The Filtered Files

Photo Courtesy of myrecipes.com

The cold month of February is the perfect time for couples to cuddle up under blankets by the fire. Valentine’s Day also falls in February, so it is no stretch that this month is also known as Chocolate Lover’s Month. Even donut and coffee chain Dunkin’ Donuts is celebrating by introducing new donuts such as the Chocolate Chip Bagel Twist and Reverse Boston Kreme. Dunkin’ Donuts is also featuring heart shaped donuts for you and your sweetheart!

When it comes to chocolate, I usually prefer to eat it rather than drink it. However, every once in a while, a good cup of hot chocolate does just the trick. Nothing feels better than wrapping my hands around a warm cup of hot chocolate after being outside in the snow and wind. The following products will help get you that perfect cup every time:

Everpure EverHot Hot Water System with Chrome Faucet

                This complete undersink hot water system will provide you and your family with the highest quality water possible.  This system comes complete with a chrome faucet and can be installed under any sink. This system is also ideal for commercial applications. The maximum temperature of the Everpure EverHot is 190 degrees Fahrenheit, but can easily be adjusted lower. Enjoy a cup of hot chocolate as well as soup, oatmeal, pasta and more!

Everpure Solaria Instant Hot Water Dispenser

                This under sink hot water system will instantly provide you with hot water up to 190 degrees Fahrenheit. This hot water dispenser is also ideal for commercial applications. If you want to quickly and easily make a cup of tea or hot chocolate, than the Solaria Instant Hot Water Dispenser is for you!

Klean Kanteen Wide Mouth Insulated Bottle

                Need something to take that delicious hot chocolate with you on the road? The Klean Kanteen Wide Mouth Insulated Bottle can store up to 12 ounces of hot liquid including soup, stew and hot drinks.  This canteen is dishwasher safe and is made from food-grade stainless steel. This insulated bottle is the perfect accessory for a romantic stroll through the park on a cold night!

So whether you prefer to eat or drink your chocolate this month, get out there and celebrate Chocolate Lover’s Month!

Valentine’s Day is quickly approaching. While you can shower your love with gifts and candy on February 14th, think about giving the gift of pink with these select items from Filters Fast.

The Brita Grand Water Pitcher Filter is a water pitcher filter with a lovely pink lid that provides you with great tasting and fresh water in your home. Simply fill the pitcher with tap water and the filter will reduce lead, copper, cadmium, mercury, benzene, toluene, tetrachloreethylene, sediment, dirt, rust, and more from your water. Featuring a flip top lid, soft grip handle, and electronic filter change indicator, this pitcher is an ideal gift.

The Crane EE-5301 Ultrasonic Cool Mist Humidifier-Pink provides relief from cough and cold symptoms, including congestion, sinus irritation, and dry skin. This humidifier arrives in a memorable pink drop-shape that will fit perfectly in any room in your house. This cool mist humidifier can run for up to 24 hours on its medium setting and does not require a replacement filter.

The KOR ONE Special Edition Orchid Pink Bottle 750 mL is a reusable water bottle with an elegant orchid pink design and elliptical shape. This BPA-free water bottle offers consistent hydration along with an eye-catching design. With a 25 ounce (750 mL) capacity, this water bottle is perfect for those on the go.

The Vapur Anti Bottle Water Bottle – Pink 16 oz. is a reusable Vapur water bottle with a revolutionary space-saving design and sleek pink design. Vapur water bottles are extremely flexible and almost entirely collapsible. They are designed to fit where ordinary water bottles do not. This bottle can be flattened, folded up, rolled up, and more for easier carrying and to save valuable space.

Did you know that heart disease is the number one killer of American women? In order to raise awareness for heart disease and prevention, today has been deemed National Wear Red Day. Along with the American Heart Association, companies and individuals across the United States will be showing off their red. Here at Filters Fast, many of us came into work ready to paint the town red in our coordinated outfits.

Meet some of the members of the Filters Fast Marketing, Accounting, Purchasing and HR departments:

 Some of our awesome customer service team also participated:

Finally, Jennifer represented the Filters Fast Local Service team:

 So get out there and don your favorite red sweater, shirt, or dress today and raise awareness about heart disease!

Image Credit: hdwallpapers.in

Love is something eternal; the aspect may change, but not the essence.
-Vincent van Gogh

The color we associate a beating heart with is red. The color red symbolizes life, vitality, passion, power, energy, enthusiasm and boldness. Did you know that the more glasses of water you drink each day could lower your risks of suffering from a fatal heart attack or developing cardiovascular disease? According to the 2002 American Journal of Medical Epidemiology, participants who drank five or more glasses of water a day were less likely to suffer a fatal heart attack or develop cardiovascular disease, than people who drank less than two glasses of water per day. They found that the risk factors associated with coronary heart disease appears to be connected to elevated levels of dehydration.

For Valentine’s day, we typically expect to receive our traditional box of chocolates, flowers, lingerie, a romantic dinner or jewelry. This year, why not think about giving something unique and practical that expresses your heartfelt love? At Filters Fast, a healthy daily intake of water is very near and dear to our hearts (no pun intended). If you are looking for an innovative and multipurpose way to say “I Love You and I care about you,” here are a few suggestions to show your HEART-felt love:

The Klean Kanteen 18 oz. Bottle and Sport Cap  or Klean Kanteen 18 oz. Bottle and Loop Cap are made from BPA free, food-grade stainless steel and both are 100% recyclable. These Klean Kanteen Water Bottles are the perfect alternative to bottled water. Both styles feature a semi-wide mouth to accommodate standard ice cubes. NOW ONLY $16.80

The Mavea Elemaris EX Water Filtration Pitcher is constructed from high quality BPA-free plastic. It includes a Smart Meter Filter change indicator that measures water hardness, water volume and length of time in use, for your convenience. This European style pitcher also includes an easy-to-pour lid and soft handle that makes it revolutionary and user-friendly. NOW ONLY $34.95

Oh and we can’t forget about those little darlings in your life who need something fun, cute and practical. The Crane Cool Mist Humidifier Dragon is an ultrasonic cool mist humidifier. This dragon ultrasonic humidifier helps relieve physical symptoms resulting from dry air, such as dry nose, throat, lips, and skin. Refilling the tank is simple and easy! NOW ONLY $39.99

This year, why not show your loved ones how much you care about their health and wellness? Happy Valentine’s Day from Filters Fast!

(Image Credit: National Heart Lung and Blood Institute)

According to the National Heart Lung and Blood Institute, approximately 1.2 million people in the United States have heart attacks. About 42% of heart attacks result in death among men and women in the United States. More people could survive or recover from heart attacks if they received help and treatment faster.

Friday February 3, 2012 is National Wear Red Day®. The employees at Filters Fast will be celebrating this day by wearing red to show our support for women’s heart disease awareness. We invite you to join us in solidarity by wearing “red” on this day for the women in your life (family and friends) who either survived or succumbed to heart disease. Although we recognize this day as a movement for women’s heart disease awareness, since February is observed as American Heart Month, you can still honor a male family member or friend as well.

Because heart disease literally tugs at our heartstrings, we want to further show our support by inviting you to post a photo of you or a group photo of your schoolmates, sports team, book club, Bridge Club, golf partners or co-workers on our Facebook or Google+ page wearing red on Friday February 3^rd in support of National Wear Red Day®. Encourage your family and friends to do the same.

Other names associated with “heart attack” includes: Myocardial Infarction (MI), Acute Myocardial Infarction (AMI), Acute Coronary Syndrome, Coronary Thrombosis and Coronary Occlusion. Confront heart disease before it attacks you! We look forward to you sharing your National Wear Red Day® celebrations and memories with us!

Having clean water is a major concern and in some areas of the world people don’t have access to it. That’s why Filters Fast is making a commitment to bring clean water to those parts of the world that need fresh water. We are launching the W3 campaign, a unique water charity designed to raise money and draw awareness.

Filters Fast is specifically making a difference by walking. Several of our employees are making a corporate effort to do their part for this water charity by using what’s known as a “Trekdesk” to log each single mile they walk, then converting each mile into a donation that will go towards W3 and providing clean water access to those areas lacking it.

A TrekDesk is a combination desk and treadmill, allowing users to work out while they work. Instead of sitting all day you can walk, which will allow you to log miles that can be used towards our W3 charity. And with the start of a New Year, it’s a perfect time to reach your resolution of being healthy and getting into shape. W3 is an easy way to stay involved and also allows you to get in shape while helping out those less fortunate.

In addition, it’s a good idea to get your children involved. Childhood obesity is becoming a major issue, so encouraging your children to participate in this initiative will allow them to help a good cause, while also keeping them physically fit and active. We also invite high school, minor league and major league sports teams, college sororities and fraternities, and any other types of organizations to join this initiative.

Check out our W3 promotional video for more information:

Filters Fast is proud to announce the launch of our charity, W3- Work and Walk for Water. We want to do our part to make it possible for people around the world to have access to clean, fresh drinking water. Every time you flush your toilet, wash your hands, or take a sip from the hose on a hot summer day, remember that millions of people around the world are not able to enjoy these taken for granted pleasures. It is estimated that as many as 76 million people will die in the next 8 years of preventable water-related diseases. That is why now, more than ever, it is important for all of us to get up and do something.

So, how can you help? It’s easy! We have designed W3 so that you can choose to donate money, or donate miles, or both! For every mile you donate, a sponsored dollar will go to providing clean water to those who require it most. So don’t just sit there, do something! If your New Year’s Resolution is to get in better shape, you can reach your goal while helping those in need. Ask your family to sponsor your 20 mile donation (20 dollars), and reap the benefits of walking and helping others.

Here in the Filters Fast office, we have brought our commitment to providing clean water to the workplace.  Two of our employees have chosen to install Trek Desk’s, which allow them to walk on a treadmill while at work. We believe wholeheartedly that it is possible that every man, woman, and child has access to fresh, clean water, and we want to do our part.

Filters Fast will donate 100% of all proceeds, and they will go directly to water projects. This will provide wells and clean water to those who need it most.

How far would you walk for a glass of clean drinking water? One mile? Two Miles? Did you know that in many countries, like parts of Africa for example, women and children have to walk approximately 3.7 miles to carry gallons of water back to their homes and villages? Generally speaking, women and children usually bear the burden of collecting water by walking to the nearest water source that is contaminated, because that particular water source is shared with livestock and other animals. Thus, consuming contaminated water is their only option.

Image Credit: charity:water

Water is inter-related with health. We take the ability and freedom to walk a few steps to our faucet and turn it on in order to get a glass of clean drinking water for granted. There are poor developing countries and communities who are challenged with being able to meet basic needs. When we refer to basic needs, it goes beyond what we need to drink or ingest for our daily survival. It includes the need for water to maintain a basic standard of hygiene that is sufficient to maintain health.

At W3, as we reflect on our children and loved ones each day, we think about how it would break our hearts to helplessly watch them suffer and die from simply drinking contaminated water. This could leave them susceptible and vulnerable to diseases such as viral hepatitis, cholera, typhoid, diarrhea and dysentery. When our global neighbors are suffering and dying from not having access to clean drinking water, it is a critical matter and our W3 Team just cannot sit here and do nothing.

We invite you to join us on our mission to Work and Walk for Water. There are many ways to contribute and participate in this humanitarian effort. To learn more about our W3 initiative and how you can get involved, check out our W3 – Work and Walk for Water website.

Image Credit: Dial Global Sports

We have some die-hard New York Giants Fans and some die-hard New England Patriots Fans in our office at Filters Fast. Leading up to this year’s Super Bowl, it seems like its more competitive with the fans here in our office than on the field! Everyone is talking trash like you won’t believe. We have heard some extreme predictions for who is going to walk away with this year’s Vince Lombardi Trophy! Of course, when Monday February 6, 2012 rolls around, I guess we will see who is still talking trash and who is going to plead the 5^th Amendment so that whatever they say will not incriminate them!

Now, Filters Fast wants to hear from you by entering our “Predict The Final Score” Facebook Contest! To enter the contest, simply follow these easy steps:

1. Post which team you predict will win Super Bowl XLVI and what the “exact” final score will be on our Facebook page.
2. The Super Bowl XLVI Score Prediction Contest begins Monday January 30, 2012 and ends at 3:00pm on Friday February 3, 2012.
3. NO PURCHASE IS NECESSARY to enter.
4. The “first” person who posts and predicts the exact final score of Super Bowl XLVI will receive a $25.00 Visa Gift Card. The winner will be announced on Monday February 6, 2012 on our Facebook page. The Facebook announcement will include the winner with instructions on how and by when to claim your prize.
5. PRIZE: A $25.00 Visa Gift Card.
6. In the event that we do not have a winner who predicts the exact final score, we choose a winner based on who comes the closest to the final score without going over.

Image Credit: Indiewire

So all of you New York Giants and New England Patriots fans, let us hear from you! And even if your team is not playing in the Super Bowl this year, please feel free to post your predictions as well. We know we are surrounded by more trash talking that can fill up a landfill. We know that some of you would like to also, so we will allow you to trash talk as much as you want, BUT please refrain from using profanity and making any offensive remarks! Kickoff is at 6:25p.m. EST at Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis for those of you interested in watching the game! Good luck!

More people are using air and water filters for residential and commercial use.

According to a recent research report from The Freedonia Group, a leading international business research company publishing more than 100 annual industry research studies, results shows that the demand for filters in the United States is expected to increase by 7.1% each year to $12.6 billion in 2015. What on earth could be causing this surge in air and water filter usage?

This study sites reasons that include an ongoing trend toward strengthening environmental regulations, especially an increase in those involved with reducing emissions from electric utilities and diesel engines. Concerns about water quality and indoor air quality are also increasing the demand for filters in this area of consumer goods. In light of heightened awareness regarding drinking water contaminants and air pollution, we are finding that more consumers are replacing their motor vehicle cabin and air filters, diesel emissions filters, residential air filters and water filters more frequently.

Fluid filters used for municipal water and waste, as well as consumer water and industrial fluid filters, account for the largest share of filter consumption. The use of internal combustion engine filters such as oil filters, air intake filters, cabin air filters and fuel filters account for the second largest share of filter consumption. The growing concern about the water we consume and the air we breathe is creating a proactive approach regarding the heightened concerns with water, indoor and outdoor air quality. For your family’s health and well-being, be sure to replace your water, air, humidifier and vehicle filters as recommended, depending on usage and environmental quality for optimal performance.