We've run three classes and events for a day. Now we're tired--and hungry!
What gets me most is take-outs; you know, like Chinese take-out, grocery store pre-made food, and so on. In Japan, however, we get our containers back to the store after using them. Still, a good deal of energy is burned just to make these containers, clean them, and--well, we might as well just bring a plate with us to the store. But, Daryl Hannah had this better idea... a stainless steel pot, no leak, no bacteria, take w/ you wherever you go kind of pot. (Gee, that was a long sentence!).
So, I'm off to get one for me and mine. It may not be the solution to all our needs, but it is something everyone can do to save a little paper and stop all that plastic from piling up. Right? Are you with me?
Resources:
DHLove's page on Everyday Essentials
Edible Garden
Edible Garden is a web site and forum for collaborating with other gardeners. Chat, leave posts in the forums, and find anything from gardening basics to mouth watering recipes.
Fellow gardeners and hobby farmers can join this network to talk with experts or fellow start-up farmers/gardeners. Eat what you grow, and love it. Here's a farming adventure you won't regret joining--I will see you there!
Theediblegarden.com
Fellow gardeners and hobby farmers can join this network to talk with experts or fellow start-up farmers/gardeners. Eat what you grow, and love it. Here's a farming adventure you won't regret joining--I will see you there!
Theediblegarden.com
Solar Panel Videos Resource
Hello readers! Aside from transporting some onions at the last minute the other day, we've been looking into solar panels. Actually, you may have been thinking of making your own solar panels. And why not?
Here's a good video detailing the cleaning and soldering of the individual solar cells. The volume is a bit low on this video, but this gentleman did one of the best jobs I've seen on video.
If you don't know where to purchase the parts for solar panels, you may want to read this book: Earth4Energy.
Best wishes!
Here's a good video detailing the cleaning and soldering of the individual solar cells. The volume is a bit low on this video, but this gentleman did one of the best jobs I've seen on video.
If you don't know where to purchase the parts for solar panels, you may want to read this book: Earth4Energy.
Best wishes!
There Goes an Idea
Looks like my idea for a balloon shape shelter (floating shelter) has been used in Japan. It is good, but would be nice to get a link back to my post. The concept was, I admit, something I thought of long before the tsunami struck Fukushima in March of 2011. Originally, I thought the idea could be applied to other disasters than floods and tidal waves, such as hurricanes or sudden emergencies, like an airline ripping apart, and the balloon capsule would be mounted to the underside of the seats, providing some means of protective armor, and a chute. When I realized that a man had once failed to open his chute while sky diving, and yet he bounced off the ground and lived, I thought a giant bouncing ball would be an excellent design for aerial emergencies. I later posted about using the same concept for tsunamis. The area I failed in was specifying the design.
Survival Farming... What to Know in Regard to Disaster
"[...]this basic information will help you realize just how much effort is entailed in raising sufficient amounts of food with limited or no machinery to assist." This statement takes the words right out of my mouth. Effort required and a minus in machinery is the big question Green Hammy tried to answer on Blogger.
The quote/ statement was taken from a post on survival blog.com. I do have one concern. Raising food for animals tends to be a problem when we are considering large animals. Much of what we feed to large animals could be fed to us instead. Large amounts of land are required to feed bigger animals. Chickens are cool, and they can find much of their own food on their own I have heard. (I've never raised chickens personally, unless my pet rooster counts).
My other concern is that global disasters could be so horrific that there will be no farmlands left standing. So, in effect, what we really needed before disaster hit the economy, and tsunamis strike down coastlines, and earthquakes shatter continents, floods and so on, is a solid leadership in our nations (not from government, but from strong thinkers, independent thinkers, and people with knowledge to come together with a survival plan).
Much time could be saved if whole communities freeze dried food now, together at events, rally's or whatever one wishes to call such meetings and gatherings. Seeds would ideally be cultivated. Maybe you could call the gathering "hope for others", those who may survive. Every bag you stuff and fill with seeds, and every container of freeze dried food, you would know that someone was going to be real thankful you did all that work for them.
Anyway, here's a good start on the farming side...
http://www.survivalblog.com/2011/10/homestead_food_production_by_m.html
The quote/ statement was taken from a post on survival blog.com. I do have one concern. Raising food for animals tends to be a problem when we are considering large animals. Much of what we feed to large animals could be fed to us instead. Large amounts of land are required to feed bigger animals. Chickens are cool, and they can find much of their own food on their own I have heard. (I've never raised chickens personally, unless my pet rooster counts).
My other concern is that global disasters could be so horrific that there will be no farmlands left standing. So, in effect, what we really needed before disaster hit the economy, and tsunamis strike down coastlines, and earthquakes shatter continents, floods and so on, is a solid leadership in our nations (not from government, but from strong thinkers, independent thinkers, and people with knowledge to come together with a survival plan).
Much time could be saved if whole communities freeze dried food now, together at events, rally's or whatever one wishes to call such meetings and gatherings. Seeds would ideally be cultivated. Maybe you could call the gathering "hope for others", those who may survive. Every bag you stuff and fill with seeds, and every container of freeze dried food, you would know that someone was going to be real thankful you did all that work for them.
Anyway, here's a good start on the farming side...
http://www.survivalblog.com/2011/10/homestead_food_production_by_m.html
Just Add Water and Meal's Served!
It takes a couple to a few years to really know what seeds will work in your soil. This is widely said, but as I've personally have tested neglected land for farming, I think there is a lot more hope than gloom. Of course there are certain factors which were favorable to the land we rehabilitated. One was the moisture level in Japan (good for the vermin and crawlies like centipedes who make soil good for growing food). Another benefactor was the land had once long ago (thirty or more years prior to it being turned into a dump so people could avoid paying garbage fees--they're not allowed to burn trash, so dumping was their solution) was the fields had been used to grow rice.
In any event, you may not have these same benefactors in your area, particularly places which were once concreted over. If you need to stock up on food for some years, the following site sells dried meals which can be stored for 25 year shelf life, among other goods.
Go here http://beprepared.com/category.asp?c=62&sid=jrsblogn
Or visit http://beprepared.com for other products. Think ahead, this who can afford to do so. Still looking for deals like this in Japan. Not many good ones yet, but will post these as well for those living in Japan.
In any event, you may not have these same benefactors in your area, particularly places which were once concreted over. If you need to stock up on food for some years, the following site sells dried meals which can be stored for 25 year shelf life, among other goods.
Go here http://beprepared.com/category.asp?c=62&sid=jrsblogn
Or visit http://beprepared.com for other products. Think ahead, this who can afford to do so. Still looking for deals like this in Japan. Not many good ones yet, but will post these as well for those living in Japan.
Survival of the Most Prepared
We live in uncertain times... economy is crashing, the oceans are reclaiming the coastlines, and just about every thing that could go wrong will. It's only a question of "when", not "if". To prepare for these times you'll need to know your neighbors, get out of urban areas if and when you can, and learn vital skills for medical, first aid, cooking, farming, and myriad other trades.
Please visit SURVIVAL BLOG for preparedness in times of uncertainty. You can be certain of one thing--you won't regret being prepared, but you will regret not reading this blog!
Or paste into your browser:
http://survivalblog.com
Please visit SURVIVAL BLOG for preparedness in times of uncertainty. You can be certain of one thing--you won't regret being prepared, but you will regret not reading this blog!
Or paste into your browser:
http://survivalblog.com
Solar Window this Week
Keep in mind this week and part of next week has our planet in line with possible mass coronal projection from the sun. The same side of the sun which fired a mass of solar flares from its backside a little while ago is now facing the earth. We are hoping the sun will be mellow, for lack of better words, during this week. You may notice that it is hotter than it should be on this lovely fall afternoon, depending on where you live.
Use extra shades or covers for sensitive plants.
Use extra shades or covers for sensitive plants.
Soda Killer
Hello, folks!
Probably one of the more difficult things to overcome in modern diet is... soda. Canned cola, diet coke, fruity soda-pop, and so on, is something better suited for eating the rust off of your skateboard's rusty barrings. Seriously, my stomach has never felt better since reducing that awfully addictive soda pop.
Diet cola is by far one of the worst drinks, and one of the extremely difficult habits to overcome. I recall the first day I went entirely without any diet soda, and what I experienced was nearly coming to tears--I mean I couldn't sleep without that diet coke nightcap!
Do not despair! For there is a solution--my soda killer! Simply, start your reduction in soda reliance, and you'll reduce your addiction down to near zero.
Consider the following:
Now, I'm not saying that we should all become health nuts. Besides, what is life without a little risk or a little fun? I'm telling my readers to watch their reliance and addiction to substances, particularly processed foods and beverages. Taking a little soda at a time is probably not so harmful. Many of us have strong immune systems, and yet some of us have weaker immune systems. It depends on your genes, habits, life style, and immune system; how much your body can tolerate processed foods and beverages, like diet coke, pepsi cola, or any other kind of soda pop. Drink in small amounts. Watch your dependency. Disassociate meals with soda and soft drinks.
Relevant reading on soft drinks:
Probably one of the more difficult things to overcome in modern diet is... soda. Canned cola, diet coke, fruity soda-pop, and so on, is something better suited for eating the rust off of your skateboard's rusty barrings. Seriously, my stomach has never felt better since reducing that awfully addictive soda pop.
Diet cola is by far one of the worst drinks, and one of the extremely difficult habits to overcome. I recall the first day I went entirely without any diet soda, and what I experienced was nearly coming to tears--I mean I couldn't sleep without that diet coke nightcap!
Do not despair! For there is a solution--my soda killer! Simply, start your reduction in soda reliance, and you'll reduce your addiction down to near zero.
Consider the following:
- Discontinue associating cola, diet soda, and fruity soda pops with meals. Instead, drink a large glass of ice water with chopped lemons (cinnamon is also a great detoxification remedy! So, throw some cinnamon sticks in there if you like or powdered cinnamon in your coffee/tea).
- Drink soda as if it were wine. Take only small sips in the morning if you need that wake up routine to get started for work. Or take a small amount (about a third of a can of soda) before bed.
- Eat smaller meals. Get used to going about your day on a lighter tummy. One of the addictions of diet cola is that feeling of gratification that comes from having a full stomach.
- Leg cramps (no direct medical evidence, but I'm not the only one with this complaint [Coast to Coast AM radio's guest speaker discusses this topic--I'll get her name here when I do revisions to this blog])
- Stabbing pains in the stomach
- Shakiness in the arms or hands
- Dehydration
- Rotting gums and teeth (over time)--and terrible breath
- Burning stomach
Now, I'm not saying that we should all become health nuts. Besides, what is life without a little risk or a little fun? I'm telling my readers to watch their reliance and addiction to substances, particularly processed foods and beverages. Taking a little soda at a time is probably not so harmful. Many of us have strong immune systems, and yet some of us have weaker immune systems. It depends on your genes, habits, life style, and immune system; how much your body can tolerate processed foods and beverages, like diet coke, pepsi cola, or any other kind of soda pop. Drink in small amounts. Watch your dependency. Disassociate meals with soda and soft drinks.Relevant reading on soft drinks:
Homes of the Green Frontier
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| Picture from http://www.impactlab.net/2008/08/10/japans-styrofoam-dome-homes/ |
In the videos I've reviewed on Fukushima's tsunami (actually a tsunami is a debatable word, but such an argument is out of the scope of this article), I noticed most smashed up buildings were flat or angular to the waves hitting. Possibly these Japanese dome houses are a gift of science and engineering to the modern man trying to survive in all of nature's rage (our sun is causing a lot of imbalance in the earth rout now). Anyway, have a look at these Japanese Dome Houses.
These homes are made of a dense polyestrine. No toxic chemicals are purportedly emitted from this material in the event of a fire. They're typhoon resistant. There's a lot already said for these dome houses. One of my green approvals for this home is its efficient use of cooling, which is the result of a circular and open area inside the home, allowing air flow to circulate naturally. It also stays warm during the winter, and many come with a nice sky window--a nice feature in and of itself in the center of this circular chamber.
On a personal note, the summer time here in Japan is terrible... people are terrible, swarms of insects, and humidity is god awful. Some proper use of technology makes all the difference. I welcome dome houses as a means to resolving cramped quarters, energy costs, and disaster preparedness. Give me a governor with a better idea!
Related (Note: probably not going to find a polyesterine design in books yet):
Downtown Gardens in Hiroshima Japan
Just browsing gardens downtown in Hiroshima, Japan. Amazing that in the midst of all this glorious concrete there exists patches of super gardens--farms squeezed into a relatively small area. Solar power in some corners, but not the most popular power source for irrigation systems here. In fact, solar power tends to be used primarily for bath water in older built homes.
*The best way to stave off hunger, chaos, and poor morale is to be a proactive green-doer! (stop the hunger before the zombies come knocking on YOUR front door!).
Resourceful books and other materials for urban farmers:
Urban Farming: Sustainable City Living in Your Backyard, in Your Community, and in the World
Rain Bird GRDNER-KIT Landscape Dripline System Gardener-Foots Drip Starter Kit
Radiation Alert MONITOR4 Analog-Based Ionizing Radiation Detector
Hitachi 728023-1/4-Inch Diamond Core Bit with Water Cooling System
Orbit 67500 50-Piece Micro Sprinkler Assortment Kit
1" 6 Valve Manifold Setup for Irrigation System - Weathermatic N-100F Valves Included
Again, the best way to stave off hunger, chaos, and poor morale is to be a proactive green-doer! (stop the hunger before the zombies come knocking on YOUR front door!).
The Indoor Secret Garden
Thought we'd post this picture for our indoor garden, although it really isn't much of a secret, it is pleasantly apart from all the outside noise. Say, in fact it is a retreat in its own rite. All you need to do is rack them up (that's setting up shelves and stacking plants in them), then seal off the area from the rest of your room (unless the room is reconfigured for a garden). Floor-to-ceiling laundry poles are installed to create reinforced racks and curtains (I'll get some photos once the room looks a little nicer). Foil surface/ reflective surface foam boards can be installed to insulate or keep heat/cold on one side of the garden, or to keep the room cool and the garden warm through the winter. 
Amidst redecorating my author's den for the warmer season in Japan, it became clear that I'd prefer to do far less outdoors than I used to. So, the garden came inside. And with it, all of nature's little pests (I don't recommend any chemicals for pests, as you will be eating those chemicals when you reap your harvests. Instead, try an electronic repeller, and implement this into your battery system or solar powered apparatus).
While redecorating the room, I had to compromise some of my personal taste for functionality. There's only a certain direction of breeze that comes in through this room, and so I had to put distance between some things and get the room a bit more circular and clear at the center for air to filter throughout the room.
My partner stacked a number of plants that have done mostly well, but many were unable to handle the unexpected temperature changes we've recently experienced. This is where solar powered equipment comes in handy (for running things like heater, LED's, or even a cooling fan in harshest conditions). Particularly useful are these appliances in homes that are not built for withstanding temperatures or rough seasons (climate changes can be a real downer not just for people, but also for your plants).
By and large, LED's use less energy. (This is a good thing for those of us living in Japan, because electric bills have gone up about 10 yen in our area after the Tsunami ruined the nuclear power plants at Fukushima). Use LED bulbs in the garden if your plants are unable to get enough light during the day. I also install mirrors to redirect light into hard to reach areas of the garden. As I stated already--use foil surface/ reflective surfaced foam boards (the ones you take to maybe the beach or a picnic/ BBQ) to keep temperatures. Use a thermometer to check temperatures around more sensitive plants or new crops.
Regarding LED's, my partner hangs them on a coat hanger with clips. This is ideal for getting around areas where some plants need more light. Yet, a rotation panel on the ground can also aid in rotating the direction of plants to face a window (a glass ceiling is ultimately ideal for indoor gardens, but not everyone can have that--I certainly do not.).
See Resources below for some ideas to help create/ maintain your perfect indoor garden conditions.
Resources:
(LED's)
- Brightest MR11 12 Volt AC DC 10 5050 SMD LED Bulb Wide Angle 160 Lumen 2.1 Watt, white, 1113WH
(wide angle/ 12V might cover more area. The brighter the bulb, the further back from your plants you want it--just to be on the safe side).
- GE 62180 9-Watt LED Soft White A19 Light Bulb
- MR16 Bi-Pin (GU5.3)LED Spot Light Bulb with High Power 3x1 Watt For Track Light, Landscaping 20 Watt Halogen Replacement, white, 1230WH
(Powerful spotlight for areas in the country where you don't get much sunlight coming in the home).
- Hanging Solar Garden Light - Cornet Shaped Solar Light, Solar Tree Lighting, Set of 3 Lights
- The Light Garden WLWB60 Lighted Willow Branch with 60 Bulbs, 20-Inch Tall
(Just for a little decoration if you plan on maybe having tea or a romantic glass of wine in your private indoor garden--why not? Dec it out. It's your palace!).
(Pest relevant)
- Pest Offense POBD-I-01 Original Electronic Pest Repeller
- RIDDEX SONIC PLUS PEST REPELLERS WITH SIDE OUTLETS (SET OF 3)
- Smartworks Ultrasonic Pest Repeller with Built-In Night Light
- Bell and Howell Ultrasonic Pest Repellers with Extra Outlet - 3 Pack
- Garden Creations JB5028 Ultrasonic Cordless Pest Repeller
- Black & Decker 3 Pack Direct Plug-in Indoor Ex310 Pest Repellers
(Solar relevant)
- Designers Edge L-949 10 LED Rechargeable Solar Panel Shed Light Model
- Sunforce 50032 15 Watt Solar Battery Charger
- AA and AAA Solar Battery Charger - Charge Your Batteries Via USB or Sun Power - Features Also Include a Battery Tester and USB Output for Charging Cell Phones, iPods/mp3s, and More
- Sunforce 50022 5-Watt Solar Battery Trickle Charger
- Sunforce 50033 15-Watt Solar Charging Kit
Solar Controllers
Heat/Cool
- Sunpentown SH1508 Ceramic Heater with Digital Thermostat and LCD Display
- Orbit 20066 Portable 1/4-Inch Outdoor Mist Cooling System
(Note: Orbit intended for outdoor use, but DIY buffs might find it useful for indoor reconfiguration projects, or indoor sealed off secret gardens)
- SPT SF-608R Portable Evaporative Air Cooler
- Koolatron P95 Travel Saver Cooler 45-Quart, Light Grey
(Portable Storage Cooler, might be useful for keeping fresh bell peppers or cucumbers a few hours before serving a picnic in your extravagant, but secret garden room--I might add an Italian coffee table right next to my garden, but I'm still considering this arrangement myself)
- Frigidaire Dehumidifier, 70-Pint Capacity, FAD704TDP
A must have for those of us living in Japan. I have two units upstairs for my plants, plus one ice powered cooling fan, and two heaters for the winter.
- Eva-dry EDV-E-500 Renewable Wireless Mini Dehumidifer
A miniature version dehumidifier for select areas if you section off your garden with compartments (be creative, overcome obstacles).
