Archive for October 2006
Industrial Hemp
These industrial hemp facts were told to me by a young bookseller/graduate student in Industrial Engineering at the University of South Florida.
He wishes to remain totally anonymous but offered the information for free; well not totally for free, I bought him an expresso and soy burger. Well worth the price. He often help me out whenever I need to find books.
Thank you Anonymous for your bookselling, wit and knowledge of the really important things in life. The times have been enjoyable but I’ve tasted better soy burgers. Till we meet again on my next book run, take care and much luck to you and your girlfriend.
1) Unlike petroleum and some of the other natural resources, Hemp can be constantly renewed.
2) Hemp contains cleaner raw materials. Fuel and plastics don’t.
3) Hemp can grow totally organically. A hearty crop that resists pests and disease.
4) Safe to plant with other crops.
5) Repels weeds that may over take other plants.
6) Doesn’t have to be watered as much, due to its drought tolerant properties.
7) Hemp seed can be made into farm feed for animals. Corn feed (grain feed) leads to soil erosion and thereby contaminates ground water through its production.
The cultivation of Hemp can change our world, especially our country, in such a vast way; connecting all aspects from industrial, medical, agriculturally and personal. My friend says it can virtually bring back to full life our economy and ourselves in ways we can’t even begin to comprehend and refuse to understand.
9) Although not proven, he believes the cures for various types of cancers may be found in the seed itself.
10) He also says that Hemp seed oil soap has cured his skin from chronic rashes; and works for athlete’s foot.
Tags: Global Warming
GLOBAL WARMING
A few simple ways to help:
1) Switch your regular light bulbs to fluorescent light bulbs. They cost more but last longer.
2)Purchase energy saving appliances. For more information go to – www.aceee.org/consumerguide/chklst.htm or www,energystar.gov/products. Try washing dishes by hand or hanging your clothes to dry.
3)Lower you thermostat in the winter a few degrees and raise it a few degrees in the summertime. Seal off spaces under doors and check windows as well. Drape off areas in your home during the cold season to retain heat in specific rooms.
4) Get an energy evaluation. You can perform your own at www.energyguide.com.
5) Set your water heater no higher than 120 degrees. Try cool showers in the summer time and wash clothes in warm or cold water. Take less showers and wash less clothes.
6) Switch to energy saving computers and office equipment. Go to www.energystar.gov for more information. The only way to conserve energy with electrical equipment is to unplug them altogether. Using power strips than can be turned on and off work as well and are easier to use.
7)Go off the grid all together! Use solar, wind or even earth heat to power your home needs. Go to www.green-e.org or www.epa.gov/greenpower. Drive less and walk more. Ride a bike or look into hybrid cars or cars run on vegetable or hemp seed oils. Share a ride to work.
9) Don’t sit in your car with the engine running and travel when there’s less traffic. Drive according to the speed limit – after 55mph, your car loses efficiency. Carry the least amount of weight in your trunk and use higher octane gasoline. Keep up with appropriate air in your tires and always check your fluids. Driving with your windows open makes the engine work harder. Look into possibly switching your own car engine into a vegetable oil run engine!
10) Limit flying in a plane. Stay at home or near home when vacationing. Go camping right in your own back yard or share a vacation with a friend or family member. Travel together in one vehicle if going away on vacation.
11) Buy less stuff and save more money. Live and shop closer to your need level than want level. Don’t shop for cheaper items that don’t last. Spend a little more and shop for items that last longer. Keep large dispensers and refill them. Try to by as many bulk food items as possible. I refill my liquid soap container, laundry bottle, spray bottles and use the same juice bottles for making frozen concentrated juice. Items that are concentrated last longer and come in much smaller packaging.
11) Recycle as many items as possible. I make it a point to recycle aluminum. Find areas near you that will take paper, cans or plastic.
12) Eat less meat! It is more expensive to raise the animal than to grow crops. Many forest areas are dying just to make room for raising more cattle.
13) Although we can’t get rid of everything that contributes to the global warming crisis, we can certainly do something…even if it’s just one thing. One individual doing one part to help is good, but many individuals doing one part makes a huge difference!
To read more about this, pick up the book:
An Inconvenient Truth: The Planetary Emergency of Global Warming and What We Can Do About It by: Al Gore
A Friend's Herbal Remedies
I have a Mennonite friend who gave me a list of the herbal remedies she uses. What she basically gave me was a list of ailments and herbs uses to make remedies. You can consult an herbalist or holistic care practitioner to inquire about doses and applications. A health food store should also be quite helpful.
My friend wishes to remain anonymous due to her religious beliefs.
Some of these remedies were actually passed down from some of her Amish sisters. The Amish and Mennonites have treated ailments with herbs for hundreds of years. Doctors were not always available. These remedies are tried and true, but do use common sense, and possibly take the time to research any specific remedies or herbs you might choose to use.
Thank you so very much, my Mennonite friend, for sharing all of the wonderful things you know. I do so enjoy learning about you, your life and family. Speak to you soon and peace be with you…
Common Allergies – Yarrow Root and Elderberry
Bedwetting – Licorice Root
Insect Bites – Black Cohosh
Minor Burns – Feverfew and Whitewillow
Colds or Flu – Elderberry and Yarrow
Stomach Gas – Peppermint and Chamomile
Minor Fungal Infections – Echinacea and Thyme
Head Pain – Feverfew and Whitewillow
Stress and Nerve Disorders – Chamomile and Peppermint
Bronchial Infections and Cough – Thyme, Elderberry, Yarrow Root and Echinacea
Baby Teething Pain – Peppermint
Asthma – Coltsfoot, Yerba Santa, Rosemary, Juniper Berries and Mullein
Herbs for pregnancy…
Morning sickness – Ginger, Lemon Balm, German Chamomile, Red Raspberry and Peach Leaf.
Infertility – Squaw Vine, Black Haw, Ginger and Unicorn Root.
Mastitis – German Chamomile, Red Root, Yarrow and Elderflower.
Insomnia – Passion Flower, German Chamomile, Valerian and Linden Flower.
Here is a list of some books that helped her and, she feels, will help you too:
The Seasons of America Past by: Eric Sloane
Nourishing Traditions – by: Sally Fallon
Meals in Minutes by: Sue Gregg
Holiday Menus for Busy Women by: Sue Gregg
Homemade Baby Food Pure and Simple – by: Connie Linardakis
Simply in Season by: Mary Beth Lind
Natural Meals in Minutes – by: Rita Bingham
Here are some books she recommends for teaching children to cook:
Lunches and Snacks by: Sue Gregg
Marmee’s Kitchen Primer by: Martha Greene
Whole Foods for Kids to Cook by: La Leche League International
Health etc…
Naturally Healthy Skin by: Stephanie Tourles
Natural Soap Book by: Susan Miller
The Herbal Body Book by: Stephanie Tourles
How to Raise a Healthy Child in Spite of Your Doctor by: Dr. Robert Mendelsohn MD
The How to Herb Book by: Velma Keith
Herbal Antibiotics by: Stephen Buhner
Nature’s Antiseptics by: CJ Puotinen
Herbal Teas for Lifelong Health by: Kathleen Brown
Celebrate Simply by: Nancy Twigg
Living More With Less – by: Doris Jansen
Clean and Green by: Annie Berthold-Bond
The Naturally Clean Home by: Karyn Siegel-Maier
Storey’s Basic Country Skills by: John and Martha Storey
She also gave me a few tips on eating according to the seasons….
Beware of less expensive foods because you do get what you pay for.
A farmer’s market is one of the best places to buy your food. Investigate which foods are grown locally and seasonally. By purchasing the food directly from a farmer’s market, you’re eliminating the middle man, you pay less, the food is fresher and most of the time organically grown and you will be supporting a family rather than a huge supermarket chain.
Try to grow at least one food item for yourself. Even if you live in suburbia, there’s always a little patch of land to plant something that is native to your area.
Since it is more difficult to produce milk, meat and eggs on your own…definitely purchase these items from a local farmer’s market. Don’t forget to inquire the way the animals are raised. The meats should be grass fed and the eggs should come from free range chickens!
The USDA offers free information and reading material showing items that are grown seasonally in your part of the nation. They can also supply you with menu options.
Till next time…peace always, Gigi
Hemp Facts
1) Environmentally safe Cannabis can take the place of almost all petroleum based chemical products.
2) Hemp fiber boards are almost 3 times stronger than boards containing a wood base.
3) Hemp paper products can go through the recycling process many more times than paper from trees.
4) Paper from Hemp is rot resistant and does not decompose.
5) Important documents printed and saved on hemp paper won’t yellow in color like regular paper.
6) Scientists have found Hemp paper that was almost 2,000 years old!
7) Hemp paper can be bleached with environmentally safe compounds. This leads to less production of harmful by-products.
Hemp can produce different quality levels of paper…thick, thin, textured and non-textured.
9) Unlike most crops, Hemp can flourish and grow at very high rates without using harmful pesticides and herbicides.
10) Hemp can be turned into biomass energies thereby reducing our need for fossil fuels or even nuclear power.
11) Hemp fiber insulates better than cotton fibers, grows in a longer more abundant amount and is much stronger than cotton; It also repels moisture from your skin therefore being many times more absorbant than cotton.
12) Stalks of Hemp don’t contain THC.
13) There is no THC in Hemp seeds. These seeds are even more nutritious than soybeans and have fatty acids that surpass any other protein source. A complete protein, these seeds are more easily digested by humans than soy. If you need to regulate your bowels or ease your symptoms of menopause, try some Hemp seeds.
14) The oldest fabric found in the history of the world is a piece of Hemp believed to date back as far as 8,000 B.C.
Posted in Simplicity
Hemp
HEMP
Hey, you got Hemp?! No, I don’t mean let’s get high; what I’m going to talk about is Hemp and its many incredible uses. A plant that could change our very existence now and for future generations.
It could effect our processes of obtaining cleaner energy for fuel, foods, medicines and personal use in an environmentally safer way. Your clothing and furniture can virtually last forever and you can actually drive your automobiles without the worry of high gas prices at the pump and even save important documents on paper that won’t rot and turn yellow!
Yes, this is the beautiful and wonderful Cannibus. It is usually associated with marijuana but different strains can actually be cultivated to create separate species without the THC. And let’s not forget it’s totally renewable and can be grown without chemicals that affect our drinking water and the air we breathe.
A couple of weeks ago I was waiting in line at my local supermarket when I noticed this lady’s handbag. This was a very elderly lady with a beautiful face full of wisdom and many earned wrinkles…she must have been in her 90′s. I complimented her on her purse and asked her where she got it. She told me a friend made it for her and knitted it out of Hemp.
After we both had checked out, I offered to buy her a coffee at the deli stand to which she replied, “Oh no dear, let’s drink hot chocolate…it’s so much better for your heart and always gives you a sweeter more positive start to your day.
Well, me and hot chocolate don’t match on a hot summer’s day, but I gave it a try anyway and she was right. I think we should all take the time to sit with the elderly. They have so many stories and so much wisdom to offer. Here was a woman in her 90′s (she later said she was in her 90′s) who drove and walked around and is totally independent. She must have done something right in her lifetime.
After sitting down, I gazed at her while she adjusted her glowing yellow poncho and removed her colorful orange wide-brimmed straw hat. After some small talk about life in general, I asked her to tell me more about Hemp. She spoke of years gone by and how this Hemp fiber was used in her own home for rope and paper or even making canvas bags for travel; or to hold animal feed and cooking grains. She said this was safe as Hemp is rot tolerant and won’t loose its color or shape. It was strong and seemed to last forever.
She also told me of the importance of Hemp during World War II and how the United States even had small documentaries for people to watch, encouraging the growth of hemp for the war effort. She gave much more information and she gave me permission to write it all down. She said I could call her Honey, although not her given name.
We thanked and hugged one another wishing each other well. I don’t know if I’ll ever see Honey again or if she even lives nearby, but that hour I spent with her by the deli counter will stay with me forever. Thanks Honey and may you continue to live a long and prosperous life… not worried about what others think, being an individual and giving a smile along the way.
INDUSTRIAL HEMP
The word Hemp comes from Western Europe to describe the different varieties of Cannabis plants – especially the ones like “industrial hemp” that were grown over the years to be used for industrial purposes such as those of fuel, paper, food, oil, fibers and seeds. Hemp has been cultivated for over 12,000 years and was originally native to Asia. It soon came to be grown in Europe and the United States.
The influence of this plant spread like wildfire. Did you know that the Magna Carta and the Gutenberg Bible were written on Hemp paper? There were laws in colonial times which promoted and demanded the production of Hemp. Washington and Jefferson grew Hemp and Ben Franklin opened up a Hemp paper mill; even Jefferson used Hemp paper to draft The Declaration of Independence. Hemp is incredibly strong and resists both decay and rotting. The fibers are far superior to cotton and even linen. Hemp was the best for canvas and the word canvas comes from the Latin Cannabis and the Dutch “canefas.”
Napoleon was really pissed off at the British Navy because for a really long time he couldn’t even hold them down, due to the fact that they had sails and riggings made out of Hemp!
Mr. Henry Ford worked on several experimental projects. He wanted to build Hemp cars (the outer body) and fuel them with hempseed oil.
| “Why use up the forests, which were centuries in the making and the mines which required ages to lay down, if we can get the equivalent of forest and mineral products in the annual growth of the fields?” HENRY FORD |
Any way, here’s what really pisses me off: back around the earliest part of the 20th century, companies developed a machine that separated the Cannabis stalks from the Hemp Hurds (the strongest part of the plant) thereby removing the long human process of ‘cut and bale’ techniques.
This mechanical device was to Hemp like the cotton gin was to cotton. At this point in time, Hemp was right on the edge of an industrial explosion, unfortunately it happened at the precise time that all Hemp was made ILLEGAL due to marijuana prohibition!
The DuPont Corporation (they make plastics from petrolatum), Andrew Mellon (an oil hogger) and William Randolph Hearst (tree hogger) all pushed for any and ALL types of Hemp to be prohibited for any type of use. Hemp was a clean and cheap raw material that could be converted into plastic, oil and tree-saving paper,etc. Mellon’s nephew-in-law, Harry Anslinger, turned out to be the head of the Federal Bureau of Narcotics. He was the one leading the campaign to make marijuana criminal in all aspects. Although I found this to be a conspiracy theory only…YOU think about it.
HEMP HURDS
- this part of the plant gives us a clean raw material in order to produce plastics, fossil fuels and is capable of raw clean energy. We can also use the Hemp hurds for fuel production. In this time in our history of America, when we estimate having only another 25 more years of petroleum left, we need to immediately put to work Hemp companies that will enable us to produce our own fuels, fuels which are cleaner for the environment, cheaper for us to purchase as consumers and enable transportation businesses to pay less for fuel. It could raise employment levels as well as save our country billions of dollars…possibly even enabling us to pay back the national deficit.
Hurds and its fibers produce paper that is far superior to wood. We could also make furniture and floors from Hemp hurd fibers (with modern biocomposites materials) that look better than wood and resists rot. The fiber from Hemp is still the strongest natural fiber known to man!! It has UV resistant properties which are best used on making canvas, rope and even fabrics that keep you cool in the summer time and warm in the winter. The seed gives us an outrageous raw material that turns into both oil and food.
| …”one of the most promising crops in half a century…It could be the alternative crop farmers are looking for.” from: The American Farm Bureau Federation |
There are some great books on Hemp at www.alibris.com
You can also shop for Hemp products from skirts and shampoos to coffee filters and candles. Just go to www.happyhippy.com – a directory for alternative natural living.
Try www.ecomall.com for lots of stores offering eco-friendly cleaning products.
One magazine is www.hempmagazine.com. or try www.hemptimes.com
Small Steps:
- Put Hemp supporting bumper stickers on your car and educate along the way.
- Hang an educating History of Hemp poster in your home where visitors can see it and read it.
Wear T-shirts promoting your cause. - Cook meals with Hempseed Oil or bake bread using Hempseeds.
- Read and educate yourself…become a member of a supportive group that will help legislate the cultivating of Hemp.
- Use Hemp products in your home where friends and families can take notice and ask questions.
- Buy Hemp clothing and body products.
- Turn you car engine into a Hempseed oil engine.
- Use Hemp for healing and medicinal purposes.
- Buy your kids Hemp notebook paper for school.
- Buy a hemp purse…they last forever!!!
- Buy a Hemp hat… cool in summer and warm in winter.Buy a Hemp coffee filter. You’ll never have to buy filters again as they are washable and reusable!
************************
A few of my favorite Hemp clothing and accessories sites:
www.hempsisters.com
www.butterflymama.com (they also specialize in selling Fair Trade)
www.hippyshop.com
www.soul-flower.com
Posted in Thoughts
Vegitarian Potato Recipes
A FEW VEGETARIAN POTATO RECIPES:
| “It says we are given dominion over the creatures of the earth, but it doesn’t say we have to be their butchers. We could be the keepers of our lesser brothers. ” PEACE PILGRIM From the book Peace Pilgrim’s Wisdom – A Very Simple Guide – compiled by: Cheryl Canfield -All of Peace Pilgrim’s books and materials are offered for free at www.peacepilgrim.org. |
Potatoes:
Potatoes are a healthy and cheap form of nutrition. They can be served as a side dish, or main meal and can be found in nearly all corners of the world. The following is some information on potatoes and fairly simple and cheap ways to fix them.
Although there has been huge hype on diminishing your potato intake from psuedo-medical scientific research and ridiculous diet programs, scientific research has yet to confirm that potatoes can lead to obesity, diabetes, heart disease, and colon cancer.
In other countries where potatoes are a staple, such diseases are rare; possibly because these folks do not have as much exposure to fatty, artificial, preservative filled, hormone injected, artificially sugared and antibiotic filled foods.
Potatoes have been a staple for centuries and along with hard work and healthier side dishes they can become an integral part of a simple, cheap and healthy way of eating. Much of the media information you get on nutrition should be personally investigated, because most of the time it’s pure hype.
They have no scientific evidence or studies to back them up! Scientific studies have shown that carbohydrates consumed in moderate and normal amounts DON’T contribute to obesity, DON’T cause a raise in blood sugars and DON’T contribute to cancer, heart disease or diabetes.
Without carbs your body will begin to break down muscle tissue by a process called gluconeogenesis. There are two types of carbohydrates: simple and complex. Simple ones contain one or two molecules while complex ones contain two or more connected molecules.
The following are simple carbohydrates: monosaccharides, fructose, glucose, disaccharides, sucrose, lactose and maltose. The following are complex: fiber, glycogen and starch. We all commonly think of grains and cereals to be the only foods high in carbohydrates but, fruits, vegetables, seeds, nuts and even dairy products are also filled with carbohydrates.
Complex carbohydrates found in these foods contain higher health benefits, including…preventing colon cancer, regulating bowel movements, reducing heart disease, loweingr blood pressure and helping in weight reduction; by making you feel fuller for longer periods.
Potatoes eaten with the skins provide more fiber than some whole grain products. Potatoes contain no fat and about 100 calories per serving, high in potassium and 3grams of fiber. They also carry a high level of vitamin C, Calcium, Thiamin, Niacin, Folate, Zinc, Iron, Riboflavin, Vitamin B6, Phosphorous and Magnesium.
They also contain Carotenoids and anthocyanins which are helpful in the reduction of heart disease and most types of malignancies. We think most of the vitamins and minerals are found in the skin of the potato but actually this is not true. Most of the nutrients are found in the potato itself! Always wash and scrub your potatoes before cooking. Whether boiling, steaming, frying or baking – don’t over cook them.
Mom’s Potato Balls:
Boil some potatoes. Prepare a bowl of scrambled eggs and your favorite spices with a touch of milk. In another bowl pour out some bread crumbs. Mash your boiled potatoes and form them into big balls. Dip each potato ball into the egg mixture and then the bread crumbs…fry until golden brown.
For healthier potato balls use organic eggs or a soy egg substitute, organic or homegrown spices, organic potatoes or home grown, fat free organic milk (soy milk will give it a strange taste), and homemade breadcrumbs toasted and minced from your own bread. Fry until golden brown…fry in extra virgin olive, canola, hempseed or flaxseed oil.
These oils contain a high concentration of omega threes which promote healthy heart function. You can also stuff the center of the potato with anything you’d like before frying. My mom would sometimes make smaller potato balls and put them into her homemade soups.
Ingredients that can be added to mashed potatoes:
Shredded Parmesan or shredded Soy cheese
Horseradish
Cream or milk
Black and white pepper
Butter and garlic
Salt and nutmeg
Sour cream and hot sauce
Cayenne pepper and lemon juice
Ricotta and goat cheese
Fontina cheese
Fresh onions or onion powder and mayonnaise
Olive oil, garlic and onion powder
Olive oil and lime juice
Paprika and granulated garlic
Soy sauce and minced garlic
Light wine and canola oil
Healthy toppings for baked potatoes:
Broccoli and melted soy cheese
Home made salsa
Vegetarian chili
Tomatoes and cheese
Light sour cream and chives
Cottage cheese and black pepper
Foods to eat less of that contain added or refined carbohydrates:
Corn syrup
Refined white sugar and flour
Sodas and fruit drinks
Icecream
White flour bakery goodies such as pastries, cookies and frostings
Jellies and jams with added sugars
Artificial syrups
Candy
Foods that have natural sugars – healthier than the list above but still considered a simple carbohydrate:
All fruits
Fruit juice with no added sugars
Dairy products containing lactose
The healthiest to consume:
Whole grain products
Seeds, nuts, peas and beans
Bagels and tortillas
Potatoes, corn and squash