Any time I mention veganism, I feel the need to precursor the discussion with the fact that in no way am I suggesting that anyone is wrong for not practicing a plant-based diet or that it is necessarily healthier than an omnivorous one. Without a doubt, circumstances of food availability are different around the world, and regardless of our whereabouts, we all have personal versions of what we will and […]
There exists a humongous problem of solid waste management being faced by the entire world. Garbage generated and gathered in our houses, offices, businesses and industrial establishments is essentially what is called as solid waste. And with growing population, urbanisation and industrialisation, more trash is being produced which is a constant threat to environment and health safety. Every day waste is a mix of organic and inorganic stuff and if […]
In part 1 of this article (1), I looked a little bit at which chemicals are generally present in soils around the world as well as what is being done to mitigate the harmful effects of such chemicals. Knowing what chemicals are where, how they affect the human body and the wider environment, and how we can lessen these effects if they seem detrimental or out of balance, are all […]
There are many things you can do around the house to be more self-reliant. This is a list of just a few of them, that will help achieve that homesteading lifestyle. Grow Your Own Garden Growing and caring for your own garden at home is a simple and fun hobby, delicious too! There’s nothing better than a freshly grown vegetable. There are a few different methods of gardening available, such […]
Limitations of any sort are most often considered to be something to be avoided. From the time that we enter elementary school, the majority of us are taught that we can be whatever we want to be, do whatever we want to do, and go wherever we want to go. In essence, we are lead to believe that any sort of limitation to the vast desires and possibilities of the […]
Zero-waste living can be a challenging and frustrating journey. The goal is not as simple as separating your garbage from your recyclable materials properly, but rather eliminating your garbage collection altogether. For an average person or family, shifting from a normal lifestyle to zero-waste living will require tremendous adjustments along with patience and creativity. The cycle of your household trash starts with what you’re purchasing in the store. Before buying […]
So, we just discussed the Crisphead variety in our last article on lettuce. There is still another head lettuce within the five distinct lettuce varieties known as Butterhead lettuce (Lactuca sativa var. capitate). The Butterhead lettuce has a slightly sweet buttery taste and forms a looser leafed head than that of the Crisphead. This lettuce is also known as Butter, Boston, or Bibb. While Butter and Boston are just other […]
Organic farming is a holistic approach to integrated farming that produces food and meat without using conventional fertilisers, synthetic pesticides, growth hormones, chemicals or genetically modified organisms. Organic farming strives for sustainability, ensures crops which do not have any harmful residues, and enterprises methods which are sustainable and maintain harmony with nature. (Darnhofer et al, 2010). History of Organic Farming The birth of Organic farming dates back to 1940s when […]
Regenerative agriculture offers a future for sustainable farming of meat in line with nature’s needs, by using holistic management and organic/biodynamic practices and even sequestering carbon in the soil – so important in the fight against climate change. At Mangarara, in New Zealand’s beautiful Hawke’s Bay, Greg Hart and his family are in the process of restoring 1500 acres of land conventionally farmed for over 150 years into the paradise […]
It has been widely acknowledged that we are in a climate change era. All forms of life are expected to mitigate or adapt to climate change to survive. It is a good practice to understand the natural green credentials associated with life around us- this will enable us to tap into such credentials and use them to further mitigate or adapt to changing environmental conditions, nd at the same time […]
A potential cure for the Zika virus has been discovered by Queensland researchers, using compounds sourced from a native Australian plant. Through a partnership between Australian-based biotech company Health Focus Products Australia (HFPA), researchers from Queensland University of Technology (QUT) have discovered the compound, found in a common Australian plant, halts the virus – preventing it from replicating without causing damage to mammalian host cells. While the plant itself is […]
In Belize, it sounds daft, but I used to find myself daydreaming about a tree called madre de cacao (Gliricidia sepium). It was a strapping type of tree: tall, quick-rooting, nitrogen-fixing. While living there, my wife Emma and I were doing a work-trade at a local cacao farm, and we discovered this specie, the “mother of cacao”, and instantly put it to work in our gardens. It made for great […]
