Archive for the ‘organic gardens’ Category
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What Are “Food Miles” And How Does it Affect You?
February 23rd, 2010 | 
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As more and more people are taking a hard look at the effects that pollution is having on our planet, new terminology is emerging.
The term sustainable development encompasses the concept of using our resources wisely so that we can enjoy them, but they will also be available for future generations.
Another term that has been showing up in the worldwide lexicon is “food miles”. Before the industrial revolution, food was grown and consumed locally. What food wasn’t grown at home was obtained at local farmers markets, or using the barter system.
As the world is becoming globalized, the ease in which food can be transported is having a major impact on the environment. The transportation of that food can use a tremendous amount of fossil fuel. “Food miles” is the total distance that food goods are transported from the field or source of manufacture to the consumer. This term has become an indicator of sustainability, and has sparked a movement towards using foods produced and consumed locally.
Recent studies are showing that the globalization within the food industry has resulted in more and more products being imported from foreign companies. This has greatly increased the “food miles” a product travels, and substantially increases the amount of pollution that is generated.
In an effort to supply consumers with fresh food, the use of the airplane to transport that food has greatly increased. Since air transportation produces far greater greenhouse gasses than ships, this also has a negative effect on our environment.
Long distance transportation also requires more packaging since consumers will not buy bruised foods. Packaging made from cardboard, paper and plastics use more of our natural resources such as trees and fossil fuels. The increased packaging also requires that more trees be cut down, destroying wildlife habitat. Then the packaging ends up in our landfills when it is discarded. This creates a vicious course that harms the environment.
Consumers need to be aware of where their food originates. Packing will often tell what country produced the product you are planning to purchase. Buying fruits and vegetables that are “in season” often means that that they are locally produced and travel less miles to get to market. Choosing apples from New York State is preferred over buying them from New Zealand.
Buying locally is part of the key. It not only helps the economy by supporting our local growers, it is better for the environment. The trend is to buy “organic” but if that food comes from South America, the benefit to the environment is minimized.
The other benefit of purchasing locally is that the produce is fresher, so you are getting healthier food that contains fewer preservatives. Often the cost is less because we are not paying for the cost of transportation, packaging, advertising and all the chemical additives.
If as a consumer you wish to lower your carbon footprint, your best option is to purchase most products that have been produced within a thirty mile radius, choose products that are not damaging to the environment and purchase products from the areas where they grow best.
During World Wars I and II, citizens were asked to plant victory gardens. These gardens produced over one third of all the vegetables consumed in the country. Maybe it’s time to go back to the “good old days” and consider planting gardens to grow our own vegetables to help the environment.
In time, as technology improves, buying from overseas will not hurt the environment. Many countries rely heavily on the exportation of food goods to other countries, so a shift to purchasing locally grown food could be devastating to these countries.
Beverly Saltonstall
http://www.articlesbase.com/food-and-beverage-articles/what-are-food-miles-and-how-does-it-affect-you-715486.html
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Taveuni Island Resort
Consistently voted one of the top Fijian Resorts, Taveuni Island Resort & Spa is a small exclusive luxury resort which offer’s the Ultimate Tropical Island Experience.
It has been described as the most beautiful small resort in the world
‘Set amongst ten acres of lush gardens are twelve elegant luxury bures of unsurpassed style and comfort. Romantic and private they boast panoramic views over the beach, ocean and surrounding islands.’
This is the description of the Taveuni Island Resort & Spa that made me want to find out if it was all that it seemed.
In fact I didn’t realise that the bures [cottages] are not on the beach, but perched on a cliff top above the beach, so there is a walk involved here.
Accessing the hotel is not difficult, there are several flights a day from Fiji’s international airport at Nadi, the flight time being about 90 minutes. Be aware there are quite strict weight baggage limitations.
The staff meet you at the airport on Taveuni and it only takes about two minutes to get to the resort.
Accommodation is important to all of us on our vacation, and the bures at the Taveuni Island Resort & Spa are exceptional. All are decorated with cool tiles, native floral arrangements, and water colours. There are king size beds with beautiful linens, either fans or air conditioning. Add to this private romantic courtyard showers, and views to die for.
As you would expect from a top class resort Taveuni has a mini bar, coffee and tea making facilities, bathrobes and hairdryers, but it is the little extras like fresh daily cookies that set it apart.
The view from the cliff top pool is another major plus, and in fact the lack of children is a joy, compared to other resorts I have visited.
Dining is another high spot, and the dining area is situated on ‘The Deck’. You can expect dishes from Fiji, India, and everything grown locally is organic. If you stay in one of the villas, you have your own chef and staff!! Meal times in common with other Fijian resorts are quite rigid.
The Taveuni Island Resort & Spa is a definite honeymoon destination, near the top of the list
Gordon Steven
http://www.articlesbase.com/travel-articles/taveuni-island-resort–120051.html
Use Water Efficiently
Water scarcity all over the world has evolved into a problem that needs immediate solution by all those involved. The water facilities, public or private, the local, governmental or international associations and organizations, the national environmental departments and the vast public have to be informed on what water quantities they should be consuming and how that translated into a deficit or overflow of water resources.
Especially when one considers watering gardens and back or front yards, watering them deeply and thoroughly sounds like the only option. But there is also another issue that one has to consider; water frequency. The number of times one waters the plants that exist outdoors as well as indoors is extremely important for controlling the overall water consumption patterns. Watering plants infrequently, depending on their specific needs, is not a bad idea. Instead of leaving the watering process last for more than three hours each time-which does not benefit the soil or the plants-it is best if one decides to water them twice or once a week; again depending on the season and specific plants watering requirements. Since plants send out extra roots in dry conditions to seek water, this type of watering plan will encourage rooting and greater tolerance to dry spells. In addition, as nature illustrates, plants often bloom more profusely when stressed, as the natural instinct to reproduce creates more flowers.
Thus, you should water responsibly, using correct watering techniques. For example, you can water only during late in the afternoon, but before the sun comes down, so as to prevent the weather conditions from heating the water and thus reducing its evaporation loss. Moreover, you should water less often and for longer lengths of time to encourage deep root growth. Extremely important is for your irrigation system to be in its proper working condition. If drip irrigation will not work for you, try a hand held hose rather than a sprinkler. If you use a sprinkler, make sure you don’t water sidewalks or driveways. Install a drip or other water conserving irrigation system, as slow drip and deep root watering systems can save up to 60% of all water used during garden care. Professionally installed and maintained irrigation systems will further help conserve water. Many people have also invested in developing some kind of rainwater capturing systems from their roofs, in order to use it later to water their garden and ornamental plants.
Another important issue is the proper condition of your soil. Since water does not easily penetrate clay soils and it manages to pass too quickly beyond the root zone of plants in sandy soils, adding an organic matter to clay and sandy soils will increase the penetrability of clay soils and the water holding capacity of the sandy ones. Furthermore, you should consider keeping your lawns to a proper height. Gradually let lawns reach a height of 3 to 4 inches, as longer blades of grass can mean going 3 to 4 days longer between waterings.
Concluding, saving water and keeping your garden looking beautiful is easy when you think about it and you can always follow these ways to see how water wise you can be around the house.
Jonathon Hardcastle
http://www.articlesbase.com/gardening-articles/use-water-efficiently-59372.html
Chocolate, Cowbells & Cable Cars Swizerland and Italy
Planes, trains, motorcoaches, boats, cable cars, gondolas, lake steamer, funicular, cog wheel train and ferry were our modes of transport. We were 60 singles with 124 bags who came, who saw, who conquered Switzerland & Italy. Aside from the traffic delays of high holiday season, it went without a hitch. No lost passports and no one lost. It was a whirlwind vacation but my theory has always been carpe diem per dollar, that is to squeeze in all experiences possible enroute of any journey. After all, travel is intensified living as we attempt to absorb the maximum thrills per minute. (When I compare this to my Suzy’s Taste of Europe trip 11 years ago, this was easy. We then did 6 countries in 7 days, like The Amazing Race.)
In charming Lucerne, we were led on a walking tour of Old Town followed by a welcome dinner of Swiss fondue. There was a folklore show which provided us the opportunity to blow an alpine horn. At the end of the evening was a yodeling contest where the bold wailed out like dying cows into the mic. We enjoyed a real alpine adventure up to and over the 7000 ft. Mt. Pilatus which legend says is infested with dragons. From here we boarded a paddle steamer and sailed across a crystal lake to meet our motorcoach in Fluelen.
Our driver, Peter was super-human as he transported us 7 days over narrow mountain roads in our Super-Size-It double-decker bus with a luggage trailer hitched in tow! At times local farmers would peer out chalet windows in awe of such a feat. We stopped to visit the Merlot Del Ticino Winery set in cliff-side vineyards. So simple, so pure. The family owners stated we were their largest group ever. As we imbibed on 3 fine vintages, Peter spends a half hour trying to turn the coach around with help from dozen locals. Finally we arrive in Lugano. Is it Switzerland or Italy? You Google it. We unpack for 3 glorious nights at Hotel De La Paix.
If it is Tuesday, must be Italy. We set out to tour the lush Lake District which sprawls dreamlike as a watercolor painting. This is the Rio of the Old Continent. In Tremezzo we view the famous Villa Carlotta Gardens and water taxi over to elegant Bellagio. The town has fallen asleep for its 3 hour siesta. Nothing to do but manga so I amble up the cobbled streets for my third pistachio gelato of the day. A shopping stop is scheduled in Como. Some women do not even glance at the mirrored lake lined with palm trees. As if on steroids, they march forward armed with Euros, Swiss francs and a MasterCard. Their motto on this 2 hour marathon is if the shoe fits, charge it. Our day ends with a visit to Alprose Chocolate Factory. The tour is disappointing, but offers good buys on sweets.
Our evenings are totally free and we disperse in mini-groups to discover the best local cafes. Seafood is ultra fresh here but on my budget in this land of a weak dollar, I settle each night for Pizza Margarita, paper thin with slabs of buffalo mozzarella. On Wednesday, half the group defects to explore the region on their own. Some do nature trails, boating, Mt. Bre, the fishing villages and even Milan in a day. A few others lounge poolside at our hotel sunning like lizards. We are graced with perfect weather up to departure. The other half of the group joined me with our wonderful guide Isabelle. (She has an obsession with George Clooney whose villa faces Lake Como.) We begin at the Ponte Tressa market where Europeans flock for bargains, but depart early as it resembles a giant garage sale. We ferry from Lavino along with our monster bus across Lake Maggiore to Intra and then drive to Stressa. Now heres a place I would like to linger for its Mediterranean feel. From here, some visit the Borromean Islands.
Time to check out and head to Switzerland on one of the worlds most diverse rail journeys. The Bernina Express corkscrews its way up and over the Alps with a Kodak moment at every turn. We pass 3 glaciers and Lake Bianco named for its glacial milk. In 3 hours we arrive at top of the world to glitzy St. Moritz. Our hotel was upgraded to the 5 star Hotel Kempenski Grand, according to our driver the finest hotel in Switzerland. We quietly enter the chandeliered lobby in T-shirts and denim shorts as if we too are part of the rich and famous. This is as elegant as it gets. I do not want to leave my suite with its marbled tub and feathered duvet. The designer boutiques in town are closed now. We scatter on nature trails towards the lake. For dinner, some splurge at the hotels world class restaurant on fresh lamb enveloped in herbed crepes and deserts of spun sugar. Twenty of us enjoy an outdoor BBQ of organic local products. Later I take advantage of the complimentary spa with a swim and 4 treatment rooms.
I have always said that if I was forced to trade my passport with another country, I would choose Switzerland. Even the cows with their bells are happy here. It is the purest air and purest food. It is the efficiency. Like the Boy Scouts, Swiss count neatness, punctuality, cleanliness and hard work as virtues. It is the serenity in the verdant hills where one feels safe. And it is the beauty in the rugged geography of rocks, bubbling brooks, clean lakes and snow capped mountains.
The highlight for me was our morning excursion by 2 gondolas ascending to a lone restaurant 9000 ft high. Here we are greeted with a private champagne toast on a sun drenched terrace. Some of us hiked down through the Ice Palace, a grotto-like cave in sheer ice. The majesty of this mountain humbled me.
Peter must drive us to Zurich over a seemingly insurmountable mountain pass before reaching the highway. In 27 years, he is driven tour buses over 3 million kilometers and tells me he hates driving this road. We pass cows mating and villages with populations of 12. After a lunch stop in Heidiland, we arrive safely in Zurich. It is raining now as if Mother Nature mimics the sadness of our departure. I overnight here with a solid 9 hours sleep and reminisce of another journey well done.
Susan Davis
http://www.articlesbase.com/travel-articles/chocolate-cowbells-cable-cars-swizerland-and-italy-102487.html