Country Boys Promoting Their Livelihood -- Hurrah for Agriculture

The Peterson brothers in the past are just three ordinary, down home, country boys from Central Kansas with a passion for the farm. They create fun parody videos to promote agriculture. You may remember their video set to LMFAO’s “I’m Sexy and I Know It.” The Peterson’s version is called “I’m Farming and I Grow It.” Another favorite was A Fresh Breath of Farm Air set to “The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air.”
They’ve done it again. This time they’re highlighting something that every farmer has to do on a daily basis, rain, snow and shine…chores. The song is set to Katy Perry’s “Roar.” What makes this video really special, is the message at the end. The video is dedicated to the farmers and ranchers in western South Dakota who lost their cattle herds to Winter Storm Atlas.

source:  http://mix97-3.com/peterson-brothers-sing-katy-perrys-roar-and-dedicate-it-to-south-dakota-farmers/
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=toyN81wZzLw

Farm to Cafeteria Canada -- but Not in Alberta

Do you believe in sustainable food systems, concepts like farm-to-table, urban farming, buying loca?  Are you aware that there is not only a network of committed individuals and institutions working to bring nutritious food to Canadian schools, campuses and health care facilities, but funding available to support its development?

Farm to Cafeteria Canada is a national network that promotes, supports, links farm to cafeteria programs, policy and practice from coast to coast to coast.  Although Alberta Heath Services has been a regional lead and contributor to the Program since 2011, it doesn't appear to have put the Program into action in any of its facilities across Alberta.  Sadly,  only Augustana University Food Services, an extension of the University of Alberta, located in Camrose, has committed to a program to provide locally sourced nutritious meals in its cafeteria. In fact, a recent study reveals,  'schools and campuses. . . are more likely to provide local food than their healthcare counterparts (76% and 92%, respectively, versus 66% for healthcare facilities). They are also more likely to provide educational activities regarding local food (90% and 86%, respectively, versus 38% for healthcare facilities).   On a more positive note, 'Campuses and healthcare facilities are more likely to have local procurement policies or contracts with local providers (33% and 29%, respectively, versus 14% for schools).'  Although  there was an attempt, in 2012 to introduce the concept to Calgary schools, little has been done in the Province since to move the Program forward.  While no less than
FIVE  Canadian Premiers have stepped up to the plate, so to speak, by making solid commitments to furthering the local food movement in Canada, Alberta's is not one of them. Three Premiers have specifically  said they want to see more  publicly funded institutions purchasing local foods and one Premier has set a target of 50% local on every plate!  Alberta. . . . Where Are You?

Grants supporting sustainable food systems are available nationally through the Montreal based McConnell Foundation; and in Ontario and British Columbia through provincial initiatives. 

I have to wonder, if Alberta is one of the largest exporters of produce in the Country, why we have no commitment to encouraging sustainable food systems.  Perhaps we are mired down in TarSands to see.  If you have an opinion about this, perhaps you will contact Alberta's Farm To Cafeteria Program representative, Catherine  White, whose mandate  is to lead the development of regional networks, communications, marketing/promotion and/or capacity building.  Here's her email address:  calywh@telus.net

 

Sourcee: 
http://sustainontario.com/wp2011/wp-content/uploads/2013/10/Press-release-Final-Eng-With-Logos.pdf?utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=Ontario+Edible+Education+Network+-+November+Newsletter&utm_content=Ontario+Edible+Education+Network+-+November+Newsletter+CID_02d604343a90f889321bfae29eefee08&utm_source=Campaign%20Monitor&utm_term=Farm%20to%20Cafeteria%20Press%20Release
http://www.farmtocafeteriacanada.ca/find-add-a-project/
http://www.mcconnellfoundation.ca/en/granting/granting-philosophy
http://www.farmtocafeteriacanada.ca/2012/10/new-network-linking-farms-with-cafeterias-launched-today-with-student-food-forum-in-calgary/
http://www.farmtocafeteriacanada.ca/2013/06/five-canadian-premiers-stepping-up-to-the-local-food-plate/

Calculating Our Ecological Footprint

Here's an interesting article from our friends at the Sustainable Cities Collective.  While perhaps not a perfect tool, it has some interesting concepts I think you might find fascinating. . . if you find that kind of thing interesting in the first place, that is.  Check it out!

http://sustainablecitiescollective.com/david-thorpe/193996/rural-or-urban-which-most-sustainable-development?ref=popular_posts

What Do You Think? Is Compulsory Voting Democratic?



 

Everywhere I go, it seems there is lots of discussion about the upcoming municipal elections.  The traditional means -- radio, newspapers, television -- are awash in keeping us abreast of upcoming forums, candidate profiles, political opinions.  Even moreso, I think, we are seeing the electoral conversation on our social media sites, such as Facebook and Twitter. 

I recently attended a forum and was saddened to see the under 40's crowd visibly poorly represented.  When I asked why, it was suggested that there was nobody worth supporting so why bother attending and that they are busy with young families and don't have time to participate.  On the surface, perhaps I can buy that. . . scrape that surface, even a wee bit, and it unravels.  Surely, if one considered the election a priority, or even gave it the same weight as going out or dinner or to a movie, one could find a way?  I do understand that there are other ways of enlightening oneself in regard to their electoral options and, perhaps, many of these people are but, to me, it makes me think that, once again, the turn-out at the polls will not be that strong, particularly by our younger citizens. 

 

Did you know, in the last federal election, less than one in four under the age of 25 voted?  I think there is a mistaken belief that voting is a privilege.  Here's a newsflash for you:  Voting is not a privilege, or even a right; it's a responsibility and the underpinning of our democratic governance model.  If my father were here today, he would tell you he fought the war so that you could vote.  

We have rights and then we have the associated responsibilities that go with them. We have the right to universal health care; we have the responsibility to pay taxes to pay for that service. We have a right to a fair trial; we have a responsibility to serve on juries to protect that right. We have the right to live in a democratic society; we have the responsibility to vote to support the very foundation of that democracy.

Am I the only one concerned about the decline of voter turnout?  I think not.  Bill S-22, which would have established mandatory voting in Canada was introduced to Parliament in 2005 by Senator Mac Harb.  The following are excerpts from Senator Harb`s assertions:

Research confirming young people, as they age, may not re-engage in our democratic system as their parents and grandparents did, represents a cultural change that could shake the very foundation of our democratic institutions.  While analysts cite a variety of reasons for the voting decline including, sadly, disdain for politicians, apathy about the issues and the hectic demand of modern life,  the most important factor may well be a fading sense of civic duty.  Our parents and grandparents asked what they could do to assist the government; today, we are more likely to consider only what the government can do for us. After years of battling for the right to vote, we have lost sight of the duty that goes along with the inherent responsibility to vote, much like paying taxes, reporting for jury duty, or wearing a seat belt.

 

When someone suggested that Austrailia has mandatory voting legislation, I did a little research.  Despite the common perception that compulsory voting is rare, it has been used with much success. In fact, some thirty democracies around the world claim to have compulsory voting, including Australia, Austria, Belgium, Costa Rica, Luxembourg, Singapore, and Switzerland.  Compulsory voting was introduced in Australia in 1924. His private member’s bill was in response to the declining voter turnout of 57.9 per cent in 1922. Now, Australia has consistently boasted a turnout of over 90 per cent and this seems to be typical of the results where there is compulsary voting.  These mandatory voting laws are not the hardship some might claim. Australians do not feel coerced, in fact, polls in Australia show that 70 to 80 per cent of Australians support the mandatory system.

  

Mandatory voting would mean that voting would again become a civic duty in Canada, but not a very demanding one. Thanks to safeguards to ensure voter awareness, equality of access and the possibility of exercising one’s right to vote, the bill would establish not only our right, but also our civic obligation to take part in the democratic process.

 

Tell you what, if  there is ever an opportunity to pass this Bill, I would, without doubt, be 100% in support.  In fact, I think I just might start a little one-man campaign (unless someone wants to join me?) to bring this issue back into the light.  For those that don`t give serious weight to your obligation and responsibility to vote, if this ever gets passed, I have one thing to say:

 

 

 

Resources:

 

http://www.revparl.ca/english/issue.asp?param=168&art=1140

http://www.parl.gc.ca/Content/SEN/Bills/381/public/S-22/S-22_1/S-22_text-e.htm

How Cool is this? Art that Generates Electricity

Windstalk

So, what do you think?

The Dark Side of Urban Chickens: Surprised? No. Disappointed? Yes!

Over the past year, I have blogged about the continued debate over keeping chickens in an urban settings (see CRACK CRACK CRACKDOWN and Other Tales of Feathered Friends, Food Trends and what Influences Them  and Red Deer Advocate - Council looks at permanent options for chickens).  To me, the benefits are obvious:  chickens are small and require little room; they provide food for the table, in terms of eggs and meat; back yard chickens help children and adults alike, learn where food comes from; waste, when properly cured, is an excellent form of natural fertilizer; and it's really quite amazing how many scraps three or four chickens can eat through, keeping it out of landfills; not to mention, a chemical free form of pest control.  Having had the benefit of growing up on a small mixed farm, I can also confirm that kids can make pets out of almost anything and, while I admit, a chicken is not the smartest pick, they are a lot nicer to snuggle with than a fish -- or a dead gopher, in my case. . . but that's an entirely different story.   In fact, various chapters of Canadian Liberated Urban Chicken Klub  (aka CLUCK -- check it out of Facebook) have been successfully lobbying municipal governments to amend bylaws to accommodate urban chickens for some years.

Alas, as with everything, there is a dark side to the urban chicken debate. Many people are inspired by the idea of living life as a locavore and trying to limit what they eat to the local market.  Raising chickens in the background sounds like fun, however, municipalities are now finding themselves having to deal with those few irresponsible individuals who abandon their fowl, perhaps because they unexpectedly discovered that it's not only work to keep chickens but a whole lot messier than their rose colored glasses may have, at first blush, permitted them to see.

More often than not, the victims are poor unsuspecting roosters who find themselves suddenly abandoned, when it was discovered that they do not lay eggs.  Really people?  How many males do you know that produce eggs?  Isn't that just biology one?  And while everyone might not be able to sex a baby chick, people who raise and sell chicks can!  The lucky abandoned chickens find themselves surrendered to a local humane society that often does not have the expertise or proper facilities to house them.  As with other pets, some just find themselves literally tossed out on the street. 

This is not new:  across the US, hundreds of chickens are abandoned on a weekly basis, spanning over a decade.  The Humane Society International Canada,  based in Montreal, said chickens are being dropped off at the SPCA in Montreal every week.   There is now an organization, Chicken Run Rescue, who blames the problem on “hipster farmers” who don’t understand what they’re getting into when they decide to purchase chickens for their backyard. 



We have all seen the cute fluffy, dyed chicks at Easter; just like any other kid, I wanted one too. Fortunately, I had parents who understood what it meant to care for pets and livestock and, while we got chicks every spring, unfortunately, our chicken coop wasn't sufficiently insulated to protect a chick that early in the season and there was never a doubt that a chicken--baby or not--was ever (and I mean EVER!) coming into the house, unless it was in a roaster pan.

It is unfortunate, the number of people in our society that do not educate themselves before they jump in with both feet, to find out that caring for animals and having a safe place for them to live, is actually a lot of work.  That smile on your child's face may be short-lived when they discover their new 'toy' comes with responsibilities that the family is not willing to absorb.  We are already a society with abandonment issues; just look at the number of dogs and cats left homeless, sometimes for good reason, usually not.

Here's the bottom line, people.  Chickens are pretty cute, and they do have a lot of benefits, but if you’re going to raise them, do it the right way – know what you’re getting yourself into and be prepared for a lot of work.  Perhaps you might want to contact a chicken rescue agency in your community and adopt, just like you might with a dog or cat.

If you’re not ready for that, maybe stick to watching Chicken Run at home for now, or going to visit the chickens abandoned at animal shelters, quite possibly by your neighbours.

Sources:

https://www.facebook.com/groups/CLUCKCANADA/

http://www.reddeeradvocate.com/news/Council_to_consider_permanent_options_for_urban_chickens_191317821.html

http://sanfrancisco.cbslocal.com/2013/08/19/about-the-bay-san-franciscos-problem-with-homeless-chickens/
http://sanfrancisco.cbslocal.com/2013/08/19/about-the-bay-san-franciscos-problem-with-homeless-chickens/
http://www.theglobeandmail.com/life/the-hot-button/urban-chickens-increasingly-being-abandoned-by-hipster-farmers-advocacy-group-says/article13087283/
http://www.brittonclouse.com/chickenrunrescue/

NO FUSS NO MUSS CHEMICAL FREE DIY CLEANING RECIPES!

None of us are immune to all the hype around our chemical laiden good 'ol North American life.  While I've never actually undertaken any scientific studies on the subject, growing up on a mixed farm, I daresay the food found on our table was a speck healthier than that found on many of today's tables.  Sure my mom cooked with white flour, bought 10 loaves of white bread on a weekly basis and canned millions of jars of fruit in heavy syrup, but I still lean towards the belief that the white flour of that era was not made with GMO grains, and the fruit canned never came into contact with pesticides.  Our diet consisted primarily of food either raised on our farm, or by one of our neighbours.  My mom had a big garden which kept the entire family busy for much of the summer and all, harvesting it.  While we didn`t always butcher our own animals, we knew exactly what those animals ate because our pork, chicken, and beef caIme from our barn and pastures.  We also knew where our food supplied within the community came from because most of us, at one time or another, farmed together, shared strategies or we were actually witness to their farming practices.

And it`s not just about what we eat; our childhood was brim full of active living.  There was no such thing as a gym except the one at school which we played in every noon hour or when we had that bi-weekly 40 minute gym class.  It was hard to paste ourselves to the television all day if only because that one channel didn`t offer all that much in the form of entertainment.  Trust me, nothing irritated my mother more than when it was either too cold or too wet to spend long outside and she found three children hanging around her feet, lamenting about their boredom -- at which point out came all those board cames or, perhaps a little baking lesson.

In my family, I now hear the generation that followed discussing all their sensitivities and allergies.  In one family, it's almost impossible to cook a family dinner since one child is eating gluten free, another is dairy free and the third is sugar free.  although the fourth hasn't specifically eliminated any particular food group her family is concerned about the level of pesticides and herbicides used, not only in the immediate yard but also in the surrounding crops.  I'm not suggesting that these diets aren't necessary, I'm suggesting that perhaps, all of our easily prepared processed diets and lack of any serious exercise has ultimately caught up with us and is showing itself in our children.

While we don't seem to have any of those issues in our home, I now find myself tring to leave a little less of a footprint.  It certainly won't hurt and, who knows, it might even help.  In the process, I also find I'm saving money -- not tons of money but money all the same.  There's a certain satisfaction to making your own products, similar to growing your own food.  Below is a few of my favourite things to make.  If you are on well water, as I am, you may have to experiment a bit to get the proper balance of ingredients.  Good luck and, more importantly, have fun!

Laundry Soap

• 1 bar (or 4.5 ounces) of shaved bar soap -- I use Sunlight Laundry (Dr. Bronner’s, Ivory, ZOTE, Fels-Naptha)
• 1 cup of borax
• 1 cup of washing soda

Thoroughly stir together for 5 minutes and enjoy the results! That’s it folks…seems too good to be true, but it is true indeed!  1 Tbsp per load (or 2-3 Tbsp for large or heavily soiled loads).  For tough stain removal, I also rub that bar of Sunlight Laundry soap on the stain and wash as usual.

All Purpose Liquid Cleaner

• orange peel
• vinegar

Fill a glass jar with a tight fitting lid about 2/3s  with vinegar.  Save your orange peels and drop them into the vinegar.  Let the solution percolate for about 10 days, or until the solution is quite orange colored and smelling.  Transferit into a spray bottel and Viola!  You're done.  I still fall back on some of the stronger solutions for heavy grease stains but for general purpose, it's everything I need.

Window Cleaner

• 1 c vinegar
• 2 c water
• 1/2 tsp corn starch

Shake well before using.  I have NO IDEA what the purpose of the corn starch is but it seems to work so what do I care?

Sticky Stuff Remover

I had one of those sticky fly catchers in our porch only to find it pasted to the window glass and sill one morning.  I tried all my regulars:  vinegar, dish soap, nail polish remover -- and then I tried olive oil. I soaked a bit of paper towel and left it sitting on the stain 

Furniture Oil/Polish

Twice a year, my mom would go through the house cleaning everything and i mean EVERYTHING.  Everything would come out of every closet and every cupboard in the house, some things would be tossed and the remainder would be reorganized.  As part of this ritual, anything made from wood, be it furniture, cupboards, baseboards, etc. would be wiped down with Liquid Gold.  While I don't go quite as crazy as my mother, I have a few old pieces of furniture that I like to treat the same way, only I no longer buy Liquid Gold.  Instead, I use:

• 1 tblsp. Olive Oil
• the juice of 1 Lemon  and 1/4 c Lemon Juice
• 1 tblsp. Water

Shake well, put it on a microfibre cloth and have at it;  works like a charm.  I woudn't do this too often though as, if the wood doesn't absorb it, it will attract dust.  Twice a year is plenty unless the wood is really dry, then judge accordingly.

Source:
While I probably originally sourced these recipes, I've been using them for a long time.  The only one I know for sure is the laundry soap because I've only made a couple of batches of it.
http://www.diynatural.com/homemade-laundry-detergent-soap/

The Invention That Solves Plastic Pollution in the Pacific

The Invention That Solves Plastic Pollution in the Pacific

Let's hope this proves out!

Be Kind To Humankind Week and other Random Acts

Mark Twain summarised kindness when he said it is "the language which the deaf can hear and the blind can see".

 



August 25th marks the 25th anniversary of Be Kind to Humankind Week (BK2HK), an annual celebration of kindness that is recognized globally from August 25th-31st each and every year. It is basically a week long holiday. Of course you should practice kindness daily, but this is the week you can take it to the next level. The week consists of seven days, each with it’s own unique theme:

1. Sacrifice our Wants for Others Needs Sunday;
2. Motorists Consideration Monday;
3. Touch A Heart Tuesday;
4. Willing to Lend A Hand Wednesday;
5. Thoughtful Thursday;
6. Forgive Your Foe Friday; and lastly
7. Speak Kind Words Sunday

Be Kind To Humankind is a celebration of people and the kind acts that they perform all across the globe. Its website’s purpose is to share positive news, stories, photos, videos, poems, quotes, thoughts and more.  Be Kind To Humankind was created in August of 1988 by Lorraine Jara in Toms River, New Jersey, but it wasn't the beginning, and I doubt it's the end.

Love Mandala

 

November 13th is World Kindness Day. The first World Kindness Movement® conference was held at Tokyo in 1998, and the 35th anniversary of the Small Kindness Movement of Japan, which brought the signatories of the ‘declaration of kindness’ of the World Kindness Movement together in 1997.  The current members of the movement are 20 kindness organisations with representatives from Australia, Brazil, Canada, China, France, India, Italy, Japan, Nepal, Netherlands, New Zealand, Nigeria, Oman, Romania, Scotland, South Korea, United Arab Emirates, United Kingdom and the USA. Pending applications from Switzerland, Uganda, Liberia and Seychelles are currently under review.

 

World Kindness Day is the beginning of a global reaction to the exploitation of our human and natural resources. It could be said that the slogan for World Kindness Day might well be "Healing the World!" – and in doing so, there is the possibility of creating something so intrinsically good and wholesome, that the beneficial effects could be virtually endless.

 

"Practise random kindness and senseless acts of beauty." This is an underground slogan spreading rapidly across the world. It is a movement called Guerrilla Goodness. It appears on walls, as bumper stickers, as a sign-off line in e-mail messages - and has an auto-multiplier effect. The origins of the slogan are not known, but it is believed to have started in San Francisco. Philip Dawes, an activist in England, is among those spreading this slogan through bumper- stickers, cards and other merchandise. Each sticker is accompanied by a note which first appeared as an article on the Internet, "writer unknown", and has since been printed in many newspapers and magazines.

 

Not to take away from the events themselves or the intent behind them, but one has to wonder why we have to proclaim a specific day to be kind to people? I understand the events and campaigns are intended to raise awareness and remind people to be kind to others. But what does that say about our society? Kindness should be an everyday occurrence. In an ideal world, people shouldn’t have to make a concerted effort to be kind, it should just come naturally. Alas, it is not an ideal world and thus we need reminders. Simple things like holding a door open for someone, letting a mom with kids in tow go ahead of you in the grocery line, shovelling an elderly neighbour’s driveway, stopping to aid someone whose car is broken down – these are all things that cost nothing but perhaps a few minutes of your time.

Perhaps that is where things are going wrong. Time is of the essence for many and because they are perpetually in a hurry, perhaps they just don’t think of these things. But they should.

Depression has received a good deal of attention from the press of late.  I'm told over twenty percent of the population is affected by it at some time during their life. Depression feeds on introspectiveness: dwelling on our problems will drive us deeper into the morass of depression. When you practice kindness you are placing your attention onto someone else. When you do this you have put your depression 'on hold,' and your acts of kindness may allow you to see your own situation from a different perspective. This could result in being able to find new ways to seek relief from the condition.

The person who receives a kind act experiences the 'feel good' response, too. It's a nice experience when someone smiles at you, or thanks you, or compliments you, or helps you in some way. It creates a bonding, and in that moment there is a greater sense of worth about yourself and people in general. It is a feeling akin to falling in love, and it has been scientifically proven that regular, small acts of kindness have a positive effect on your physical and mental well being, but also on your longevity. Kindness is not only a feel good experience, it is also beneficial for your health.

If you can't find the time to squeeze in a wee bit of random kindness this week, you've been given fair warning and plenty of time to prepare.  For half a minute on 13th November, you are asked to contemplate kindness and selfless acts that have had a lasting impact on you.  Nothing huge, or shouting it from the rooftops – it's a gesture as gentle as the notion itself.   Remember what Wordsworth said; "the best bits of a man's life are the simple, random acts of kindness and love".  It really doesn't take much to show someone somewhere an act of kindness - so what will you do on 13 November?  And, just in case you can't find the time to think of an act of kindness, here are some ideas.  Some take a bit of planning, some take a little forethought. . . but the bottom line is simply to ACT.  I have faith in you.  Just Do It!

100 IDEAS FOR KINDNESS

1. Deliver fresh-baked cookies to city workers.
2. Collect goods for a food bank.
3. Bring flowers to work and share them with coworkers.
4. Garden clubs can make floral arrangements for senior centers, nursing homes, hospitals, police stations, or shut-ins.
5. Adopt a student who needs a friend, checking in periodically to see how things are going.
6. Volunteer to be a tutor in a school.
7. Extend a hand to someone in need. Give your full attention and simply listen.
8. Merchants can donate a percentage of receipts for the week to a special cause.
9. Bring coworkers a special treat.
10. Students can clean classrooms for the custodian.
11. Buy a stranger a free pizza.
12. Distribute lollipops to kids.
13. Sing at a nursing home.
14. Offer a couple of hours of baby-sitting to parents.
15. Slip paper hearts that say “It’s Random Acts of Kindness Week! Have a great day!” under the windshield wipers of parked cars.
16. Have a charity day at work, with employees bringing nonperishable food items to donate.
17. Serve refreshments to customers.
18. Draw names at school or work, and have people bring a small gift or food treat for their secret pal.
19. Remember the bereaved with phone calls, cards, plants, and food.
20. Treat someone to fresh fruit.
21. Pay a compliment at least once a day.
22. Call or visit a homebound person.
23. Hand out balloons to passersby.
24. Give free sodas to motorists.
25. Be a good neighbor. Take over a baked treat or stop by to say “Hello.”
26. Transport someone who can’t drive.
27. Mow a neighbor’s grass.
28. Say something nice to everyone you meet today.
29. Send a treat to a school or day-care center.
30. Volunteer at an agency that needs help.
31. Wipe rainwater off shopping carts or hold umbrellas for shoppers on the way to their cars.
32. Give the gift of your smile.
33. Send home a note telling parents something their child did well.
34. Adopt a homeless pet from the humane society.
35. Organize a scout troop or service club to help people with packages at the mall or grocery.
36. Host special programs or speakers at libraries or bookstores.
37. Offer to answer the phone for the school secretary for ten minutes.
38. Volunteer to read to students in the classroom.
39. Write notes of appreciation and bring flowers or goodies to teachers or other important people, such as the principal, nurse, custodian, and secretary.
40. Incorporate kindness into the curriculum at area schools, day care centers, or children’s classes in faith organizations.
41. Give a hug to a friend.
42. Tell your children why you love them.
43. Write a note to your mother/father and tell them why they are special.
44. Pat someone on the back.
45. Write a thank-you note to a mentor or someone who has influenced your life in a positive way.
46. Give coffee to people on their way to work in the morning.
47. Donate time at a senior center.
48. Give blood.
49. Visit hospitals with smiles, treats, and friendly conversation for patients.
50. Stop by a nursing home, and visit a resident with no family nearby.
51. Plant flowers in your neighbor’s flower box.
52. Give another driver your parking spot.
53. Leave a treat or handmade note of thanks for a delivery person or mail carrier.
54. Give free car washes.
55. Clean graffiti from neighborhood walls and buildings.
56. Tell your boss that you think he/she does a good job.
57. Tell your employees how much you appreciate their work.
58. Let your staff leave work an hour early.
59. Have a clean-up party in the park.
60. Tell a bus or taxi driver how much you appreciate their driving.
61. Have everyone in your office draw the name of a Random Acts of Kindness buddy out of a hat and do a kind act for their buddy that day or week.
62. Give a pair of tickets to a baseball game or concert to a stranger.
63. Leave an extra big tip for the waitperson.
64. Drop off a plant, cookies, or donuts to the police or fire department.
65. Open the door for another person.
66. Pay for the meal of the person behind you in the drive-through.
67. Write a note to the boss of someone who has helped you, praising the employee.
68. Leave a bouquet of flowers on the desk of a colleague at work with whom you don’t normally get along.
69. Call an estranged family member.
70. Volunteer to fix up an elderly couple’s home.
71. Pay for the person behind you in the movie line.
72. Give flowers to be delivered with meal delivery programs.
73. Give toys to the children at the shelter or safe house.
74. Give friends and family kindness coupons they can redeem for kind favors.
75. Be a friend to a new student or coworker.
76. Renew an old friendship by sending a letter or small gift to someone you haven’t talked with in a long time.
77. For one week, act on every single thought of generosity that arises spontaneously in your heart, and notice what happens as a consequence.
78. Offer to return a shopping cart to the store for someone loading a car.
79. Invite someone new over for dinner.
80. Buy a roll of brightly colored stickers and give them to children you meet during the day.
81. Write a card of thanks and leave it with your tip. Be sure to be specific in your thanks.
82. Let the person behind you in the grocery store go ahead of you in line.
83. When drivers try to merge into your lane, let them in with a wave and a smile.
84. Buy cold drinks for the people next to you at a ball game.
85. Distribute kindness bookmarks that you have made.
86. Create a craft project or build a bird house with a child.
87. Give a bag of groceries to a homeless person.
88. Laugh out loud often and share your smile generously.
89. Plant a tree in your neighborhood.
90. Make a list of things to do to bring more kindness into the world, and have a friend make a list. Exchange lists and do one item per day for a month.
91. Use an instant camera to take people’s photographs at a party or community event, and give the picture to them.
92. As you go about your day, pick up trash.
93. Send a letter to some former teachers, letting them know the difference they made in your life.
94. Send a gift anonymously to a friend.
95. Organize a clothing drive for a shelter.
96. Buy books for a day care or school.
97. Slip a $20 bill to a person who you know is having financial difficulty.
98. Take an acquaintance to dinner.
99. Offer to take a friend’s child to ball practice.
100. Waive late fees for the week.

If you cannot see the bright side, polish the dull side.
Anon

Sources:
http://bk2hk.org/week/
http://kindness.com.au/world-kindness-day.html
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/World_Kindness_Movement
http://www.national-awareness-days.com/world-kindness-day.html
http://www.human-kindness.com/
http://www.hindu.com/2001/06/10/stories/1310046b.htm
http://www.dailyheraldtribune.com/2012/10/31/kindness-should-be-an-every-day-occurrence
http://www.bing.com/images/search?q=random+act+of+kindness&FORM=HDRSC2#view=detail&id=4E8E1C095BA22AA408980EA2B701A9292AF657B2&selectedIndex=4

To Recycle or Not to Recycle: That is the Question

Why Recycle

 

I was away only a few short days, only to come home to a husband who has completely forgotten how to recycle.  I am, by know means, the Queen of Recycle but at least I put in the effort.  I recognize that by living in the country recycling isn't quite as easy.  We have no blue box with a large truck coming along to empty it on a regular basis.  Instead, we have a garage filled with large cardboard boxes for metal, paper, plastics and cardboard and, when they become full, it's our job to haul everything to the recycle depot.  So it does take a bit of space and time but nothing I would consider excessive.

You might be asking where the glass went--why we aren't recycling it; unfortunately, our municipality doesn't recycle glass as there doesn't appear to much of a market for it, even though one of it's best uses is in the oil & gas industry.   Glass may not be toxic but it still takes up space in the landfill.  I try to reuse where I can but that isn't quite the answer either. In 2005, the average household in Regina, Saskatchewan recycled about 80 pounds of glass and 25 to 30 pounds of plastic.  Two years later, the figures were vastly different -- 25 pounds of glass and over 80 pounds of plastic coming out of a household.  I wonder what those statistics are today, when almost everything we purchase is plastic or is at least wrapped in plastic.  Glass is also very expensive to sort.   Some facilities take clean, clear glass which it finely crushes to mix into reflective highway paint. However, if glass collection bins become contaminated by different-coloured glass and garbage, the glass is no longer suitable for that purpose.  Although eturning it to its primary state of sand aggregate may seem logical, particularly in Alberta, it also seems to be the least advantageous and most expensive way of recycling.

Back to the basics of 'to recycle or not to recycle':  the thing is, because something costs, doesn't necessarily make it a bad idea.  Ultimately, the consumer pays for it at one end or the other so why not just do it right in the first place?  We can pay for it now with our pocketbooks or pay for it later with our health, as well as the health of generations to come.

 



Why recycle?  My goal is to protect our land and cut costs at the landfill but it also allows for re-use of certain products, thereby saving on our raw resources.  Though perhaps not the most glamorous of occupations, recycling also provides jobs.  Approximately 60% of our rubbish thrown away today could be recycled.  A survey suggests 9 out of 10 people surveyed said they would recycle more if it was easier. How easy does it have to be, is the question.  Taking just a moment to put your newspaper, soda can and glass spaghetti jar in the recycling bin will save everyone years in environmental harm from production of new materials, over crowded landfills and the depletion of our natural resources.

So, for now, while my husband may have taken the easy way while I was out of sight, I'M BACK! and so is he; back to separating, composting, stockpiling and, eventually (perhaps grumbling) he'll accept the chore of helping me load it all up for a trip to the transfer station.  In the end, it's all worth it, but we still have a L O N G way to go.

Sources:

• http://www.easy-green-living.org/recycle-earth.html
• http://www.canada.com/reginaleaderpost/news/story.html?id=264a06e1-f245-41cb-8ae7-7d1914f4476a
• http://environment-green.com/
• http://www.toonpool.com/user/589/files/recycle_bin_90915.jpg

Complete Streets: What the Heck Are They?

Complete Street Vision, Portsmouth VA

Lately, we've been hearing a lot about the concept of 'complete streets'.  Because one is able to use the phrase, doesn't necessarily mean that one knows what that term actually means.  Here's a bit of a breakdown on the term and where you might find more information about design and implementation of  'complete streets'.

 





First, what does 'complete street' really mean?  A Complete Street is designed for all ages, abilities, and modes of travel. It means safe and comfortable access for pedestrians, bicycles, transit users and the mobility-impaired because all these components are an integral part of the planning process.  The idea is to development policy to guide transportation planners and engineers so that each discipline consistently designs and operates the entire street network for all road users and not only motorists.
Complete Streets are cost effective, sustainable and safe and promote livability. Human-scale design treatments such as street furniture, trees and wide pedestrian rights-of-way animate our public realm and encourage people to linger.  Complete Streets can exist in communities of all shapes and sizes; from downtown Montreal to Corner Brook and more suburban communities such as Surrey.

Since World War II, many communities have been designed to facilitate easy and fast access to destinations via automobile. In rural and suburban communities, people often rely on the automobile as their sole means of transportation and even in areas with public transportation and safe places to walk and bicycle, in a state of “automobile dependence”—automobiles are the central focus of transportation, infrastructure and land use policies to the extent that other modes of transportation, such as walking, cycling and mass transit, have become impractical.  Oregon enacted the first Complete Streets policy in the United States in 1971, requiring that new or rebuilt roads accommodate bicycles and pedestrians, and required state and local governments to fund pedestrian and bicycle facilities in the public right-of-way.  Since then 16 additional state legislatures have adopted Complete Streets laws.

Smart Growth America supports the National Complete Streets Coalition a comprehensive resource for communities and agencies that are working toward creating a safe, comfortable, integrated transportation network for all users, regardless of age, ability, income, ethnicity, or mode of transportation. In response to frequent requests from Complete Streets supporters, the Coalition has developed materials for communities at every stage in the Complete Streets process.

City of Calgary

 

The City of Calgary has achieved many milestones en route to making Complete Streets part of the City’s planning and engineering culture. It's approach has focused on Complete Streets design guidance first, followed by implementation. In 2005, Calgary began the Plan-It-Calgary process designed to gather detailed qualitative and quantitative information to inform the development of high-level policy documents.  Complete Streets were identified as a key policy direction and were subsequently integrated into the Calgary Transportation Plan and the Municipal Development Plan, both officially adopted by Council in September 2009. Since then, Calgary has focused on developing detailed design guidance to create consensus around how to actually implement Complete Streets on-the-ground. The City completed its first Interim Complete Streets Guide in 2010 to facilitate the planning, design, and construction of Complete Streets on new and existing streets. It released its second Interim Guide in February and will soon publish a Final Guide.

Despite an impressive engagement process, Calgary is facing some barriers with Complete Streets. Developers are concerned about the potential costs and the City is currently considering potential funding solutions (e.g., a levy). On the other hand, some developers have requested to build Complete Streets into their projects before the design and approval process has been completed.
Other barriers involve updating bylaws, revising policy documents, and creating new guidelines to align with the goals of the upcoming Complete Streets Guidelines. Several municipal and provincial bylaws currently create barriers for incorporating Complete Streets features into designs (e.g., cycle tracks) and need to be revised. Secondly, Calgary’s Environmental Capacity Guideline Policy and the Residential Streets Policy require Complete Streets supportive updates to ensure uniform implementation. Finally, a Calgary Bikeway Design Guide needs to be developed in parallel with the Complete Streets Guidelines to facilitate the uniform implementation of bike infrastructure in accordance with Complete Streets.

City of Edmonton

 



On May 22, 2013, the City of Edmonton became the forth city in Canada to approve a Complete Streets policy which will be used when planning, designing and constructing all streets, including those in new neighbourhoods and when old ones are rehabilitated in existing neighbourhoods.

The guidelines for Complete Streets adopt a more holistic approach to road design by considering all users including pedestrians, cyclists, transit users and motorists and the surrounding land use. Recognizing that “one-size” does not fit all, transportation and land use planners will have the flexibility to be creative and innovative when designing streets to reflect users of all ages and abilities, as well as the characteristics of the area.  The policy came about after one year of public consultation including workshops with internal and external stakeholders, and an on-line discussion forum. The Complete Streets Guidelines and policy are significant contributors to advancing the goals set out in Edmonton’s strategic plan The Way Ahead and its Transportation Master Plan The Way We Move.

Complete Streets policies improve safety, lower transportation costs, provide transportation alternatives, encourage health through walking and biking, stimulate local economies, create a sense of place, improve social interaction, and generally improve adjacent property values. Complete Streets can also have a positive effect on the environment. By providing safe options for people to walk and bike, Complete Streets can lead to fewer people driving alone in their cars. This means fewer dangerous emissions from automobiles, which benefits all residents. 

Sounds like a win/win to me.  What do you think?

Sources:
http://www.smartgrowthamerica.org/complete-streets
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Complete_streets
http://completestreetsforcanada.ca/what-are-complete-streets
http://completestreetsforcanada.ca/case_study/city-calgary
http://www.calgary.ca/Transportation/TP/Pages/Planning/Calgary-Transportation-Plan/Complete-Streets.aspx
http://completestreetsforcanada.ca/news/complete-streets-comes-edmonton
http://www.edmonton.ca/city_government/city_vision_and_strategic_plan/complete-streets.aspx

The Serious Challenge of Our Time and Other Stuff

The Serious Challenge of Our Time

This is the text of Wes Jackson's Commencement Address at the University of Kansas from Sunday, May 19, 2013.

http://www.postcarbon.org/article/1718266-the-peak-oil-crisis-china-at

Here's a look at China's economic 'progress';

http://www.postcarbon.org/article/1627120-faster-drilling-diminishing-returns-in-shale

Is shale gas losing it's luster?

LOVE ECHOS

For a few Albertans, these last weeks have wreaked havoc and devastation, in terms of loss of life, injuries, and heartbreak.  Many are faced with substantial loss of property and personal belongings and are overwhelmed at the daunting tasks ahead.  Still, people around the globe have reached out to help through contributions of their time, energy, and sharing what they have to lighten the load.  Honestly folks, it just warms my heart to know that the world is filled with acts of kindness.  Here's a look at the first responders, those people that are first on the scene, whether it be by coincidence, choice or profession.   Oh, how this moves me!



 

Bringing the Blue Zone Home

Lunenburg, Nova Scotia

 

It seems I've found a new catch-phrase; one that epitomizes everything I am trying to accomplish in my own personal life and that is, simply finding my way toward health living.  Last week, I spent a bit of time exploring the concept of Blue Zones in my post, Migrating the Blue Zone into Your Own Back Yard.  Blue zones are places in the world where people live longer and healthier without medication or disability.   Journalist Dan Buettner searched for reasons five areas of the world -- Sardinia, Italy; Okinawa, Japan; Loma Linda California; Nicoya Peninsula Costa Rica, and an isolated Greek island, Ikaria -- inspired people to live longer, healthier, happier lives.  His findings?  LIFESTYLE!!!  I mean, really!  Can it get any clearer to us that our lifestyle choices (and it IS a choice) is slowly but surely killing us?

 

When I did a little digging, I found communities that have truly embraced the concept of Blue Zone living.  As they were all in USA, I went looking for what Canada has to offer.  Did you know, in the 10 years between 1996 and 2006, the number of centenarians in Canada doubled and this rise is expected to continue?  While we have known for some time that we  are living longer, what I wasn't able to find are the statistics on that razor-edged line when age becomes synonymous with poor health.  Our hospitals and nursing homes are, after all, filled to overflowing with seniors that are no longer able to care for themselves.

 

Getting a shave



 

The fact is, it doesn't have to be this way.  We control 70% of the factors influencing our health.  Research by the US Urban Institute and Center for Disease Control and Prevention have documented four key factors on an individual's health:  access to care: 10%; genetics:  20%; environment:  20%; health behaviours:  50%.  Through a series of small meaningful changes within our communities as well as at home, we can make a difference in how we live, work and play.

 

I admit, I'm  more than a little disappointed to discover that Canada has not really embraced Blue Zone Community living as some areas of the USA have.  While I discovered that areas of southern Nova Scotia seems to have qualities much akin to Buettner's identified five areas of the world, I have not been able to find a single community in Canada that is actively pursuing Blue Zone philosophy and embracing its attributes.  Whereas in the USA, there are 14 communities (10 of which are located in Iowa) striving to incorporate Blue Zone principles into its day-to-day life, this doesn't seem to be the case in Canada.

 

I have to ask, WHAT ARE WE WAITING FOR?  Are we each not personally responsible to bring about some level of change -- within our communities as well as within our homes?  Do we really want to see what our world will look like when debilitating chronic disease outweighs workforce productivity?  How will Canada compete globally?  We already have a health care system struggling to find affordable ways of providing services; do we really want health care to be a privilege as opposed to a right?  What weighs on my  mind more and more everyday is, what will be my experience in a few years; I have to admit, what I envision isn't exactly pretty.

 

All each of us has to do is adopt 9 healthy principles (dubbed 'Power 9 Principles'): focused on becoming more physically active, or moving naturally; eating wisely, having purpose; and participating in our community, to add years to our lives.  It seems so simple -- so why do we make it so hard?

 

The art of fly fishing

 

Sources:

http://www3.thestar.com/static/PDF/080607_nova_scotia_bluezone.pdf

http://www.bluezones.com/programs/blue-zones-communities/

http://s3.amazonaws.com/BlueZonesProject/rfp/downloads/BlueZonesProjectPressKit.pdf

 



Migrating the Blue Zone into Your Own Back Yard

Marsh Lake YT

 

Who hasn't seen the Heart and Stroke advertising campaign that reminds us that our last 10 years are likely to be spent in sickness?  While some folks might find this type of marketing offensive, it seems to me there are a lot more that are at least talking about making better lifestyle choices precisely to avoid declining health in our latter years. I for one have already partipated in lending support to my parents in the last 10 years of their lives; frankly, I would like to avoid this route if at all possible and it seems to me, there is something I can do to help in this regard.

Until a few days ago, I had never heard the phrase 'blue zone'. Have I been living under the proverbial cabbage patch leaf? Perhaps; but now that I have heard and explored what it means, it comes to mind that we have the tools to turn each and every community into a 'blue zone'. And if not the community, certainly our own domain -- our homes.

Blue zones are places in the world where people live longer and healthier -- to 90 or even 100 years of age -- without medication or disability.   Journalist Dan Buettner, in a partnership with National Geographic spent five years searching for reasons five areas of the world -- Sardinia, Italy; Okinawa, Japan; Loma Linda California; Nicoya Peninsula Costa Rica, and an isolated Greek island, Ikaria -- are inspiring people to live longer, healthier, happier lives.  His findings?  LIFESTYLE!!!  For whatever reason,  the vast majority of these communities followed a simple prescription.  They maintained a healthy diet, daily exercise, and a low stress lifestyle which incorporates family, purpose, religion, and meaning. 

 



A healthy diet is one that is loaded with vegetables, fruits, fish, and nuts and low on meat, sugar, fat, and processed foods. All four cultures share similarities regarding their eating habits.  Some stop eating before they're full while others  make dinner the lightest meal of the day.  There is also a strong belief in getting plenty of sunshine and taking in vitamin D.

Healthy Food Choices

 

A daily routine of regular exercise is another theme that is common across all blue zones.  Common across all of  blue zones is that people climb mountains, walk through the hills, work the land, and generally use their bodies as they perform their daily activities.  Often the exercise is slow and relaxed, but ongoing throughout the day.  These people are conditioned by daily routine to be fit and alert. Ready to fight disease. Quick to break down toxins and waste.

Active, Enjoyable Family Fun



Buettner has found that those who live long and healthy in the blue zones unanimously live low stress, happy lives enriched with strong family ties, a sense of purpose, a healthy dose of spirituality, and plenty of sleep. Unlike the straightforwardness of eating healthy and exercising, this third pillar of a healthy lifestyle is hard to precisely define.  Stress is especially proven to have serious harmful effects on the body . The long-term effects of a life constantly full of stress, anger, and resentment  are dramatic, increasing blood pressure, and generally increasing the onset and severity of heart disease and several other major diseases.



Buddhist Temple, Richmond, BC

Living long and healthy is not mysterious.  It is a choice.   If you aren’t living the lifestyle, then it is never too late to start.  To live long and healthy requires a constant, daily lifestyle of positive enrichment for the body and mind. Find ways to make healthy food taste good. Find ways to make exercise a meaningful part of your daily routine rather than a burdensome chore. Surround yourself with others that share your interest in living a full life that is low in stress, happy, and meaningful. Get plenty of sleep.

A team of medical researchers, anthropologists, demographers, and epidemiologists searched for evidence-based common denominators among the 5 Blue Zones and found nine:

1. Move Naturally
:   live in environments that constantly nudge you into moving without thinking about it.  Grow gardens and don’t have mechanical conveniences for house and yard work.
2. Purpose:   Knowing your sense of purpose is worth up to seven years of extra life expectancy.
3. Down Shift:
  Stress leads to chronic inflammation, associated with every major age-related disease. Develop a routine to shed that stress. Take a few moments each day to remember your ancestors.  Pray.   Take a nap.  Have a happy hour.
4. 80% Rule
:  Stop eating when your stomach is 80 percent full. The 20% gap between not being hungry and feeling full could be the difference between losing weight or gaining it.
5. Plant Slant:  
 Beans, including fava, black, soy and lentils, are the cornerstone of most centenarian diets. Meat—mostly pork—is eaten on average only five times per month. Serving sizes are 3-4 oz., about the size of deck or cards.
6. Wine @ 5: 
 People in all Blue Zones (except Adventists) drink alcohol moderately and regularly. Moderate drinkers outlive non-drinkers. The trick is to drink 1-2 glasses per day (preferably Sardinian Cannonau wine), with friends and/or with food. And no, you can’t save up all weekend and have 14 drinks on Saturday.
7. Belong:  
 Research shows that attending faith-based services four times per month will add 4-14 years of life expectancy.
8. Loved Ones First:  
Successful centenarians in the Blue Zones put their families first. This means keeping aging parents and grandparents nearby or in the home (It lowers disease and mortality rates of children in the home too.). They commit to a life partner (which can add up to 3 years of life expectancy) and invest in their children with time and love (They’ll be more likely to care for you when the time comes).
9. Right Tribe
: The world’s longest lived people chose–or were born into–social circles that supported healthy behaviors.  Research shows that smoking, obesity, happiness, and even loneliness are contagious.

Enter  'Blue Zone Communities'.   The Blue Zones Project initiative challenges communities to become a Blue Zones Community™ ,  a systems approach that allows citizens, schools, employers, restaurants, grocery stores and community leaders to work together on policies and programs that will make the most impact and move the community towards optimal health and well-being.   Blue Zone communities don’t rely on individual behavior change but, rather, focus on making healthy choices the easy choice. Rather than nagging residents to walk more, walking is made easier and more desirable. By making wholesome foods more prevalent and accessible and less expensive than junk foods, more people begin to eat healthier naturally.

Take Albert Lea, for example.  Starting in 2009, Albert Lea, a statistically average American city located about 90 miles south of Minneapolis, underwent an extraordinary transformation. For three years, this city of 18,000 residents participated in the Blue Zones Vitality Project sponsored by AARP and the United Health Foundation, making it ground zero for the application of longevity research in America!  Amid a pep-rally-like atmosphere in a high-school auditorium, the community kicked off the AARP/Blue Zones Vitality Project. The mission of the Vitality Project was to add healthy years to an entire town by weaving the Blue Zones principles into every aspect of the community—restaurants, businesses, schools, homes, and everyday lives.  Two-thirds of locally owned restaurants added life-extending foods to their menus; 35 businesses pledged to make their workplaces healthier by offering more nutritious catering menus and vending machine choices, and substituting fruit for doughnuts. Residents participated in 15 Vitality Project initiatives, from walking groups—including "walking school buses," where parents and grandparents stroll with children to school—to healthy cooking classes.

Many communities embrace most aspects of this lifestyle,  Earlier this year, I visited a community in Michoacan, Mexico, where I met a vital, enthusiastically active and entertaining 90-year-old woman named Maria.  Maria, I suspect, has never heard about Blue Zone Communities but, all the same, she lives the lifestyle.  She lives in a multi-generational home with her nephew and great nephew. She eats locally grown food, much of which she grows in her own garden or picks in the hills behind her village.  Maria actively participates in the well-being of her family; she weaves and embroiders robosos (shawl) that she is modelling in this photograph, and sells them on city streets.  But what is most obvious about Maria is her friendly demeanor and easy laughter.

Maria - Angahuan, Michoacan



For many of us, there are lessons our parents and grandparents knew, that have been forgotten. The beauty of Blue Zone Communities is, while tools are provided to support transforming the entire community, the program lends itself to a bottom up approach.  Start challenging yourself and your family:  Here's a checklist to help you to introduce and monitor healthy lifestyle changes such as eating more fruits and veggies, eating breakfast; limiting screen time (TV AND computer); limiting sugar  http://www.bluezones.com/challenge/students/

Celebrating Family





 

With a little bit of effort, each one of us can bring about healthy lifestyle changes to our own homes.  We can advocate within our communities and embrace a another way of life by demanding healthier choices in food establishments;  walking to work; making the most of our local parks and community activities.  Perhaps we need to step out of our comfort zone but it's worth it. . . WE'RE WORTH IT!

Sources:
http://www.marketingmag.ca/news/marketer-news/death-speaks-in-new-heart-and-stroke-foundation-campaign-40847
http://singularityhub.com/2009/07/20/blue-zones-places-in-the-world-where-people-live-to-100-and-stay-healthy/
http://www.livestrong.com/article/491449-the-blue-zone-diet/
http://www.bluezones.com/programs/blue-zones-communities/
http://www.aarp.org/health/longevity/info-01-2010/minnesota_miracle.1.html