With winter descending full force, residents of northern states are bracing for the potential of major blizzards. Of course, other extreme weather events like hurricanes, tornadoes and floods can strike throughout the year, putting life and property. Wise homeowners make sure they prepare in advance so their homes have a better chance of surviving disaster. The good news is that many of the steps that help disaster-proof a home also serve to make it more energy efficient.

Do what you can to help your home and belongings make it through the next big storm:

Use Surge Protectors: You spent a lot of money on your electronics, so why leave them vulnerable to a sudden power surge due to a lightning strike or disruption in the power grid? If you have advance notice that a storm is coming, you should unplug unnecessary devices, but sometimes disasters arrive without warning, so make sure everything goes through a surge protector, or better yet, an uninterruptible power supply.

Solar is Your Friend: One unfortunate result of extreme weather can be power outages that last for days, even if your house doesn't suffer a direct strike. Be prepared with solar panels so you can get by before the power comes back. Note that most home solar setups are tied into the power grid and therefore won't power your house independently if the rest of the electricity is out, but some systems do allow you to charge a battery directly so you can keep the lights on. Another option is to keep a generator on hand for emergencies. They aren't as eco-friendly as solar power but don't rely on the sunlight for fuel so tend to be more reliable.

Walls Matter: The latest in building wind-proof houses is using insulated concrete forms, or ICFs, to make a mold for quick and easy concrete construction. Not only are concrete walls far stronger than wood, making them more likely to survive extreme winds, they are much more fire resistant than standard construction as well. What's more, concrete usually costs a bit more than wood framing, but over the life of your house you should see big energy savings. The superior insulation provided by the concrete walls and foam molds means you spend less for heating and air conditioning. Estimates range from a few hundreds dollars per year in savings to as much as an 80 percent reduction in heating costs. You can also find cheaper insurance rates for concrete houses than for wood.

Let the Experts Help: Have a trusted professional inspect your house to make sure that your roof and foundation are in good shape and your HVAC and electrical equipment is all functioning correctly. You can resolve any issues in advance to increase your chances of weathering a bad storm, and if disaster never does strike you still know you made a good investment. Call local Mister Sparky for a check of your electrical system and any necessary repairs as a part of your disaster preparedness plan.

A 9-year, $3.8 billion study conducted at The Medical College of Wisconsin in Milwaukee in collaboration with the Institute for Natural Medicine and Prevention at Maharishi University found “a 47 percent reduction in the combination of death, heart attacks, and strokes” in those who practiced transcendental meditation daily. Does pretending to breath in light still sound weird?

I also encountered a study found that “Meditation provides a good starting point for learning and creativity.” The researchers assert that “There are strong pedagogical reasons for including meditation as part of the daily experience of pupils of all ages and abilities.” The study concludes that “Meditation is a proven means for stilling the mind, encouraging mindfulness, and providing optimum conditions for generative thinking and reflection.”

I’m sold. But, you know what? I’m also “sold” that drinking kale juice every morning would be great for me. That doesn’t mean I do it. Meditation, I’m convinced, is GREAT for you and for everyone. I really believe that. But how does one meditate? And when? And what will people think of me if I stare into the dark center of a candle’s flame daily?

For me, the benefits of meditation outweigh any concerns, and using the candle light solved the problem of how to meditate. I think it would be cool to stare at the dark center of a flame for a few minutes per day. Better mood? Increased focus? Better thinking and reflection? Less risk of heart disease? Yes, I think I’ll sign up.

You know, it goes without saying, but light is truly amazing.

Electricity exists everywhere, from high voltage power lines to phones and computers. Understanding the basics of how it works remains essential to using it safely and efficiently.

When electricity travels from a positive lead to a negative lead in a circuit powered by a battery, it is considered direct current. This type of current powers electronics, LED lights, and cars. Alternating current is generated from rotation, usually by a generator. The direction of the current and the voltage flips as the generator completes a rotation. The faster the generator spins, the faster the flipping of current direction occurs. In North America, the typical frequency of AC power is 60hz or 60 alternations per second. The advantage of AC power is that the voltage can be stepped up easily by use of a transformer, which allows high voltage transmission. AC power is also useful for electric motors.

Specifically, power is a measure of energy usage over time. The standard unit of power is the watt and calculated as P (watts) = V (volts) x I (amps). Utility companies sell electricity in units of kW*h (kilowatt hours), which is simply one kilowatt of power delivered continuously over one hour.