Posted on 07/24/2009 3:37:21 AM PDT by nw_arizona_granny
Weekly Roundup - Living On Nothing Edition Category: Roundups | Comments(15)
Did you hear about the guy that lives on nothing? No seriously, he lives on zero dollars a day. Meet Daniel Suelo, who lives in a cave outside Moab, Utah. Suelo has no mortgage, no car payment, no debt of any kind. He also has no home, no car, no television, and absolutely no “creature comforts.” But he does have a lot of creatures, as in the mice and bugs that scurry about the cave floor he’s called home for the last three years.
To us, Suelo probably sounds a little extreme. Actually, he probably sounds very extreme. After all, I suspect most of you reading this are doing so under the protection of some sort of man-made shelter, and with some amount of money on your person, and probably a few needs for money, too. And who doesn’t need money unless they have completely unplugged from the grid? Still, it’s an amusing story about a guy who rejects all forms of consumerism as we know it.
The Frugal Roundup
How to Brew Your Own Beer and Maybe Save Some Money. A fantastic introduction to home brewing, something I’ve never done myself, but always been interested in trying. (@Generation X Finance)
Contentment: A Great Financial Principle. If I had to name one required emotion for living a frugal lifestyle it would be contentment. Once you are content with your belongings and your lot in life you can ignore forces attempting to separate you from your money. (@Personal Finance by the Book)
Use Energy Star Appliances to Save On Utility Costs. I enjoyed this post because it included actual numbers, and actual total savings, from someone who upgraded to new, energy star appliances. (@The Digerati Life)
Over-Saving for Retirement? Is it possible to “over-save” for retirement? Yes, I think so. At some point I like the idea of putting some money aside in taxable investments outside of retirement funds, to be accessed prior to traditional retirement age. (@The Simple Dollar)
40 Things to Teach My Kids Before They Leave Home. A great list of both practical and philosophical lessons to teach your kids before they reach the age where they know everything. I think that now happens around 13 years-old. (@My Supercharged Life)
Index Fund Investing Overview. If you are looking for a place to invest with high diversification and relatively low fees (for broader index funds with low turnover), index funds are a great place to start. (@Money Smart Life)
5 Reasons To Line Dry Your Laundry. My wife and I may soon be installing a clothesline in our backyard. In many neighborhoods they are frowned upon - one of the reasons I don’t like living in a neighborhood. I digress. One of our neighbors recently put up a clothesline, and we might just follow his lead. (@Simple Mom)
A Few Others I Enjoyed
* 4 Quick Tips for Getting Out of a Rut * Young and Cash Rich * Embracing Simple Style * First Trading Experience With OptionsHouse * The Exponential Power of Delayed Consumption * How Much Emergency Fund is Enough? * 50 Questions that Will Free Your Mind * Save Money On Car Insurance
http://www.wholefoodsmarket.com/recipes/recipe.php?recipeId=2594
Recipe:
FLOURLESS BROWNIES
Rated by 4 people
Rate this | Add your comment
Makes 16
No one will ever guess that black beans are the secret ingredient in this recipe!
Ingredients
1 (15-ounce) can no-salt-added black beans, drained and rinsed
3 large eggs
1/3 cup melted butter, more for the baking dish
1/4 cup cocoa powder
1/8 teaspoon salt
2 teaspoon gluten-free vanilla extract
1/2 cup plus 2 tablespoons cane sugar
1/2 cup gluten-free semi-sweet chocolate chips
1/3 cup finely chopped walnuts
Method
Preheat oven to 350°F.
Butter an 8-inch baking pan. Place the black beans, eggs, melted butter, cocoa powder, salt, vanilla, and sugar in the bowl of a food processor and blend until smooth. Remove the blade and carefully stir in the chocolate chips and walnuts. Transfer mixture to the prepared pan. Bake the brownies for 30 to 35 minutes, or until just set in the center. Cool before cutting into squares.
Nutrition
Per serving (1 brownie/about 2oz/60g-wt.): 160 calories (80 from fat), 9g total fat, 4g saturated fat, 50mg cholesterol, 35mg sodium, 17g total carbohydrate (2g dietary fiber, 12g sugar), 4g protein
Tags:Wheat Free, Low Sodium, Vegetarian, Gluten Free
Note: We’ve provided special diet and nutritional information for educational purposes. But remember — we’re cooks, not doctors! You should follow the advice of your health-care provider. And since product formulations change, check product labels for the most recent ingredient information. See our Terms of Service.
Sounds like a great recipe, TAC. I wonder how the black beans taste in it - seems they’d add a lot of moisture, which would be good. Have you tried it?
Thank you 10th.
I am not GF, but I avoid wheat as much as possible so do use some GF recipes.
Here are two sites that I enjoy reading, both GF
http://glutenfreegoddess.blogspot.com/
http://glutenfreegirl.blogspot.com/
Weekly Harvest Newsletter
Sustainable Agriculture News Briefs - August 19, 2009
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.
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.
News & Resources
* Minnesota Creates Farmer Financial Assistance Network
* USDA’s FSA and RD Agencies Offer Assistance
* Tool Helps Farmers With Irrigation Efficiency
* Resources Available For Stressed Farmers
* Researchers Study Soil Phosphorus Levels in Organic Production
* Ohio Food Policy Council Releases Report
Funding Opportunities
* Fields Pond Foundation Grant
* Seeds for Education Grant
* North Dakota Organic Cost Share Program
Coming Events
* The Organic Farmers’ Tool Chest Workshop
* Holistic Grazing Workshop and Tour
* Alabama Small Ruminant Conference
News & Resources
Minnesota Creates Farmer Financial Assistance Network
http://www.minnesotaagconnection.com/story-state.php?Id=751&yr=2009
The Minnesota Department of Agriculture is establishing a new network of services to help farmers who are having financial difficulties. As announced by Governor Pawlenty recently at Farmfest, the Minnesota Farmer Assistance Network (MFAN) will provide mentoring, technical assistance and financial guidance to farm families facing economic hardship. MFAN will include a one-stop hotline staffed by veteran financial analysts who would help producers facing crises. The network will also include referral services for lenders, farm business management instructors, and extension agents as well as for legal advice and crisis counseling.
USDA’s FSA and RD Agencies Offer Assistance
http://www.fsa.usda.gov/FSA/newsReleases?area=newsroom&subject=landing&topic=ner&newstype=newsrel&type=detail&item=nr_20090810_rel_0373.html
Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack announced that USDA is undertaking an unprecedented effort to use the department’s administrative flexibility to provide relief to individuals and businesses in struggling agriculture industries. Vilsack has ordered USDA Rural Development and the Farm Service Agency to use all available means to help producers, processors and other small businesses who have been hit by worsening economic conditions. The assistance includes Farm Service Agency’s increased effort to provide loan assistance to livestock producers and the Rural Development Business and Industry Loan program which has been structured to provide relief to processors and other small businesses in agriculture industries.
Tool Helps Farmers With Irrigation Efficiency
http://www.nebraskaagconnection.com/story-state.php?Id=642&yr=2009
A new University of Nebraska-Lincoln Extension online spreadsheet will help irrigators evaluate their pumping plant efficiency. The new tool will help irrigators calculate the amount of money they could save by improving the efficiency of their system, said Tom Dorn, Lancaster County Extension educator, who developed the tool. The spreadsheet is available at http://lancaster.unl.edu/ag/crops/Long_Term_Pump.xls.
Related ATTRA Publication: Energy Saving Tips for Irrigators (http://attra.ncat.org/attra-pub/energytips_irrig.html)
Resources Available For Stressed Farmers
http://www.extension.org/pages/UMaine_Extension_Offering_Resources,_Webinar_to_Help_Stressed_Farmers
Farming can be stressful in the best of times. Financial worries, unpredictable weather, plant pests, livestock diseases, and isolation all contribute to farmers’ anxiety. To assist farmers and their families who are experiencing stress, the University of Maine Cooperative Extension has organized a Web seminar and assembled a Web page filled with a variety of resources. UMaine Extension is getting out information that can help families realize that they are not alone and there are resources to consider.
Researchers Study Soil Phosphorus Levels in Organic Production
http://farms.com/FarmsPages/ENews/NewsDetails/tabid/189/Default.aspx?NewsID=22904
Phosphorus is a nonrenewable resource, raising concerns that agricultural practices may deplete reserves. Organic farming with low phosphorus inputs can result in deficient levels of plant-available phosphorus (available-P). A group of researchers from Canada set out to determine if common organically managed rotations are depleting phosphorus reserves or if large reserves still exist in unavailable forms. The researchers state that only high yielding, high phosphorus export organic rotations are a concern for developing phosphorus deficiency depending on initial reserves and the length of time without additional inputs.
Related ATTRA publication: Soil Management: National Organic Program Regulations (http://attra.org/attra-pub/organic_soil.html)
Ohio Food Policy Council Releases Report
http://www.ohioagconnection.com/story-state.php?Id=717&yr=2009
The Ohio Food Policy Council released its progress report, ‘Bringing Everyone to the Table,’ which includes recommendations and details on how the state is maximizing the health, environmental, and economic benefits of Ohio’s $98 billion food and agriculture industry. The council set 15 final recommendations and eight overarching goals to help improve the local food system in Ohio and advance access to healthy food for all Ohioans.
More Breaking News (http://attra.ncat.org/news/)
Funding Opportunities
Fields Pond Foundation Grant
http://fieldspond.org/guidelines.html
The primary mission of Fields Pond Foundation is to provide financial assistance to nature and land conservation organizations that are community-based and that serve to increase environmental awareness by involving local residents in conservation issues. The Foundation primarily supports nonprofit organizations in the six New England states and New York. The Foundation’s grant-making priorities include: project grants for trail-making and other enhancement of public access to conservation lands, rivers, and coastlines; land acquisition for conservation; the establishment of endowments as a means of funding stewardship of conservation areas; and related education programs and publications. Requests may be submitted throughout the year.
Seeds for Education Grant
http://www.for-wild.org/sfecvr.html
For years Wild Ones members and chapters have worked with schools and nature centers to plant and maintain natural landscapes. In 1996, the Wild Ones Board of Directors started the Lorrie Otto Seeds for Education Fund to further foster such projects. Project goals should focus on the enhancement and development of an appreciation for nature using native plants. Projects must emphasize involvement of students and volunteers in all phases of development and increase the educational value of the site.
Proposals are due November 15, 2009
North Dakota Organic Cost Share Program
http://www.agdepartment.com/Programs/Plant/OrganicCertCostShare.htm
North Dakota Department of Agriculture is accepting applications for the 2007-2008 National Organic Cost Share Program through September 30, 2009. Organic producers, processors and handlers are eligible to apply for cost share assistance provided:
* They received initial or continuation/renewal of certification to USDA National Organic Program standards between October 1, 2007 and September 30, 2008, and
* The certified operation is located in North Dakota.
Proposals are due September 30, 2009.
More Funding Opportunities (http://attra.ncat.org/funding/)
Coming Events
The Organic Farmers’ Tool Chest Workshop
https://www.georgiaorganics.org/events/event.php?id=928
August 20, 2009
Molena, Georgia
This in-depth workshop will provide valuable training and resources in:
*farm and crop planning and recordkeeping
*the basics of organic certification
*rotations
*cover crops
*insect identification and management
Holistic Grazing Workshop and Tour
http://www.knox.unl.edu/files/file090317091532
August 21-22, 2009
O’Neill, Nebraska
Workshop will cover mob grazing, stock density and herd effect. The farm tour will include mob grazing, stockmanship, and fencing demonstrations.
Alabama Small Ruminant Conference
http://www.meatgoats.com/rotator.php?art=1
August 22-23, 2009
Colombiana, Alabama
This conference will cover many topics, including genetic improvement of sheep and goats, reproductive management, and breed comparisons.
More Events (http://attra.ncat.org/calendar/)
New & Updated Publications
Finding Land to Farm: Six Ways to Secure Farmland
http://attra.ncat.org/calendar/new_pubs.php/2009/07/30/finding_land_to_farm_six_ways_to_secure
Start a Farm in the City
http://attra.ncat.org/calendar/new_pubs.php/2009/07/30/start_a_farm_in_the_city
Dairy Production on Pasture: An Introduction to Grass-Based and Seasonal Dairying
http://attra.ncat.org/calendar/new_pubs.php/2009/07/28/dairy_production_on_pasture_an_introduct
Question of the Week
What are some resources for information on wheel line irrigation?
http://attra.ncat.org/calendar/question.php/2009/08/17/what_are_some_resources_for_information__2
Website of the Week
Multinational Exchange for Sustainable Agriculture, Inc. (MESA)
http://attra.org/wow/
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
ATTRA on the Radio
This week s topic is Local Food in School and College Cafeterias: Making it Happen in Your Community.
http://www.modavox.com/voiceamerica/vepisode.aspx?aid=40281
Subscribe to the Weekly Harvest
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Not yet. I don’t eat a lot of cooked food, and I would have to alter the recipe with honey instead of sugar. I may try it, although the beans have a lot of phosphorus which is a problem for me (being on dialysis). I’m walking a narrow road here between raw foods and the dialysis diet of low phosphorus / low potassium.
have you heard anything from Wneighbor lately?<<<
Not a word, it is about time for her to check in.
I knew she was busy and planting up a storm.
Can you buy mustard leaves? Is that what they call mustard greens, and do they have to be cooked?<<<
More than likely it is growing wild in your hills, it did when I was a kid and still does here if the rains are right.
Or grow a pot of it.
Even when I grow the package of seeds types of mustard, I pinch off the young leaves for salad or ranch dip treats.
I was so proud of the babies yesterday, I even caught Purr Baby coming out of the big litter pan that I keep in the bathroom.......maybe I would get rid of the one in the living room.
LOL, not yet, now I get to clean 2 cat boxes.
who thinks growing trees in rows is unnatural<<<
I agreed with him to this point, but our reasons are different, LOL, I like the looks of random planting and think it is more fun to have them off center.
But then I don’t plow straight rows either.
Drove Bill wild, he wanted things exactly so, used a string to make straight rows.
And I want to plant the world with food, everywhere.
They can be problems breaking into houses and cars..<<<
I have followed the bear stories for several years in the Denver news and they do have a problem with them, there have been videos of them doing the damage.
It is not only ‘media’ news.
Granny who was the other gluten-free reader on this thread? <<<
I was counting on you to remember.
Your recipe is interesting.
Thank you for the gluten free links, there are others that read here who need to be, so they are useful.
http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/chat/2319452/posts?q=1&;page=1
How much is your dog or cat worth?
baltimoresun. ^ | Jill Rosen
Posted on 08/19/2009 6:04:51 AM PDT by JoeProBono
Canning anything that stands still... checked the net and thought I would post my “Uplifting News for Today” /s
Depression Assured? Maybe (Swine Flu)
(excerpt)
The Centers for Disease Control has predicted a 2.1 percent to 3.3 percent death rate among those who come down with swine flu this fall, which translates into an additional 52,000 to 86,000 deaths in the city over a three-month period, Kasdan said.
Has the CDC actually predicted a 2.1-3.3% death rate for those who come down with the swine flu?
(This is known as the “CFR”, or “clinical fatality rate”, among those in the field.)
I have been trying to source this statement - so far without success. But if it is accurate then there are two things you need to take away from this right here and now:
First, we will have an economic depression. If the CAR, or “attack rate” (the percentage of people in the population) who get the flu is in the typical range of 40-60% of the population, then a CFR of 2-3% means one million or more dead Americans this fall and winter, or more succinctly, somewhere around one in a hundred. If your kid goes to school with 1,000 other people, 10 of them will die (on average.)
This sort of disruption in the economy, given where it is now, guarantees a contraction of GDP of 10% or more from the top, which is the definition of economic depression. We can argue about “how bad of a depression” later.
read the article here:
http://market-ticker.denninger.net/archives/1349-Depression-Assured-Maybe-Swine-Flu.html
be back later..
>>>HotAir said the unions are insolvent now, back in June.<<<
Oh, that was before - Now the autoworkers have been bailed out, nobody cares about the teamsters anymore, and the SEIU is holding their hand out - next we will see the Spit & Whittle Club Union and the International Liar’s Club Union demanding the Zero pay them off too.(from our pocket - even though it is empty, I am sure they will pick the lint too.)
Our weather has been cursed for the last year.
September we had an inland hurricane...Tracked right up the Mississippi and then met a major storm moving west to east..Had straight line winds 60-80mph for 4 hours. We had 150k+ people with out power for more than 2 weeks. Untold number of trees down and tree snapped off.
In February we had a colossal ice storm across the whole state. Had 500k+ across the state without power for 2 weeks or more.. More trees down.
July we sent records for new low temperatures.
August was the flood.
We have had wind and water.. I'm getting scared about fire and earth. We are on the New Madrid fault.
Back during the Industrial revolution in England there were “rag and bone” people...essentially the same class of individuals that made their living from the refuse of cities.
They are the ultimate of recyclers.
I had heard of flash floods back in the hills when I was a kid.
This is the first one I had ever seen in the city.
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