2012 January

Aquaponics here I come #sustainchat #Aquaponics

January 14, 2012 By admin 2 Comments

Inspired by members of Empire Avenue, I learned about Aquaponics. This week my mom saw something about it on television so I figured, why not make one my own.

Now I must admit that the technique involved scares me off a bit. I prefer just gardening in the sand and the idea that plants grow on fish tanks seems like rocket science to me. But there seem to be great resources on Youtube so why not go ahead with it and make it real this year.

Step one. Planning a place to set up an Aquaponic system.

I have thought about building a greenhouse in my garden for some time. I think the best way to start is using plastic as a cover. Not so organic but affordable. These are called Polytunnels.

Polytunnel

My little piece of garden at the back where I plan to make the greenery

Polytunnel here I come

The little piece of garden at the back of our long garden is perfect for a Polytunnel because it is surrounded by trees and will not catch too much wind. I only hope that there won’t fall any branches on it.

Great instruction for making a poly tunnel

Filed Under: Aquaponics, Gardening Tagged With: aquaponic, Polytunnel, sustainability

My neighbors Guinea Pig Poop as Garden Fertilizer

January 14, 2012 By admin 1 Comment

I have a new neighbor. Her name is Monique and she has 7 Guinea Pigs. She asked me if we could give her our vegetable left overs to feed them.

Since I like to save my veggies to make compost it made me feel like there was nothing left to compost if I’d give everything to the Guinea Pigs. So I looked it up in my big compost book if I could use the Guinea Pigs poop as fertilizer. And my book said yes! Guinea Piggy poop is perfect for the compost bin. So now we have a nice organic cycling thing going on. Poop rocks!

Guinea Pigs at the neighbors

Here you see the composting in progress, a Guinea Pig is eating... soon to be pooping yeah!

And there it is, tadaa! One weeks harvest of 100% unadulterated pure Guinea Pig poop

Filed Under: Composting, Gardening Tagged With: compost, fertilizer, Guinea pig, poop

New Year Message 2012 from Dadi Janki

January 4, 2012 By admin 1 Comment

Dear Friends,

On the threshold of 2012 we are uncertain about what time may hold for us. Ours is a time in which there are two energies at work: an ascending energy and a descending energy.

We are reminded constantly of the descending energy and its destabilizing effects on the world, increasing feelings of fear, anxiety and hopelessness.

Perhaps less visible, but assuredly more powerful, is the ascending energy. Like new growth below the ground in late winter, ascending energy is working quietly in the hearts and minds of people everywhere, shaping a new story. We see it in the surge of those seeking spiritual truth and in the hundreds of thousands of civil society organizations requesting transparency, authenticity, and a return to values.

We have a choice about which energy we affiliate with, about where we put our support. We make this choice at the level of thought. When we allow anger, greed, or fear into our thoughts, we strengthen the descending energy, and we lose our capacity for generosity and mercy.

When we meet situations with peace, love, and persistent happiness, when we are careful not to say or think anything that would hurt another’s heart, we amplify the energy of ascent.

We find these qualities inside of ourselves, as they have always been our true nature. But to find them ready in moments of need, we have to nurture them daily. To make the greatest contribution to the world at this time, keep the fire of goodness alive in your heart and mind. Fill yourself with the energies of peace, love and happiness and let them infuse your every action.

With love
BK Janki

From http://www.bkwsu.org/