LOL, we are doing a pretty good job of keeping it here... 27” here - beat the 22.5” record set in 1922. Plus, temperature now at 9:23 am is only 18, up from the 15 degrees overnight.<<<
Too much for here, my roof would cave in. LOL, so would I.
It is wonderful when folks pull together and I am so glad that you are prepared and safe.
http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2447314/posts
Hazards: A Warning on Mixing Herbs and Medicine
NY Times ^ | February 9, 2010 | RONI CARYN RABIN
Posted on Monday, February 08, 2010 11:21:02 PM by neverdem
Researchers are warning that popular herbs and supplements, including St. John’s wort and even garlic and ginger, do not mix well with common heart drugs and can also be dangerous for patients taking statins, blood thinners and blood pressure medications.
>>>Too much for here, my roof would cave in.<<<
Hey, too much for a lot of roofs around here too...
We have had a church, a warehouse and several chicken houses collapse from the snow load.
With an unknown amount of additional snow on the way tonight and all day tomorrow, it is a critical issue. Our local WalMart has been CLOSED since Sunday - They checked and found that their roof was only designed for 18” snow load (however it has held up under the 27” so far) and they closed the store and are trying to shovel it off before additional falls.
Son-in-Law got off for 12 hours (after 4 days, they gave them 12 hours to see to the welfare of their families) and went back to the National Guard Emergency Control Center (where he works)at midnight last night. They are under the largest activation since riots in Wilmington in 1968. They no longer have any tracked vehicles such as the bladed tanks they used in the past, and a couple of years ago they disbanded a combat construction unit and got rid of about 50 heavy loaders that would have been perfect for the job at hand. So, they have been running their 5 ton rigs and have had several of them stuck at times. They finally had to put the 5 ton trucks running with the snow plows to pull the plows out every time they got stuck.
Right now, 90-95% of the roads are passable, but we will have to see how much more snow we get 8-12 or as some are calling for - 18” more!
Wife was finally home last night - I picked her up and took her back this morning at 7 am - they have asked her to stay overnight again tonight and work through tomorrow and until they can get relief in for her. Some of their workers still haven’t been able to get in - even though the roads are passable, many have driveways that are daunting.
Christi says that she thought snow would be lots of fun, but this is too much - Florida was better... LOL
Will let you know how things progress....
SALMONELLOSIS, SALAMI - USA (04): SEROTYPE MONTEVIDEO
*****************************************************
A ProMED-mail post
http://www.promedmail.org
ProMED-mail is a program of the
International Society for Infectious Diseases
http://www.isid.org
Date: Fri 5 Feb 2010
Source: US CDC [edited]
http://www.cdc.gov/salmonella/montevideo/index.html
CDC is collaborating with public health officials in many states, the
Department of Agriculture’s Food Safety and Inspection Service
(FSIS), the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), and the State of
Rhode Island to investigate a multistate outbreak of _Salmonella
[enterica_ serotype Montevideo infections. Investigators are using
DNA analysis of bacteria obtained through diagnostic testing to
identify cases of illness that may be part of this outbreak.
As of 9:00 pm EST on 4 Feb 2010, a total of 213 individuals infected
with a matching strain of _S._ Montevideo have been reported from 42
states and District of Columbia since 1 Jul 2009. The number of ill
persons identified in each state with this strain is as follows: AK
(1), AL (2), AZ (5), CA (30), CO (4), CT (4), DC (1), DE (2), FL (3),
GA (3), IA (1), ID (2), IL (13), IN (3), KS (3), LA (1), MA (12), MD
(1), ME (1), MI (4), MN (5), MO (1), NC (9), ND (1), NE (1), NH (1),
NJ (8), NM (2), NY (18), OH (9), OK (1), OR (9), PA (6), RI (2), SC
(1), SD (3), TN (5), TX (7), UT (9), VA (1), WA (15), WV (1), and WY
(2). Because this is a commonly occurring strain, public health
investigators may determine that some of the illnesses are not part
of this outbreak.
Among the persons with reported dates available, illnesses began
between 4 Jul 2009 and 21 Jan 2010. Infected individuals range in age
from less than 1 year old to 93 years old and the median age is 37
years. 53 percent of patients are male. Among the 159 patients with
available information, 42 (26 percent) were hospitalized. No deaths
have been reported.
Recent test results provided by the Rhode Island Department of Health
revealed that an opened container of black pepper used in the
manufacturing of at least some of the recalled products was positive
for _S._ Montevideo and that the DNA fingerprint matched the outbreak
strain: http://www.ri.gov/press/view/10647
The FDA is investigating the supply chain of the black pepper used in
the manufacturing of the recalled meat products. The Agency has
collected and is currently analyzing black pepper samples. To date,
all the samples collected and analyzed by the FDA have tested
negative, however, sample collection and analysis continues.
CDC and its public health partners are continuing the epidemiologic
investigation to verify that the outbreak is controlled. CDC,
USDA-FSIS, and FDA continue to work closely to identify the specific
products or ingredients that became contaminated and how the
contamination occurred and to identify any other food vehicles that
may be involved.
—
Communicated by:
ProMED-mail
promed@promedmail.org
[The epidemiologic curve and a map of the USA showing the affected
states can be found at the original URL as well as additional details
on the investigation (previously posted by ProMED-mail). The number
of cases slowly grows and will likely do so further because of the
long shelf life of these products. To date, the pepper is implicated
in the outbreak genetically but unopened pepper has yet to be found
to contain the specific pathogen. - Mod.LL]
[see also:
Salmonellosis, salami - USA (03): st Montevideo, 2nd recall 20100201.0345
Salmonellosis, salami - USA (02): serotype Montevideo 20100129.0313
Salmonellosis, salami - USA: alert, recall 20100124.0270
Salmonellosis, serotype Typhimurium - USA: frogs, 2009 20100108.0090
2009
Cardiac Science Automated External Defibrillators (Powerheart, Cardiovive, CardioLife models): Recall
Audience: Emergency medical professionals, hospital risk managers
Cardiac Science Corporation and FDA notified healthcare professionals and consumers of a recall because the automated external defibrillator (AED) may not be able to deliver therapy during a cardiac resuscitation attempt, which may lead to serious adverse events or death. These AEDs were manufactured in a way that makes them potentially susceptible to failure under certain conditions. Each of the approximately 12,200 devices affected in this recall can be confirmed at the Cardiac Science Web site, www.cardiacscience.com/AED195. The affected AEDs were manufactured or serviced between October 19, 2009 and January 15, 2010 and include the following models - Powerheart 9300A, 9300E, 9300P, 9390A, 9390E, CardioVive 92532 and CardioLife 9200G and 9231. Each affected AED should immediately be removed from service since it may not deliver the expected therapy.
Read the complete MedWatch 2010 Safety summary, including a link to the firm press release, at:
http://www.fda.gov/Safety/Recalls/UCM200122
Turkey Hill Dairy Issues Recall On Chocolate Marshmallow Ice Cream That May Contain Undeclared Treenuts (Almonds)
Tue, 09 Feb 2010 09:56:00 -0600
Turkey Hill Dairy of Conestoga, Pa., is recalling its 1.5 qt. (48 oz./1.42L) packages of Chocolate Marshmallow Premium Ice Cream because the product may contain almonds that were inadvertently added during production.
This message contains the following:
1. Generation 2 Worldwide and “ChildESIGNS” Drop Side Crib Brands Recalled; Three Infant Deaths Reported
http://www.cpsc.gov/cpscpub/prerel/prhtml10/10134.html
2. Innovage LLC Recalls Discovery Kids Lamps Due to Fire and Burn Hazards
http://www.cpsc.gov/cpscpub/prerel/prhtml10/10135.html
http://www.fda.gov/Safety/Recalls/
February 2010
* February 09, 2010 - Acacia, Inc. Announces Worldwide Voluntary Recall of IV Extension Sets with BD Q-Syte™ Luer Access Device3
* February 08, 2010 - BD Announces Worldwide Voluntary Recall ofBD Q-Syte™ Luer Access Devices and BD Nexiva™ Closed IV Catheter Systems4
* February 05, 2010 - Turkey Hill Dairy Issues Recall On Chocolate Marshmallow Ice Cream That May Contain Undeclared Treenuts (Almonds)5
* February 04, 2010 - Cousins Products, Llc, Issues An Allergy Alert On Undeclared Egg, Soy, And Wheat In Spinach Vinaigrette6
* February 03, 2010 - Pierino Frozen Foods Inc. Issues an Allergy Alert on Undeclared Eggs in Its Jumbo Shells with Cheese7
* February 03, 2010 - Cardiac Science Notifies AED Customers of Voluntary Medical Device Recall8
* February 03, 2010 - Haifa Smoked Fish Inc. Issues An Allert On Uneviscerated Whole Schmaltz Herring9
* February 01, 2010 - Global Commodities Inc. Issues Allergy Alert On Undeclared Sulfites In Aahu Barah Brand Dry Apricot10
BD Announces Worldwide Voluntary Recall ofBD Q-Syte[TM] Luer Access Devices and BD Nexiva[TM] Closed IV Catheter Systems
Tue, 09 Feb 2010 09:01:00 -0600
BD (Becton, Dickinson and Company) (NYSE:BDX) has voluntarily executed a product recall of certain lots ofBD Q-Syte™ Luer Access Devices and BD Nexiva™ Closed IV Catheter Systems. Use of the affected devices may cause an air embolism or leakage of blood and/or therapy, which may result in serious injury or death.
Vancouver releases factsheet on City-Wide Composting
The City Compost process: Turning yard trimmings into high value compost. Yard and
garden trimmings (grass, leaves, plant debris) are screened for metal using a magnet,
ground up, and arranged in long piles called windrows. Over the next six months,
the windrows are periodically turned to maintain optimum temperature, oxygen level
and moisture content. The finished material is then screened for plastic and oversized
pieces, before distribution as compost.
Urban Roots - Austin Texas
Urban Roots is looking to expand our reach beyond our farm interns to more students
in the Austin. We will hire youth outreach specialists to work with Urban Roots
staff to create and facilitate educational activities in schools and for after-school
field trips to our farm. We will train these youth to lead interactive activities
on the farm that teach students about healthy living.
Four Agro-Architectural visions for London
Inspired by the urban grains especially the railway network from both St. Pancras
and King’s Cross Station around the site, the design is a formal continuation of
the topography while reinforcing the colonisation of air space by winery branches.
The audacious structure, the winery and the vineyard for red wine grapes are connected
by a suspended transport network enabling the use of ground space for a public park.
With a capacity to produce 10,000 bottles of red wine annually the project re-articulates
private and public space blending productive infrastructure with quality areas to
Londoners and tourists.
Growing Change - Video about Windy City Harvest in Chicago
“It’s not hard to make this stuff look good,” says filmmaker Mitra Sticklen, pausing
in between shots of the bright green kale and collards on display on a stand at
the 61st Street Farmers Market. “It’s beautiful stuff-beautiful footage.” The stand
belongs to Windy City Harvest, an urban agriculture job training program of the
Chicago Botanic Garden and West Side Technical Institute, whose participants Sticklen
has been filming since last fall. With the working title “Growing Change,” the film
was originally meant to be a ten-minute short documenting one season of the program.
Spain’s urban agriculture -
Verdura para la jungla de asfalto
Es verdad que pocos privilegiados disponen en el hogar de un currunchiño de cien
metros cuadrados para plantar sus lechugas como la hortelana Michelle en la Casa
Blanca, pero tampoco es necesario. La primera dama americana, Verónica Berlusconi
y otras celebridades han impulsado una moda absolutamente implantada en Canadá y
el norte de Europa que llega ahora con fuerza a Galicia. El minifundio se estila
también en las huertas urbanas que empiezan a poblar el paisaje gris de las principales
ciudades para hacer realidad un viejo sueño del burgués: regresar al campo.
Pittsburgh ordinance changes bother keepers of bees, chickens
Proposed changes to the city ordinance dealing with the keeping of agricultural
animals on city properties has agitated bee and chicken keepers.
Burgh Bees, a 375-member nonprofit, has put out a “call to action” via e-mail for
attendance at a public hearing before the city planning commission at 2 p.m. Feb.
16 “to show how many beekeepers and beekeeper supporters there are” in the city.
The hearing is at 200 Ross St., Downtown.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
More on these stories here:
City Farmer News [http://r20.rs6.net/tn.jsp?et=1103028870555&s=1304&e=001JGQXGQeJsUHpramYR5ZkUQDgUyNllLmBUp8CUs2s1xaTChYcfveQiSt46viWyGZKDJlQVZQ35w3Y3zlX_3HjQSeKU-XT1oX7d4eTpLrJGvEx3kZXXFUx9g==]
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Michael Levenston
City Farmer - Canada’s Office of Urban Agriculture
Vancouver - Home of the Winter Olympics 2010
Weekly Harvest Newsletter
Sustainable Agriculture News Briefs - February 10, 2010
Weekly sustainable agriculture news and resources gleaned from the Internet by NCAT staff for the ATTRA - National Sustainable Agriculture Information Service Web site. The Weekly Harvest Newsletter is also available online (http://attra.ncat.org/newsletter/archives.html#wh).
Share The Harvest: Please forward this newsletter to friends and colleagues who might be interested in the latest sustainable agriculture news, funding opportunities, and events.
Funding Opportunities
* Vermont Farmers’ Markets Mini-Grant
* Environmental Quality Incentive Program (EQIP) Organic Initiative
* Strolling of the Heifers Microloan Fund for New England Farmers
Coming Events
* NOFA-Vermont Winter Conference
* Annual OEFFA Conference
* Evaluating Soil Fertility for Winegrapes Workshop
News & Resources
USDA Launches Open Government Site
http://www.usda.gov/open
On January 29, 2010, the United States Department of Agriculture launched its Open Government Webpage. In line with the Directive, the USDA Open Government Webpage serves as a portal to USDA activities related to transparency, participation, collaboration, innovation and datasets. On the Open Page, the public can learn about and comment on USDA information such as available and proposed datasets, records, reports & other resources. You can also rank topics based on what you feel is most important to help USDA prioritize future actions. This is part of the Obama administration’s Open Government Initiative (http://www.whitehouse.gov/open/).
Organic Survey Data Released
http://www.nass.usda.gov/Newsroom/2010/02_03_2010.asp
The nation’s organic farms and ranches have higher average sales and higher average production expenses than U.S. farms overall, according to results of the 2008 Organic Production Survey (http://www.agcensus.usda.gov/Publications/2007/Online_Highlights/Organics/) released by the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s National Agricultural Statistics Service. ‘This was USDA’s first wide-scale survey of organic producers, and it was undertaken in direct response to the growing interest in organics among consumers, farmers, businesses, policymakers and others,’ said Agriculture Deputy Secretary Kathleen Merrigan.
Southeastern Farmers Needed For Cover Crop Survey
http://www.cefs.ncsu.edu/survey.html
Are you a sustainable Southeastern farmer? If so, the Center for Environmental Farming Systems (CEFS) would like you to fill out their survey to help focus future research efforts at North Carolina State University. This survey is part of an effort to understand farmers’ opinions on the benefits and challenges of cover crop use, and to estimate current levels of cover cropping on Southeast farms.
USDA to Rework Animal Traceability Plan
http://www.usda.gov/wps/portal/!ut/p/_s.7_0_A/7_0_1OB/.cmd/ad/.ar/sa.retrievecontent/.c/6_2_1UH/.ce/7_2_5JM/.p/5_2_4TQ/.d/1/_th/J_2_9D/_s.7_0_A/7_0_1OB?PC_7_2_5JM_contentid=2010/02/0053.xml&PC_7_2_5JM_parentnav=LATEST_RELEASES&PC_7_2_5JM_navid=NE
Agriculture Secretary Vilsack announced that USDA will develop a new, flexible framework for animal disease traceability in the United States, and undertake several other actions to further strengthen its disease prevention and response capabilities. ‘After concluding our listening tour on the National Animal Identification System in 15 cities across the country, receiving thousands of comments from the public and input from States, Tribal Nations, industry groups, and representatives for small and organic farmers, it is apparent that a new strategy for animal disease traceability is needed,’ said Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack. ‘I’ve decided to revise the prior policy and offer a new approach to animal disease traceability with changes that respond directly to the feedback we heard.’
Farmers’ Market Manager Training Manual Available
http://farmersmarketcoalition.org/fmfny-manual/
With funding from a three-year SARE Professional Development grant, the Farmers’ Market Federation of New York used market experiences and research to develop an innovative new ‘Farmers’ Market Manager Training Manual.’ (http://www.nyfarmersmarket.com/NYFM_Training_Manual.pdf) (PDF/7MB) The manual describes the role of market managers and provides checklists, sample policies, worksheets, and other hands-on tools to help managers start markets, build market communities, and harness the power of these communities to sustain the markets and their local food systems.
Report Outlines Federal Agencies That Influence the Food System
http://www.iatp.org/iatp/press.cfm?refID=107175
While the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) is considered the most influential federal agency when it comes to our food system, many other government agencies combine to deeply affect what, and how, food is raised and consumed in the U.S., The Institute for Agriculture and Trade Policy (IATP) has published ‘Beyond the USDA: How other government agencies can support a healthier, more sustainable food system,’ (http://www.iatp.org/iatp/publications.cfm?accountID=258&refID=107172) (PDF/280KB) by Maggie Gosselin. The paper reports on federal agencies and their role in administering programs, grants and regulatory oversight that affect food. This agency-by-agency review covers food safety regulations, community economic and housing development, health education, food procurement, labor standards, trade negotiations and transportation infrastructure.
More Breaking News (http://attra.ncat.org/news/)
Funding Opportunities
Vermont Farmers’ Markets Mini-Grant
http://nofavt.org/market-organic-food/farmers-markets/2010-mini-grants
The 2010 Vermont Farmers’ Market Mini-Grants are available to support successful expansion projects at existing markets or to help communities create new farmers’ markets. Currently there is $100,000 available to support grants up to $5,000 each. Interested markets are expected to conduct a strategic planning process to identify short and long term goals for market development. Eligible projects include but are not limited to: developing promotional materials, building physical infrastructure to enhance the marketplace, strengthening the market governing body, conducting economic impact assessments, and developing accessibility to the market for underserved customer bases.
Proposals are due March 1, 2010.
Environmental Quality Incentive Program (EQIP) Organic Initiative
http://attra.org/eqip/
The sign-up for the FY 2010 Environmental Quality Incentive Program (EQIP) Organic Initiative has begun. The Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) is taking applications and the deadline is coming up soon, but varies state to state. The EQIP Organic Initiative will pay growers to implement conservation-friendly farming practices. If you wish to participate in this program, please contact your local or state NRCS office as soon as possible and make at least a preliminary application. For FY 2010, applications will be treated as two separate ranking pools — one for transitioning farmers and ranchers without any current certified organic production, and one for existing certified organic producers who are either adding new transitional production or adopting new conservation measures on existing organic production. To find your state or local NRCS office, follow this link and click on your state, which will then allow you to find your local NRCS office: http://offices.sc.egov.usda.gov/locator/app?agency=nrcs
Application due date varies by state.
Strolling of the Heifers Microloan Fund for New England Farmers
http://www.thecarrotproject.org/farm_financing
The mission of the fund is to address the difficulty that some New England farmers have in obtaining credit for projects that improve their operations and increase their income, as well as for emergency needs.
Proposals are due February 26, 2010.
More Funding Opportunities (http://attra.ncat.org/funding/)
Coming Events
NOFA-Vermont Winter Conference
http://www.nofavt.org/annual-events/winter-conference
February 13-15, 2010
Burlington, Vermont
Celebrating the Heart of Organic, will explore how local and organic agriculture provide a response to the national Agenda for Change. The conference will highlight the work of Vermont’s innovative farmers, gardeners, and communities to address
climate challenges, inequities in food access, and increased demand for food grown closer to home.
Annual OEFFA Conference
http://www.oeffa.org/conference2010.php
February 13-14, 2010
Granville, Ohio
The conference will have a full offering of informative, hands-on, educational workshops, exhibitors, and networking opportunities, as well as dynamic keynote speakers Joel Salatin and Ann Cooper.
Evaluating Soil Fertility for Winegrapes Workshop
http://kinseyag.com/Seminars.htm#Napa
February 15-17, 2010
Napa, California
This workshop utilizes 100 actual soil tests taken for various grape-growing areas of the world, with emphasis on winegrape soils of the U.S. and in particular, soils from the West Coast. The basic foundation for determining each nutrient required for achieving excellent soil fertility is provided as a specific formula. Each formula is explained in the context of the subjects covered, and is included as a handout in participants’ notebooks, along with copies of all the soil tests used for the course.
More Events (http://attra.ncat.org/calendar)
New & Updated Publications
Organic System Plans: Livestock Production
http://attra.ncat.org/calendar/new_pubs.php/2009/11/30/organic_system_plans_livestock_productio
Aquaculture Enterprises: Considerations and Strategies
http://attra.ncat.org/calendar/new_pubs.php/2009/11/18/aquaculture_enterprises_considerations_a_1
Building Sustainable Places
http://attra.ncat.org/calendar/new_pubs.php/2009/11/11/building_sustainable_places
Question of the Week
What are some resources for information on draft horse implements?
http://attra.ncat.org/calendar/question.php/2010/02/08/what_are_some_resources_for_information__6
Ask a Sustainable Agriculture Expert
Submit questions to our professional staff online
http://attra.ncat.org/ask.php
ATTRA Spanish Newsletter
Subscribe to Cosecha Mensual (http://attra.ncat.org/espanol/boletin.php)
(Monthly Harvest), ATTRA’s Spanish-language e-newsletter
Subscribe to the Weekly Harvest
(http://visitor.roving.com/optin.jsp?m=1011223551022&ea=)
Comments? Questions? Go to http://www.attra.ncat.org/management/contact.html.
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(http://attra.ncat.org/newsletter/archives.html)
Digital versions of recent Weekly Harvest and ATTRAnews newsletters are available online. ATTRAnews is the newsletter of ATTRA - National Sustainable Agriculture Information Service.
(http://attra.ncat.org/)
ATTRA - National Sustainable Agriculture Information Service is managed by the National Center for Appropriate Technology (NCAT) and is funded under a grant from the United States Department of Agriculture’s Rural Business-Cooperative Service (http://www.rurdev.usda.gov/rbs/index.html). Visit the NCAT Web site (http://www.ncat.org/sarc_current.php) for more information on our sustainable agriculture projects.
Copyright 2010 NCAT
This message contains the following:
1. Tiny Love Recalls Wind Chime Toys Due to Puncture and Laceration Hazards
http://www.cpsc.gov/cpscpub/prerel/prhtml10/10136.html
2. Britax Recalls Strollers Due to Risk of Fingertip Amputations and Lacerations
http://www.cpsc.gov/cpscpub/prerel/prhtml10/10137.html
3. Pull Toys Recalled by Manhattan Group LLC Due to Choking and Aspiration Hazards
http://www.cpsc.gov/cpscpub/prerel/prhtml10/10138.html
The Asian Studies WWW Monitor: Feb 2009, Vol. 17, No. 3 (308)
Daniel Winkler [medicinal plants & mushrooms of] Tibet
www.danielwinkler.com, Kirkland, WA, US
Self-description:
“Daniel Winkler’s Web Site - Welcome to Eco-montane Consulting:
Environmental Consulting for the Tibetan Plateau, Southwest China and
the Himalayas Environment, forests, medicinal plants & mushrooms and
rural development in High Asia.”
Site contents:
* Photo Essays (Sersha - Floccularia luteovirens, Yartsa Gunbu
Cordyceps, Matsutake, Morels, Other Tibetan Fungi, Medicinal Plants,
Wildflowers, Mountain Forests, Mushrooming [in general], Forestry,
Nomads, People, Stupas, Temples, Villages, Plateau Wildlife,
Reforestation Nurseries, Hot Springs, Jiuzhaigou Dzitsa Degu,
Modernization [in Tibet])
* Publications ([Papers for downloading, HTML format]: Himalayan
Gypsy - 2009, Cordyceps Nyamnyi Dorje Morels in Tibet - 2007,
Infested by Caterpillar Fungus - 2006, Medicinal Mushroom Journal -
2005, Cordyceps East Tibet - 2005, Matsutake Conservation - 2004,
Litang Forest Use & NTFPs - 2003, Participation in Forestry - 2002,
Jiuzhaigou Vegetation Study - 1998, Major Threats to Tibetan Forest
Ecosystems - 2001, Forest Distribution & Impact of Fire and
Pastoralism - 2000, Sustainable Development in the Tibetan Areas -
2000, Forestry, Floods and Hydroelectricity - 1999, Deforestation in
Eastern Tibet - Past and Present - 1998, Riwoqe Paper - 1997, CFR
Paper - 1996, Jiuzhaigou Thesis Summary - 1994, Jiuzhaigou Erdkunde
Studie - 1998, Petermanns Geographische Mitteilungen - 1997)
* Translation of 15th Century Tibetan text on Cordyceps (revised Nov.
2008) [’An Ocean of Aphrodisiacal Qualities’, an essay on Yartsa
Gunbu mushrooms by Nyamnyi Dorje Palden Zurkhar (1439-1475)]
* Presentations [a list of seminar and presentation’s topics]
* Consulting [”Eco-Montane Consulting offers research and consulting
services on issues related to the environment, conservation and
development of the Tibetan Plateau, Southwest China, and the
Himalayas.”]
* Links (NGOs / INGOs, References, Botany / Vegetation, Tibetan
Medicine, Research Projects, Expedition Travel Service).
URL http://www.danielwinkler.com/
Internet Archive http://web.archive.org/web/*/http://www.danielwinkler.com/
Link reported by: Daniel Winkler (me-at—danielwinkler.com)
* Resource type [news - documents - study - corporate info. - online guide]:
Study/ Documents
* Publisher [academic - business - govt. - library/museum - NGO - other]:
Business
* Scholarly usefulness of the online resource [essential - v.useful -
useful - interesting - marginal]:
V. Useful
* External links to the resource [over 3,000 - under 3,000 - under 1,000
- under 300 - under 100 - under 30]: under 1,000
- regards -
Dr T. Matthew Ciolek matthew.ciolek—at—anu.edu.au
Head, Internet Publications Bureau, RSPAS,
ANU College of Asia and the Pacific,
The Australian National University, Canberra, Australia
ph +61 (02) 6125 3124 fax: +61 (02) 62571893
also, Asia Pacific Research Online at www.ciolek.com
[You may freely forward this information, but on condition that you
send the text as an integral whole along with complete information
about its author, date, and source.]
_______________________________________________
asia-www-monitor@anu.edu.au
http://mailman.anu.edu.au/mailman/listinfo/asia-www-monitor
The site is very interesting, foods and medicine and lovely photos of Tibet, you will need to dig into the links, for they go to many other subjects and sites, all over the world.
granny
Page of links for Tibetan medicine:
http://dharma-haven.org/tibetan/medicine.htm#Internet
http://www.danielwinkler.com/id5.htm
Articles:
http://www.danielwinkler.com/daniel_winkler_s_selected_publications.htm
U.S. Pacific Northwest Mushroom collecting:
http://www.danielwinkler.com/id140.htm
Do it yourself links:
[Not checked by granny]
http://www.survivalistboards.com/showthread.php?t=96497
Hooray for the new DIY section! To get things started, lets get a listing of all the great DIY sites out there that inspire us and keep us off the couch on those lazy weekend mornings!
www.instructables.com I love this site!
http://www.readymade.com/projects (My wife’s version of Make Magazine)
http://makezine.com/projects (Sits underneath Readymade next to the toilet)
http://www.motherearthnews.com/blogs...px?blogid=1504 (MEW has always been a great DIY resource)
http://www.diynetwork.com/ (I never really go there, but have to mention it, as my mom has it on 24/7 when I visit.)
http://woodworking.com/dcforum/dcboard.pl The Most insanely populated forum I have ever been ignored on. Great wood working topics to search though.
www.iforgeiron.com Where I go to get my blacksmithing questions answered. Includes forge plans and projects.
I like Brownell’s DIY section on building weapons.
http://www.brownells.com/.aspx/lid=1...An_AR_15_Video
I am a huge fan of
http://diytactical.com/blog/
http://www.offroadfabnet.com/
and this is my favorite build it yourself AK forum
http://www.gunco.net/forums/f241/
My other favorite hangouts are homegunsmith.com and more recently garagegunsmithing.com
http://www.survivalistboards.com/showthread.php?t=96588
this site is for aspiring chemists and compound synthesisers
http://web.mit.edu/semenko/Public/Mi...explo/RDX.html
have fun!
http://www.survivalistboards.com/showthread.php?t=1103&page=4
2008 list:
Survival Blogs
http://www.survival-spot.com/survival-gear-equipment/
http://bisonsurvivalblog.blogspot.com
http://www.thesurvivalpodcast.com
http://beasurvivor.blogspot.com
http://selousscouts.blogspot.com/
http://thesurvivalistblog.blogspot.com
http://theurbansurvivalist.blogspot.com
http://survivalstrategies.blogspot.com
Outdoor Survival
http://www.wilderness-survival.net
http://www.hikercentral.com/survival
http://www.survival-center.com
Emergency Preparedness
http://beprepared.com/article.asp_Q_...nsightArticles
Nuclear
http://www.aussurvivalist.com/nuclear/empprotection.htm
Homesteading Gardening
http://www.motherearthnews.com
http://www.freewebs.com/clarkshomestead
http://www.homesteadingtoday.com
http://www.hillbillyhousewife.com
http://www.themodernhomestead.com
http://www.verdant.net/food.htm
Survival links, not checked by granny, contains several that I have visited in the past:
2008 list:
http://www.survivalistboards.com/showthread.php?t=1103
Here are numerious links to online websites on survival planning.
Planning is critical to the success of ones preparedness.
http://standeyo.com/News_Files/Hollys.html
http://www.theoutdoorlodge.com/survi...areas_one.html
http://www.theoutdoorlodge.com/survi..._kits_one.html
http://www.survival-center.com/guide/intro.htm
http://www.captaindaves.com/guide/
http://www.survival-center.com/
http://www.survivaliq.com/survival/s...al-kits_s1.htm
http://www.survival-center.com/guide/intro.htm
http://members.tripod.com/lookout_7/planning.html
http://www.aircav.com/survival/asurtoc.html
Also add any links you have have to the links directory - http://www.survivalistboards.com/links/index.php
My website is http://prometheuscouncil.com The forum location is http://prometheuscouncil.com/phpBB2
Because of spammers, Admin has to approve registration, so shoot me a PM or email if you want to register. We discuss survival skills, ancient knowledge and skills, and thoughts about how to rebuild society when it falls.
Another great informational website I have found is http://www.rogueturtle.com He has great how-to articles.
Here is a website with a huge number of survival website links.
http://www.codenameinsight.com/
You have got to see this list to believe it.
Another source.
http://www.endtimesreport.com/
http://www.endtimesreport.com/Site_Index.htm
http://www.endtimesreport.com/you_must_plan_now.htm
Has auyone seen this link before!
http://cbsnews.com/digitaldan/disaster/disasters.shtml
Kurt Saxon, father of survivalism, offers a huge volume of practical knowledge, he’s the author of ‘The Poor Man’s James Bond’ and other works.
http://www.survivalplus.com/
you can also check out this website tons of useful information:
http://www.backwoodshome.com
Here’s another one.
http://www.survivalist.info/
If already mentioned please disregard: SurvivalBlog.com
I just found a really good resource for all kinds of survival products:
http://www.readymaderesources.com/
I hope this helps
http://www.wilderness-survival.net/Appb.php
http://www.wholesale-direct-first-ai...y=244&idaff=10
http://www.contaminationradio.com/se.../1175342059165
/category/BOOKS_AND_MEDIA/sub_cat/Bug_Out/row/0
http://www.earthmountainview.com/An_...ioned_Farm.htm
http://www.actiongear.com/cgi-bin/ta...mailcall=ppjsy
http://www.survivalunlimited.com/index.htm
http://beprepared.com/Default.asp?bhcd2=1209440948
http://www.alpineco.com/index.php
links to everything about survival and more
http://www.greatdreams.com/survival.htm
This site will keep you reading for months, This was on of the only survival sites I was on before this one. :D
http://www.alpharubicon.com/index2.html
I like this supplier http://www.majorsurplus.com
Some links:
http://www.codenameinsight.blogspot.com/
http://www.survivaltopics.com/
http://www.codenameinsight.com/resources.htm
Ok, well here are a couple of sites:
http://www.fema.gov/plan/index.shtm
http://www.ready.gov/ Both are goverment preparedness info sites (weird no one has posted them yet...)
www.wildsurvive.com A group from the Les Stroud (Survivorman) forum when it closed for a while. Great information.
we are a site that is community based and we post survival how tos and reviews and anything about the outdoors . we post anyone’s survival or outdoor articles and how tos so everyone can share the info if you have anything for the site please contact us on the contact page . www.canadianwildernesssurvival.com
Check this out:
http://www.justpeace.org/nuggetsindex.htm
A lot of useful information, recipes...
minionreport.com is another site i really like just tossing in my 2 cents
Here is a link to our survival website. We have a little bit of everything so you can mae it out alive from just about anything.
And to everyone else? you can always get a general idea of what to do or of what will happen by reading others but your first line of defence is YOU.
Play the game of “what if” and then do something about it.
View your everyday life (metally) and then decide your everyday need which should include your food......
“Buy today at what ever the cost because tomorrow you will not be able to buy it......at what ever the cost”... Ponce
A good example of the above is SILVER ROUNDS......very very hard to find or buy now days.
I highly recommend this site:
http://www.m4040.com/Survival/Survival.htm
He has the most complete list for a survival kit that can fit in an ammo pouch.
http://paleoplanet69529.yuku.com/
has some great primitive information it also.
The structure of this site is a bit simple... but the download section is really good.
http://www.nobull****survival.com/local_links.php
and the **** is another word for crap (the word was understandably censored)
If nobody has covered the below sites, they are holistic (all-emcompassing) survival resources:
Survival360.net: My number one site.
Survivalblog.com: My number two site.
Here is an excellent site. Delete if already posted.
http://www.aaoobfoods.com/welcome.html
http://www.cross-current.com/index/links
For the SUPER basic stuff..
http://www.fema.gov/plan/index.shtm
At the link below,you can download free pdf books and documents related to survival and emergency preparedness/responses.
They also sell everything from gas masks to foodstuffs on the site.
http://www.ahrimangate.com/freePDFpage.htm
Check this out - www.Worldinfocd.com - good disaster survival, emergency preparedness and weapons information products.
FYI, in compressed files, these are about 13 GB,
Good practical stuff
http://sleekfreak.ath.cx:81/3wdev/INDEX.HTM
Check out
http://www.goingroguesurvival.com/20...omic-collapse/
Lots of topics
Links to links for every survival and homestead subject:
http://www.survivalistboards.com/links/index.php
http://www.survivalistboards.com/showthread.php?t=95562
IMPORTANCE OF PLANNING
Planning is one of the most important things you can do for any SHTF situation, in fact for everyday life. Planning will increase your chances of survival if and when any emergency happens. Keeping your car or truck ready at all times should be on top of the list. That is as simple as preventative work on the vehicle and keeping the gas tank at least ¾ at all times. When it reaches ¾ of a tank then fill it back up. It won’ t cost that much at any fill up then and also if you need to “move out” in a hurry you will not have to worry about stopping and fighting to get gas and or even finding gas.
Always make sure you have good tires that are properly filled with air and a spare or two if possible. Keeping a basic tool bag and some simple extra parts is always helpful also. Then once the vehicle is ready make sure you have you BOB in the ready also.
Making sure your equipment is ready you have to make sure YOU are ready. Make sure you have all the shots needed and any meds you need. Have your dental work done and visit the dentist twice a year. Nothing will stop you in your tracks as fast as any tooth & mouth pain. Keeping checkups on that will prevent most problems, in a SHTF scenario dental work may be hard to come by and if you find it, I really doubt it will be painless… Seeing the dentist now will help out later on and be one less thing you will have to worry about. Now if you crack a tooth that is unplanned and nothing you can plan ahead for. So talk to your dentist and tell him, “Hey I am going camping for some time and IF this happens while I am gone, what can I do and do you have anything you can write a script for that I can get filled to take with me?“ You never know until you ask, he or she may be able to help you out more then you ever thought possible.
This leads into survival kits, a good survival kit will be worth its weight in gold in a SHTF event. First considerations most people make is size, with the thought, bigger will be harder to carry. That is true so you have to decide how much you want to carry, how much room to take up in your pack. I have had people tell me only going to use one that is ”X” amount of size. I then ask them, is that all your life is worth? A little box or bag? To me, I am willing to carry a little more weight to make sure I have everything I need or at least as much as I can.
One thing to consider when putting you kit together is items that can be used for more then just one thing. I know that seems a no-brainer but you would be surprised if you talk to people and see they did not think about it. They are too concerned about or you might say, tunnel vision for making sure they get this or that that they had their eye on for some time. Then say you end up with two items that serve the same function, pick the one you can use for another function. Do not duplicate items, as this will add to your kit’s overall size and weight. You should make sure the kit is weather/water proof and be able to take a beating, more or less.
Some items that should be in survival kits are as follows:
* First aid supplies (Basic)
* Water purification tablets / drops.
* Fire starting (matches – magnesium striker – etc)
* Food procurement (Snare – hooks – line – etc)
* Signal tools (aluminum foil – mirror – etc)
A little explanation of these items:
* Lighter, metal match, waterproof matches.
* Compass / GPS
* Candle
* Small hand lens (pinpoint sunlight)
* Oxytetracycline tablets (helps with diarrhea & infection).
* Solar blanket(s)
* Surgical blades
* Butterfly sutures.
* Condoms (water storage)
* Chap Stick
* Needle and thread
* Good quality Knife
Basic Medicine to survive
One person with basic medical knowledge can make a difference in saving the lives of many. If no trained medical personnel are available, you must know what to do to stay alive. Ability to treat yourself or others can and will increase your chances of staying at least somewhat healthy.
It’s the New Year and many people have already made their New Year resolutions, how about making another one? Take a first aid class, or any FORMAL training you can to help you help yourself and others. This is something that can be one of the most important things you can do. In a worst case scenario, say post SHTF… You get “caught” while out looking for food, anything really… Instead of getting striped of everything you have on you, if you know first aid, you have a bargaining chip to use in your favor… Not EVERY group of roaming people scavenging the country will have medical people in their group. So the need for medical help might be something they are willing to “use you for” that may save you instead of leaving you for dead… Just something to think about…
Minimum what every first aid kit should have:
1. Band-Aids – various sizes
2. Butterfly strips
3. Sanitizer
4. Tape
5. Scissors
6. Tweezers
7. Long Pointed Tweezers
8. Needles
9. Antibiotic cream
10. Burn Cream
11. Gauze
12. Magnifying Glass
13. Gloves latex
14. Instant ice packs
15. Ace bandage
16. Rubber Hose
17. Iodine
18. Smelling salts packets
19. Alcohol prep pads
20. Splinter Out packets
21. Self adhesive wrap
22. Blistex packets
23. Hand Clean towelettes
24. First Aid cream
25. IB Pro
26. Aspirin
27. Sting pen
28. Steri-Strip
29. Forceps
30. Eye patch
31. Anbesol
32. Good knife
Now keep in mind this is a minimum of what should be in there. There is always room for more and even location specific.
Some hints to help you out:
The common signs for dehydration:
1. Dark urine / strong odor
2. Urine level low
3. Skin stays up when pinched
4. Dark sunken eyes
5. Extreme tiredness
6. Confusion and emotional problems
7. Delayed color return in fingernails after pressed
Cold exposure, heat exposure, intense activity and higher altitudes along with illness and or burns will make your body use/lose more water then normal. Water as we know is the one thing you must have. So make sure you have a supply available and water filter systems with you in your pack and in you vehicles. Now I know everyone has their own idea of the “perfect” water system, but after years of different types I have found the Katadyn “Pocket” to be the best out there in a portable unit.
We can go longer without food then we can without water. Also remember to drink water every time you eat… That will help you maintain your health in any extreme situation heat or cold.
Also remember that the loss of water includes body salts (electrolytes) so you may need to include a substitute method to replenish levels. The normal way is to mix .25 teaspoon of salt into 1 liter of water. Do this at least once a day, if it is extreme heat you may want to do this twice a day.
Feet, one area you need to pay attention to:
Clean along with massage daily that helps with circulation. Do not open a small blister, one that remains sealed will not be opened to infection. To make it more bearable, you can pack material that will reduce friction and pressure which in turn will make it easier to keep moving.
If a big blister happens you may not be able to stop it from busting which at that time will need treated immediately to prevent infections and problems down the road. While in the service we were shown a way to keep a big blister from busting open.
This is a simple procedure and with a few items from a first-aid kit you can do this in less then 2 minutes. With a needle and thread, run the needle through pulling the thread all the way across the blister leaving tag ends out on both sides then remove the needle. Do NOT press the blister to remove fluid. The thread will soak the fluid and drain it out both ends hanging outside of the blister. Doing this makes the blister smaller and tolerable. Keep the area padded around the blister.
Bleeding:
Can be from many different causes but no matter how it happened, it needs to be stop ASAP. Three simple rules to help stop and or control bleeding.
1. Direct Pressure . Enough to stop and long enough to let the wound to coagulate.
2. Tourniquet – Must be maintained 100% of the time to ensure safety and prevent loss of limb
3. Elevation – If at all possible, area should be above the heart
This post is basic info, something to get you started, always talk to a Dr. and get advice for YOU, even take this post to your Dr to make sure I am not giving you wrong information (Since I am not a Doctor, I would feel better if you did that).
Remember your Dr knows your history, and if you tell them at every visit everything that is wrong or hurting, the Dr can help you out. I know people that don’t always tell the doc this or that, thinking oh it will pass, remember one day it may pass, pass you on…
Thank you everyone
Gunner
__________________
Standing… for the arsenal of Democracy…
http://www.survivalistboards.com/showthread.php?t=65735
My husband and I were on vacation this past week. We played the tourist thoughout several towns on the coast of Oregon. We had a wonderful time while picking up useful information.
One book I did pick up was “The Joy Of Pickling” by Linda Ziedrich. What a great find!
There are so many meats, fruits and vegetables that can be pickeled, relished, chutneyed and sauerkrauted and over 200 recipies are here, in this book.
I have already planned to revise some of these recipies to fit my garden fruits and produce.
The reason I am excited about pickling is that it makes way for a large variety of flavors added to the normal staples in our food supply. Plus, the intake for vinigar in the body has many healthy benefits.
I am giving out one of the recipies in the book that really got me interested in purchasing this book.
SWEET PICKLED PUMPKIN OR SQUASH
2 1/4 pounds skinned and seeded pumpkin or winter squash
2 cups white wine vinegar or distilled white vinegar
2 cups water
3 cups sugar
Shredded zest of 1 small orange
8 whole cloves
1/4 teaspoon whole allspice berries
1/4 teaspoon whole black peppercorns
two 3-inch cinnamon sticks, broken
one 2-inch piece fresh ginger, thinly sliced
Cut the pumpkin or squash in 1/4 to 1-inch cubes, scraping off any stringy inner flesh. Put the cubes into a nonreactive bowl. Combine the vinegar and water and pour the liquid over the cubes. Turn the cubes in the liquid a few times and then drain off the liquid into a saucepan. Bring the liquid to a boil. Pour it over the pumpkin, cover the bowl with a cloth, and let it stand at room temperature for 8 to 12 hours.
Drain off the liquid into a nonreactive pot and add the sugar and orange zest to that pot. Add the dry spices and ginger (tied in a spice bag or scrap of sheesecloth). Bring the contents to a boil, stirring to dissolve the sugar, and reduce the heat. Simmer the syrup for 5 minutes.
Add the pumpkin cubes to the syrup. Simmer them until they become translucent around the edges, about 1 hour. Remove the pot from the heat and let it stand at room temperature for 8 to 12 hours.
Remove the spice bag from the syrup. With a slotted spoon, pack the pumpkin cubes into pint or half-pint mason jars. Bring the syrup slowly to a boil and then pour it over the pumpkin cubes, leaving 1/2 inch headspace. Close the jars with two-piece lids and process them for 10 minutes in a boiling-water bath.
Store the cooled jars in a cool, dry, dark place.
Now this is a great squash recipy. You can take these pickels and mash them up into a pumpkin butter to spread in a peanutbutter sandwich. Or mash them up into a pumpkin catchup and dip fried vegies in. I even had thoughts of using the smashed pumpkin on thumb print cookies.
Like I said before, this is a great book for a survival situation. It has several was to pickle fruits and vegies and meats bring variety into the food cubards of our American Survivalists.
Grandmas’ Dilly Beans
INGREDIENTS
* 6 cups water
* 1 cup pickling salt
* 6 cups distilled white vinegar
* 8 heads fresh dill weed
* 1/2 cup pickling spice
* 1/2 cup mustard seed
* 8 dried red chili peppers
* 16 cloves garlic, peeled
* 1 teaspoon alum
* 5 pounds fresh green beans, rinsed and trimmed
DIRECTIONS
1. Sterilize 8 (1 pint) jars in boiling water for at least 5 minutes.
2. Combine the water, pickling salt and vinegar in a large pot, and bring to a boil. When it begins to boil, reduce heat to low, and keep at a simmer while you pack the jars.
3. In each jar place the following: 1 head of dill, 1 tablespoon of pickling spice, 1 tablespoon of mustard seed, 1 dried chile pepper, 2 cloves of garlic, and 1/8 teaspoon of alum. Pack beans into the spiced jars in a standing position.
4. Ladle the hot brine into jars, leaving 1/2 inch of space at the top. Screw the lids onto the jars, and process in a hot water bath for 6 minutes to seal. Store for at least 2 weeks before eating.
ENJOY!
One of the problems when making wine is that it can turn into vinegar instead if you don’t keep out the air with an air-lock cap. This is the way vinegar was made in the past.
Here’s a link for making vinegar. You have to test it to make sure it is the right acidity before canning with it, though.
http://www.vinegarman.com/VinegarMaking.shtml
Sauerkraut is not just for cabbage! I have never tried other vegetables but I have heard it done, and here’s one source of information:
http://www.wildfermentation.com/reso...age=sauerkraut
“Add other vegetables. Grate carrots for a coleslaw-like kraut. Other vegetables include onions, garlic, seaweed, greens, Brussels sprouts, small whole heads of cabbage, turnips, beets, and burdock roots. You can also add fruits (apples, whole or sliced, are classic), and herbs and spices (caraway seeds, dill seeds, celery seeds, and juniper berries are classic, but anything you like will work). Experiment.”
Website about brining and the correct plastic containers to use:
www.virtualweberbullet.com/plastics.html
Here’s what one web site said:
Q: Can I reuse the Brine in another batch?
A: Using the entire pickling brine from a prior batch of pickles makes the next batch too sour. However, you can add 1/4 cup or so to re-seed your next batch. Some Old World recipes even call for floating a slice of sourdough rye bread on top! I have done so in the past, but it does not seem to increase the natural pickling action that occurs without any boosters.
http://www.simply-natural.biz/perfectpickler.php
I’d use the vinegar in another recipe, such as vinegar and oil salad dressing.
http://www.survivalistboards.com/forumdisplay.php?f=13
Garden, Food, Livestock and Poultry threads.
http://www.survivalistboards.com/showthread.php?t=66452
Sourdough thread.
http://www.survivalistboards.com/showthread.php?t=93626
Dehydrator recipes.
http://www.survivalistboards.com/forumdisplay.php?f=120
Interesting do it yourself ideas.
http://www.survivalistboards.com/index.php?s=33763bd8eb482d6dd96ef3d86bc27259
Index.
This message consists of the following:
1. Boy’s Three-Piece Santa Sets Recalled by Macy’s Due to Choking Hazard,
http://www.cpsc.gov/cpscpub/prerel/prhtml10/10119.html
2. Horse Toy Figures Recalled by Blip Toys Due to Violation of Lead Paint Standard,
http://www.cpsc.gov/cpscpub/prerel/prhtml10/10120.html
3. RadioShack Recalls Knight Hawk Toy Helicopters Due to Fire Hazard,
http://www.cpsc.gov/cpscpub/prerel/prhtml10/10121.html
Living off-grid is not hard!
Posted by: “solarman” lamar5292
I have been off-grid over 15 years and I get a lot of questions from people that think living off-grid means going without common comforts and would be too hard of a life for them.
I would like to dispel the myth that living off-grid requires giving up all the stuff you have on grid- it just ain’t so!
I live in a house- not an rv, van, hut, or tree. I designed and built my cabin and it is very comfortable at about 400 sqft. It has all the rooms most homes have. I have a living area, dining area, kitchen and bathroom downstairs and a large bedroom and office upstairs.
I have power but my power comes from a small 470 watt solar and 125 watt wind system. That power runs my water pump, lights, two HD flat screen tvs, stereo, dvd, game system, laptop and misc. gadgets just like most people have.
I use propane for my furnace, fridge, stove, and OD water heater and have all the major appliances including a microwave and washing machine which I run off a small generator.
I have my own water supply from a free flowing well I drilled myself and I harvest rain water and recycle gray water for my garden.
About the only thing I use that may seem different than grid living would be my solar composting toilet which has to be emptied once a week into an outside composter.
What are the benefits of living off-grid ?
I own two small businesses and work just like most people but because I have no house payments and no utility bills I get to keep more of the money I make and I do not need much money so I can work when I want as I want.
I can also have a garden and raise animals to reduce my food costs and eat healthier fresh foods instead of the toxic food sold in stores.
I also have the freedom and time to enjoy my life and without the stress of bills I can spend time learning and being creative. After going off-grid I wrote two books and over 100 songs that I never would have finished before.
So, being off-grid does not mean roughing it and going without and if you do it like I did it will mean no house payments, no utility bills, more money in your pocket, more time for yourself, and freedom to enjoy life.
Living off-grid also does not have to be expensive. My cabin cost less that $2000 to build. My solar and wind system was under $3000. My property under $1000. So for about $6000 you can have a sustainable life.
If you would like to see my cabin and learn more about off-grid living I have videos on youtube:
http://www.youtube.com/user/solarcabin#p/c/34F7ECFEEB05659B
LaMar
www.simplesolarhomesteading.com