i just read a really great article on eating meat and the environment over at a blog called "weight of the evidence" here it is. http://weightoftheevidence.blogspot.com/2008/04/solar-powered-plate.html
i like this part the best where she compaires high density feedlots, and pastured cattle
"While the [cattle] industry calls these practices "efficient" - they're anything but, and I'd say are part of the problem we're trying to solve. The equation looks sort of like this:Synthetic Fertilizer & GMO Patented Seeds [$] ----> Pesticides [$] ---> Feed [$] ---> Cows [$] ---> Building [$] ---> Electricity [$] ---> Pharmaceuticals [$] ---> Manure Lagoons [$] ---> Transportation [$] ---> Food
On the other hand, properly raised livestock is solar powered food, it's equation looks like this:Sun [free] ---> Grass [free] ---> Hay & Silage [$] ---> Cow [$] ---> Food & Organic Fertilizer"
as for my personal life things have been all up in the air. my mom's house goes on the market next week so we've been getting it all ready, i'm waiting to hear about a really exciting job in peterborough that i had an interview for, if i stay in ottawa i'm going to have a bio-intesinve garden at bronson and laurier! which is exciting. anyway winter is a good time for reflection and staying in, but i'm glad the sun is shining. time to soak up some vitamin D!
3/16/2008
a finished object
i've been working on this baby blanket for my cousin and his wife since october! it's FINALLY finished. i'm really happy with it.
the pattern is theHoover baby blanket from Knitty . it was hard to get good pictues of it on my carpet, it is actually rectangular not all wonky. i used 2 balls of pattons canadiania in oatmeal and 3 balls of pattons canadiana in winter white. i just think acrylic makes sense for a baby blanet.
the pattern is theHoover baby blanket from Knitty . it was hard to get good pictues of it on my carpet, it is actually rectangular not all wonky. i used 2 balls of pattons canadiania in oatmeal and 3 balls of pattons canadiana in winter white. i just think acrylic makes sense for a baby blanet.
3/11/2008
SNOW!
there is SO MUCH SNOW in ottawa! it's unbelievable. a few buildings have collapsed from the weight of all the snow. it's had me thinking a lot about climate change. everyone talks about it as if it's something in the future but really it's happening all around us.
here's a photo out my front door. note the lamp post!
and here is my back deck. ugh.
it's funny, there was a woman on the news who said "i hate the stuff, but if you tried to take it away from me i'd fight you tooth and nail" i agree. as much as i hate snow i don't think i could live without it! but i'm desperatley looking forward to spring.
here's a photo out my front door. note the lamp post!
and here is my back deck. ugh.
it's funny, there was a woman on the news who said "i hate the stuff, but if you tried to take it away from me i'd fight you tooth and nail" i agree. as much as i hate snow i don't think i could live without it! but i'm desperatley looking forward to spring.
2/01/2008
Glorious Seeds
i am so bad at updating this thing. mainly because i havn't been doing much except applying for jobs (as usual).
i'm trying to write a cover letter at the moment but i'm easily distracted and have turned my attention to seeds. i've been ordering seed catalogues! i can't wait to look through all of them. i guess looking online is more environmentally friendly but i can't put posted notes in the internet like i can a catalogue. also most of the websites don't have pictures of the veg whereas the catalogues do.
where i am going to plant these seeds is unknown. i plan on getting a community garden plot somwhere in the city. i should start looking into that too. of course i could get a job in a different city. who knows. i'll probably try to do a bio-intensive to maximize space...
its snowing like crazy here so it's nice to dream of hands in warm soil and a big haul of fresh tomoatoes.
i'm trying to write a cover letter at the moment but i'm easily distracted and have turned my attention to seeds. i've been ordering seed catalogues! i can't wait to look through all of them. i guess looking online is more environmentally friendly but i can't put posted notes in the internet like i can a catalogue. also most of the websites don't have pictures of the veg whereas the catalogues do.
where i am going to plant these seeds is unknown. i plan on getting a community garden plot somwhere in the city. i should start looking into that too. of course i could get a job in a different city. who knows. i'll probably try to do a bio-intensive to maximize space...
its snowing like crazy here so it's nice to dream of hands in warm soil and a big haul of fresh tomoatoes.
12/04/2007
11/10/2007
Composting Toilet Poem
i'm reading "the self sufficient life and how to live it: the complete back to basics guide" by John Seymour and in it he has a poem about his composting toilet which was just too hilarious. all joking aside this is a really great book!
Our Marvelous Thunderbox "Loo"
now the human being is a very strange beast with capabilities good and bad
not frightened of nature, no not in the least our follies are often quite mad
the toilet that flushes fills our souls with glee
a brainwave by Thomas Crapper
mixes shit with clean water and pours out to sea
as if the dirt did not matter
out of sight, out of mind, much shoots down the pipes
an incredible fabric of magic
squandering food for the soil as the water we spoil
it's a tale that is terribly tragic
but all is not lost for at a marginal cost
another solution comes easy
the composting loo; yes that's our riposte
and your tummy need not feel to queasy
the vent goes up high, sending gas to the skies
and the lid fits snug so no entry to flies
two years it will take, our compost to make
and our river's not sorry the flush to forsake
no water, no tricks--it's all built with bricks
the shit and the kitchen waste too
all go together making food for the soil
in our marvelous Thunderbox loo
Our Marvelous Thunderbox "Loo"
now the human being is a very strange beast with capabilities good and bad
not frightened of nature, no not in the least our follies are often quite mad
the toilet that flushes fills our souls with glee
a brainwave by Thomas Crapper
mixes shit with clean water and pours out to sea
as if the dirt did not matter
out of sight, out of mind, much shoots down the pipes
an incredible fabric of magic
squandering food for the soil as the water we spoil
it's a tale that is terribly tragic
but all is not lost for at a marginal cost
another solution comes easy
the composting loo; yes that's our riposte
and your tummy need not feel to queasy
the vent goes up high, sending gas to the skies
and the lid fits snug so no entry to flies
two years it will take, our compost to make
and our river's not sorry the flush to forsake
no water, no tricks--it's all built with bricks
the shit and the kitchen waste too
all go together making food for the soil
in our marvelous Thunderbox loo
11/05/2007
Perfect Soup Stock
soup is pretty much my most favourite thing in the world and making stock from scratch is super easy and basically free. take your bones/carcass (you can even save and freeze them and then make it when you have time!) put bones/carcass in a large heavy bottom pot with onions cut in half (skins on) and carrots cut in large pieces (skins on). drizzle with olive oil and bake at 375 degrees for 45 minutes. put the pot on the stove top, add pepper corns, bay leaf, salt (if necessary) and fill the pot with water. bring to a boil and then reduce to a simmer. simmer for a few hours. put the stock through a strainer. pick any meat off the carcass and put aside to use in soup. let stock cool overnight and skim fat off. make soup as usual or freeze for later use.
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