I reached for my trusty Maglite to protect myself with its hot bright glow to throw off the specialized thermoreceptors on the bats nose, only to find to my horror the Energizers were dead - as I soon would be too if I didn't find another means of escape.

Fortunately for me I had planned ahead - I reached for my PowerGenix NiZN rechargeable batteries loaded my Maglite like a wild west gunslinger and blasted myself out of trouble faster than you can say Environmentally friendly 100% recyclable 30% more powerful PowerGenix Rechargeable AA Batteries!

Well, ok fine you caught me, I wasn't spelunking in South America surrounded by hungry vampire bats this morning but I was trying out some very cool new rechargeable batteries from PowerGenix. These Nickel-Zinc (NiZN) batteries claim to be 30% more powerful than Nickel Metal Hydride (NiMH) rechargeable batteries and equivalent to standard 1.5v disposable alkaline batteries. That simply wasn't true - the nickel-zinc batteries hands down beat out the name brand alkaline batteries as well!

I did a side by side comparison with two of the same flashlights one loaded with a fresh package of Energizer Max alkaline batteries and one with PowerGenix Nickel-Zinc rechargeable batteries (freshly charged in the included 1.5 hour quick charger (which took closer to 3 hrs for the first time charging) - the PowerGenix batteries were brighter and had a larger light radius than the Energizers. I even switched the batteries between the flashlights to make sure there wasn't a difference and the PowerGenix still came out ahead.

The next round of tests matched up the PowerGenix NiZN rechargeable batteries against Energizer 2500 mAh NiMH rechargeable batteries and this is when the PowerGenix really shined - yes pun intended. While I'm not sure without using a light meter the difference was at least the claimed 30% brighter (probably more like 31.475% but I'm just guessing). I didn't have time to test my Duracell rechargeable batteries since Brandi claimed the NiZN batteries right quick for her camera.

The only downside to my cool rechargeable battery review experiment and negative mark against the PowerGenix batteries was when the plastic cover on the battery scraped against a sharp edge in the flashlight and tore. Possibly a rare fluke but my new toy now has an imperfection.

Popular Science magazine honored these PowerGenix Nickel-Zinc batteries with a Best of What's New Award in the Gadgets category recently and I can see why - they are the best rechargeable batteries I've tried so far. I only wish I had my old digital camera that refused to work with standard batteries - I'm guessing I could have used that camera for a few more years powered by PowerGenix Nickel-Zinc rechargeable batteries - or perhaps I really will tackle those Desmodus rotundus after all as long as I have my new PowerGenix batteries.

"Nickel-Zinc is the most recyclable battery chemistry on the market. Unlike many other materials, both nickel and zinc can be recycled again and again while maintaining their physical and chemical properties. Plus the zinc electrode contains no lead, cadmium or mercury.

PowerGenix batteries are certified as recyclable by the Rechargeable Battery Recycling Coalition (RBRC), a nonprofit public service organization dedicated to recycling rechargeable batteries. The batteries can be recycled at more than 50,000 RBRC collection sites in the U.S. and Canada."

PowerGenix NiZN Rechargeable AA Batteries Saved Me From Vampire Bats! is a post from: Earth Friendly Goodies

It's always fun finding new photos for Earth Friendly Photo Friday especially when you find a new artist when you aren't even looking. This gem of an artist was a delightful surprise while I was looking for featured photos for yesterday's post on ending rural hunger.

This month's photo comes all the way from the Northern Utrecht region of the Netherlands. The Dutch, world famous for their tulips and windmills have been utilizing wind energy way before alternative energy was the craze it is today. This beautiful misty morning photo is stunningly vivid as is all of Jeroen van Daal's work. If you love Dutch windmill photos or fantastic landscape photography in general swing by his site and immerse yourself in some very earth friendly photos.

If you'd like to share a windmill picture or other earth friendly photo leave a comment below, till next time have a fairly fun earth friendly photo friday.

Earth Friendly Photo Friday: Morning Mill in Oud Zuilen is a post from: Earth Friendly Goodies

Welcome to another edition of Earth Friendly Photo Friday, and what better way to celebrate Friday the 13th than with a spooky iridescent photo. I love the lighting in this photo and the spooky vibrant green. It is certainly reminiscent of any number of those classic horror films like Friday the 13th. (Hello, Anybody there...) You'll have to give some great feedback to Sylvain and check out his other earth friendly Flickr pics.

Until next month, have a very lucky Friday the 13th! and remember if you would be interested in contributing to Earth Friendly Photo Friday (with the potential of contributing to a Mr. Linky style photo share) please leave a comment below.

Earth Friendly Photo Friday – Spooky Style is a post from: Earth Friendly Goodies

Actually it begins with an "E" and a lichen licking leaf, but who's keeping score anyway? Welcome to the first ever Earth Friendly Photo Friday! Frankly that's a fantastic fandango of "f" sounds, but I digress as I look for an egress under duress perhaps from a little stress. Oh-boy don't get me started.

What is Earth Friendly Photo Friday?

Well, an earth friendly photo is any photo that celebrates the earth - whether that be nature or a picture of your recycling bin - it really is open to a broad interpretation. And Friday, well that is the day after Thursday and before Saturday.

I was pursuing a random blog trail the other day and I happened upon Earth To Holly a fun little photo blog with a plethora of pleasing photos. I was inspired to create my own photo feature here at Earth Friendly Goodies since long ago in a land far far away I played the 'ol photography game. I don't get out enough these days to play with the camera but I do enjoy the beautiful images captured by my fellow artists.

Thus Earth Friendly Photo Friday is born. I'm not sure as of yet where it will go, but I'm hoping it will be a regular feature - let's say on Fridays perhaps? I could open it up to a Mr. Linky type Blog Carnival, or just find and feature my favorite photos from around the web or have artists submit their photos for consideration - or maybe both, the possibilities are earth moving. In a friendly way.

I'll take your suggestions below, and next Friday we'll see just where we sit, or stand, or sit and stand it really is up to you.

First let me Leaf you with a photo - one of my own from early Spring taken at Taylor's Falls, MN. I had a rare day to enjoy all to myself so I went for an early Spring hike on a crisp cloudy morning.

This photo may not be an award winner but I love the subtle green lichen contrasted with the striking orange leaf that was left over from last Fall. I'm also a sucker for lovely texture and this photo certainly has a very tactile attraction for me. I hope you enjoy it - come back next month for Earth Friendly Photo Friday to see what treasure we'll un-earth.

Have a mighty fine Friday from Earth Friendly Goodies.

Earth Friendly Photo Friday Begins with a Bang is a post from: Earth Friendly Goodies