2. Set your mower deck higher: set it at its highest setting (or at lease higher than you do now. Don’t bag..leave the clippings where they fall. You save on fertilizer and your lawn will look better. Clippings don’t cause thatch, fertilizer does.

3. Make your own weed killer: vinegar, salt and dish soap, evidently boiling water kills weeds, and gin dish soap and vinegar. Evidently the vinegar kills the weed, salt keeps it from growing back, and soap sticks to the weed so the first two things can work. Amounts vary from recipe to recipe (or is it a formulation…again I digress) and do not appear to be very important. As the salt sticks around for a bit, you need to wait a little before replanting. [Didn't someone sale fields in the bible or something?]

4. Get your tools at yard sales and use hand tools. Never pay retail. Good tools last forever. Power tools use gas, stink, pollute your yard and the world at large, and leave you smelling like gasoline after you are done. Oh yeah, they are expensive too.

5. Compost. Make your own dirt. Don’t buy a bin, you don’t need one. Dig a hole. Make a pile. If you just pile up everything that was once once alive [and not an animal] that is left over from your kitchen, you will have compost in six to nine months. If you follow the rules and mix your compose and turn it, you can have some super dirt in two to three months.

6. Make your own mulch. Shred your leaves with you lawn mower. Contact a tree service and ask for chipped branches. You may get them for free since you will save the company the dumping fee. Be prepared though, it doesn’t look as nice as bought mulch but it works great on your garden and saves money. You may also consider stones or pebbles, the initial outlay is higher but they don’t have to be replaced. A truck load of local stone costs less than you think.

7. Divide plants, share seedlings, ask you neighbors. Talk to you neighbors and see if they have any plants that need dividing. Join a garden club or plant exchange. Look for sale by garden clubs and botanical gardens.

8. Watering. Get a rain barrel. You don’t need some expensive system. Contact your water department or look for recycled plastic barrels. Use soaker hoses in your beds and garden; you will use much less water. Water deeply once or twice per week. Daily, short watering make for shallow roots and unhealthy plants.

9. Grow Vegetables and Herbs. The saving will take to be realized but you can save a lot of money growing your own food. The savings will only increase over time. Especially if you follow the above tips. See my previous post for a calculator on gardening savings.

10. Cancel your cable and get outside in your yard.

John C. Shelton is a recovering attorney, husband, father of two, and newbie blogger. After 15 years in the wilderness (lawyers, on whole are a cranky lot) he is looking for health, happiness, and satisfaction. He started baking his own bread and gardening somewhat late in life.

DaddyBakesBread [http://www.daddybakesbread.com/?page_id=11] Click it….Click it…you want to click it.

Be sure to check out MY GARDENING BLOG [http://www.gardening.daddybakesbread.com].

Author: John C Shelton
Article Source: EzineArticles.com
Lowest price PCB Prototype

Now is a great time to get into the habit of watering efficiently in your garden.

A simple way to water garden plants more efficiently is to use a soaker hose. Rather than spray water up into the air, it delivers water directly to the ground. It’s slow, of course, but you lose much less water to evaporation. You turn the water on a very low setting, so even though it takes more time to water the plants you’re using less water. Just set a timer so you don’t forget what you’re doing.

Another step you may be able to take is to catch rain water. Some states have very strict rules about rain water capture, so you have to do research to ensure that your rain barrel system is legal. But if you can legally capture the water, it’s a wonderful way to keep watering your garden.

It’s also a good idea to look at garden plants that are right for the climate in your area. You don’t want a garden that needs tons of water if you live in an area that is prone to droughts or water restrictions. Know the planting zone you live in and pay attention to that when you buy seeds and plants. And don’t ignore any local issues that may make it wise to be still more cautious with your garden.

Mulching the soil around your plants also allows you to water less. The mulch will help slow evaporation, so once again you can save water.

If you’re planting a food garden, there’s only so much you can do about water use. There aren’t many people who can successfully plan a xeriscape vegetable garden. You’re probably going to need to use water to get a good harvest.

But if it’s more decorative, take a good look at native plants. Look at drought resistant plants if you live where that’s likely to be a problem. Really think about what’s going into your soil.

This kind of planning is a help in decreasing how much water you use for the more decorative parts of your garden. Plants whose water needs are more in line with what comes naturally to the area will thrive with much less effort on your part. You can find beautiful native plants in most areas.

Don’t give up entirely on gardening if you have the space just because you want to save water. Gardening is a wonderful way to keep in touch with nature and to help children to really appreciate nature. You can maintain a lovely garden and be wise in your water use.

Stephanie Foster blogs at http://www.greensahm.com/ about raising an eco friendly family. Learn about the benefits of gardening with your kids at her site.

Author: Stephanie Foster
Article Source: EzineArticles.com
Digital TV, HDTV, Satellite TV

We talk about Organic Gardening but I never knew that there was anything else except Organic Gardening. Growing up we didn’t have all the Chemicals that are out now and even if there were we couldn’t afford them anyway. We have always had a Compost Pile and Rabbits as pets. The droppings from the rabbits were either added to the compost pile or added directly into the garden and the garden LOVED IT.

I believe our planting times in Phoenix are like nowhere else in the nation. We basically have 2 planting seasons. They are end of February through May and the end of September through December before the first frost hits. Believe it or not my lettuce lives through our winter months. Many of my vegetables live through the winter in the low desert. In the summer there are plants like Cantaloupe and Watermelon that can handle the heat if you can handle working out there. Pumpkins are started in July for Halloween.

Initially starting my garden took one day and three people. This is what I bought:

1. 6 bags of Compost. Add 5 keep 1 on hand.
2. 5 bags of Blood Meal. Add 3 keep 2 for Fertilizer.
3. 5 Bags of Bone Meal. Add 3 keep 2 for Fertilizer.
4. 2 Bags of Amender.
5. 5 Bags of Manure.
6. 4 cups of Red Wrigglers.
7. 2 Bags of Organic Mulch.

We rotor tilled 4 plots. Two were 8×10, one was 3×5, and one 2×13 against my block wall. We sifted through the dirt, removed as much Bermuda grass as we could. Through the season I dug and removed the roots of any Bermuda grass that sprouted up later as I did weeding.

Next we added Amender. Rotor tilled again to mix in the Amender since our soil is mostly clay. Next we started adding all the rest of the above items and finished with compost topped with 2″ layer of Mulch. I dug some holes along the way and added the Earth worms in the soil to increase soil fertility. We finished with a good watering and let that set overnight.

The next day I planted. You can buy inexpensive plants or even hook up with other gardener’s who have a seed exchange. When you buy seeds from the store take the planting information on the back with a grain of salt as I have found most of the instructions apply to the rest of the nation and not us. I plant Sunflowers all throughout the garden to help with shade as well as wildflowers to help bring in the bees for pollination.

Watering: I would suggest before starting your garden to install underground irrigation. This can be a drip system which is not too costly and very time saving for you as you do not have to stand out there and water. This will also save you on your water bill. You need to water slowly and deep. You could also use soaker hoses above ground before planting and plant close to the soaker hoses. I did not install underground irrigation before planting and now regret it but hey, I will get there. A good idea also is harvesting rainwater. I’ll get that Rain Barrel going some day but for the moment I run out of the house with 5 Gallon Buckets and put them next to the house where the rain falls heavy off the roof. There’s nothing better than a good rain for your plants.

I keep some items on had all the time. Some of them are: organic mulch to retain moisture, compost for fertilizer, bone meal for phosphorus, blood meal for nitrogen, epsom salts – magnesium sulfate: my tomatoes and peppers do well adding this, garden grade diatomaceous earth for bugs on plants: you need to be careful adding this it will also kill the good bugs, bat guano for fertilizer, and fish emulsion for fertilizer. I am always adding coffee grounds to the soil as well.

My garden is at the point right now that when planting season starts I never know what is going to come up. I just sit and scratch my head trying to identify what is germinating not because I didn’t label what I planted but because plants just seem to come up on their own. One of my gardens now has a mulberry tree in the middle of and I didn’t plant it. I let it stay because it really helps with shade. It is as tall as the house now.

I am just touching the tip of the Iceberg here. I am by no means an expert gardener just someone who really likes to garden. I have not spent much time out there this summer due to the heat but come September I’ll be out there.. for hours. This is just an idea to get your garden started. The possibilities are endless. I use the planting calendar as a guide and go for it. I have to give the credit to all the resources below and Google for all my internet searches. They gave me the strength to take the football and run with it. My philosophy is why buy it when you can grow it.

Below is a list of resources I used just to name a few:
The Garden Guy – Extreme Gardening, How To Grow Organic In The Hostile Desert by Dave Owens. I use this book ALL THE TIME. http://www.gardenguy.com/
The Phoenix Permaculture Guild – http://www.phoenixpermaculture.org/ Great resource for Southwest Gardening. They also have a Desert Planting and Harvesting Calendar on this site.

Author: Laura Rairigh
Article Source: EzineArticles.com
Healing food: natural way to cure cancer

You see, conserving water is not only great for the environment, it’s also a big money saver and one where relatively small (and painless) changes can have huge impacts on your wallet!

Perhaps this sounds like a great idea to you (after all, why wouldn’t it?) but you may be less sure how to make it happen. In order to avoid overwhelm, I suggest you begin your conservation efforts outside, since many experts agree that landscaping accounts for more than 50% of a typical homeowner’s water usage.

Next, use the following six tips to help guide you; while there are many more, these are among my favorites because they’re all trouble-free, very affordable (or free) and they’ll save you loads of money.

1. Use gutters, grates, and channel drains to collect storm water. Then redirect it to capture apparatus like rain barrels, catch basins, and cisterns. This is a great way to have plenty of clean, fresh water for your plants, flowers, and grass. And you can also use it to wash off your deck or patio and give your auto a good cleaning.

2. Avoid watering your plants, flower, and grass during the hottest part of the day (10 am – 4 pm). Rather, water them in the early morning or wait until evening. This will cut back on the amount of water wasted due to evaporation.

3. Fix leaking hoses, sprinkler heads, and outside faucets fast. This is one of the easiest ways to save lots and lots of water 24/7, so take the time (5-10 minutes) to continually – and regularly – check to make sure nothing’s dripping.

4. Stop spraying and start sweeping. Trade in your hose for a broom and sweep away dead leaves, sticks, dirt, and other outdoorsy “stuff.” It does a perfectly acceptable job and it’s a “kinder” way to treat your wooden furniture. And if you need a little more “elbow grease” use household cleaners like Windex to help you get up those tougher spots.

5. Purchase a smart water controller. Water controllers are one of the most valuable outdoor gadgets around (what’s more they’re inexpensive little gems and you can buy them at places like Home Depot). They’re similar to traditional automatic “set-it-and-forget-it” sprinkler systems – only better. Why? Because they have internal sensors that collect soil and atmospheric information (real time) and virtual (web-based) weather data, which are used to automate and optimize watering schedules. These calculations are performed daily and also ensure that the exact right amount of water needed is delivered to your plants. And that means your plants won’t die of thirst or drown.

6. Rain sensors = Good Sense. Rain sensors often work hand-in-hand with water controllers (they’re sold separately or along with the controllers) in that they can add another “dimension” to your water-saving efforts (and they’re also very inexpensive and can even be wired to existing irrigation systems).

Here’s why… Rain sensors contain disks that enlarge when they come contact with moisture. When this happens a negative wire is tripped, and this stops the pump relay’s operation, and prevents the system from functioning; that is, until the disk dries out (which is close to the same drying rate as soil.) These are also readily available at places like Home Depot or you can order them on the Internet. If possible, however, I suggest that you check them out in person. This way you can discuss options with someone knowledgeable and get the one that best suits your needs (it’s also easier to exchange them if needed).

As I said earlier, these are just a few of the many ways you can help lessen the demand for fresh water (it starts one person at a time) and thereby, help yourself, your community, and the world. As a result, you’ll feel better, save money, and still enjoy a beautiful yard. So, why wait another minute, when there’s never been a better day to start? I promise, it will be one of the best decisions you ever made.

Tiffany Guerra, BA, MS, is an environmentalist, strategic marketing manager, and a freelance writer. Tiffany is passionate about helping people reduce their carbon footprints using practical, affordable, and uncomplicated methods. As such, she regularly contributes articles on topics such as the benefits of green spaces, the conservation of water, and more, to her company’s website ( http://www.NDSPro.com ) and other online publications. If you’d like to learn more about ways to use landscaping to conserve water, add value to your home, and save money visit: http://www.ndspro.com/articles/library/7-money-saving-ways-to-conserve-water-outside-and-be-kinder-to-mother-earth/.

Author: Tiffany Guerra
Article Source: EzineArticles.com
Programmable Multi-cooker

Similar to Greening Your Garden, the basics of lawn care starts with your soil. If you haven’t had a soil sample taken in the past 5 years, this is where you need to start. Many local Garden Centers carry soil kits. The do-it-yourself kits will provide you with a bare minimum of information. You should really send a soil sample away to a lab for an “organic” analysis. An organic analysis will tell you exactly how much of each “amendment” you need to add to your soil to bring it up to par. A “regular” soil analysis tends to include only the PH level and the three main nutrient levels you can correct with fertilizers – nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium. Ideally, you should take your soil sample in the spring.

PH of Soil

Most grasses like a ph level of 6.5 which is slightly acidic. A ph of 7.0 is neutral. Dandelions on the other hand, like soil with a ph level of 7.5, slightly alkaline. Thus a proper ph level will support the growth of your grass and at the same time retard the growth of dandelions. Dolomitic lime is used to increase the alkalinity of the soil, where magnesium and calcium are also needed. Hi-cal lime increases the alkalinity where the soil has adequate magnesium. Flowers Of Sulphur is used to increase the acidity of the soil.

Organic Fertilizers

Fertilizers list the percentage of Nitrogen, Phosphorous & Potassium on the bag, such as 7-7-7. Soil also requires other macro-nutrients including sulphur, calcium and magnesium and trace elements such as iron, boron and zinc.

Organic Nitrogen Sources:

Canola seed meal: (6-2-1) maximum of 5 kilograms/10 sq meters (10lb/100 sq ft). Lasts 5 months.

Fish meal: (10.5-6-0) max 2.5 kg/10 sq mtr (5lb/100 sq ft). Lasts 6-8 months.

Blood meal: (12.5-1-3) max 1.5kg/10 sq mtr (3lb/100 sq ft). Lasts 4 months.

Organic Phosphorous Sources:

Bone meal: (3-20-0) plus 20-30% calcium. Max 2.5 kg/10 sq mtr ( 5lb/100 sq ft). Lasts more than 12 months.

SingleSuperPhosphate: (0-20-0) plus 20% calcium & 12% sulphur. Max 2.5kg/10 sq mtr (5lb/100 sq ft). Starts to release in 2-3 months.

Organic Potassium Sources:

Kelp meal: (1-0-1.2) plus 33% trace minerals. Max 0.5kg/10 sq mtr (1lb/100 sq ft). Lasts 6-12 months.

Wood ashes: (0-0-1 to 0-0-10) Raises PH level also. Max 1 kg/10 sq mtr (2lb/100 sq ft). Lasts more than 12 months.

Compost – that old black magic

All soils benefit from nutrient rich applications of compost at any time. Compost from rotted organic matter is the best all round soil conditioner. It improves drainage, provides plant nutrients and provides beneficial micro-organisms. Apply any time of the year and often.

Watering

Most people water their lawns too much. Lawns need about one inch of water per week. If you haven’t received enough rain in the past week to make up a full inch then you can add your own rain water from your rain barrels. One deep watering is much better then short spurts of water. Soaking the soil once a week will encourage deep root growth which will withstand the dry periods better.

Water early in the morning before it gets to hot and the water evaporates. Don’t water at dusk as this leaves the grass wet at night which can encourage disease.

Cutting

Don’t cut your grass shorter than 3 inches. Longer grass crowds out the weeds and can withstand pest attacks better. Leave nitrogen rich grass clippings on the lawn to feed it.

Aeration

A major cause of weed problems is compact soil. The compact soil stresses and kills the roots of your grasses, allowing weeds to move in and take their place. Aerating the soil allows oxygen to penetrate and restores proper drainage. Most lawns should be aerated at least twice a year, once early in the spring and once in the fall.

After the spring aeration, top-dress with screen compost and pest-resistant grass seed. Immediately after aerating in the fall, apply organic fertilizers as needed. A mid-season aeration is recommended for lawns with heavy thatch.

Use an aerator that leaves a “plug” of dirt on your lawn. By removing some of the soil you are sure to get air and water down into the soil. Aerators that just use “spines” to make a hole could compact your ground further and the holes can quickly fill back in.

De-thatching

Thatch is a dense layer of dead grass stems and roots compacted on the surface of the soil. It is resistant to decay. A thick layer of thatch tends to prevent water from soaking into the soil.

Thatch, thicker than a half inch encourages insects and disease. De-thatch in the FALL. If you discover in the spring that you have a thick layer of thatch, aerate and wait for fall. De-thatching will create some stress for your lawn. It will help if you add a layer of compost afterwards.

Insects

Ants

Ants are attracted to nutritionally poor, dry soils, low in organic matter. Generally, if you increase the organic matter in your soil by top-dressing with compost, your soil will retain more moisture and the ant problem will take care of itself. You can apply sand, borax or bone meal to the mounds also.

Chinch Bugs

Chinch bugs like lots of thatch, dry grass roots and soil low in nitrogen. Aerate in spring and summer and de-thatch in fall. If you have hordes of chinch bugs and they are killing patches of your lawn, put a capful of dishwashing soap in a sprinkling can filled with water and drench the problem area. Then lay a piece of white flannel over the problem area. The chinch bugs will cling to the flannel as they try to escape the soap. In 15 to 20 minutes, vacuum the flannel or rinse in a bucket of insecticidal soap. Sounds crazy but it works.

Sod Webworm Moths

If you notice small whitish moths darting about, you likely have sod webworms. Best action is to aerate and top-dress with endophytic grass and de-thatch in the fall. If you need more help that this, you can try introducing beneficial nematodes as a “natural” control.

White Grubs

These grubs are soft and white, with a C-shaped body. They can be from a quarter inch to 3 inches long. And they can cause patches of your lawn to turn brown and die. The best defense is a dense healthy lawn. De-thatch, aerate and keep surface moisture to a minimum by watering deeply and infrequently.

Milky Spore Disease – a naturally occurring bacterium will control white grubs for years once well established in your soil. You can also try introducing beneficial nematodes.

Beneficial Nematodes

Beneficial nematodes are nature’s way of effectively controlling the larvae stage (white grubs) of the Common Chafer, European Chafer, Japanese Beetle, Asiatic Garden Beetle, Black Vine Weevil, Strawberry Root Weevil, plus May & June Beetles.

They are a safe and sensible way to reduce white grubs infestations and other pest insects while not harming your grass or beneficial insects.

How to apply: normally you just add them to water and spray onto the lawn. Follow the instructions from your supplier. A package of 50 million nematodes will cover 2500 sq. ft. or 250 sq. metres.

Weeds

Most weed problems can be attributed to poor soil conditions. Look after the soil and you also look after the weeks. Aerate, de-thatch, check PH levels, add compost.

Chickweed

This annual plant sends out tangled stems that root rapidly in acidic, moist soil. Check your ph level and adjust for acidity. Hand pull the weeds and your problem will soon disappear.

Clover

All clovers are extremely beneficial to lawns. The fix nitrogen in the soil and are often planted as “green manure”. Clovers attract beneficial nectar feeding insects. Think twice before you decide to do away with this “weed”. If you are determined to get rid of the clover, make a solution of one part vinegar and one part liquid fertilizer (fish fertilizer is best). Squirt the patch of clover with this mixture. The clover and grass will turn brown, but the fertilizer will bring back the grass.

Crabgrass

This is a sign of close mowing and poor aeration. Improve your soil to get rid of the crabgrass and pull by hand.

Creeping Charlie

Creeping charlie likes mostly shady areas. To get rid of it, increase drainage by aerating, de-thatching and adding screened compost. Allow soil to dry in affected areas between watering.

Dandelions

Dandelions attract the parasitic wasp that helps to keep down caterpillar, fly maggot and earwig populations.

You can control dandelions by pulling by hand, checking the ph levels of the soil and mowing the lawn before the dandelions go to seed.

Thistle

Thistle has a deep root that cannot be destroyed easily. It must be dug out completely as any little pieces left in the ground will grow anew. Fill holes with topsoil and sprinkle with ryegrass.

Bruce Knight is editor and a contributing author for the GreenTerraFirma.com website. He is active in alternative energy (solar) and natural alternatives to commercial products. GreenTerraFirma.com contains many additional articles of a similar nature to this. Visit GreenTerraFirma.com – http://greenterrafirma.com

Author: Bruce Knight
Article Source: EzineArticles.com
Benefits of electric pressure cooker

This is what distinguishes fake green from real green. Real green doesn’t leave a deficit of resources. It doesn’t create big holes in the earth or deplete resources. It doesn’t create big piles of inorganic matter or fill big pits with toxic junk. If you’re really concerned about living in harmony with your home, the earth, here are five things you can do that are truly earth-friendly; that will have a positive or neutral impact on your environment. There are many more, but this is a start.

Eliminate all commercially made toiletries regardless of how “natural” they purport to be. Before you look at the ingredients (if they’re even listed) look at the packaging. Is it plastic? (Plastic is made from petroleum.) Is it plastic in a slick glossy box? (Plastic coated paper can’t be recycled.) Literally every toiletry in your bathroom can be replaced with four simple items:

Deodorant Stone: This white slightly translucent “stone” is made of mineral salts – that’s it. You wet it and rub it on. It will literally last you a decade or more and it works. It will not keep you from perspiring – you’re supposed to perspire – but it will keep offensive odors at bay. If you want a scent, a drop of an essential oil is enough to scent both underarms.

Food-grade hydrogen peroxide or baking soda: These are substitutes for toothpaste and tooth whiteners. Food-grade hydrogen peroxide may be hard to come by depending on where you live. It’s a 35% concentration, so it has to be diluted – preferably with filtered water or rainwater. (More on that later.) The 3% hydrogen peroxide you find in the drug store is NOT suitable since most of it is contaminated with mercury. Diluted 35% hydrogen peroxide also makes an excellent mouthwash and tooth whitener. In the absence of 35% h.p., baking soda is also a viable option. And it comes in a recyclable biodegradable paper box with no plastic coating.

News flash: Offensive body odor, cavities, and bad breath are not the results of aluminum chlorhydrate, fluoride, or minty mouthwash deficiencies. They are all the result of an acid pH caused by a diet of over-cooked, over-processed foods. Want to smell good and clean up your mouth? Then clean up your diet. If you eat garbage, you’re going to smell like garbage, no matter how many toxic chemical-laden products you use.

Homemade soap: Making soap is easy and fun. If you use the cold process and rebatch it, you can make bar soap, soft soap, dish and laundry soap, and shampoo from the same recipe. Many people like the natural scent of homemade soap, but if you prefer something more foofy, a little essential oil goes a long way. (Essential oils are packaged in glass, which can be recycled or reused. They also last a long time because a little goes a long way.)

Extra virgin coconut oil: This can replace moisturizer, hair conditioner, and foot crmes. If you don’t like the smell of coconut, use expeller pressed. It has a neutral scent. Coconut oil contains lauric acid, the same as breast milk, and absorbs completely into hair and skin without blocking pours. It is also high in omega 3 fatty acids and helps repair sun damage. Now granted – if you’re living in a country where coconut is not a native plant, there is some fossil fuel consumption required to get it to you. However, a little goes a long way. Buy it in glass jars if possible (less petroleum consumption.) For skin and hair moisturizing, put about 1/8 tsp. in the palm of your hand and rub your hands together. Massage it into your face and neck and wipe the rest off in your hair, working it through to the ends. Adjust the amount for thickness and length of hair. Done right, it takes care of the frizzies and fly-aways and makes even sun-damaged hair feel soft. Don’t worry if you get a little too much on – it will absorb and interestingly won’t stay greasy looking. It can be worn under make-up, but it should be given time to absorb. It takes about hour. Massage about 1/8 tsp. or less into your feet to prevent heal cracking and athlete’s foot. Coconut oil has anti-fungal properties.

Just say NO to drugs. Remember that old campaign? What ever happened to that? Now pharmaceuticals are the most abused drugs in the US, outstripping street drugs, and TV commercials have replaced shady street corner drug pushers. We even insist that the government pay for our habit and they’re happy to oblige. What’s wrong with this picture?

Prescription drugs are a serious environmental hazard to water and soil. (Plus, they come in PLASTIC bottles – more petroleum.) Municipal water supplies do not and cannot filter them out. Imagine the outrageous combinations of pharmaceuticals, especially psychotropic drugs, which come through your tap and flow into surface and ground water. Drug pollution doesn’t just come from flushing outdated pills down the toilet. Drugs are prescribed assuming that you will pass up to 60% of them through your body without using or absorbing them. That means every drug user is flushing pharmaceuticals down their toilet, not just the surviving relatives of the granny who dies with 20 prescriptions in her medicine cabinet.

There is no disease known to man that is the result of a drug deficiency. There are no drugs that cure – they only treat. And your body doesn’t know the difference between a legal and an illegal drug. Think about that.

There are natural alternatives to every discomfort and most of those alternatives start with what you eat and drink. There is a plethora of information out there if you’re truly motivated to live earth-friendly and healthy to boot. You can’t live green and use drugs. It’s as simple as that.

Collect rainwater: Depending on where you live, rainwater is a relatively clean source of good water and if you set up a passive system, once it’s in place, the water is free. In urban areas with a lot of air pollution, this may not be a good alternative, but barring that, mechanically filtered rainwater is drinkable and certainly suitable for watering your…

Organic garden! Number four: grow your own food. Again, there is abundant information about growing food just about anywhere you live, from the average suburban lot to container gardening on an apartment balcony. You will be amazed at how much better food you grow yourself tastes, not to mention the satisfaction of realizing you can take care of yourself. In addition to that, organic gardening makes extensive use of a fifth way to be green….

Composting: Your kitchen scraps, non-coated paper, and even dryer lint can all be composted either in a collection bin or worm bin. Red wiggler worms make excellent composters and there are kits available that make worm composting easy and convenient even in limited spaces. There is no odor problem associated with them. Increasingly, offices are even using them in their lunchrooms.

These truly green tips are, let’s face it, not contributors to the economic recovery. In fact, if you continue down the path of truly living green, you will cut your consumption of marketed goods in significant ways. And less consumption, while good for the earth, is not good for an economy based on the unlimited growth of spending. On the bright side though, given that the whole system is foundational on a fiat currency and is destined to collapse anyway, regardless of whether or not you continue to over-spend and pollute, at least you’ll have some survival skills. While all around you panic, you’ll be fed, healthy, and clean. Now that’s sustainability!

Author: Vincent DiAngelo
Article Source: EzineArticles.com
Canada duty tariff

For quite awhile I have had an interest in the raw food lifestyle. Physical health, environmental and spiritual enlightenment are a few reasons people choose to follow the path to being raw. Perhaps it is a picture of living in harmony with nature and the possibilities of simplicity that attract me.

According to the raw food information once food is heated over a certain temperature the enzymes within those foods are destroyed. Since our bodies only create so many enzymes and they help us in so many ways this is important to our wellness. Choosing organic raw foods whenever possible with a focus on local produce and wild foods create a sustainable environment. If you are interested in the spiritual aspects of raw foodism there is the belief that each food carries its own vibration which can facilitate the path to spiritual enlightenment.

Some raw foodists include raw dairy products while others live simply on raw fruits, vegetables, nuts and seeds. There are many variations to the raw lifestyle. The creative side of raw foodism is absolutely amazing.

There are many delicious dishes that can be prepared with raw food that there is no need to compromise on taste or variety. Raw food cookbooks abound on the internet, so keeping you and your family happy and healthy with lots of healthy whole food choices.

There are many raw food “gurus” out there and I am certainly not saying this lifestyle is for everyone. You know your body better than anyone else, but even incorporating more raw food into our daily lives is something many of us can benefit from.

Lisa R. Marshall is the facilitator of Nature Centered . Nature Centered is a space to share information and resources for living in harmony with Nature and one another. Honoring life through whole health, herbal healing, simplified living & compassionate communication. For more information or to contact the author you may visit http://www.naturecentered.com

Author: Lisa Marshall
Article Source: EzineArticles.com
Awe Inspiring Pictures

When I altered my diet, I made sure to eat exactly the same food I ate before, just organic. I wanted to make sure it was actually my diet that was making me feel better, and that it wasn’t all just in my head. I keep reading all of these reports that organic food isn’t more nutritious than conventional food. At sometimes triple the price, there has to be some serious evidence to support buying it, especially if it doesn’t necessarily have more nutrition. So for five whole weeks, I ate my usual diet of burgers, fries, chicken wings, scrambled eggs, hash browns (made them myself with organic potatoes), sandwiches, chili, spaghetti, you name it, all organic. Shoppers drug mart even has a nativa organics line that has organic ginger snaps, maple cookies, Oreo cookies etc. I would really like to stress that I didn’t alter my diet at all, just simply ate 100% organic. I didn’t eat in one restaurant, but instead made restaurant food at home (like I said, chicken wings, burgers etc). What followed was probably the worst five weeks of my life.

The first week was probably the most extreme. I got the shakes, nausea, diarrhea, vomiting, intense withdrawal and detoxification symptoms. It was the same as, or worse than when I quit smoking. For the following weeks the symptoms were still there, but they did alleviate a bit. Bit by bit, I felt better and better and better. I no longer sweat profusely all the time, body odour has disappeared, my eczema has gone, which I had for 20 years, I sleep soundly the whole night until my alarm rings (never happened before, I always woke up several times throughout the night). The difference is night and day. I feel as though I have woken up from a dream. All this from simply eating organic. Isn’t that insane? If someone had told me that if I simply ate organic I would be horribly sick for about 5 – 6 weeks and then most of my health issues would disappear I would have thought they were nuts. A question comes to mind, what was in that food I used to eat? People say certain things are okay in moderation, but when you take into consideration this:

• the tap water I drink has chemicals and chlorine in it
• soft drinks are loaded with chemicals
• produce is laden with pesticides
• the air we breathe is laden with chemicals
• lots of food is full of preservatives
• household cleaners have lots of chemicals that are harmful to humans
• carpets and dust in houses has lots of toxins in them

It’s the buildup each and every day that makes people’s systems out of whack. Without the ability to cleanse the liver due to being overloaded, these toxins reduce the bodies ability to cleanse itself. I no longer drink soda pop, I have eliminated the preservatives and pesticides in the food I eat by eating organic, and only use biodegradable cleaners at home now. By doing these simple things, my health has improved dramatically. Just goes to show you how a little work goes a long way. By “educating” myself I improved myself. Let’s apply this strategy to the earth. If we just chill out for a bit and allow it to replenish itself, it might do a world of good.

I am a guy who loves building green products. Click the link to enter my site, make sure to check out my blog!

Author: Katherine Gabel
Article Source: EzineArticles.com
Canada duty rate

• Organics and Healthy Living; as I explain to my kids, just because the lolly is organic does not make it a great food choice. Many companies have jumped on the organic bandwagon producing a vast array of organic foods which may also contain cheap ingredients such as palm oil (environmentally questionable to produce), and large amounts of fat, salt and sugar. Organic doesn’t always mean healthy, but you can be sure that organic foods will not contain many of the nasties found in conventional foods; Monosodium Glutamate, artificial colours, flavours and hydrogenated fats. Organic fruit and vegetables are shown to contain larger amounts of beneficial nutrition, organic dairy contains higher levels of good omega oils, and organic meat tends to be less fatty. Organic foods are unlikely to contain hormone, pesticide and chemical residues. Carefully produced organic foods are higher in nutrition, especially when eaten fresh and sourced locally.

• Organics and big business: Organic is big business, and all the big names want a piece of the action, but may not have the same ethical and philosophical background of smaller organic producers. Sometimes you will have to use your discretion about the ‘organic-ness’ of a product depending on what about ‘organic’ is important to you. I personally see certain organic products as beyond the pale, for example Nestle Organic Breakfast cereal; for me the organic nature of the ingredients is overshadowed by the practice and nature of the organization selling it. It is also worth noting that certain supermarket organic own-brands use powdered foreign milk in their products, (cheaper than fresh British organic milk) and source the cheapest and lowest end of the organic scale for their brands, with some ingredients barely scraping an organic certification. You may wish to do your homework and choose non-supermarket brands which as well as including organic ingredients, also care about sustainability, animal welfare, packaging issues. Using local shops farmers markets, roadsides and farms will put much more into the pockets of the producers, ensuring that they can afford to maintain high standards. Often the supermarkets are creaming the profits of Organics, with little of the inflated price benefiting the producers.

• Organics and the environment: at the moment the Soil Association are debating the inclusion of air freighted food under their label due to the high cost to the environment of flying in out-of-season produce. Much organic produce is also ridiculously over-packaged. To really cut back on packaging, use local shops where you can select produce and put it in paper bags, or use a box scheme. Riverford organics are dedicated to minimising packaging, and most packaging is reusable, made from recycled materials, and compostable: http://www.riverford.co.uk Organic farming does benefit the environment, using much less energy, fewer chemicals, less intensive production, and often more care and attention to supporting wildlife. The smaller the operation, the less environmental impact.

• Organics and animal welfare: An organic label on an animal product does not guarantee animal welfare or free range status and may be from a production unit using organic foods, but conventional production methods. If you are concerned about animal welfare, look for the soil association stamp. Alternatively buy local where you can see the animals range freely or talk to meat producers at the market; often they have pictures of their animals and farms which they can show you. Take a look at my favourite dairy farm Jess’s Ladies http://www.theladiesorganicmilk.co.uk for ideas on how it really should be.

• The Soil Association: There are many different Organic classification organizations nation and worldwide. The Soil Association carries the highest animal welfare, and environmental standards, as well as respecting human rights and fair trade; look out for their stamp on products which you buy. But it is worth checking out other organics as well. In order for a producer to become certified they must undertake several years work on their land, during this process a producer is said to be undergoing conversion, look out for local producers in the process of conversion, and also road-side garden sales where people state that their produce is Organic.

There is so much more to ‘Organics’ than simply the product. If a packet says ‘Organic’ it does not always guarantee the integrity of its contents. If you care about the environment, workers rights, animal welfare, and real quality food, you may need to think carefully about what and where you buy.

Vikki Scovell BA(hons) PG DIP is a fully qualified Personal Trainer and Fitness Coach. She is a qualified Nutrition Adviser, GP Referred Trainer and runs successful Community and Corporate Exercise classes and events. Vikki is a consultant in Healthy Eating and Exercise initiatives to schools in the independent sector and publishes School and General Healthy Living newsletters. Vikki believes passionately that everyone can make small changes to their lifestyle to ensure that they live happier, longer and healthier lives. She lives in Gloucestershire in the U.K. with her partner Jeremy and two young children Apple and Honey. For inquiries for nutritional advice, personal training, corporate wellness and general inquiries visit http://www.fitbite.co.uk

Author: Vikki Scovell
Article Source: EzineArticles.com
Latest trends in mobile phone

For starters, people should reduce their usage of water by taking shorter showers, which will decrease their water and electric bills. Also, installing inexpensive low-flow shower heads and toilets will decrease water and electric bills. Furthermore, a faucet aerator, on all faucets in the household, is inexpensive. These gadgets will reduce electric and water bills. But the water pressure will remain high.

Conserve water by using xeric gardens. Plants in xeric gardens are native to the area and do not require much water. In order to water them, it is recommended to use gray water. This gray water is the water from the kitchen, bathrooms, sinks, showers, tubs, laundry, washing machines, and dishwasher. Only biodegradable soaps are used in order to create this gray water. Recycle this gray water by watering gardens, plants, and lawn.

Use the machine washer/dryer and dishwasher after seven in the afternoon when energy consumption is lower. Wash most of your clothes in cold water because hot weather uses up a lot of energy. When drying clothes, only place big and thick pieces, like towels, sheets, jeans, sweats, blankets, robes and pajamas in the dryer with dryer balls in order to reduce the length of drying. Try to lay out smaller pieces of clothing as well as the delicate and gentle garments to air dry. Recycle the gray water from the washing machine and dishwasher for watering the plants. Do not flush the toilet too many times during the daytime in order to decrease water bill.

As people learn to reduce their water usage, they should also take appropriate measures to religiously practice the three Rs on a daily and ongoing basis. The three Rs include reducing, recycling and reusing so that valuable natural resources do not become scarce. Important products that need to be recycled include aluminum, steel and tin cans, glass bottles and jars, and paper and plastic products.

Old electronics should be recycled since they contain lead and mercury, which can taint the soil and water. Thereby, poisoning drinking water as well as vegetation. Car fluids, parts, batteries and accessories as well as auto bodies and tires should be recycled.

Recycling old compost to create your own fertilizer will assist in the growth of nutrient-enriched plants and garden. Furthermore, be sure to buy merchandise in bulk or large boxes to save on packaging. Such bulk shopping can be found in warehouse stores, such as Costco.

Other products to watch out for when recycling include using Volatile Organic Compounds (VOCs) and petrochemicals. Cotton and linen products do not emit VOCs in the air; and thereby, improving air quality. Organic cotton is a lot better because it does not use up petrochemicals. Also, using cleaning products that do not have harsh chemicals and that are not scented will recycle better. Do not use foam products, such as cups, bowls, plates, and clamshell boxes, because they use up petrochemicals and they do not recycle well.

Therefore, the secret to saving water requires reducing your water usage, recycling products, and reusing old products. But people need to remember that some products give out harsh chemicals, such as lead, mercury, petrochemicals, and VOCs, and can contaminate drinking water. To be safe, they should not buy such products that are scented or have chemicals. As people practice the three Rs, their water and electric bills start to decrease, their environment is cleaner, and they are saving the planet in the process.

Amelia Yap is a mother who is very conscious about global warming and the future or our environment. She has made it her mission to educate others to go green, reduce their carbon foot print, and help save our environment.
You can download her FREE report, “Simple Ways to Go Green and See Green” to see how easy it is to go green and save money along the way.

Author: Amelia Yap
Article Source: EzineArticles.com
Digital Camera News