Planeterrium
http://planeterrium.paragonearth.org
Planeterrium
Holiday Scraps
Wow, it feels like it's been forever since I updated this blog with a new entry. Probably because 2009 has been a terrible year and nothing has gone right so far.
I'm here to let you know that there is still hope, though, for all those scraps you have lying around the house since the holidays. Every year we create tons of garbage from wrapping paper, boxes, food scraps, etc. Well, what if we could help our own lives along as well as that of the Earth and the species we co-exist with? Instead of putting all that trash into a landfill where it takes even longer to break down, use it in your own yard to help preserve hibernating plants and local wildlife that need shelter.
Here are just a few ideas to help you utilize your trash, and some pointers on how to avoid create as much next year:
1. Cardboard Boxes: Just about every gift you buy these days comes in a cardboard box. Dolls, video games, appliances, they all come boxed up. Instead of sending all that cardboard to the dump, or even to the recycling plants, why not give it a second life in your garden? If you're anything like me, 2009 was so hectic you probably never got around to properly winterizing your yard. Take the cardboard boxes and cut them into sheets or strips and use them as a layer of mulch to protect delicate root systems below the ground from the penetrating frost. Even if you've already had some snow this year, there is probably still time to add this insulating layer. One important note, though: If you are going to then top the boxes off with some soil or wood chips to weigh it down, strip off any printing that is on the box. Most boxes are made separately from their printed wrappers, which are glued on during assembly, so they should be easily removed with a sharp knife and some patience. The reason is that color inks contain traces of heavy metals that are bad for the biology of your soil, as well as harmful to your plants (and to you if they bear crops), so make sure to only use the bare cardboard. If the boxes are only printed in black and white, then it should be fine.
2. Wrapping Paper: Most wrapping paper is color and is probably best kept out of the garden. Plus, it's very light and easily blown away, creating litter everywhere. Instead, why not shred it up and use it as the cage liner if you have a pet bird? It'll can save you a few trips to the pet store to buy cage substrate, and can then be thrown away when it is soiled. It's not a permanent fix, but at least it gives it one more cycle of use before it gets sent to the trash heap.
3. Ribbon: You know those few feet of ribbon that came wrapped around your gift from your crafty Aunt Edna? Why throw it away? If you grow any tall varieties of vegetables in the summer and need to support them so they stand up straight, why not save the ribbon for tying the plants to the stakes? It may not look very pretty at first, but after a few weeks when the plants have grown in and start flowering you probably won't even be able to see the ribbon. If everyone reused just a few feet of ribbon we could save literally thousands of miles of it from ending up in landfills every year (source). What would be even better is if you choose to wrap a gift for someone else with ribbon, choose a cloth ribbon instead of plastic or nylon. Cloth ribbon will biodegrade much easier in the long run.
4. Christmas/Holiday Tree: Yes, I use the term "holiday tree" because Christmas is not the only holiday that uses a tree. There is also the Yule, which is arguably the source for most modern Christmas traditions, but that's a topic for a separate blog entry. Anyway, according to Earth911.com you can recycle your real tree (obviously, don't do this with artificial trees) by dropping pieces of it into a local body of water (check with local regulations first!). If you have a pond in your yard you can drop a few tree limb clippings in there to help with aeration and nutrients, as well as providing shelter for your fish, if you keep any. There is also the option of chopping the tree up for firewood. If you have a fireplace in your house, or a fire pit in your backyard, this is a great way to utilize that tree because as we all know, you pay $6 or so for a small bundle of firewood that lasts you one night. A full tree could get you through a few weeks if it's big enough. You could also use some of the tree limbs and stack them cross-crossed in a corner of your yard, away from other buildings, as shelter for small mammals and ground-nesting birds.
5. Food Scraps: This one might seem like a no-brainer, but many people forget to compost or to find other ways of using scraps. Big family dinners produce big family waste when they are over. Why send all that garbage to decay somewhere else when you can let it decay in your yard and improve your soil quality? Better soil quality means less money has to be spend on fertilizers in the next growing season. Get an indoor composter, if you don't like the idea of having a pile of rotting garbage in your yard, it's a great way to use up scraps of food, like that leftover quiche that you never really wanted in the first place. Did your health conscious sibling get a juicer this year? If so, ask if you can have the dried pulp that the machine stores after each use. Fruit and vegetable pulp makes great compost because it's already shredded up and partially broken down. Less surface area means quicker decomposition, and a faster turnaround on that nutrient rich natural fertilizer. If you start from now you might have a decent sized batch ready for your spring planting.
6. Shopping Bags: Lots of people these days are using cloth or canvas bags to go shopping, but many still leave the house without them or won't shell out the $5 that some stores are asking for a plain bag with their name on it. Why pay $5 when you can get reusable bags for free? They may not be cloth, so they will wear out faster, but you can reuse a lot of those large paper department store bags the next time you go shopping. If you buy a large item from a big chain store like Macy's (for example) they may give you a large paper bag with their logo on it. Why not use those the next time you go shopping? You can keep light groceries in those bags if they are made well. If they seem too flimsy, you can still recycle them, or even use them turned inside out as wrapping paper for next year's presents.
7. Flowers: Some people put out large flower centerpieces at their dinner tables when hosting holiday dinners or parties. If the flowers are real, they inevitably wilt and dry out, and wind up in your garbage can. Instead of just throwing away those flowers, why not let them dry on a paper towel, or hang them in a doorway for a few days, and then leave them outside in your yard where they can become food for squirrels and chipmunks? If the flowers release seeds when they are dried, they will also help to feed any birds that don't or have not yet migrated for the winter. In fact, if you are going to use your tree clippings to provide shelter to our furry or feathered friends, you can leave the dried flowers near the opening or right inside the shelter area as an incentive for them to move in.
8. Give Better Gifts: This may seem like an odd piece of advice, but think about it. How many times did you get a gift that you didn't necessarily ask for, but thought was cool anyway. In the long run, since it wasn't something you had anticipated needing, or getting, you don't have as much use for it as you thought you might, and you don't want to be rude and give it back for an exchange, so you keep it. It collects dust for a while, and a few years later when you're cleaning out your closet you find it and decide it's safe to throw away now because enough time has passed. Now think about how many of the gifts you give suffer the same fate. Or worse yet, even the gifts you give with the best intentions of fulfilling someone's request, if they are made poorly, can break and become trash quicker than you anticipated. Why not give a better, more durable, useful gift? If you can't think of anything that fits that description, then why not skip giving an item and give an experience? Trinkets and baubles only take up space and become trash later on, but memories can last a lifetime if they are good ones. Why not give someone tickets to a concert or sporting event. Maybe they like the theater? There are many cities that have their own theater districts that put on some great musicals, plays, or operas. You can even just give someone a gift certificate to a nice restaurant. You are still giving them a very nice, thoughtful gift, but you won't be contributing to the tons of garbage we produce every holiday season, which can typically be 25% higher than the rest of the year.
Think these over, perhaps you already do some of them. Maybe you can implement some of them today, in order to secure a cleaner tomorrow.
That's all for now, Happy New Year everyone!
-Rob
I'm here to let you know that there is still hope, though, for all those scraps you have lying around the house since the holidays. Every year we create tons of garbage from wrapping paper, boxes, food scraps, etc. Well, what if we could help our own lives along as well as that of the Earth and the species we co-exist with? Instead of putting all that trash into a landfill where it takes even longer to break down, use it in your own yard to help preserve hibernating plants and local wildlife that need shelter.
Here are just a few ideas to help you utilize your trash, and some pointers on how to avoid create as much next year:
1. Cardboard Boxes: Just about every gift you buy these days comes in a cardboard box. Dolls, video games, appliances, they all come boxed up. Instead of sending all that cardboard to the dump, or even to the recycling plants, why not give it a second life in your garden? If you're anything like me, 2009 was so hectic you probably never got around to properly winterizing your yard. Take the cardboard boxes and cut them into sheets or strips and use them as a layer of mulch to protect delicate root systems below the ground from the penetrating frost. Even if you've already had some snow this year, there is probably still time to add this insulating layer. One important note, though: If you are going to then top the boxes off with some soil or wood chips to weigh it down, strip off any printing that is on the box. Most boxes are made separately from their printed wrappers, which are glued on during assembly, so they should be easily removed with a sharp knife and some patience. The reason is that color inks contain traces of heavy metals that are bad for the biology of your soil, as well as harmful to your plants (and to you if they bear crops), so make sure to only use the bare cardboard. If the boxes are only printed in black and white, then it should be fine.
2. Wrapping Paper: Most wrapping paper is color and is probably best kept out of the garden. Plus, it's very light and easily blown away, creating litter everywhere. Instead, why not shred it up and use it as the cage liner if you have a pet bird? It'll can save you a few trips to the pet store to buy cage substrate, and can then be thrown away when it is soiled. It's not a permanent fix, but at least it gives it one more cycle of use before it gets sent to the trash heap.
3. Ribbon: You know those few feet of ribbon that came wrapped around your gift from your crafty Aunt Edna? Why throw it away? If you grow any tall varieties of vegetables in the summer and need to support them so they stand up straight, why not save the ribbon for tying the plants to the stakes? It may not look very pretty at first, but after a few weeks when the plants have grown in and start flowering you probably won't even be able to see the ribbon. If everyone reused just a few feet of ribbon we could save literally thousands of miles of it from ending up in landfills every year (source). What would be even better is if you choose to wrap a gift for someone else with ribbon, choose a cloth ribbon instead of plastic or nylon. Cloth ribbon will biodegrade much easier in the long run.
4. Christmas/Holiday Tree: Yes, I use the term "holiday tree" because Christmas is not the only holiday that uses a tree. There is also the Yule, which is arguably the source for most modern Christmas traditions, but that's a topic for a separate blog entry. Anyway, according to Earth911.com you can recycle your real tree (obviously, don't do this with artificial trees) by dropping pieces of it into a local body of water (check with local regulations first!). If you have a pond in your yard you can drop a few tree limb clippings in there to help with aeration and nutrients, as well as providing shelter for your fish, if you keep any. There is also the option of chopping the tree up for firewood. If you have a fireplace in your house, or a fire pit in your backyard, this is a great way to utilize that tree because as we all know, you pay $6 or so for a small bundle of firewood that lasts you one night. A full tree could get you through a few weeks if it's big enough. You could also use some of the tree limbs and stack them cross-crossed in a corner of your yard, away from other buildings, as shelter for small mammals and ground-nesting birds.
5. Food Scraps: This one might seem like a no-brainer, but many people forget to compost or to find other ways of using scraps. Big family dinners produce big family waste when they are over. Why send all that garbage to decay somewhere else when you can let it decay in your yard and improve your soil quality? Better soil quality means less money has to be spend on fertilizers in the next growing season. Get an indoor composter, if you don't like the idea of having a pile of rotting garbage in your yard, it's a great way to use up scraps of food, like that leftover quiche that you never really wanted in the first place. Did your health conscious sibling get a juicer this year? If so, ask if you can have the dried pulp that the machine stores after each use. Fruit and vegetable pulp makes great compost because it's already shredded up and partially broken down. Less surface area means quicker decomposition, and a faster turnaround on that nutrient rich natural fertilizer. If you start from now you might have a decent sized batch ready for your spring planting.
6. Shopping Bags: Lots of people these days are using cloth or canvas bags to go shopping, but many still leave the house without them or won't shell out the $5 that some stores are asking for a plain bag with their name on it. Why pay $5 when you can get reusable bags for free? They may not be cloth, so they will wear out faster, but you can reuse a lot of those large paper department store bags the next time you go shopping. If you buy a large item from a big chain store like Macy's (for example) they may give you a large paper bag with their logo on it. Why not use those the next time you go shopping? You can keep light groceries in those bags if they are made well. If they seem too flimsy, you can still recycle them, or even use them turned inside out as wrapping paper for next year's presents.
7. Flowers: Some people put out large flower centerpieces at their dinner tables when hosting holiday dinners or parties. If the flowers are real, they inevitably wilt and dry out, and wind up in your garbage can. Instead of just throwing away those flowers, why not let them dry on a paper towel, or hang them in a doorway for a few days, and then leave them outside in your yard where they can become food for squirrels and chipmunks? If the flowers release seeds when they are dried, they will also help to feed any birds that don't or have not yet migrated for the winter. In fact, if you are going to use your tree clippings to provide shelter to our furry or feathered friends, you can leave the dried flowers near the opening or right inside the shelter area as an incentive for them to move in.
8. Give Better Gifts: This may seem like an odd piece of advice, but think about it. How many times did you get a gift that you didn't necessarily ask for, but thought was cool anyway. In the long run, since it wasn't something you had anticipated needing, or getting, you don't have as much use for it as you thought you might, and you don't want to be rude and give it back for an exchange, so you keep it. It collects dust for a while, and a few years later when you're cleaning out your closet you find it and decide it's safe to throw away now because enough time has passed. Now think about how many of the gifts you give suffer the same fate. Or worse yet, even the gifts you give with the best intentions of fulfilling someone's request, if they are made poorly, can break and become trash quicker than you anticipated. Why not give a better, more durable, useful gift? If you can't think of anything that fits that description, then why not skip giving an item and give an experience? Trinkets and baubles only take up space and become trash later on, but memories can last a lifetime if they are good ones. Why not give someone tickets to a concert or sporting event. Maybe they like the theater? There are many cities that have their own theater districts that put on some great musicals, plays, or operas. You can even just give someone a gift certificate to a nice restaurant. You are still giving them a very nice, thoughtful gift, but you won't be contributing to the tons of garbage we produce every holiday season, which can typically be 25% higher than the rest of the year.
Think these over, perhaps you already do some of them. Maybe you can implement some of them today, in order to secure a cleaner tomorrow.
That's all for now, Happy New Year everyone!
-Rob
Vote for me in Billboard's "Ultimate Music Moment" Contest
Just a quick request to anyone reading this blog. I recently entered a few of my shots of Cradle of Filth guitarist Paul Allender into the Billboard Magazine "Ultimate Music Moment" Contest.
While the main categories are awarded by a panel of judges, there is a Fan Favorite section where the public can vote. The winner will be published in Billboard Magazine and the Photo District News publication when the contest is over. I'd really appreciate it if everyone could take a minute and sign up with your email address to vote.
PLEASE CLICK HERE TO GO TO THE IMAGE.
I need lots more votes to beat out the leader right now. Every little bit helps. If you have a Facebook or Twitter, or any other networking site, please urge your friends and family to vote as well.
You can only vote once per email address.
Thanks!
Also, even though I don't always agree with PETA's tactics. They did do a very cool thing by interviewing Paul Allender himself about his views on animal abuse. You can see it here:
Recipe: Tofu Scramble
Since yesterday's entry on Vegan Jalepeno Poppers was such a success, I thought I would share another recipe with all of you.
Since I stopped eating eggs, I would often crave an egg and cheese sandwich for breakfast. I would make them every so often in the morning to give me that protein boost I need to start the day. But since eggs are about as ethical as back alley abortions, I will not eat them anymore. But still, when you've grown up your entire life eating a certain way, and certain foods have become your favorite, you do start to crave them sometimes.
Well, I've got some good news and some bad news. The bad news first: If you look around the web for vegetarian/vegan scrambled eggs, you get a lot of recipes that use tofu, but the list of ingredients usually topples some of the more petite sky scrapers out there. The list of steps and things you need can be enough to make you just eat a banana as you run out the door for work. Here's the good news: I had figured "it can't possibly be this involved to make some scrambled tofu!" And it wasn't! I've been making this for about 2 months now, and unless I accidentally didn't season it with enough salt or pepper, you would never know it's not real eggs.
Want to know how to make it? Here you go:
What you need:
- 1/3 of a pound of Firm Tofu (can be drained, but for this particular recipe it actually won't matter)
- Salt
- Pepper
- English Muffins or Bagels
- Vegan Rice Cheese Slices (American or Cheddar)
- Vegetarian Bacon (optional)
- Hot Sauce (optional)
I prefer Tabasco sauce for the hot sauce, and personally, I use english muffins, though small frozen bagels do work just as well.
So here is what you need to do:
1) Put a small amount of oil in a frying pan or skillet and put on medium heat
2) Put 1/3 of a pound of tofu into a plate and using a fork, mash it in from the corners, and up and down each side into the middle, until it creates crumbles that are consistent with the size and shape of a typical scrambled egg serving
3) Cook tofu in pan until lightly browned.
4) Toast english muffins or bagels, and cook bacon in your desired method.
5) Place bacon strips on bottom half of muffin or bagel, then tofu, then season with salt and pepper and tabasco if desired.
6) Top off with a slice of cheese, close muffin with it's top, and enjoy!
See? Simple, no need for yeast and turmeric and all that other stuff that people say you need just to make it taste like eggs.
The secret here is that if you make a sandwich of egg whites, they have no flavor of their own, they, much like tofu, are very bland and take on the flavor of whatever seasonings you use. So by seasoning with different flavors that are common to real egg sandwiches, you're getting all the tastes, and none of the snotty yuckiness that are eggs. Goes great with a cup of coffee or orange juice.
This recipe usually can make 2 sandwiches if you spread the tofu out well. On top of that, it's got all the same amounts of protein as real eggs but without the cholesterol. And if you use Extra Virgin Olive Oil in the pan you're also coating it with beneficial Omega 3s.
Recipe: Vegan Jalepeno Poppers
Right now we're at the edge of 2 seasons overlapping. One slowly gives way to the other every year and if you're like me you're deeply immersed in both. That overlap time can be a time of slight confusion coupled with excitement. I'm obviously talking about the summer growing season and football season!
So now that we've FINALLY gotten some summer-like weather here in New Jersey (all of June was rain, July was abnormally cool) I'm seeing my backyard crops finally perk up and yield their proper amounts. On top of that the NFL pre-season starts in a week and it's time to consider what kind of tasty, green-conscious and animal-friendly snacks I shall be indulging in as I root for another NY Giants Superbowl win.
So I take a stroll through my yard and look at the various meals that are possible. One thing that I've missed ever since going mostly vegan is jalepeno poppers. It shouldn't have taken me this long to realize that they'd be easy to make, but it finally dawned on me to give it a try. The truth is there are some vegan alternatives that are great, and almost just as good as the real thing that we all grew up eating, and then there are some that no matter how hard they try, they just can't quite get right.
So here is a quick recipe I threw together last night to try and test the palatability of vegan poppers.
You'll need:
6 Large Jalepeno Peppers
1 Block of Vegan Cheddar Cheese (or Monterrey Jack Cheese) - your favorite brand will do.
*NOTE: Most of the blocks of "vegan" cheese still contain casein, a milk protein. Your searching will depend on how strict you are as a vegan*
Tempura Batter (can be bought in a box or prepared at home from scratch. Very easy to make)
Plain Bread Crumbs
Olive Oil
Vegan Sour Cream
What you do:
1) Remove the ends from the peppers. If they are really large, cut them in half to make 2 tubes, and remove the core and seeds
2) Cube the vegan cheddar and slide inside the pepper tubes.
3) Dredge the poppers in the tempura batter and then immediately roll in bread crumbs
4) Fry in a deep fryer or a frying pot for about 3-4 minutes at around 350 degrees
5) Remove from oil to a paper towel on a plate to drain and cool slightly.
6) Serve with vegan sour cream on the side for anyone who can't take the heat.
Now, I came up with this completely out of the blue yesterday and I'm glad to say it was a success. I didn't have any left to take pictures of, so maybe the next time I make them I'll share an image or two. The great thing is that they come out exactly like the real thing, and possibly better. The cheddar I used was kind of mild, so I may try another brand next time. It's all trial and error but they're very easy to make and are great snacks for the big game, or a Ghost Hunters marathon.
So now that we've FINALLY gotten some summer-like weather here in New Jersey (all of June was rain, July was abnormally cool) I'm seeing my backyard crops finally perk up and yield their proper amounts. On top of that the NFL pre-season starts in a week and it's time to consider what kind of tasty, green-conscious and animal-friendly snacks I shall be indulging in as I root for another NY Giants Superbowl win.
So I take a stroll through my yard and look at the various meals that are possible. One thing that I've missed ever since going mostly vegan is jalepeno poppers. It shouldn't have taken me this long to realize that they'd be easy to make, but it finally dawned on me to give it a try. The truth is there are some vegan alternatives that are great, and almost just as good as the real thing that we all grew up eating, and then there are some that no matter how hard they try, they just can't quite get right.
So here is a quick recipe I threw together last night to try and test the palatability of vegan poppers.
You'll need:
6 Large Jalepeno Peppers
1 Block of Vegan Cheddar Cheese (or Monterrey Jack Cheese) - your favorite brand will do.
*NOTE: Most of the blocks of "vegan" cheese still contain casein, a milk protein. Your searching will depend on how strict you are as a vegan*
Tempura Batter (can be bought in a box or prepared at home from scratch. Very easy to make)
Plain Bread Crumbs
Olive Oil
Vegan Sour Cream
What you do:
1) Remove the ends from the peppers. If they are really large, cut them in half to make 2 tubes, and remove the core and seeds
2) Cube the vegan cheddar and slide inside the pepper tubes.
3) Dredge the poppers in the tempura batter and then immediately roll in bread crumbs
4) Fry in a deep fryer or a frying pot for about 3-4 minutes at around 350 degrees
5) Remove from oil to a paper towel on a plate to drain and cool slightly.
6) Serve with vegan sour cream on the side for anyone who can't take the heat.
Now, I came up with this completely out of the blue yesterday and I'm glad to say it was a success. I didn't have any left to take pictures of, so maybe the next time I make them I'll share an image or two. The great thing is that they come out exactly like the real thing, and possibly better. The cheddar I used was kind of mild, so I may try another brand next time. It's all trial and error but they're very easy to make and are great snacks for the big game, or a Ghost Hunters marathon.
Good To See
Even though the weather in my area has been absolute crap for about a month on end now, I am surprised and happy with what I've been seeing around me.
It seems that in the face of an economic collapse, or a "recession" if you want to sugar coat it, people are turning to their yards for what they need.
There have always been the people who like to garden and grow vegetables in their yard when the weather is right, but then there are the people who didn't really care for all that work. But now that people have begun to feel the stinging of a failing economy, more people are doing what they can to be more self-reliant. This manifests itself in more people gardening and growing their own food, in whatever amounts, than what we've typical seen in recent years.
For instance, near my house there is a family whose front yard is so small it can't possible be more than 6 feet wide by 3 or 4 feet deep. Most people wouldn't consider using that for anything other than a small plot of grass and maybe some flowers. This year though, despite it's small size and awkward location (it's raised from the sidewalk quite a few feet and could be potentially dangerous to do any real work on) they are growing rows of crops. I'm not yet sure what they are growing, but it looks like they have a good 3 or 4 rows of plants already staked and on their way. They are also building a small wooden fence around the area to keep neighborhood jokesters out of their food.
In my own yard I'm growing a bigger variety than I have in recent years, which now includes berries, sage, and eggplant in addition to the usual assortment of peppers and tomatoes. I've got enough right now to last me until the Fall, and I can harvest the herbs as I need them and the other food as it grows in. I'm even trying to grow some Stevia, which is the hottest rage right now as a sugar substitute. The great part about Stevia is that it's a sugar substitute that isn't made from all kinds of scary chemicals that wreak havoc on your body. You can dry the leaves and then proceed to prepare it in a number of different ways, most of which I will at least be attempting before the Winter hits.
The point is that more people are learning that we in fact can be self-reliant, and take matters into our own hands when given certain circumstances. Sure, you can't grow everything you eat all year long, but think of how much you spend on groceries each week, now imagine if you could cut that down by a quarter, or even half, by just investing some time and elbow grease into the yard you're already paying for anyway.
And don't fret, if you don't own your house, or don't have a yard because you live in an apartment or condo or townhome, there are always potted gardens. There are many other alternatives out there, all you have to do is look for them, and if you don't find them ,just be creative. You can even grow plants indoors using an inexpensive fluorescent light fixture that plugs into a regular household outlet as a substitute for the spectrum of light that the sun gives off.
That's all for now, happy gardening!
-Rob
It seems that in the face of an economic collapse, or a "recession" if you want to sugar coat it, people are turning to their yards for what they need.
There have always been the people who like to garden and grow vegetables in their yard when the weather is right, but then there are the people who didn't really care for all that work. But now that people have begun to feel the stinging of a failing economy, more people are doing what they can to be more self-reliant. This manifests itself in more people gardening and growing their own food, in whatever amounts, than what we've typical seen in recent years.
For instance, near my house there is a family whose front yard is so small it can't possible be more than 6 feet wide by 3 or 4 feet deep. Most people wouldn't consider using that for anything other than a small plot of grass and maybe some flowers. This year though, despite it's small size and awkward location (it's raised from the sidewalk quite a few feet and could be potentially dangerous to do any real work on) they are growing rows of crops. I'm not yet sure what they are growing, but it looks like they have a good 3 or 4 rows of plants already staked and on their way. They are also building a small wooden fence around the area to keep neighborhood jokesters out of their food.
In my own yard I'm growing a bigger variety than I have in recent years, which now includes berries, sage, and eggplant in addition to the usual assortment of peppers and tomatoes. I've got enough right now to last me until the Fall, and I can harvest the herbs as I need them and the other food as it grows in. I'm even trying to grow some Stevia, which is the hottest rage right now as a sugar substitute. The great part about Stevia is that it's a sugar substitute that isn't made from all kinds of scary chemicals that wreak havoc on your body. You can dry the leaves and then proceed to prepare it in a number of different ways, most of which I will at least be attempting before the Winter hits.
The point is that more people are learning that we in fact can be self-reliant, and take matters into our own hands when given certain circumstances. Sure, you can't grow everything you eat all year long, but think of how much you spend on groceries each week, now imagine if you could cut that down by a quarter, or even half, by just investing some time and elbow grease into the yard you're already paying for anyway.
And don't fret, if you don't own your house, or don't have a yard because you live in an apartment or condo or townhome, there are always potted gardens. There are many other alternatives out there, all you have to do is look for them, and if you don't find them ,just be creative. You can even grow plants indoors using an inexpensive fluorescent light fixture that plugs into a regular household outlet as a substitute for the spectrum of light that the sun gives off.
That's all for now, happy gardening!
-Rob
Barking Mad
So after an eventful and stressful week or two, I finally get a night where I decide to not do anything that will make my mind reel. I decide to take it easy, just kick back, grab a drink, maybe watch some TV, watch the neighbor with the mental condition beat his dog in the middle of the street.... wait... what? That wasn't in the plan.
So there I am, all ready to relax and most importantly mind my own business for a little while and I get called over to the window to see a cop car in the middle of the street and my mental patient neighbor beating his dog. As it turns out the dog got off his leash that keeps him chained to a porch that is less than 10x10. The dog ran down the block, most likely in an attempt to escape the hell he was living in, only to be called back by his owner and smacked in the face several times. Well, anyone who knows anything about anything will tell you not to hit a dog. I like to think people shouldn't hit animals at all, but even so, you don't grab a year and a half old boxer by the collar and start smacking him in the face. As you would imagine, the dog retaliated and put a nice gash in this idiot's wrist. There was a cop car oh-so-conveniently stopped in the road right in front of this.
Wouldn't you know they called the whole damn cavalry. It seemed like every cop car in town came rushing to the block along with an ambulance for Mr. Tough-guy. So now the dog is chained back on the porch, every neighbor within eye or earshot is outside watching, and general confusion sets in. People are talking about how big dogs are dangerous, and how there are kids on the block, and how they were bit twice as kids and don't trust dogs, and all this other ignorant crap.
Basically, this guy and his girlfriend are both certifiable. No joke, they've both been committed, the woman multiple times. One time because she sent one of her previous dogs after a cop. The guy has restraining orders against him from his family, has been to prison for one reason or another, and jumped off a highway overpass and lived! These are people that clearly should not be owning animals, especially big breeds that need specific care and training.
There's more! This couple didn't buy the dog, in fact there have been multiple complaints about the dog from around town. It seems that the dog has been passed on from owner to owner without ever being registered with the town. People apparently can't handle him and keep giving him to whoever will take him. Lucky dog ends up with the two craziest people in town.
In the end, the dog was chained to the house as animal control was called. Once the dog saw the flashing lights and the snare poles he knew what was happening and started barking. Feeling threatened he went into self-defense mode (note how I don't use "attack mode," that's reserved for animals actually trained for attacking), and started snarling and jumping around the porch. Finally, after about 20 minutes of not being able to snare him, even with 2 poles, the police had to empty an entire can of mace into the dog's face to keep him from moving so they could snare him and put him in the truck. But that wasn't enough because minutes later one of the police officers on the scene greeted a friend of his who brought his small son, they were apparently called to come and see the dog. For no other real purpose other than to gawk; real respectful guys.
I understand that if you have a dangerous animal, you're going to want to know your kids are safe, but that's not really the point here. This story can happen to anyone, on any block, in any town. The point is that A. Crazy people should not be allowed to own animals, especially if it's the kind of crazy that involves prison time and adult diapers. And, B. If you can't handle an animal, don't just dump it off with the first nice looking person you see. You might have the best intentions in the world, but you have no idea what that unsuspecting adopter might have in store. Animals that get passed around like a hot potato can end up with a variety of trust and loyalty issues, which can sometimes manifest themselves in acting out in various ways. The best way to handle an unwanted or uncontrollable pet is to seek out a no-kill shelter that will be willing to work with your animal, or a breed-specific rescue group. Every state has rescue groups for just about anything, and if you need to travel a little bit, just understand that it could mean the difference between a happy life for the animal, or a tragic drug induced death after an episode like this one.
This poor boxer doesn't stand a chance now, he's been passed around so many times, has no real record of ownership, has a major psychological issue, or two, and now has shown his teeth (and tons of aggression) to a group of police officers. That dog will be dead by dawn and nothing will happen to the people who caused this end result in the first place. The abusive owner that was taken to the hospital for stitches and rabies shots will be let off the hook, as will his psychopath middle aged girlfriend. The chain of people responsible for the many homes the dog had will most likely never be tracked down. But what bothers me most is that this cycle continues all over the place; abandoned animals, passed around to people not prepared to deal with a given species or breed, and nobody with the common sense, or even the heart, to understand that certain animals need certain kinds of understanding. They aren't all "feed and watch" pets.
- Rob Acocella
So there I am, all ready to relax and most importantly mind my own business for a little while and I get called over to the window to see a cop car in the middle of the street and my mental patient neighbor beating his dog. As it turns out the dog got off his leash that keeps him chained to a porch that is less than 10x10. The dog ran down the block, most likely in an attempt to escape the hell he was living in, only to be called back by his owner and smacked in the face several times. Well, anyone who knows anything about anything will tell you not to hit a dog. I like to think people shouldn't hit animals at all, but even so, you don't grab a year and a half old boxer by the collar and start smacking him in the face. As you would imagine, the dog retaliated and put a nice gash in this idiot's wrist. There was a cop car oh-so-conveniently stopped in the road right in front of this.
Wouldn't you know they called the whole damn cavalry. It seemed like every cop car in town came rushing to the block along with an ambulance for Mr. Tough-guy. So now the dog is chained back on the porch, every neighbor within eye or earshot is outside watching, and general confusion sets in. People are talking about how big dogs are dangerous, and how there are kids on the block, and how they were bit twice as kids and don't trust dogs, and all this other ignorant crap.
Basically, this guy and his girlfriend are both certifiable. No joke, they've both been committed, the woman multiple times. One time because she sent one of her previous dogs after a cop. The guy has restraining orders against him from his family, has been to prison for one reason or another, and jumped off a highway overpass and lived! These are people that clearly should not be owning animals, especially big breeds that need specific care and training.
There's more! This couple didn't buy the dog, in fact there have been multiple complaints about the dog from around town. It seems that the dog has been passed on from owner to owner without ever being registered with the town. People apparently can't handle him and keep giving him to whoever will take him. Lucky dog ends up with the two craziest people in town.
In the end, the dog was chained to the house as animal control was called. Once the dog saw the flashing lights and the snare poles he knew what was happening and started barking. Feeling threatened he went into self-defense mode (note how I don't use "attack mode," that's reserved for animals actually trained for attacking), and started snarling and jumping around the porch. Finally, after about 20 minutes of not being able to snare him, even with 2 poles, the police had to empty an entire can of mace into the dog's face to keep him from moving so they could snare him and put him in the truck. But that wasn't enough because minutes later one of the police officers on the scene greeted a friend of his who brought his small son, they were apparently called to come and see the dog. For no other real purpose other than to gawk; real respectful guys.
I understand that if you have a dangerous animal, you're going to want to know your kids are safe, but that's not really the point here. This story can happen to anyone, on any block, in any town. The point is that A. Crazy people should not be allowed to own animals, especially if it's the kind of crazy that involves prison time and adult diapers. And, B. If you can't handle an animal, don't just dump it off with the first nice looking person you see. You might have the best intentions in the world, but you have no idea what that unsuspecting adopter might have in store. Animals that get passed around like a hot potato can end up with a variety of trust and loyalty issues, which can sometimes manifest themselves in acting out in various ways. The best way to handle an unwanted or uncontrollable pet is to seek out a no-kill shelter that will be willing to work with your animal, or a breed-specific rescue group. Every state has rescue groups for just about anything, and if you need to travel a little bit, just understand that it could mean the difference between a happy life for the animal, or a tragic drug induced death after an episode like this one.
This poor boxer doesn't stand a chance now, he's been passed around so many times, has no real record of ownership, has a major psychological issue, or two, and now has shown his teeth (and tons of aggression) to a group of police officers. That dog will be dead by dawn and nothing will happen to the people who caused this end result in the first place. The abusive owner that was taken to the hospital for stitches and rabies shots will be let off the hook, as will his psychopath middle aged girlfriend. The chain of people responsible for the many homes the dog had will most likely never be tracked down. But what bothers me most is that this cycle continues all over the place; abandoned animals, passed around to people not prepared to deal with a given species or breed, and nobody with the common sense, or even the heart, to understand that certain animals need certain kinds of understanding. They aren't all "feed and watch" pets.
- Rob Acocella
Ad Rates Now Available
Just a quick blog entry to mention that we've now added ad rate info to our site. Just go to the "Quick Links" section of the navigation bar for the drop down menu. From there you can click to view our ad prices. Banner location and pixel size information will be posted soon (as soon as we get all the details sorted out).
In the meantime, since we aren't set up to accept donations yet, consider helping us out and keeping us running by buying banner ad space for your company or website.
We've also got special rates for non-profits. We're not just talking about the big organizations either, even if you just volunteer at a local animal shelter that needs a little exposure, we can give you a great rate. Our regular prices are also very affordable for everyone in this tough economy. A great chance to advertise those recycled bottle cap necklaces you've been making or those hand drawn illustrations and paintings you've been trying to sell.
That's all for now, I've got a million things rolling around in my noggin, just waiting for the dust to settle so I can decide what to write about next.
-Rob
The word about Chemtrails is spreading
So, I was doing some web surfing tonight and came across a great article on NaturalNews.com about chemtrails. I gave it a quick skim and decided it would make for a good blog and bulletin post on our Myspace pages.
Shortly after posting it I got a message from a friend of ours from Ohio saying how he sees them all the time. This is nothing new though, we've spoken with many people from around the country, and have even heard accounts from around the world of these nasty chemtrails appearing in the sky and the various results that people would encounter.
The truth is that in the end nobody will completely know what is going on wih these things until either:
1) The government agency responsible for them comes clean about what they are and their purpose
or
2) Some whistle-blower, ex-employee type spills the beans. Most people wouldn't even know about it because the news, as well as the person's identity would most likely be yanked from public view pretty darn fast.
There have been a broad range of assumptions as to what and why they are. All we know at this point is that water and soil samples taken after they appear have shown some high amounts of pretty nasty particulates and compounds, all of which are known to cause adverse reactions in the human body.
It seems like the word is starting to spread, even Discovery did a special on them about a year ago, although it proved to be little more than an hour of wasted airtime as it was probably edited to the point where it became completely inconclusive. We watched it and got little from it other than that someone, somewhere, wants you to think that (if you believe in them) they are a way of counteracting Global Warming. They claim the high amounts of aluminum found in the atmosphere and in water and soil samples due to these chemtrails are used to reflect UV rays back into space. The article I found tonight, however, has this to say about Aluminum:
"Aluminum causes extreme neurological disorders. Dementia, uncontrollable spasms, Alzheimer's, and Parkinson's Disease can be caused by long term aluminum exposure. Breathing in those particulates over time is a definite long term hazard."
So, it's either for combating Global Warming, or to give us all dementia. If you ask me, that's far too broad a range of possible outcomes for me to feel safe just accepting these lines in the sky.
Whatever they are, all I know is that I've noticed people around me being much more irritable when they cover the skies, which lends itself to the theory that it's an experiment in controlling people's thoughts and moods. I also watch them as they spread out (unlike regular contrails, which dissipate in minutes) and completely cover the sky, changing weather patterns completely. As someone who enjoys nature, and as photographer, sunlight is something I highly value, so when you start taking that away from me, I tend to notice, and since it causes me to watch the skies until the sunlight comes back, I take note of how long it takes, and it can sometimes take as little as a few hours, and sometimes it can go all day, sometimes multiple days if they're really putting thick layers up.
That's enough from me though, make sure you check out the article here: http://www.naturalnews.com/026200.html and form your own opinions.
Spread the word, the only way to combat this kind of thing is with outreach. We need to educate everyone that will listen.
-Rob Acocella
Shortly after posting it I got a message from a friend of ours from Ohio saying how he sees them all the time. This is nothing new though, we've spoken with many people from around the country, and have even heard accounts from around the world of these nasty chemtrails appearing in the sky and the various results that people would encounter.
The truth is that in the end nobody will completely know what is going on wih these things until either:
1) The government agency responsible for them comes clean about what they are and their purpose
or
2) Some whistle-blower, ex-employee type spills the beans. Most people wouldn't even know about it because the news, as well as the person's identity would most likely be yanked from public view pretty darn fast.
There have been a broad range of assumptions as to what and why they are. All we know at this point is that water and soil samples taken after they appear have shown some high amounts of pretty nasty particulates and compounds, all of which are known to cause adverse reactions in the human body.
It seems like the word is starting to spread, even Discovery did a special on them about a year ago, although it proved to be little more than an hour of wasted airtime as it was probably edited to the point where it became completely inconclusive. We watched it and got little from it other than that someone, somewhere, wants you to think that (if you believe in them) they are a way of counteracting Global Warming. They claim the high amounts of aluminum found in the atmosphere and in water and soil samples due to these chemtrails are used to reflect UV rays back into space. The article I found tonight, however, has this to say about Aluminum:
"Aluminum causes extreme neurological disorders. Dementia, uncontrollable spasms, Alzheimer's, and Parkinson's Disease can be caused by long term aluminum exposure. Breathing in those particulates over time is a definite long term hazard."
So, it's either for combating Global Warming, or to give us all dementia. If you ask me, that's far too broad a range of possible outcomes for me to feel safe just accepting these lines in the sky.
Whatever they are, all I know is that I've noticed people around me being much more irritable when they cover the skies, which lends itself to the theory that it's an experiment in controlling people's thoughts and moods. I also watch them as they spread out (unlike regular contrails, which dissipate in minutes) and completely cover the sky, changing weather patterns completely. As someone who enjoys nature, and as photographer, sunlight is something I highly value, so when you start taking that away from me, I tend to notice, and since it causes me to watch the skies until the sunlight comes back, I take note of how long it takes, and it can sometimes take as little as a few hours, and sometimes it can go all day, sometimes multiple days if they're really putting thick layers up.
That's enough from me though, make sure you check out the article here: http://www.naturalnews.com/026200.html and form your own opinions.
Spread the word, the only way to combat this kind of thing is with outreach. We need to educate everyone that will listen.
-Rob Acocella
Random Thought: Animal Lovers
Animal Lovers
Everyone loves animals, some more than others, and in different ways. Some love them enough to free them and never eat them, others love them with a little salt and A1.
Giant Ash Tray
Here's a quick blog update from the road. Yes, I'm on the road, 1200 miles from home, and just HAD to come on here and add my 2 cents to a conversation topic that's already been done to death.
Few things are more annoying than this: You're laying on the beach just relaxing, getting some sun, listening to the waves crash, the chatter of the sea birds flying overhead, the wind blowing gently, and then suddenly it happens. With all of the vast expanse of sand stretching most likely at least a mile left or right of you, a group of people, usually young and loud, decide to set up camp a mere 4 feet from your chosen spot. Disturbing your peace, they launch into loud, obnoxious conversation of the high school valley girl kind (So, like, I was totally, um, what's the word, oh yeah ::snaps bubble gum:: tired last night, so I totally like, got some like, sleep). Then they start laughing, screaming, and doing all things possible to make you want to force-feed them fistfuls of sand.
That's one thing that is hard to beat, but for me, the nature lover that I am, there is always worse, and then, they do it. They bust out some cigarettes, and when they're done, right into the sand with the butts. Someone please explain to me why people do this. Even if you don't care about the fact that the fiberglass filter you're smoking through is non-biodegradable and will still be there 100 years later (if it's not swept out to sea due to beach erosion) and you don't care that hundreds of birds die needlessly every day from having stomachs full of plastic and other artificial parts that they mistake for food, what about your own investment? Yeah, sometimes the only way to make people see a reason to be more responsible is to put it into terms that they DO care about. Most beaches, even if they're free to get on, charge you some kind of rate for parking. For instance, in NJ, not only do you pay anywhere between $15-$50 for a full day of parking, but most beaches charge you a good $6 (at least!) just to walk onto the sand. In Florida, most beaches are free because they are run through municipalities of large cities that already bring in a lot of cash from tourism, but you still have to pay for parking.
Those parking and/or entrance fees go towards two main expenses: lifeguards, which are only on duty for certain hours and then it's "Swim at your own risk," and clean-up. So even if you're not from town and you aren't paying property taxes to the city for them to conduct basic local cleaning, you're paying good money to walk onto something that by all natural rights should be 100% free, and the reason is so that they can A.) save you from drowning, and B.) make sure there's no medical waste for you to drive through the sole of your foot when you least expect it.
Most people would reply to this and say, "Well yeah, I have the right to litter if I'm paying for them to clean it up, right?" In a way, you're actually right, but what about if you're in a party of 2 or more people and you only had to pay for parking. What if your whole group is doing that? Then your measly $1 per hour doesn't do a whole lot when you have a caravan of people dumping' their shit into the sand instead of using the trash bins that are typically spread out around the area in easy to access places. Plus, wouldn't it anger you if you were just a single visitor paying to be on the beach and then you see a whole family leaving tons of garbage behind? All that means is that next time around the prices will be higher because the cost-benefit factor is tilted and they can't keep up with all the waste people leave behind.
I pay to be on these beaches too, and unlike the typical sheeple out there, I actually care about what happens there and what we do to the planet that allows us to survive here. We have no more rights than anyone else to be alive and use what nature gives us, but we hoard it, and when we feel we've used all we can, we use theoretical slash and burn techniques to make sure nobody else can use what we didn't. Which is why after we're done repainting the pristine skies with high rise apartments and billion dollar hotels, we start charging for people to set foot on what the Earth gives us for free. We subsidize and privatize things that aren't ours to own and then we trash it because we feel justified since we have to pay. However, that's backwards thinking--we're paying because we've wrecked it all.
This turned out to be a longer entry than planned, so I'll leave you with this: Next time you have to pay in some shape or form to enter any kind of natural area, be it a beach, a forest, or a preserve of some kind, remember what you're paying for, remember why you're really paying, and just apply some basic responsibility and don't leave it worse than you found it. Eventually someone will be hired to clean it up, but they can't do their job if you keep making it worse.
-Robert Acocella
