Found this great contest that is open to EVERYONE!!!
The contest is a good thing- it raises awareness of the importance of a small animal, in nature, that could foretell the affects of environmental pollutants on humans. (There is also small monetary awards!)
The website tells all the info-GO TO IT!!! Lots of info not usually found.

http://savethefrogs.com/why-frogs/index.html
Besides..The FROGS…They’re cute creatures!!!

Now on PBS. This documentary, made by two fresh from college graduates, tells the story of mass corn production here in the US. Released in 2007, the story line follows the two graduates on a journey to grow an acre of corn of their own, and then follow it through food production channels until it reaches consumers.

What makes this documentary worth mentioning is historical information provided on corn and the telling of the story of monster corn we have all bought into today. Mass corn production, from how it came to be such a large industry to the end result of corn syrup being used in millions of food products is told in this film.

Farm subsidies, genetically tasteless corn, health effects and pesticides are all here set against a backdrop of the tale of the filmmakers genealogy. The genealogy adds the element of a vested interest in corn production from the filmmakers. Knowing the way corn is farmed, processed and marketed is very important for healthwise consumers. Definitely a tale worth telling, and seeing!

PBS has a alot of info on their website right now about the movie. Here is the link: http://www.pbs.org/independentlens/kingcorn/

What we do to the earth, we do to ourselves.
-Anonymous Quote

A popular game show has a line-”Is that your final answer”? That sound bite definitely describes our situation for our
environment.

Here in the US and in the most of western world we are know as a society of consumers.
People and governments (big and small) have ignored environmental concerns.
Daily we consume and consume some more-never thinking ahead to the future.

The BIG question is: When is enough, just enough? We never ask ourselves that question. Future generations will,however,have
plenty of questions for us.

Questions they may ask when they learn about the “way” the earth was and what happened to it, may include:

“How did the plastic chemicals, fertilizer chemicals, and pesticide chemicals how did they feminize our environment?
Final answer: We used too many of them, ignorantly, until they saturated our environment and bodies.

“How did Pharmaceuticals and Personal Care Products (PPCP’s) change, affect or not affect peoples health?”
Final answer: We over perscribed, overused and sought a quick “pill” answer to most of our health concerns.

“How was the ozone depleted and the seasons skewed?”
Final answer: We had too many emissions from industry and vehicles. We did too much deforestation to our native woodlands.

What will our answer be when we are talking to our grandchildren and great grandchildren?
Ultimately, our answer will be for so many things..FINAL ANSWER… WE CONSUMED…WE CONSUMED TOO MUCH….WE USED ALL WE
HAD….WE DIDN”T CONSIDER ALTERNATIVES…WE DIDN’T CHANGE OUR METHODS…

They will ask how the world got so messed up?
And our final answer will ultimately be….WE CONSUMED!

When will our final answer be “Enough is enough”? When will we decide and make efforts to live frugally, economically, and
wisely for our own, our children’s and our grandchildren’s future?

Reuse, Recycle, and Live simply

-It makes sense and a future for generations to come.

Finally!!!! 

A broad bill that addresses many serious food issues in the US. The FDA Food Safety Modernization Act (S.510) has been introduced in the Senate. It is broad reaching and includes rules that affect various imported food issues includng: safety, inspection, certification for qualified importers.  Food allergy concerns are addressed with enhanced traceback and record keeping. Lab accreditation is a part of the bill as well.

One very important issues is missing from this bill-The overuse of antibiotics in the food and water of agricultural animals.  The antibiotics used on healthy animals (or animals that would be healthy if they were kept in humane and sanitary conditions) to encourage growth-these drugs contribute to PPCP pollution. PPCP (pharmacutical and personal care products) pollution, from antibiotics, is done through human consumption or through water runoff from farm, slaughter or processing methods.    

Write your senator and request that the addition of provisions for the overuse of antibiotics in farm animals be added to this bill.

Just returned from the Indiana State Fair.

Just when I’m sure I’m under impressed with the country way of life-I am reminded what I like about country and the independant people who live in the country! Attended a few days of the Indiana State Fair. Lots of Fun! Very interesting people! My admiration for country food, folks and way of life was renewed. Saw lots of Great Farm families putting their all into bringing their animals, produce and home made goods to the fair.

High School bands strut their stuff!

Watched high school bands from across the state work hard in a band competition (and saw lots of proud families cheering them on). Great people! Great time!

Biodiesel transports-cool country ingenuity!

Anyway, I was really impressed by the biodiesel tractors that were tractor-trains (??? LOL..). These tractors transported people, on train type wagons, around the fairgrounds all day long. Not fancy, but American ingenuity at its best!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Making Friends

 

I thought the goats were the cutest! Such expressive eyes!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Useful Artistry!

 

The traditional domestic arts were of course a part of the fair. The quilts were so beautiful. This one had a type of dress/coat on each quilt square. The dress/quilt was folded out of material-Sort of fabric origami! I was impressed by the three dimensional quality of it.   Quilting is one skill I would truely like to learn!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

A prize winning watercolor

 

Most art galleries don’t have this good of a selection of art.  There were paintings, woodworking, leather goods,scrapebooks, sculpture and calligraphy just to name a few of the artistic talents displayed.

This vacation season there is alot of news about people staying closer to home because of the economy. Economy or not you can still have a very special holiday without going too far from home or breaking the bank.

Plan an outing close to home-Visit those museums and local sites that you always were meaning to visit; but didn’t because they were local and you could visit them anytime-NOW IS THE TIME! Become a local attractions expert !!! Be in the know about all that is in you community, you county, or your state. Spend your money and your time in support of those around you.

Many attractions such as theme parks, zoos or major museums have discounts running right now for local residents. Call up you local attractions and ask about discounts they have, at this time. Another good place for discounts is organizations you belong to- Credit Unions, Churches, AARP, School groups, Local Lodges, Companies you work for or Buy utilities from etc. All of these places are worth asking about any discounts they may have to attractions or events (especially locally). Take a picnic-go and enjoy!

Something I think is great is camping- buy or borrow a tent or camper. The fees for camping spaces are always priced very reasonably . You take your own food and save money. In my family, we try to take prepared food that we normally don’t have in the day to day world (make it some special treats or dishes).

Most of what I am talking about will have you moving at a slower pace and put you face to face with the people you are vacationing with; so think of all the quality time, sense of belonging, inside jokes you can cultivate in this atmosphere.

Get out, vacation- drop your worries and laugh a little. Having fun with the ones you love, saving gas, helping the environment, supporting local attractions and jobs- its all GREAT when its local!

Quote of the day-

She/He who laughs Lasts- Mary Engelbreit

Live Simply-So others may simply live

- Mahatma Gandhi

I love veggies! I’m always looking for new ways to fix them. Finding new ways to cook them and still keep them semi-crunchy is sometimes a stretch. When I buy I try to buy organic, when they are available. Continually, I question what chemicals have been used on or in my food? My wish is for a way to tell which of the pesticides may have been used on my veggies.

TA…DA… (poof of smoke here) My wish is granted….. Well sort of . The Environmental Working Group has a list- “The Most to The Least” of  pesticide laden vegetables and fruits. The link to the site and its explanation is here-

http://www.foodnews.org/methodology.php

also click on “full list” at the top of the food news page, for all the veggies and fruits on the list.

This list is helpful for people making food choices that are low in pesticides. Pesticides can contribute to cancer, diabetes, reproductive and hormone disruptive disorders.