Tread Earth Lightly

Happy Fourth of July

My little colonial. This could not be more fitting for today. This was taken when we were in Williamsburg, VA a few months ago.

 

A flag photo I took the other day walking around Ocean Grove, NJ.

HAPPY FOURTH OF JULY!!!

Music & Yoga, Together

To get more info and to purchase tickets click photo above.

Hair in Your Garden?

Now I know what you're thinking...EEEWWWW! It's the same thought I had. Mats of hair around my plants? Hair is not supposed to mated, right? Well, after I looked more closely into this hair raising idea I began to see something good. Something not as gross as I first thought. Though, it still is a little odd. A company called Smart Grow  distributes mats, yes, made from human hair. Specifically human hair from China. I know, I know, China?! But apparently dark hair is better nutrient wise for the plants. And it is all collected and made in a good way. No one is losing their hair against their will. Hair is actually a commodity in China, instead of throwing it away barbers sell it to brokers. These brokers then sell it off to get made into wigs, hair mats for your garden, and even food additives (OK! Now that's not my cup of tea, but to each their own). So, what's so great about these mats anyway? Well, they help to keep and give more nutrients in your plants/gardens and they keep the weeds away helping your plants to grow larger and produce more. All without using any funky chemical fertilizers and herbicides. It's also easy to use and inexpensive. I have not tried these yet, but if you have please let me know what you think and how it worked for you.

To hear the source interview from Marketplace click here.

To purchase Smart Grow Mats click here.

Smart Talk - Dr. Sylvia Earle Part 2

  

    This past week my husband and I were fortunate enough to see Dr. Sylvia Earle (a Marine Biologist for National Geographic) speak for the Smart Talk Series. We also had the pleasure of meeting her before the talk, as you can see from the above picture.
    Her physical stature reminded me of my husband's Grandmother, yet her knowledge and wisdom was something that I had only read and dreamed about as a little girl. Throughout her talk I was continuously taken back in time to when I wanted to be a Biologist and work with any kind of creature I could find. Her knowledge of the oceans reminded me of when I meticulously read every National Geographic article I could get my hands on, and religiously watched the Discovery Channel's Shark Week. I so desperately wanted to dive in with those sharks, even though it frightened me. I believed, and still do, that I could help the Earth by learning as much as I could about its creatures and environmental emotions. Her love for the ocean, and all it's inhabitants, is inspirational and contagious. I gained more from her talk the other night than I had expected.
    Dr. Earle explained why the oceans are so important to us and to our struggling planet. How the ocean is the "blue heart of the planet," and that it is a greater source of oxygen for us than trees. She discussed her love of Google Earth and how she got them to start adding parts of the ocean into it. Google Earth is now blue as well as green. Her wish for all of us is to be able to see the ocean, to dive in and really get to know it. Before we are 81, like her mother was when she first went in.
    Her advice to everyone is to just be aware. Aware of everything we do and how it effects the world and oceans around us. To not only be aware, but to also bring that awareness to our children because they are our future. You don't have to be a scientist to do this either. Dr. Earle says that you can use whatever talent you already have, whether it is music, math, etc. to help bring awareness to others and into your own life. Also, to help the oceans and lands around you.
    Not only is she an inspiration when it comes to science and nature, but she is a role model for women everywhere. She grew up in a time when women becoming anything but housewives was unheard of. Yet she still became one of the greatest pioneers in her field as well as for her gender. Her determination and love for the great blue yonder helped her fulfill her dream, and helped make it possible for future, female generations  make their dreams come true. Even though I did not follow the path to becoming a Biologist, it is because of women like Dr. Sylvia Earle that I was even allowed to dream of becoming one. And have the opportunity to still to do so, if I choose. Who knows, maybe one day I will be in a cage hand feeding Great White Sharks submerged in the great blue heart of our planet. 

 

    If you have not seen her speak I highly recommend that you do. Dr. Sylvia Earle will inspire, as well as teach you something at the same time. Let her lead you into the wild blue yonder that is our ocean. Tickets for the 2009 Smart Talk Series are still on sale, highlighting many leading ladies like Dr. Earle. Below is a clip featuring her from National Geographic. Enjoy!

Big Sugar - The truth & history of sugar.

    Sugar and I don't mix, literally! Myself a Type 1 Diabetic, for the past 10 years now, I continually try to stay away from eating too much of it. However, I have a sweet tooth, or two, the size of Texas. If I don't get a sugar fix at least once a day I get cranky (just ask my husband). Though I try to eat homemade, organic, and mostly vegan sweets it is all still too much. After seeing this documentary below I have found another reason why sugar is not so good. And that reason is morality! The ethical and moral treatment of others and land. In this documentary the history of sugar and it's relationship with slavery, poverty, obesity, money, and politics are explained.

    Unfortunately it is a hard truth to swallow, but it one that must be eaten (No pun intended). I do believe that, even considering the predicament we as a human race are in, we can change and free ourselves from 'Big Sugar.' It starts with us as consumers and as parents and mentors. We can begin to stop buying the unethical sugar companies' products and make an effort to buy more responsibly farmed/manufactured sugar. Also, we can teach our future generations about the truth when it comes to sugar consumption and health. It is up to us! The dollar goes a long way especially when we use it in the right direction. Enjoy the film and please share your thoughts.

Part 1

Part 2

Dr. Vandana Shiva Interview

Maybe it's because I am of Italian decent, or that I am diabetic and have to be very conscious about what I eat, but when I hear about issues dealing with our food I get all fired up. Here is an amazing interview with Dr. Vandana Shiva from Cooking Up A Story, in which she discusses genetically modified food/seeds, organic farming, and world hunger. Please visit Cooking Up a Story for more details on this interview and much, much more! It is one of my favorite sites!

Part 1

Part 2

Part 3

You Are Never Too Old for Yoga!!

This is just down right amazing!! Wow!! She is my new hero!!

Her name is Bette Calman (notice the word "calm" already in her name) is an 83 year old grandmother who has been teaching Yoga for over 40 years now. And she still teaches 11 classes per week! Amazing!

Click on this pic to read the full article & more pics.

Mr. Jalopy on Studio 360

Mister Jalopy is definitely going in right direction of "green." Instead of buying the hot new "green" product, he purchases the old and makes it new. With the recession looming over our heads more and more people are starting to buy second hand instead of new products. With his love for Saturday morning garage sales, Mister Jalopy was at the fore front of this movement way before the recession hit. Not only does he buy second hand he reuses and recycles those items to make awesome new things. From refurbishing old cars to making the World's Largest Ipod (yes there is still room in his life for new technologies) he takes creating to a whole new level. In this interview with Studio 360 Mister Jalopy remembers a time when everyone had a workbench in their house, and most communities had the neighbors whose hobby it was to repair radios, cars, etc. for fellow neighbors. In turn saving money, the planet, and creating stronger communities. So what happened to this ideal way of life? There are many factors causing this change, but a major one is the idea of making everything seem disposable without having any consequences. Though, maybe the recession can be seen as a good thing. Causing this disposable attitude to shift towards a more creative and thrifty way of life. Hopefully, with pioneers like Mister Jalopy, we can all have workbenches again, and join fellow neighbors at early morning garage sales. Below is the interview clip from Studio 360. Enjoy!!

Honda FCX Clarity - The Car of the Future

I know what you're thinking: "Really the car of the future? Wasn't the Prius the car of the future?" The answer: no not really. It was a step in the right direction, but far from being the answer to our petroleum addiction. So now the new "Car of the Future" candidate is the Honda FCX Clarity. A hydrogen/battery powered, zero emission 4 door sedan. And it looks a lot like a normal car. It pretty much is a normal car except for how it's powered. As for safety they have that covered too because really that's the biggest concern. Sure, for my husband and most men, they like to know about the speed and power, as well as safety, but I could care less about how fast it goes from 0 to 60. Though this car is only available in California (for now hopefully), it is not an experimental or prototype vehicle. It is a certified, assembly-line produced car ready to be driven by the general public. More fueling stations just have to be opened world and nation wide. Here is Top Gear's review of the Honda Clarity.

Forget the Black Widows

So let's just take a moment and think where most of our produce comes from, other countries with evil and disgusting spiders like this one. This ones' name is the Brazilian Wandering Spider, and it has wandered to a Whole Foods in Oklahoma. This story has just increased my fear of those ugly little arachnids. These guys kill more humans than any other spider. They laugh at black widows and have a leg span of 4-5 inches.

NO THANKS!
All I have to say is it better not wander over to my Whole Foods or I will freak out!