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	<title>gettingoffgrid.com &#187; organic gardening</title>
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		<title>Green Living &#8211; What Is It?</title>
		<link>http://gettingoffgrid.com/2010/09/22/green-living-what-is-it.html</link>
		<comments>http://gettingoffgrid.com/2010/09/22/green-living-what-is-it.html#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Wed, 22 Sep 2010 05:25:19 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>laurarose</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[health and well-being]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[eco-friendly]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[organic gardening]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[social responsibility]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://gettingoffgrid.com/2010/09/22/green-living-what-is-it.html</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[The earth, as we know it is deteriorating in ways more than one. In order to set it right and restore the balance of events, we need to take an initiate and change our lifestyles to support the planet's health. [...]]]></description>
			<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p id="top" />There are many ways by which you can also start to live &#8216;greenly&#8217;. The actual meaning of green living is to live in a way that is favourable to the planet and does not harm, or use up any of its resources excessively. It shows that you care for your planet, and are willing to make an initiative to set things right.</p>
<p>If one person starts to live in greenly, others will see the effort he is making and eventually start to follow his example. Because the condition of the planet is worsening day by day, it is important that we take an initiative right now rather than repent it later. The world is deteriorating at a rapid rate, and it is all because of us. Many people don&#8217;t give enough care to what they do, and these results in a rapid use up of the planet&#8217;s resources. For instance, we often do not give enough care to the electricity consumption of our house.</p>
<p>There are many ways by which you can start &#8216;green living&#8217; too. However, in order to actually make an impact, we people need to realize the damages that we are doing and we all need to make a collective effort towards the betterment of this planet. One person can make a difference, but one person can set an example for others to follow. Some of the tips that we can follow in order to live &#8216;greenly&#8217; are mentioned below.</p>
<p>The first thing that you need to do is to limit your energy consumption. There are many ways by which you can do that. Try to avoid excessive usage of your desktop computer, because a desktop computer uses up lots of energy that could otherwise be saved. For instance, you could just start to use a laptop, and if you don&#8217;t have one, it is certainly wise that you buy one for yourself so that you can limit your energy consumption.</p>
<p>Now, as mentioned, one person can&#8217;t do anything or make an impact on the planet at all. However, imagine if every person in an area started to effectively use their energy and started to limit their consumption, then what would happen? I&#8217;ll tell you, the planet would slowly start to heal itself because a load would be lessened and slowly the resources that are used in generating electricity would be lessened and this could be highly beneficial because at present we use large amounts of coal and other thermal resources to facilitate our stay on this planet.</p>
<p>However, the rapid consumption of these resources, which are non renewable would want day result in the death of one of these crucial resources. For instance, if coal becomes extinct, then a lot of activity on this planet would cease to exist and we would just be searching for alternatives that might not be found so easily. However, if we start to use non renewable energy in our homes and start to take care of our planet, we could definitely make a small impact which might enlarge and the whole world might just join the &#8216;go green movement&#8217;.</p>
<p>Get involved in sustainable business and support companies that are making a difference to help free trade workers worldwide, whether it&#8217;s just buying <a href="http://www.guayaki.com" target="_new">organic tea</a> instead of your typical brand, or taking a closer look at the foods and other items you consume and replacing them with organic alternatives. Check out <a href="http://www.guayaki.com/" target="_new">http://www.guayaki.com/</a> for more info on the benefits of organic teas, sustainable living, and and sustainable business practices.</p>
<p>Author: <a href="http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Elaine_Simmons">Elaine Simmons</a><br />
Article Source: <a href="http://ezinearticles.com/?Green-Living---What-Is-It?&amp;id=4416863">EzineArticles.com</a><br />
<a href="http://betterdollar.com/payment/us-dollar-credit-card/">US Dollar credit card</a></p>
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		<title>Organic Vegetable Gardening in the Southwest &#8211; Yes You Can!</title>
		<link>http://gettingoffgrid.com/2010/09/16/organic-vegetable-gardening-in-the-southwest-yes-you-can.html</link>
		<comments>http://gettingoffgrid.com/2010/09/16/organic-vegetable-gardening-in-the-southwest-yes-you-can.html#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Fri, 17 Sep 2010 02:07:40 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>laurarose</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[food & garden]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[composting]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[eco-friendly]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[gardens for food]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[getting off grid]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[organic gardening]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[sustainable]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://gettingoffgrid.com/2010/09/16/organic-vegetable-gardening-in-the-southwest-yes-you-can.html</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[I have lived in the Phoenix area for a while now and the thought of having a vegetable garden never entered my mind, never researched it either, just thought it wasn't possible. We ALWAYS had a garden in the east so why not here. Upon some internet research and information from a friend I found out we actually have the ideal weather for one. [...]]]></description>
			<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p id="top" />I have lived in the Phoenix area for a while now and the thought of having a vegetable garden never entered my mind, never researched it either, just thought it wasn&#8217;t possible. We ALWAYS had a garden in the east so why not here. Upon some internet research and information from a friend I found out we actually have the ideal weather for one. I&#8217;ve had my garden for about 4 years and now wonder WHY I waited so long. Even now if I talk about it at the grocery store in line, people actually look at me like I&#8217;m crazy and say &#8220;You can do that here&#8221;? The fact is you can grow just about anything here.</p>
<p>We talk about Organic Gardening but I never knew that there was anything else except Organic Gardening. Growing up we didn&#8217;t have all the Chemicals that are out now and even if there were we couldn&#8217;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.</p>
<p>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.</p>
<p>Initially starting my garden took one day and three people. This is what I bought:</p>
<p>1. 6 bags of Compost. Add 5 keep 1 on hand.<br />
2. 5 bags of Blood Meal. Add 3 keep 2 for Fertilizer.<br />
3. 5 Bags of Bone Meal. Add 3 keep 2 for Fertilizer.<br />
4. 2 Bags of Amender.<br />
5. 5 Bags of Manure.<br />
6. 4 cups of Red Wrigglers.<br />
7. 2 Bags of Organic Mulch.</p>
<p>We rotor tilled 4 plots. Two were 8&#215;10, one was 3&#215;5, and one 2&#215;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.</p>
<p>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&#8243; 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.</p>
<p>The next day I planted. You can buy inexpensive plants or even hook up with other gardener&#8217;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.</p>
<p>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&#8217;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&#8217;s nothing better than a good rain for your plants.</p>
<p>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 &#8211; 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.</p>
<p>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&#8217;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&#8217;t plant it. I let it stay because it really helps with shade. It is as tall as the house now.</p>
<p>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&#8217;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.</p>
<p>Below is a list of resources I used just to name a few:<br />
The Garden Guy &#8211; Extreme Gardening, How To Grow Organic In The Hostile Desert by Dave Owens. I use this book ALL THE TIME. <a href="http://www.gardenguy.com/" target="_new">http://www.gardenguy.com/</a><br />
The Phoenix Permaculture Guild &#8211; <a href="http://www.phoenixpermaculture.org/" target="_new">http://www.phoenixpermaculture.org/</a> Great resource for Southwest Gardening. They also have a Desert Planting and Harvesting Calendar on this site.</p>
<p>Author: <a href="http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Laura_Rairigh">Laura Rairigh</a><br />
Article Source: <a href="http://ezinearticles.com/?Organic-Vegetable-Gardening-in-the-Southwest---Yes-You-Can!&amp;id=2681857">EzineArticles.com</a><br />
<a href="http://foodtocure.com/">Healing food: natural way to cure cancer</a></p>
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		<title>Going Green at Work</title>
		<link>http://gettingoffgrid.com/2010/08/16/going-green-at-work.html</link>
		<comments>http://gettingoffgrid.com/2010/08/16/going-green-at-work.html#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Mon, 16 Aug 2010 23:32:41 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>laurarose</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[going  green]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[organic gardening]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[recycle]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[reduce]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[reuse]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://gettingoffgrid.com/2010/08/16/going-green-at-work.html</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[Going green can be beneficial not only to you and your family but also to mother earth. It will take some changing in your lifestyle to live green. But it can be done and once you start conserving the earth's resources you will feel better about yourself and sort of proud of yourself for saving resources. [...]]]></description>
			<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p id="top" />Going green can be beneficial not only to you and your family but also to mother earth. It will take some changing in your lifestyle to live green. But it can be done and once you start conserving the earth&#8217;s resources you will feel better about yourself and sort of proud of yourself for saving resources.</p>
<p>When going to work you can also be more conscience of items that you are just disposing, Use reusable items instead of disposable. When disposing items such as paper recycle don&#8217;t just throw these items in the trash can.</p>
<p>Emailing instead of printing items will also be necessary to save paper and reduce waste. What you should put on the bottom of every email that you send in the signature line is &#8220;please print only when necessary&#8221; this way people will be more aware of the need to conserve everything starting with paper.</p>
<p>In offices there are many lights on, most of the places can operate just fine with only half of the lights. There is no need to have all the lights on. Cutting back on electric usage will save the company not only money but will be doing their part to go green. Be sure when you leave work for the day to have everyone turn off unused electrical products such as the computer, the monitor and printers.</p>
<p>Start a Campaign in your workplace and begin the move to make a difference. Email daily tips to coworkers on what they can do each day to make a change in their lives. Challenge others in your office to do their part to become the difference in this world. Hang a chart showing how much of a difference your one little office is making. It will inspire others to do more at home with their families. What we save today our children can enjoy tomorrow.</p>
<p>Going green can be done starting with small baby steps. If each of us do our small little part it will make a big difference. Saving and conserving natural resources is only one way to make a difference.</p>
<p>Shopping for natural items will show these companies that people are concerned about toxic chemicals that are used in items. Another way that you can do your part is to be an organic shopper and start your own <a href="http://www.mscheapo.com/grow-cheap-organic-gardens/" target="_new">Organic garden</a> and purchase natural products that are good for your family and healthier to consume.</p>
<p>Author: <a href="http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Jackie_Chapman">Jackie Chapman</a><br />
Article Source: <a href="http://ezinearticles.com/?Going-Green-at-Work&amp;id=2526147">EzineArticles.com</a><br />
<a href="http://hippestphone.com/zagg%E2%80%99s-invisibleshield-offers-simple-stylish-solutions-for-iphone-4-antenna-concerns/">iphone 4 antenna problem</a></p>
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		<title>Doing Your Part With Natural Lawn Care</title>
		<link>http://gettingoffgrid.com/2010/08/11/doing-your-part-with-natural-lawn-care.html</link>
		<comments>http://gettingoffgrid.com/2010/08/11/doing-your-part-with-natural-lawn-care.html#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Wed, 11 Aug 2010 23:23:33 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>laurarose</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[going  green]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[composting]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[conservation]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[eco-friendly]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[gardens for food]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[organic gardening]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[rainbarrels]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[water harvesting]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://gettingoffgrid.com/2010/08/11/doing-your-part-with-natural-lawn-care.html</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[There are many ways to integrate natural lawn care into your lifestyle, and very few of them require much time or effort on your part. [...]]]></description>
			<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p id="top" />We have all become more aware of the strains our environment is facing and most people are willing to change their habits to make a difference. Some of the more obvious ways to do this is through recycling, conservation, and charitable support. While these are all great ways to get started, many people overlook lawn care as another opportunity to go green. Here are some simple steps you can take integrate natural lawn care into your lifestyle.</p>
<p><strong>Use a Push Reel Mower</strong>Studies have shown that a single lawn mower produces more air pollution in one hour than a car produces over 1000 miles. Reel mowers don&#8217;t emit any air pollution, and many would be surprised how efficient they are. Laser cut blades eliminate a lot of the labor and spotty performance that used to plaque the old fashioned units, and some even offer a bagging accessory. If you need a little more power to get through a larger lawn, then opt for the electric models which are still significantly more eco-friendly than gasoline engines.</p>
<p><strong>Collect Rain Water</strong></p>
<p>Water is a very scarce resource in some areas, especially during the summer season. You can help conserve water and lower your utility bills by investing in a rain barrel. These plastic tubs are placed near the perimeter of your home to collect rain, and many have hose attachments to make it easy to redistribute the water to your plants.</p>
<p><strong>Build a Compost Bin</strong>Compost bins help you recycle your lawn debris into a fertilizer-rich compound. Some people mistakenly believe that generating compost is a major chore. The truth is that all you have to do is turn the compost every few weeks to ensure it degrades properly. Mother Nature does the rest with a natural supply of heat and moisture. Not only will you make good use of your debris, but you plants will benefit from the rich nutrients that compost returns to the earth.</p>
<p><strong>Use Natural Fertilizers and Pesticides</strong></p>
<p>Synthetic fertilizers contain thousands of chemicals and poisons that negatively affect the organisms that come into contact with them. It is unfortunate that not enough people know about the alternatives to chemical lawn treatments. There are many books available with recipes for <a rel="nofollow" href="http://naturallawnfertilizers.com/" target="_new">natural lawn fertilizers</a> that are not only safe for the environment, but they usually less expensive than retail products. Interestingly enough, many can be made with common items from your local grocery store.</p>
<p>There are many ways to integrate natural lawn care into your lifestyle, and very few of them require much time or effort on your part. Even if you can&#8217;t utilize all of the suggestions in this article, it is important to do as much as you can. Every change that you make today could save a small niche of the environment for our children. Visit <a rel="nofollow" href="http://naturallawnfertilizers.com/" target="_new">Natural Lawn Fertilizers</a> for more inspiration on ways to use organic lawn recipes in the maintenance of your yard.</p>
<p><a href="http://naturallawnfertilizers.com/" target="_new">Natural Lawn Fertilizers</a> is the first step for lawn enthusiasts who want to grow a beautiful organic lawn.</p>
<p>Author: <a href="http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Thomas_Galley">Thomas Galley</a><br />
Article Source: <a href="http://ezinearticles.com/?Doing-Your-Part-With-Natural-Lawn-Care&amp;id=624447">EzineArticles.com</a><br />
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		<title>Going Green As a Gardener</title>
		<link>http://gettingoffgrid.com/2010/08/09/going-green-as-a-gardener.html</link>
		<comments>http://gettingoffgrid.com/2010/08/09/going-green-as-a-gardener.html#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Mon, 09 Aug 2010 23:09:24 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>Bruce A. Tucker</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[going  green]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[biodegradability]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[composting]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[conservation]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[eco-friendly]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[organic gardening]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[rainbarrels]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[recycle]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[reduce]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[reuse]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://gettingoffgrid.com/2010/08/09/going-green-as-a-gardener.html</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[If you are a gardener like me then you too are looking for ways to make gardening more fun. Put these environmentally friendly tips into action and make your green thumb really go green. [...]]]></description>
			<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p id="top" />By default gardeners are green, green thumbed that is. They take necessary steps to cultivate their land, regardless of the size, and do the things to make their gardens a success. But did you know you can also do some other things that not only will add to your green thumb but make you go green and be more environmentally friendly? Here are some things as a gardener you can start implementing today for a cleaner environment.</p>
<p><strong>Recycle Water</strong></p>
<p>Well you are not really recycling water but what you are doing to trapping rain water to be used at a later date so you do not pull more water from the municipal supply. You do this by using a rain barrel, which is just really a fancy word for a container that catches rain water from your down spouts. Just use a garbage can, rubber maid container or something similar and instead of your rain down spouts just going to the ground, redirect them into your containers. When they get full, use the water in your garden.</p>
<p><strong>Battery Power to the Rescue</strong></p>
<p>Whether it&#8217;s mowing your lawn or tilling the dirt, there are battery powered alternatives to gasoline that can do just as good a job. Today&#8217;s lithium batteries are far superior to the ones built just a couple of years ago. They have become lighter, stronger and they last longer meaning longer use in between chargers. Grab yourself a solar powered battery charger (or make one if you are handy) and your power tools will never need gas or the grid.</p>
<p><strong>Reuse Old Wood</strong></p>
<p>Do you build things for your gardens such as benches, tables and so on? Instead of going to your local home center and buying new, find someone who is giving away old wooden pallets. A simple search in your area on Craigslist or your local newspaper will yield you plenty of results. Then take that wood and your building.</p>
<p><strong>Cardboard Egg Cartons</strong></p>
<p>From now on buy the eggs that come in the cardboard style egg cartons as opposed to the Styrofoam version. Styrofoam takes hundreds of years to decompose, where as you can use the cardboard cartons as planters for your seedlings, and get his, you can plant the cardboard because it is biodegradable. Now how&#8217;s that for going green!</p>
<p><strong>Plant the right Plants</strong></p>
<p>You are already a gardener so that makes you an expert at planting right? Did you know by planting trees and shrubs to block out the sun from your house will cool it down in the summertime? Better yet they can block the wind in the wintertime and that will keep your house warmer. Trees take years to grow so it would be best to get started right away.</p>
<p><strong>Compost</strong></p>
<p>Last but not least, but last for a reason, all good gardeners do the ultimate environmentally friendly technique of composting. This is where you take organic material, such as food waste, leaves, grass, twigs, etc., and let it rot. This is done either by burying it so the ecosystem underneath your soil can do it for you, or in a container called a compost bin. The United States creates over a trillion pounds of organic waste per year that ends up in a landfill. We can reduce 100% of the space if composted our organic material.</p>
<p>As you can see none of these ideas will cost you an arm or a leg nor will they cause you to make life altering changes. But what they will do is get you closer to being greener by helping the environment.</p>
<p><strong><span style="text-decoration: underline;">About the Author</span></strong><br />
Bruce is the co-author of the book Vegetable Gardening for the Average Person: A guide to vegetable gardening for the rest of us. It is a practical easy to follow book that teaches gardeners everything from composting techniques, aeration and frost conditions, to choosing the right tools and picking the right seeds. To learn more about Mr. Tucker or to inquire about the book you can visit: <a href="http://www.AveragePersonGardening.com" target="_new">AveragePersonGardening.com</a>.</p>
<p>Author: <a href="http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Bruce_A._Tucker">Bruce A. Tucker</a><br />
Article Source: <a href="http://ezinearticles.com/?Going-Green-As-a-Gardener&amp;id=2376408">EzineArticles.com</a><br />
<a href="http://digitalcameratimes.com/">Digital Camera Information</a></p>
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		<title>Going Green Has Improved My Health Drastically</title>
		<link>http://gettingoffgrid.com/2010/07/16/going-green-has-improved-my-health-drastically.html</link>
		<comments>http://gettingoffgrid.com/2010/07/16/going-green-has-improved-my-health-drastically.html#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Sat, 17 Jul 2010 00:26:26 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>laurarose</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[food & garden]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[health and well-being]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[local foods]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[organic foods]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[organic gardening]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://gettingoffgrid.com/2010/07/16/going-green-has-improved-my-health-drastically.html</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[Recently I cut out pesticide laden food from my diet by eliminating it, or buying its organic variety. When I did this, several things happened to my body that I would like to share. [...]]]></description>
			<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p id="top" />Recently I cut out pesticide laden food from my diet by eliminating it, or buying its organic variety. When I did this, several things happened to my body that I would like to share. I am the world&#8217;s biggest skeptic, and always research and cross examine something before I believe in it. I guess that I&#8217;ve been burned too many times in the past.</p>
<p>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&#8217;t all just in my head. I keep reading all of these reports that organic food isn&#8217;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&#8217;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&#8217;t alter my diet at all, just simply ate 100% organic. I didn&#8217;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.</p>
<p>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&#8217;t that insane? If someone had told me that if I simply ate organic I would be horribly sick for about 5 &#8211; 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:</p>
<ul>
<li>the tap water I drink has chemicals and chlorine in it</li>
<li>soft drinks are loaded with chemicals</li>
<li>produce is laden with pesticides</li>
<li>the air we breathe is laden with chemicals</li>
<li>lots of food is full of preservatives</li>
<li>household cleaners have lots of chemicals that are harmful to humans</li>
<li>carpets and dust in houses has lots of toxins in them</li>
</ul>
<p>It&#8217;s the buildup each and every day that makes people&#8217;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 &#8220;educating&#8221; myself I improved myself. Let&#8217;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.</p>
<p>I am a guy who loves <a href="http://www.gogreenandsave.ca" target="_new">building green products</a>. Click the link to enter my site, make sure to check out my blog!</p>
<p>Author: <a href="http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Katherine_Gabel">Katherine Gabel</a><br />
Article Source: <a href="http://ezinearticles.com/?Going-Green-Has-Improved-My-Health-Drastically&amp;id=4652347">EzineArticles.com</a><br />
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		<title>Manic Organic &#8211; With Big Brands Cashing in on the Organic Name, What Does Organic Really Mean?</title>
		<link>http://gettingoffgrid.com/2010/07/15/manic-organic-with-big-brands-cashing-in-on-the-organic-name-what-does-organic-really-mean.html</link>
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		<pubDate>Fri, 16 Jul 2010 00:15:37 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>laurarose</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[food & garden]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[greenovating]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[eco-friendly]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[green living]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[local foods]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[organic gardening]]></category>

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		<description><![CDATA[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. [...]]]></description>
			<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p id="top" />I have written so many times about organic food, and am increasingly committed to living an &#8216;organic lifestyle&#8217; where possible. But what exactly do I mean by that? To me it is about caring for my families&#8217; health, and the families of the people who make the food, lessening my environmental impact, protecting my kids from chemical residues in food, and around the home and garden and taking responsibility for the lives of the animals which help produce our food. I also like to support the local economy, and am passionate about quality ingredients. I believe that big supermarket culture has altered our expectations about food; we want it cheap, fast, highly flavoured, squeaky clean, flawless, oh and even cheaper! The reality of good food and organic produce is that it isn&#8217;t always all of those things, but it can have so much more to offer. Some organic stuff to consider:</p>
<p>• 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&#8217;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.</p>
<p>• 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 &#8216;organic-ness&#8217; of a product depending on what about &#8216;organic&#8217; 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.</p>
<p>• 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: <a rel="nofollow" href="http://www.riverford.co.uk" target="_new">http://www.riverford.co.uk</a> 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.</p>
<p>• 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&#8217;s Ladies <a rel="nofollow" href="http://www.theladiesorganicmilk.co.uk" target="_new">http://www.theladiesorganicmilk.co.uk</a> for ideas on how it really should be.</p>
<p>• 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.</p>
<p>There is so much more to &#8216;Organics&#8217; than simply the product. If a packet says &#8216;Organic&#8217; 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.</p>
<p>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 <a href="http://www.fitbite.co.uk" target="_new">http://www.fitbite.co.uk</a></p>
<p>Author: <a href="http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Vikki_Scovell">Vikki Scovell</a><br />
Article Source: <a href="http://ezinearticles.com/?Manic-Organic---With-Big-Brands-Cashing-in-on-the-Organic-Name,-What-Does-Organic-Really-Mean?&amp;id=709948">EzineArticles.com</a><br />
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		<title>How to Landscape Your Home and Still Be Environmentally Friendly</title>
		<link>http://gettingoffgrid.com/2010/07/06/how-to-landscape-your-home-and-still-be-environmentally-friendly.html</link>
		<comments>http://gettingoffgrid.com/2010/07/06/how-to-landscape-your-home-and-still-be-environmentally-friendly.html#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Tue, 06 Jul 2010 20:09:26 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>Eliza Reeder</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[going  green]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[composting]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[conservation]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[eco-friendly]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[organic gardening]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[rainbarrels]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[water harvesting]]></category>

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		<description><![CDATA[Any environmentally conscious person who wants to help in the saving of Earth can do so even when they want to landscape. After all, there was a period in time that people would landscape the land without the use of gas-using machines. [...]]]></description>
			<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p id="top" />For many people, being environmentally aware is just a part of life. People are using reusable dry cleaning bags, organic cotton bags, walking or biking to work rather than driving and so many more eco-friendly ideas that they can implement. Yet, when it comes to their lawn care, many of them are at a loss for words and/or ideas. Sales for electric lawnmowers and trimmers have jumped exponentially since people have realized the dangers with using gas-powered mowers. While, in theory, electric models are a good idea, you need to remember that the power comes from electric companies who use coal.</p>
<p><strong>Going Back To The Past</strong></p>
<p>The best product available for your lawn, health and the planet is the reel lawnmower. They need little maintenance other than having the blades oiled and sharpened a couple of times during the season. When you use powered motors, the grass is being torn; push mowers will trim the lawn like you were using a pair of scissors on it. Rather than use the weed wacker, use sling trimmers or long handled blades.</p>
<p>Rather than watering your lawn, leave out rain barrels to catch the rain then use it to water your garden/plants.</p>
<p><strong>Why You Should Compost</strong></p>
<p>If you want to spend the money, go ahead and purchase yourself some compost bins. Yet, save your money for something else and use some extra space in your yard. You can compost all kinds of things but make sure you leave it in a pile. Place a layer of dirt on the top and as the pile rises, you&#8217;ll need to flip it over with a pitchfork or shovel; this allows it to air out. Make sure you don&#8217;t add any meat. Meat will attract unwanted guests and can end up making it all smell bad. If you desire to speed up the composting process, add in some earthworms.</p>
<p><strong>Eco-Friendly Planting</strong></p>
<p>Start your eco-friendly planting by choosing trees and native plants that can help the environment. When you have plants native to your area, plants will conserve the water they receive and will need very little water to stay alive and thrive. On top of that, the plants are resistant to common bugs and pests of the area, which means there&#8217;s no real need for pesticides.</p>
<p>Do you like deciduous trees? Consider planting them on the east and west sides of your house so that it shades your home in summer but still allows warmth from the sun to come in during the winter months since they&#8217;ll have no leaves.</p>
<p>Consider mulching, as it gives it texture, color and retains the moisture. There are several kinds of recycled mulch varieties available, meaning of them for cheap.</p>
<p><strong>An Eco-Friendly Watering System</strong></p>
<p>On top of the rain barrel option, you can use an irrigation controller and low-volume sprinklers. Irrigation controllers can be adjusted to a schedule that allows it to water on its own. Some people can program their irrigation controller to match the local weather station. These are ideal for saving water and not wasting valuable resources.</p>
<p>When you use the eco-friendly ideas above for your landscape, you can reduce the spraying of pesticides and the use of powered engines, which can harm the environment. Whether your planting trees, using reusable grocery bags or turning off the water when you&#8217;re done water your lawn, you&#8217;re making an effort to go green and provide a world for future generations.</p>
<p>Eliza Reeder writes articles that deal with environmental concerns and eco-friendly living. She encourages everyone to help protect our planet&#8217;s future by doing things like using <a href="http://www.reusablebagsdepot.com" target="_new">reusable bags</a>. You can find more eco-friendly living tips on her <a href="http://www.reusablebagsdepot.com" target="_new">reusable grocery bags</a> site.</p>
<p>Author: <a href="http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Eliza_Reeder">Eliza Reeder</a><br />
Article Source: <a href="http://ezinearticles.com/?How-to-Landscape-Your-Home-and-Still-Be-Environmentally-Friendly&amp;id=4084364">EzineArticles.com</a><br />
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		<title>Wonderful Tips and Benefits of Doing Organic Gardening</title>
		<link>http://gettingoffgrid.com/2010/06/29/wonderful-tips-and-benefits-of-doing-organic-gardening.html</link>
		<comments>http://gettingoffgrid.com/2010/06/29/wonderful-tips-and-benefits-of-doing-organic-gardening.html#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Tue, 29 Jun 2010 19:25:00 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>laurarose</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[food & garden]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[composting]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[conservation]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[green living]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[green planning]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[organic gardening]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[rain gardens]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[rainwater]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://gettingoffgrid.com/2010/06/29/wonderful-tips-and-benefits-of-doing-organic-gardening.html</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[Organic gardening offers a lot of benefits to gardeners. This article talks about some of the tips that can be used in organic gardening and the benefits it offers. [...]]]></description>
			<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p id="top" />As humans have started to realize environmental issues and global warming better, they have changed their negative attitude towards the environment into something that can be beneficial for the environment as well as for them. One such practice which people have adopted to minimize environmental degradation is organic gardening practices. For many humans, gardening is an important part of their lives either for earning a living out of the crops or just for leisure purpose. Nowadays, as people have started to make their move towards sustainability and green living, organic gardening has become more popular. Previously, humans had to rely on pest control for their pesticide needs and to keep their garden free from pests. However, with this type of gardening, people can be certain they can take care of the pests and infestation with natural methods.</p>
<p>There are many tips available which can make organic gardening practices easier and there are numerous benefits associated with the practice as well. Organic fertilizers are the best to be used for the vegetables growing in the garden. They release nutrients slowly so that nutrients last for a longer period of time. Rain water is chemical free and gardeners can collect rain water in barrels to use in the garden. There are many different types of rain barrels available which are made of recycled plastics and reused food drums. Storing rain water can be very beneficial for the garden during dry seasons.</p>
<p>Green pots can be used to plant vegetables and flowers where space is limited. This method is known as container gardening and do not require excessive organic material as they are being closed. Green pots are made out of natural elements and will make a great feature for gardening. To take care of the growth of vegetables, gardeners can use organic gardening supplies and organic disease control methods. Moreover, if the garden gets infested, it is best to use biological control or natural control methods such as introducing natural predators into the garden that will destroy invaders without causing any harm to the vegetables.</p>
<p>Moreover, there are many advantages of doing organic gardening. It allows the connection between nature and mankind to become stronger and enables humans to take advantage of healthy fruits and vegetables. Organic uses natural compost and does not encourage use of chemical fertilizers. This means that humans are able to protect the environment from further degradation and protect wildlife as well. There is no risk associated with organic gardening for humans and animals.</p>
<p>Organic gardening offers humans to do something for the nature and the future generation. It also allows humans to feed their children healthy food without the influence of chemicals and toxins. Moreover, these practices allow people to grow food much cheaper than those grown with the use of chemicals. Fertilizers and pesticides are generally made of toxins which are hazardous to the environments as well as to the health of humans. Organic makes people do something for the environment, for themselves, for their kids and for the future generation.</p>
<p>Connor R. Sullivan read recently of a Northern Kentucky pest control [http://www.aceexterminating.com/service_residential.html] problem which is causing damage to area homes. He heard there was a Cincinnati pest control [http://www.aceexterminating.com/] problem in certain neighborhoods.</p>
<p>Author: <a href="http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Connor_R_Sullivan">Connor R Sullivan</a><br />
Article Source: <a href="http://ezinearticles.com/?Wonderful-Tips-and-Benefits-of-Doing-Organic-Gardening&amp;id=3127801">EzineArticles.com</a><br />
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		<title>Reduce Your Carbon Emissions by Growing Your Own Home Vegetable Garden</title>
		<link>http://gettingoffgrid.com/2010/06/20/reduce-your-carbon-emissions-by-growing-your-own-home-vegetable-garden.html</link>
		<comments>http://gettingoffgrid.com/2010/06/20/reduce-your-carbon-emissions-by-growing-your-own-home-vegetable-garden.html#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Sun, 20 Jun 2010 18:50:25 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>laurarose</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[food & garden]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[carbon footprint]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[composting]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[conservation]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[eco-friendly]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[gardening]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[gardens for food]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[getting off grid]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[green living]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[organic gardening]]></category>
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		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://gettingoffgrid.com/2010/06/20/reduce-your-carbon-emissions-by-growing-your-own-home-vegetable-garden.html</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[Researches have estimated that growing a home vegetable garden can reduce a person's carbon emission by as much as 17%. Here is some advice to get you started on your road to a greener lifestyle and spending less money. [...]]]></description>
			<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p id="top" />Long before the &#8220;green&#8221; movement became cool, us home vegetable gardeners were already taking steps that reduce carbon emissions, add less to landfills and contribute to a more healthy lifestyle. Now that you have taken the step to go a little more green yourself, you can relax and know that you can small things without breaking the bank.</p>
<p>Before you drop a hundred grand on solar panels, or decide to erect a wind farm in your backyard, or go out a buy that two door spec that gets fifty miles to the gallon, let&#8217;s start with what you can do right now to reduce your carbon footprint without spending any extra money that may not have. Most of the time the best solutions, are the simple ones that are right in front of you.</p>
<p>Start with the basic recycling of your food waste. This is about as basic as it gets. You simply take your food waste and bury it about 18 inches below the surface in your garden. By doing this you are replenishing your soil with nutrients by feeding the underlying ecosystem with organic material. They ingest your food scraps and turn it into compost. Second, by not putting your food scraps in the trash you are eliminating landfill space being taken up. Total cost to you, zero, so you are ahead of the game and the benefits of recycling your food waste is tremendous.</p>
<p>Next, grow your favorite vegetables. It doesn&#8217;t matter if you have a traditional garden, a raised bed garden or you simply grow plants out of pots. By growing the vegetables you love to eat it and having that ability to prepare them in your own kitchen at a moment&#8217;s notice has been shown to reduce drive time to restaurants and supermarkets. That helps reduce the amount of fuel you use in your car. Far fetched? Hardly! Studies have shown that if people have food on hand they are less likely to go out. Throw in learning the art of canning or preserving your vegetable harvest and you can have vegetables all year round grown right from your own backyard.</p>
<p>You can also harvest rain water through the use of a rain barrel eliminating the amount of water you use to water your vegetable plants. A rain barrel can be anything that holds water. It can be a plastic container, a garbage can and so on. Just make sure you drill a hole to add a spigot so you can use the water by filling up a watering can or getting even more advanced and attach a garden hose. All you do is divert the water from your homes down spouts into your barrel and Everytime it rains you reduce the amount of water your are taking from the municipal supply.</p>
<p>Home vegetable gardeners have been using green techniques for years and long before the &#8220;green&#8221; revolution. So before you spend a lot of money on trendy &#8220;green&#8221; things, start off small with the things you can do in your own backyard to reduce your carbon footprint.</p>
<p>About the Author<br />
Mike is the author of the book <em>Vegetable Gardening for the Average Person: A guide to vegetable gardening for the rest of us</em>, available on Amazon, Barnes &amp; Noble and where ever gardening books are sold. He can be reached at his website: <a href="http://www.AveragePersonGardening.com" target="_new">AveragePersonGardening.com</a> where you can sign up for his free newsletter and he will send you a pack of vegetable seeds to get your home vegetable garden started.</p>
<p>Author: <a href="http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Michael_C_Podlesny">Michael C Podlesny</a><br />
Article Source: <a href="http://ezinearticles.com/?Reduce-Your-Carbon-Emissions-by-Growing-Your-Own-Home-Vegetable-Garden&amp;id=2707210">EzineArticles.com</a><br />
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