this recognition. You also need to cultivate bodhichitta (compassion) and devotion, and always seal your practice by dedicating the merit so that all beings may recognize their own true nature too. The reason we still need to practice is that at first we only have an understanding of the mind’s true nature. By familiarizing ourselves with this understanding again and again, however, it eventually transforms into direct experience. Yet even then we still need to practice. Experience is unstable, so if we don’t continue to familiarize ourselves with pure awareness we can lose sight of it and get caught up in our thoughts and emotions again. On the other hand, if we are diligent in practice, this experience will transform into a realization that can never be lost. This is the path of the Great Perfection.”

(*) Free Pdf:

http://promienie.net/images/dharma/books/longchenpa_treasury-of-the-basic-space-of-phenomena.pdf

[absentiomemoire]

01-03 entry number: 01. Prologue

I don’t know if this will work out the way i wanted. i know the importance of writing this, but maybe that they are just messing with me? i don’t know.

lets start with introducing myself, my name is Remoire, a one aspect orb wind mage, a first seal inscriber, and secretly the 13th memory mage.

my story might be a little bit off but i will give you some detail about the world i live in, where i meet her.

Athrysian Academy of Arcane Arts is the most prestigious collage for mages in the whole empire, consisting of 3 major branch school of magic arts. for now let me focus on the School of elements.

The School of elements, the most common and house of traditional form of magic, element control. 

there are four basic elemental art school: School of Fire Arts, the school of pure destruction magic, violent by nature, yet with sufficient control can be considered as the most stable and powerful arts of magic. School of Wind Arts, the school of calm and swift offensive magic, most of the mage of wind magic arts are known for their ability to cast magic in quick succession, thanks to the nature of wind magic. School of Earth Arts, the school of impenetrable defense magic, it is the best form of defensive art among the other three. Last but not least, School of Water Arts, art of balanced magic, the most versatile among the four basic art. 

The next four is middle elemental art school, School of Explosion Arts, an advanced school for the mage of fire magic arts, by fully demonstrating the destruction magic ability to a whole new level. School of Thunder Arts, is an advanced school for the mage of wind magic arts, while wind magic is calm and swift, thunder magic is loud and fast, with an equal amount of destructive power which rival the Explosion magic arts. Next is School of Geomagnetic Arts, as you might have guessed, is an advanced school for the mage of earth magic arts. studying mainly about weak attractive and repulsive force. School of Freezing Arts is the most unique one, and can be the most demanding magic art to learn because of the constant demand of focus and control ability of form from solid to fluid and from fluid to solid. by default is an advanced school for the mage of water magic arts. 

By gaining a certain amount of elemental control in one basic elemental art, a disciple mage can gain a corresponding aspect orb, which mean that the mage is able to control the said element with ease, and by gaining nine aspect orb, a mage can create an elemental essence, a sign of a middle elemental art mage. to put it simply, a basic elemental mage consist of nine stage of mastery, after the nine stage of mastery, the mage can create an essence and qualify to learn middle elemental art and become a middle elemental mage, the middle elemental mage however, have a different method of calculating power, it is measured by “essence purity” of a mage. the essence purity is determined after its creation and can be improved by mastering the essence art.

there are four more elemental school which is categorized as High elemental school, this four one is rather unique and peculiar. it is a school for the “gifted” only. i cant remember the details about this four school, but from what i heard that those four high elemental school consist of Light Arts, Dark Arts, Nature Arts, and Gravity Arts, the thing is: this four Arts can’t be learned if you don’t have the affinity for it and it is not limited to one elemental essence.

A middle elemental mage is by default an elite in the academy, but they are far from the level of a high elemental mage. Far far below the level of a high elemental mage.

That is all about the school of elements for now.

a little back story, now for the reason why i write this is to create my own Memoir, a magic book or grimoire unique to a memory mage. usually a grimoire use is to store spell so the mage that use it can cast the spell from the book, on the other hand, a Memoir is not only used to store spells, rather it is used to contain informations and Memory of the mage.

a Memoir is not only a blade and shield of a memory mage, but it is also its heart.

why im saying that it is a heart of a memory mage?

because, after every cycle of the moon, our memory as a mage completely wiped clean.

[kelseanickelpickle]

APEC Water 5-Stage Reverse Osmosis System Drinking Water Filter Review

Top Tier 5-Stage APEC Water Reverse Osmosis System Drinking Water Filter System (ESSENCE ROES-50)

The APEC ESSENCE ROES-50 Water Filter is a top of the line reverse osmosis water system that is made in the USA.

Its benefits include refreshing, clean, and great tasting water anytime you want, directly from the faucet of your home.

Best of all, the APEC ROES-50 reverse osmosis system delivers high quality clean, filtered drinking water at an affordable price.

And removes up to 99% of all contaminants guaranteed.

APEC’s capabilities includes removal of chlorine, taste, odor, toxic fluoride, arsenic, lead, and chromium.

APEC’s water filter will also enhance the taste of your cooking and miscellaneous preparations that require water (coffee, tea, ice, etc).

That means living healthier all around with contaminant free water.

Additionally, this water system will save you time and money by removing the need to buy expensive bottled water and alkaline water.

Overall, the APEC ESSENCE ROES-50 is an efficient and productive RO system that is easy to use, easy to install, and easy to love because of its high quality drinking water.

APEC Water Filter Benefits

APEC (Advanced Purification Engineering Corp.) is a reputable manufacturer of residential reverse osmosis drinking water filtration systems and has been in business for over 20 years.

APEC is one of the last companies that manufactures ro membranes and filters in the United States.

Main Benefits

Supreme quality – designed, and assembled in USA to guarantee water safety & your health.

Removes up to 99% of contaminants

Premium long-lasting filters used to treat tap water, well water.

Clean, refreshing water that tastes better than bottled water.

WQA certified manufacturer

1 year Satisfaction Guarantee.

High quality, quick connect fittings that are secure and convenient.

100% Lead-Free chrome faucet, plus NSF & FDA Certified JG Food grade tubing to provide safe, contamination-free pure water.

 Technical Details

Part NumberROES-50-AItem Weight25 poundsProduct Dimensions16 x 5.2 x 17.5 inchesOriginUSAItem model numberROES-50-AItem Package Quantity1CertificationNot ApplicableIncluded ComponentsROES-50Batteries Included?NoBatteries Required?NoWarranty Description1 Year APEC

The APEC Promise: Quality Guaranteed

 APEC provides a lifetime guarantee, superior product, and easy installation.

Super Efficient APEC Carbon Blocks

Our double carbon blocks can remove up to 99.99% chlorine chemicals in drinking water. The uniquely large carbon block surface maximizes contact time to guarantee water purity and multiplies lifetime of filters and membranes.

True Leak-Free Fittings Protection

Our high quality fittings come with stainless steel teeth for a guaranteed grip, and special o-ring provides a leak-proof seal. No extra clipping parts and leak detector needed. For your peace of mind.

Free Life Time Loyalty Support Service

Our team of friendly WQA Certified Water Specialists provide excellent and free technical support for the entire lifespan of your system.

Easy Installation and Maintenance

Easily DIY your RO System by following step by step online installation videos and detailed instruction manual. Just set it and forget it.

Enjoy unlimited ultra-fresh, clean, great tasting water right at home for the best quality water for cooking and making delicious coffee, ice. Save money, time, and hassle of buying costly, bottled water and live healthier with ultra-safe water that is contaminant free. The roses-50 reverse osmosis system delivers high quality clean, filtered drinking water at an affordable price. This complete 5-stage water filter system is made from high caliber components to offer exceptional contaminant rejection rates and long-lasting, reliable performance. Assembled in the USA by leading ro manufacturer apec water, the roses-50 is an affordable workhorse with a proven lineage of success in water filtration. Guaranteed to remove up to 99% of all contaminants, such as chlorine, taste, odor, toxic fluoride, arsenic, lead, and chromium. This efficient and productive ro system will provide your family with trouble-free, high quality drinking water for many years to come.

 I researched these systems for a few weeks (on Amazon and talking to my plumber and associates at Lowes/H.D) and finally decided on this system. For starters, this system is packed very well and arrived to my home completely intact. I was impressed upon opening it as the main filter housing unit seemed very high quality and heavy. The unit ships with a filter in each of the three compartments as well as an extra set of filters (excluding membrane).

Whether this system is easy to install or not is obviously subjective depending on factors such as the your previous experience with basic plumbing and/or your particular location for install. I decided to install mine under the kitchen sink and also ran a separate line for the refrigerator’s ice/water line. More on that in a bit.

The included faucet is satisfactory and works better than I thought it would. You can push the lever down and hold it if you just need to fill a glass or you can flip it up until it locks and and it will continually dispense until you turn it off. Another neat thing about it is once you bolt the base of the faucet down, you can still swivel the entire neck around so you could, for example, fill the dog’s water bowl with it sitting on the kitchen counter next to the sink if the sink is full. The finish of it is a shiny chrome, and it matches my new Moen stainless faucet well enough. However, I may replace it in the future if my boss (wife) requests it or if the mood strikes.

You will need to drill one 1/2″ hole to mount the faucet. I couldn’t find this info anywhere prior to ordering the system, but I was very happy once it arrived. Some of these faucets require a 1 1/2″ hole, and that would concern me because I have a synthetic granite/composite sink that it tough as nails to drill into. If you need to drill into granite/marble, get a bit such as a Lenox diamond tip whole saw bit (1/2″ bit) It will cost you about 20 dollars and you can buy it at the big name blue or orange home improvement stores.

TIP: Once you locate where you want the faucet mounted, get a thin piece of wood (such as a shim) and drill a 1/2″ hole in it. Then get some duct tape and tape it onto your sink where the hole in the wood is directly where you want the hole for the sink faucet. Then drill through the hole in the wood into your sink’s surface. This will keep your drill but from “dancing” or walking on the surface. Also, take your time!! This is a crucial step and you don’t want to screw it up. The key is using the proper drill bit for your application. In my case, it took me a good ten minutes to drill through my sink (probably a 1/4″ thickness) and the bit was completely useless once I got through the surface. In other words, I just made it. Also, don’t be afraid to get an eye dropper or baster to drop water in the hole as you’re drilling. It will help your bit to not burn up so fast. Once the hole is drilled to your liking, follow the illustration for assembling the hardware for the faucet and mount it.

The actual hook ups and plumbing for the system is where I kinda did my own thing. I have a 2200 square foot ranch that was built in the eighties with that nasty, defective polybutelene plumbing and, after a ruined master bath and another close call in the kitchen after owning the house for just 6 months, I had my plumber completely re-pipe to the tune of 5K. So I guess what i’m saying is I am not fond of cheap plastic ice maker line, or the plastic inserts or nuts. The good news is because all of the fittings on the system are 1/4 inch connectors, you can use the fancy braded chrome ice maker lines with the compression tips that would normally go behind your refrigerator to hook up most of the system. If you decide to do this, the only one you won’t be able to use one on is the yellow line that goes from the RO unit to the tank (because it has a crimped-on special two-way valve). One word of caution though- if you do this be very careful and mindful that you are screwing a metal compression connector onto plastic threads on the unit. My advice, in hindsight, is to determine where you’re going to want the unit and place it there prior to beginning the install. Then determine what lengths of lines you will need and hopefully you will only have to screw the hoses onto the unit one time, as opposed to screwing a 5ft hose on the unit only to realize that you only needed a 2 ft hose and then having to unscrew the connector. If you want to incorporate your icemaker line, you will need a 3 way female 1/4″ T connector, one for the fresh RO water coming in, and then two lines-one for the RO faucet and the other for the ice maker.

Bottom line is-take your time!! If you do, you will love the result. It took me longer than it probably would have taken most people, but I have a unique kitchen sink with funky plumbing (couldn’t use 1/2″ adapter included to feed system from faucet bottom, instead had to convert down to 3/8″ and run from cold water valve).

Oh yeah, the water tastes amazing!! I would be the first to tell you if I didn’t think it tasted good but it is phenomenal! I am a coffee drinker and the coffee tastes so much better! It also tastes better than the bottled water that we buy. It’s like the water has absolutely no after-taste. It’s just pure H2O! Feel free to email me at mcneil2348@yahoo.com if you have questions or want to see pics of my system in action!! Good luck!

**UPDATE** 6-15-2014

The system has been in now for two weeks and we’re very impressed. My wife, who typically drinks coke or sweet tea, is literally drinking 2-3 large cups of this water daily! She absolutely loves it! I went to a Mexican restaurant last week with my boss and ordered water with my meal (which is what I always drink) and I noticed immediately how horrible their water tastes now! I never noticed it before until I started drinking the APEC water.

As far as reliability goes, I have not had any problems or leaks with any component of the system, and we are using it rather heavily. We also have a baby due in 9 weeks so we’re looking forward to making baby formula with this great water, too!

I bought this system to replace the pre-installed water filter in my new home. The builders system was installed by a local company, filters are proprietary and $125-150 per pair, every 6 months. Instead of paying that much for a two stage filter replacement every 6 months, I looked for alternatives. I decided on the APEC after the glowing reviews and Built in USA tagline. What isn’t immediately clear is that only 3 of the filters in this system need replacing every 6 months, for around $25 in total. The other 2 only need to be replaced every 2-3 years. Not bad in my opinion.

It took me only 30 minutes to install the system, as I already had the extra drinking water faucet installed, 1/4″ tubing, and quick disconnects. The only thing I had to install was the drain valve, by drilling into my waste water pipe. When you do this step, its imperative that the hole drilled lines up well with the waste water clamp hole. After drilling the 1/4″ hole into your PVC drain, I recommend holding the clamp with one hand and inserting the 1/4″ bit through the clamp hole and PVC hole you drilled. Tighten the clamp with the included screws and then remove the 1/4″ bit. This should leave you with a perfectly aligned waste water clamp.

After the clamp was installed, the rest of the process took about 10 minutes. I setup the entire system and slowly restored water pressure back to the system. I waited just over 2 hours and drained the water tank as described. Here are my TDS measurements in PPM:

Tap Water: 270 Builder’s 2-stage system: 217 Fridge Filter: 170 Ozarka Natural Spring Water: 28 Smart Water: 22 APEC Water Filter System: 8 (yes, that’s eight)

It does take up quite a bit of space, but not as bad as I was thinking and certainly well worth it. This system fits underneath my sink along with the mega InSinkErator Evolution Excel, with room left over for cleaning supplies.

The post APEC Water 5-Stage Reverse Osmosis System Drinking Water Filter Review appeared first on Black Health and Wealth.

Source: https://www.blackhealthwealth.com/apec-5-stage-reverse-osmosis-system-drinking-water-filter-review/

[autistic-mimikyu]

APEC Water 5-Stage Reverse Osmosis System Drinking Water Filter Review

Top Tier 5-Stage APEC Water Reverse Osmosis System Drinking Water Filter System (ESSENCE ROES-50)

The APEC ESSENCE ROES-50 Water Filter is a top of the line reverse osmosis water system that is made in the USA.

Its benefits include refreshing, clean, and great tasting water anytime you want, directly from the faucet of your home.

Best of all, the APEC ROES-50 reverse osmosis system delivers high quality clean, filtered drinking water at an affordable price.

And removes up to 99% of all contaminants guaranteed.

APEC’s capabilities includes removal of chlorine, taste, odor, toxic fluoride, arsenic, lead, and chromium.

APEC’s water filter will also enhance the taste of your cooking and miscellaneous preparations that require water (coffee, tea, ice, etc).

That means living healthier all around with contaminant free water.

Additionally, this water system will save you time and money by removing the need to buy expensive bottled water and alkaline water.

Overall, the APEC ESSENCE ROES-50 is an efficient and productive RO system that is easy to use, easy to install, and easy to love because of its high quality drinking water.

APEC Water Filter Benefits

Supreme quality – designed, and assembled in USA to guarantee water safety & your health.

Only technology to remove up to 99% of contaminants including arsenic, chlorine, lead, fluoride, heavy metals, bacteria, virus and 1000+ contaminants.

Premium long-lasting filters used to treat tap water, well water. Provide unlimited clean, refreshing crisp tasting water superior to bottled water.

WQA certified manufacturer guaranteeing trouble free, noise-free system for long lasting, dependable, pure drinking water.

1 year Satisfaction Guarantee. The size of the tank included with the system is 11” x 11” x 15”. The system along with its tank, is design to fit a standard kitchen cabinet.

High quality Quick Connect fittings, requires no extra lock clips or steps to seal leak. Super secure & convenient.

System comes with 100% Lead-Free chrome faucet, plus NSF & FDA Certified JG Food grade tubing to provide safe, contamination-free pure water.

Technical Details

Part Number ROES-50-A Item Weight 25 pounds Product Dimensions 16 x 5.2 x 17.5 inches Origin USA Item model number ROES-50-A Item Package Quantity 1 Certification Not Applicable Included Components ROES-50 Batteries Included? No Batteries Required? No Warranty Description 1 Year APEC

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Super Efficient APEC Carbon Blocks

Our double carbon blocks can remove up to 99.99% chlorine chemicals in drinking water. The uniquely large carbon block surface maximizes contact time to guarantee water purity and multiplies lifetime of filters and membranes.

True Leak-Free Fittings Protection

Our high quality fittings come with stainless steel teeth for a guaranteed grip, and special o-ring provides a leak-proof seal. No extra clipping parts and leak detector needed. For your peace of mind.

Free Life Time Loyalty Support Service

Our team of friendly WQA Certified Water Specialists provide excellent and free technical support for the entire lifespan of your system.

Easy Installation and Maintenance

Easily DIY your RO System by following step by step online installation videos and detailed instruction manual. Just set it and forget it.

Enjoy unlimited ultra-fresh, clean, great tasting water right at home for the best quality water for cooking and making delicious coffee, ice. Save money, time, and hassle of buying costly, bottled water and live healthier with ultra-safe water that is contaminant free. The roses-50 reverse osmosis system delivers high quality clean, filtered drinking water at an affordable price. This complete 5-stage water filter system is made from high caliber components to offer exceptional contaminant rejection rates and long-lasting, reliable performance. Assembled in the USA by leading ro manufacturer apec water, the roses-50 is an affordable workhorse with a proven lineage of success in water filtration. Guaranteed to remove up to 99% of all contaminants, such as chlorine, taste, odor, toxic fluoride, arsenic, lead, and chromium. This efficient and productive ro system will provide your family with trouble-free, high quality drinking water for many years to come.

I researched these systems for a few weeks (on Amazon and talking to my plumber and associates at Lowes/H.D) and finally decided on this system. For starters, this system is packed very well and arrived to my home completely intact. I was impressed upon opening it as the main filter housing unit seemed very high quality and heavy. The unit ships with a filter in each of the three compartments as well as an extra set of filters (excluding membrane).

Whether this system is easy to install or not is obviously subjective depending on factors such as the your previous experience with basic plumbing and/or your particular location for install. I decided to install mine under the kitchen sink and also ran a separate line for the refrigerator’s ice/water line. More on that in a bit.

The included faucet is satisfactory and works better than I thought it would. You can push the lever down and hold it if you just need to fill a glass or you can flip it up until it locks and and it will continually dispense until you turn it off. Another neat thing about it is once you bolt the base of the faucet down, you can still swivel the entire neck around so you could, for example, fill the dog’s water bowl with it sitting on the kitchen counter next to the sink if the sink is full. The finish of it is a shiny chrome, and it matches my new Moen stainless faucet well enough. However, I may replace it in the future if my boss (wife) requests it or if the mood strikes.

You will need to drill one 1/2″ hole to mount the faucet. I couldn’t find this info anywhere prior to ordering the system, but I was very happy once it arrived. Some of these faucets require a 1 1/2″ hole, and that would concern me because I have a synthetic granite/composite sink that it tough as nails to drill into. If you need to drill into granite/marble, get a bit such as a Lenox diamond tip whole saw bit (1/2″ bit) It will cost you about 20 dollars and you can buy it at the big name blue or orange home improvement stores.

TIP: Once you locate where you want the faucet mounted, get a thin piece of wood (such as a shim) and drill a 1/2″ hole in it. Then get some duct tape and tape it onto your sink where the hole in the wood is directly where you want the hole for the sink faucet. Then drill through the hole in the wood into your sink’s surface. This will keep your drill but from “dancing” or walking on the surface. Also, take your time!! This is a crucial step and you don’t want to screw it up. The key is using the proper drill bit for your application. In my case, it took me a good ten minutes to drill through my sink (probably a 1/4″ thickness) and the bit was completely useless once I got through the surface. In other words, I just made it. Also, don’t be afraid to get an eye dropper or baster to drop water in the hole as you’re drilling. It will help your bit to not burn up so fast. Once the hole is drilled to your liking, follow the illustration for assembling the hardware for the faucet and mount it.

The actual hook ups and plumbing for the system is where I kinda did my own thing. I have a 2200 square foot ranch that was built in the eighties with that nasty, defective polybutelene plumbing and, after a ruined master bath and another close call in the kitchen after owning the house for just 6 months, I had my plumber completely re-pipe to the tune of 5K. So I guess what i’m saying is I am not fond of cheap plastic ice maker line, or the plastic inserts or nuts. The good news is because all of the fittings on the system are ¼ inch connectors, you can use the fancy braded chrome ice maker lines with the compression tips that would normally go behind your refrigerator to hook up most of the system. If you decide to do this, the only one you won’t be able to use one on is the yellow line that goes from the RO unit to the tank (because it has a crimped-on special two-way valve). One word of caution though- if you do this be very careful and mindful that you are screwing a metal compression connector onto plastic threads on the unit. My advice, in hindsight, is to determine where you’re going to want the unit and place it there prior to beginning the install. Then determine what lengths of lines you will need and hopefully you will only have to screw the hoses onto the unit one time, as opposed to screwing a 5ft hose on the unit only to realize that you only needed a 2 ft hose and then having to unscrew the connector. If you want to incorporate your icemaker line, you will need a 3 way female 1/4″ T connector, one for the fresh RO water coming in, and then two lines-one for the RO faucet and the other for the ice maker.

Bottom line is-take your time!! If you do, you will love the result. It took me longer than it probably would have taken most people, but I have a unique kitchen sink with funky plumbing (couldn’t use 1/2″ adapter included to feed system from faucet bottom, instead had to convert down to 3/8″ and run from cold water valve).

Oh yeah, the water tastes amazing!! I would be the first to tell you if I didn’t think it tasted good but it is phenomenal! I am a coffee drinker and the coffee tastes so much better! It also tastes better than the bottled water that we buy. It’s like the water has absolutely no after-taste. It’s just pure H2O! Feel free to email me at mcneil2348@yahoo.com if you have questions or want to see pics of my system in action!! Good luck!

**UPDATE** 6-15-2014

The system has been in now for two weeks and we’re very impressed. My wife, who typically drinks coke or sweet tea, is literally drinking 2-3 large cups of this water daily! She absolutely loves it! I went to a Mexican restaurant last week with my boss and ordered water with my meal (which is what I always drink) and I noticed immediately how horrible their water tastes now! I never noticed it before until I started drinking the APEC water.

As far as reliability goes, I have not had any problems or leaks with any component of the system, and we are using it rather heavily. We also have a baby due in 9 weeks so we’re looking forward to making baby formula with this great water, too!

I bought this system to replace the pre-installed water filter in my new home. The builders system was installed by a local company, filters are proprietary and $125-150 per pair, every 6 months. Instead of paying that much for a two stage filter replacement every 6 months, I looked for alternatives. I decided on the APEC after the glowing reviews and Built in USA tagline. What isn’t immediately clear is that only 3 of the filters in this system need replacing every 6 months, for around $25 in total. The other 2 only need to be replaced every 2-3 years. Not bad in my opinion.

It took me only 30 minutes to install the system, as I already had the extra drinking water faucet installed, 1/4″ tubing, and quick disconnects. The only thing I had to install was the drain valve, by drilling into my waste water pipe. When you do this step, its imperative that the hole drilled lines up well with the waste water clamp hole. After drilling the 1/4″ hole into your PVC drain, I recommend holding the clamp with one hand and inserting the 1/4″ bit through the clamp hole and PVC hole you drilled. Tighten the clamp with the included screws and then remove the 1/4″ bit. This should leave you with a perfectly aligned waste water clamp.

After the clamp was installed, the rest of the process took about 10 minutes. I setup the entire system and slowly restored water pressure back to the system. I waited just over 2 hours and drained the water tank as described. Here are my TDS measurements in PPM:

Tap Water: 270 Builder’s 2-stage system: 217 Fridge Filter: 170 Ozarka Natural Spring Water: 28 Smart Water: 22 APEC Water Filter System: 8 (yes, that’s eight)

It does take up quite a bit of space, but not as bad as I was thinking and certainly well worth it. This system fits underneath my sink along with the mega InSinkErator Evolution Excel, with room left over for cleaning supplies.

The post APEC Water 5-Stage Reverse Osmosis System Drinking Water Filter Review appeared first on Black Health and Wealth.

Source: https://www.blackhealthwealth.com/apec-5-stage-reverse-osmosis-system-drinking-water-filter-review/

[mosley-best-boy]

APEC Water 5-Stage Reverse Osmosis System Drinking Water Filter Review

Top Tier 5-Stage APEC Water Reverse Osmosis System Drinking Water Filter System (ESSENCE ROES-50)

The APEC ESSENCE ROES-50 Water Filter is a top of the line reverse osmosis water system that is made in the USA.

Its benefits include refreshing, clean, and great tasting water anytime you want, directly from the faucet of your home.

Best of all, the APEC ROES-50 reverse osmosis system delivers high quality clean, filtered drinking water at an affordable price.

And removes up to 99% of all contaminants guaranteed.

APEC’s capabilities includes removal of chlorine, taste, odor, toxic fluoride, arsenic, lead, and chromium.

APEC’s water filter will also enhance the taste of your cooking and miscellaneous preparations that require water (coffee, tea, ice, etc).

That means living healthier all around with contaminant free water.

Additionally, this water system will save you time and money by removing the need to buy expensive bottled water and alkaline water.

Overall, the APEC ESSENCE ROES-50 is an efficient and productive RO system that is easy to use, easy to install, and easy to love because of its high quality drinking water.

APEC Water Filter Benefits

APEC (Advanced Purification Engineering Corp.) is a reputable manufacturer of residential reverse osmosis drinking water filtration systems and has been in business for over 20 years.

APEC is one of the last companies that manufactures ro membranes and filters in the United States.

Main Benefits

Supreme quality – designed, and assembled in USA to guarantee water safety & your health.

Removes up to 99% of contaminants

Premium long-lasting filters used to treat tap water, well water.

Clean, refreshing water that tastes better than bottled water.

WQA certified manufacturer

1 year Satisfaction Guarantee.

High quality, quick connect fittings that are secure and convenient.

100% Lead-Free chrome faucet, plus NSF & FDA Certified JG Food grade tubing to provide safe, contamination-free pure water.

  Technical Details

Part Number ROES-50-A Item Weight 25 pounds Product Dimensions 16 x 5.2 x 17.5 inches Origin USA Item model number ROES-50-A Item Package Quantity 1 Certification Not Applicable Included Components ROES-50 Batteries Included? No Batteries Required? No Warranty Description 1 Year APEC

The APEC Promise: Quality Guaranteed

  APEC provides a lifetime guarantee, superior product, and easy installation.

Super Efficient APEC Carbon Blocks

Our double carbon blocks can remove up to 99.99% chlorine chemicals in drinking water. The uniquely large carbon block surface maximizes contact time to guarantee water purity and multiplies lifetime of filters and membranes.

True Leak-Free Fittings Protection

Our high quality fittings come with stainless steel teeth for a guaranteed grip, and special o-ring provides a leak-proof seal. No extra clipping parts and leak detector needed. For your peace of mind.

Free Life Time Loyalty Support Service

Our team of friendly WQA Certified Water Specialists provide excellent and free technical support for the entire lifespan of your system.

Easy Installation and Maintenance

Easily DIY your RO System by following step by step online installation videos and detailed instruction manual. Just set it and forget it.

Enjoy unlimited ultra-fresh, clean, great tasting water right at home for the best quality water for cooking and making delicious coffee, ice. Save money, time, and hassle of buying costly, bottled water and live healthier with ultra-safe water that is contaminant free. The roses-50 reverse osmosis system delivers high quality clean, filtered drinking water at an affordable price. This complete 5-stage water filter system is made from high caliber components to offer exceptional contaminant rejection rates and long-lasting, reliable performance. Assembled in the USA by leading ro manufacturer apec water, the roses-50 is an affordable workhorse with a proven lineage of success in water filtration. Guaranteed to remove up to 99% of all contaminants, such as chlorine, taste, odor, toxic fluoride, arsenic, lead, and chromium. This efficient and productive ro system will provide your family with trouble-free, high quality drinking water for many years to come.

  I researched these systems for a few weeks (on Amazon and talking to my plumber and associates at Lowes/H.D) and finally decided on this system. For starters, this system is packed very well and arrived to my home completely intact. I was impressed upon opening it as the main filter housing unit seemed very high quality and heavy. The unit ships with a filter in each of the three compartments as well as an extra set of filters (excluding membrane).

Whether this system is easy to install or not is obviously subjective depending on factors such as the your previous experience with basic plumbing and/or your particular location for install. I decided to install mine under the kitchen sink and also ran a separate line for the refrigerator’s ice/water line. More on that in a bit.

The included faucet is satisfactory and works better than I thought it would. You can push the lever down and hold it if you just need to fill a glass or you can flip it up until it locks and and it will continually dispense until you turn it off. Another neat thing about it is once you bolt the base of the faucet down, you can still swivel the entire neck around so you could, for example, fill the dog’s water bowl with it sitting on the kitchen counter next to the sink if the sink is full. The finish of it is a shiny chrome, and it matches my new Moen stainless faucet well enough. However, I may replace it in the future if my boss (wife) requests it or if the mood strikes.

You will need to drill one 1/2″ hole to mount the faucet. I couldn’t find this info anywhere prior to ordering the system, but I was very happy once it arrived. Some of these faucets require a 1 1/2″ hole, and that would concern me because I have a synthetic granite/composite sink that it tough as nails to drill into. If you need to drill into granite/marble, get a bit such as a Lenox diamond tip whole saw bit (1/2″ bit) It will cost you about 20 dollars and you can buy it at the big name blue or orange home improvement stores.

TIP: Once you locate where you want the faucet mounted, get a thin piece of wood (such as a shim) and drill a 1/2″ hole in it. Then get some duct tape and tape it onto your sink where the hole in the wood is directly where you want the hole for the sink faucet. Then drill through the hole in the wood into your sink’s surface. This will keep your drill but from “dancing” or walking on the surface. Also, take your time!! This is a crucial step and you don’t want to screw it up. The key is using the proper drill bit for your application. In my case, it took me a good ten minutes to drill through my sink (probably a 1/4″ thickness) and the bit was completely useless once I got through the surface. In other words, I just made it. Also, don’t be afraid to get an eye dropper or baster to drop water in the hole as you’re drilling. It will help your bit to not burn up so fast. Once the hole is drilled to your liking, follow the illustration for assembling the hardware for the faucet and mount it.

The actual hook ups and plumbing for the system is where I kinda did my own thing. I have a 2200 square foot ranch that was built in the eighties with that nasty, defective polybutelene plumbing and, after a ruined master bath and another close call in the kitchen after owning the house for just 6 months, I had my plumber completely re-pipe to the tune of 5K. So I guess what i’m saying is I am not fond of cheap plastic ice maker line, or the plastic inserts or nuts. The good news is because all of the fittings on the system are 1/4 inch connectors, you can use the fancy braded chrome ice maker lines with the compression tips that would normally go behind your refrigerator to hook up most of the system. If you decide to do this, the only one you won’t be able to use one on is the yellow line that goes from the RO unit to the tank (because it has a crimped-on special two-way valve). One word of caution though- if you do this be very careful and mindful that you are screwing a metal compression connector onto plastic threads on the unit. My advice, in hindsight, is to determine where you’re going to want the unit and place it there prior to beginning the install. Then determine what lengths of lines you will need and hopefully you will only have to screw the hoses onto the unit one time, as opposed to screwing a 5ft hose on the unit only to realize that you only needed a 2 ft hose and then having to unscrew the connector. If you want to incorporate your icemaker line, you will need a 3 way female 1/4″ T connector, one for the fresh RO water coming in, and then two lines-one for the RO faucet and the other for the ice maker.

Bottom line is-take your time!! If you do, you will love the result. It took me longer than it probably would have taken most people, but I have a unique kitchen sink with funky plumbing (couldn’t use 1/2″ adapter included to feed system from faucet bottom, instead had to convert down to 3/8″ and run from cold water valve).

Oh yeah, the water tastes amazing!! I would be the first to tell you if I didn’t think it tasted good but it is phenomenal! I am a coffee drinker and the coffee tastes so much better! It also tastes better than the bottled water that we buy. It’s like the water has absolutely no after-taste. It’s just pure H2O! Feel free to email me at mcneil2348@yahoo.com if you have questions or want to see pics of my system in action!! Good luck!

**UPDATE** 6-15-2014

The system has been in now for two weeks and we’re very impressed. My wife, who typically drinks coke or sweet tea, is literally drinking 2-3 large cups of this water daily! She absolutely loves it! I went to a Mexican restaurant last week with my boss and ordered water with my meal (which is what I always drink) and I noticed immediately how horrible their water tastes now! I never noticed it before until I started drinking the APEC water.

As far as reliability goes, I have not had any problems or leaks with any component of the system, and we are using it rather heavily. We also have a baby due in 9 weeks so we’re looking forward to making baby formula with this great water, too!

I bought this system to replace the pre-installed water filter in my new home. The builders system was installed by a local company, filters are proprietary and $125-150 per pair, every 6 months. Instead of paying that much for a two stage filter replacement every 6 months, I looked for alternatives. I decided on the APEC after the glowing reviews and Built in USA tagline. What isn’t immediately clear is that only 3 of the filters in this system need replacing every 6 months, for around $25 in total. The other 2 only need to be replaced every 2-3 years. Not bad in my opinion.

It took me only 30 minutes to install the system, as I already had the extra drinking water faucet installed, 1/4″ tubing, and quick disconnects. The only thing I had to install was the drain valve, by drilling into my waste water pipe. When you do this step, its imperative that the hole drilled lines up well with the waste water clamp hole. After drilling the 1/4″ hole into your PVC drain, I recommend holding the clamp with one hand and inserting the 1/4″ bit through the clamp hole and PVC hole you drilled. Tighten the clamp with the included screws and then remove the 1/4″ bit. This should leave you with a perfectly aligned waste water clamp.

After the clamp was installed, the rest of the process took about 10 minutes. I setup the entire system and slowly restored water pressure back to the system. I waited just over 2 hours and drained the water tank as described. Here are my TDS measurements in PPM:

Tap Water: 270 Builder’s 2-stage system: 217 Fridge Filter: 170 Ozarka Natural Spring Water: 28 Smart Water: 22 APEC Water Filter System: 8 (yes, that’s eight)

It does take up quite a bit of space, but not as bad as I was thinking and certainly well worth it. This system fits underneath my sink along with the mega InSinkErator Evolution Excel, with room left over for cleaning supplies.

The post APEC Water 5-Stage Reverse Osmosis System Drinking Water Filter Review appeared first on Black Health and Wealth.

Source: https://www.blackhealthwealth.com/apec-5-stage-reverse-osmosis-system-drinking-water-filter-review/