Posts
Showing posts with label co-blogs. Show all posts
Showing posts with label co-blogs. Show all posts
Happening Now ~ Green Week Conference in Brussels
>> Thursday, 26 May 2011
If you are anywhere close..make sure to attend
Want to know more...hop over to Environment/greenweek/
Read more...
Pass the spinach....er.....diazinon please! ~ Guest post ~ Kamini Raghavan
>> Tuesday, 1 March 2011
Access to organic food without the hassle of plastic packaging means a lot. I came across a post by a fellow blogger, the very talented Kamini (of Saffron and Silk and Zingara Girl) and requested her to share her (and her husband's) experience with Hydroponics.....What to know more ...read on...:)
Over to Kamini....
Food! We all love food, some of us live to eat, some of us eat to live. But either way, we all have a love/hate relationship with food.
I am not a huge foodie and I am not at all fussy, give me my roti/dal, a couple of veggie dishes (especially if spinach is one of them) and I'm happy. All I ask is that the veggies be organic and fresh! But where I live getting my hand on organic vegetables is almost impossible, so I have been settling for the next best thing - fresh vegetables from the local vendor around the corner. I make sure I buy them when his truckload arrives around 9am in the morning, so at least if not organic, its fresh! So imagine my horror when I found out that the vegetables in the local market are grown with 700 times the allowed pesticides that can be used. 700!!! Not 5 or 10, but 700!!!
Yes, so along with my cauliflower curry I have been eating Cypermethrin, the okra fry I love is laced with Monocrotophos, Palak Panir is accompanied by Malathion and Diazinon.....apples, oranges and grapes are not exempt either and are known to have residues of Aldrin and Chlordane, 2 deadly pesticides! There is irrefutable evidence to show that these residual pesticides can lead to all kinds of health problems including cancer, kidney and neurological diseases.
This is when my husband and I decided to take matters into our own hands and grow our own vegetables. We researched soil, we learned about pest free gardening, we went into the backyard and peered at the ground to see what creepy crawlies were living there, we poked, we prodded, we bought fertilizer, we bought manure, we bought organic pesticides, we got rid of our gardener whose mantra was spray, spray, spray.....and while we were in the midst of all this we chanced upon the whole concept of HYDROPONICS! I won't go into too much detail, you can read about it here, but basically it is growing vegetables without soil, but only in water, where the plants are anchored in vermiculite or rock wool. Pests live in soil, so by default no soil = no pests! Pretty simple.
Of course, reading about it was one thing, actually starting our own hydroponic garden was quite another. No one had heard of it here in Hyderabad. So some more reading and googling and we found a vendor in Tamil Nadu who was selling bags of coco peat. Coco peat is just pure and simple ground up coconut husks and have the appearance and texture of soil, but none of the mineral content. So it mimics all the characteristics of soil without the problems associated with soil. (A little side note here about my husband.....he's the left brained engineer type, so nothing he does is ever without a whole lot of research and study and discussion and total concentration...and then he jumps into the project headlong and gives it his all!! No multi tasking like us women!!). So it would only be fair to say that this gardening project is entirely his baby, my only contribution was suggestions as to what vegetables to plant.
Hydroponics can be as simple as growing a single plant in hand watered bucket or as high tech as being fully automated, monitored and controlled with your cell phone!!! The average home hydroponic set up has a growing medium in trays, a reservoir/tank to hold the nutrients, a submersible pump and drip irrigation tubing for ease of watering, a simple timer and an air pump to oxygenate the nutrient solution. Of course light, natural or artificial is also required.
Since we were almost out of space in the backyard, we decided to set up shop on our rooftop terrace. So this is basically our set-up! The 4' long x 8" wide bags of coco peat came in flat bales which swelled up once we wet them with water. Each bag went from being an inch high to 8" high. Then 3 or 4 "X's" are slit on top of each, into which the seedling is planted. If you are scattering seeds for veggies like spinach and lettuce, you can make a long rectangular cut out and scatter the seeds. Once the little veggie saplings are planted, they need nutrients. The nutrient/fertilizer is concocted according to a very specific formula.....NPK (nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium), magnesium and calcium and a host of trace elements, are mixed together in water. (A small note here: even so called "organic veggies" in US markets, have NPK in their soil). A huge plastic container holds this nutrient mixture, and the pump and timer feed it to the plants via the drip irrigation system at specific intervals.
Here are some pics so you can understand better....
Read more...
Over to Kamini....
Food! We all love food, some of us live to eat, some of us eat to live. But either way, we all have a love/hate relationship with food.
I am not a huge foodie and I am not at all fussy, give me my roti/dal, a couple of veggie dishes (especially if spinach is one of them) and I'm happy. All I ask is that the veggies be organic and fresh! But where I live getting my hand on organic vegetables is almost impossible, so I have been settling for the next best thing - fresh vegetables from the local vendor around the corner. I make sure I buy them when his truckload arrives around 9am in the morning, so at least if not organic, its fresh! So imagine my horror when I found out that the vegetables in the local market are grown with 700 times the allowed pesticides that can be used. 700!!! Not 5 or 10, but 700!!!
Yes, so along with my cauliflower curry I have been eating Cypermethrin, the okra fry I love is laced with Monocrotophos, Palak Panir is accompanied by Malathion and Diazinon.....apples, oranges and grapes are not exempt either and are known to have residues of Aldrin and Chlordane, 2 deadly pesticides! There is irrefutable evidence to show that these residual pesticides can lead to all kinds of health problems including cancer, kidney and neurological diseases.
This is when my husband and I decided to take matters into our own hands and grow our own vegetables. We researched soil, we learned about pest free gardening, we went into the backyard and peered at the ground to see what creepy crawlies were living there, we poked, we prodded, we bought fertilizer, we bought manure, we bought organic pesticides, we got rid of our gardener whose mantra was spray, spray, spray.....and while we were in the midst of all this we chanced upon the whole concept of HYDROPONICS! I won't go into too much detail, you can read about it here, but basically it is growing vegetables without soil, but only in water, where the plants are anchored in vermiculite or rock wool. Pests live in soil, so by default no soil = no pests! Pretty simple.
Of course, reading about it was one thing, actually starting our own hydroponic garden was quite another. No one had heard of it here in Hyderabad. So some more reading and googling and we found a vendor in Tamil Nadu who was selling bags of coco peat. Coco peat is just pure and simple ground up coconut husks and have the appearance and texture of soil, but none of the mineral content. So it mimics all the characteristics of soil without the problems associated with soil. (A little side note here about my husband.....he's the left brained engineer type, so nothing he does is ever without a whole lot of research and study and discussion and total concentration...and then he jumps into the project headlong and gives it his all!! No multi tasking like us women!!). So it would only be fair to say that this gardening project is entirely his baby, my only contribution was suggestions as to what vegetables to plant.
Hydroponics can be as simple as growing a single plant in hand watered bucket or as high tech as being fully automated, monitored and controlled with your cell phone!!! The average home hydroponic set up has a growing medium in trays, a reservoir/tank to hold the nutrients, a submersible pump and drip irrigation tubing for ease of watering, a simple timer and an air pump to oxygenate the nutrient solution. Of course light, natural or artificial is also required.
Since we were almost out of space in the backyard, we decided to set up shop on our rooftop terrace. So this is basically our set-up! The 4' long x 8" wide bags of coco peat came in flat bales which swelled up once we wet them with water. Each bag went from being an inch high to 8" high. Then 3 or 4 "X's" are slit on top of each, into which the seedling is planted. If you are scattering seeds for veggies like spinach and lettuce, you can make a long rectangular cut out and scatter the seeds. Once the little veggie saplings are planted, they need nutrients. The nutrient/fertilizer is concocted according to a very specific formula.....NPK (nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium), magnesium and calcium and a host of trace elements, are mixed together in water. (A small note here: even so called "organic veggies" in US markets, have NPK in their soil). A huge plastic container holds this nutrient mixture, and the pump and timer feed it to the plants via the drip irrigation system at specific intervals.
Here are some pics so you can understand better....
Little seedings getting watered by the drip
The timer
The reservoir holding the nutrient mixture
Tomato plants
Tomatoes getting bigger
and bigger.....
Green leaf lettuce
Tomatoes and okra harvested today
Green peppers
Cauliflower
Greens - lettuce, fenugreek and spinach
Cabbage - yet to be harvested
Chili peppers
Of course, as with any new venture, we had successes and we had mishaps! My husband totally overestimated how many tomato plants we would need, so now we get about 2 kilos a day!!! I have been doling out to all and sundry, I have juiced and souped and jammed and jellied, my next step will be taking it to the veggie shop and selling it!!! We planted too few lettuce plants, we should have staggered them, so now we have run out! The cauliflower got waterlogged and rotted! We only have one good okra plant so I get 2 or 3 okras a week!! By the time I cut them and make okra fry, we get a mouthful each!!
But nothing can beat the thrill of picking your own freshly grown veggies however tiny or measly it is. Its an indescribable feeling. Every morning I head upstairs and see what is ready to harvest - all I need is a straw hat and I'll be like Ina Garten.. :-) We have a long long way to go before we are completely self sufficient, but its good to know that at least part of what I am putting in my mouth is organic and pesticide free! The last time I made this salad - pic below - it took less than 5 minutes for the lettuce to get from plant to table and the taste was amazingly fresh!
I hope I have inspired you all to go organic! If you are lucky enough to live in Chennai or Bangalore or any other big city, you can get organic at the market. But if you still want to experience the thrill of growing your own vegetables hydroponically, e mail me (Kaminiandraga@gmail.com) and my husband and I will happily share info with you! And for those really interested, here is an inspiring read!
Bon Appetit!
Thank you Kamini, for sharing such an informative post on the Green Crusader.
Earthowl.net - Care a Hoot for the planet
>> Tuesday, 11 January 2011
I had been to Climate Change Lobby monthly meet up last Saturday. It has been a few months since I joined the group, however, I could join in the monthly national meet up only last weekend. It was a great experience interacting with fellow Green crusaders and lobbyists. More about the meet in a later post...
As of now, I thought I'd share something about a fellow CCL member's website which sells heavy duty Cotton Canvas bags.
They sells well made canvas bags with witty messages on them.
I appreciate their effort to make a difference. I recommend a visit to the website and knowing a little more about their effort and maybe a purchase if you could spare $10 and make a commitment to carry your own bag to shop.
Pictures and Link source- EarthOwl.net Read more...
Guest Post - The Eco-Friendly Backyard: How to Save a Little 'Green'
>> Wednesday, 8 December 2010
It is a pleasure when thinking individuals acknowledge my crusade and want to put in their two cents! I was contacted by Elizabeth Greene of - My Dog Age My Blog, for featuring a guest post, I agreed. Its a pleasure to introduce Joy Paley and her take on American Consumption patterns and her thoughts on Lawn maintenance in particular. I am sure you will love this post...:). Onto Joy
The post
There’s no place near the “normal” American home that doesn’t reek of conspicuous consumption, and the backyard is certainly no exception. As post-WWII suburbs sprawled across the nation, so did the idea that a happy home was one in which the front and back yards were covered in emerald green turf. Not only does keeping a carefully maintained lawn use up an incredible amount of water (and money!), it also keeps rainwater from making its way through the soil to groundwater and causes pesticides and fertilizers to flow into nearby streams and rivers. Here are a few tips to green up your backyard and save a little dough in the process.
1. Get Rid of the Lawn
What is the alternative to a cushiony green pillow extending from your doorstep to the curb? How about a garden of native shrubs, flowers, and trees? It’ll need to be watered and troubled over much less than a lawn, will allow water to percolate through the soil, and it will attract native wildlife.
2. Collect Rainwater
Having the sprinklers or the hose running all the time zaps money from your pocket and uses up precious resources. Consider putting barrels in your yard or under your gutters to catch rainwater to use on your plants, instead.
3. Mulch Those Plants
Even if you get rid of your water-sucking exotic plants and make the switch to native species, you can still preserve energy by mulching around what you do have. Mulching keeps the sun from sucking up water out of the soil.
4. Compost
Composting is a low-cost way to generate nutritious soil for your garden and cut down on the amount of household waste you send to a landfill. A tumbler or regular barrel is a great way to start. Check out this Cornell site for the basics.
5. Use Earth-Friendly Yard Products
Most people maintain their yards to actively enjoy them, by picnicking, letting their kids play outside, etc. But would you really want your kids playing on a lawn that had been cared for with toxic pesticides and fertilizers? Check out organic lawn care options that are safer and easier on mother nature.
6. Upgrade Your Mower
Some old gas lawnmowers emit an incredible amount of pollution. Switching to a push mower is best, as they use less energy than ride-alongs. If you can’t stand the idea of pushing a mower across your lawn, an electric ride-along is your next best bet.
source: Joy Paley
This eco-friendly "no mow" lawn made of native grasses and plants is more attractive than any suburban turf I've seen
About the author:
Joy Paley is a science and technology writer based in Berkeley, California. Check out her musings as a guest blogger for My Dog Ate My Blog or as a writer for Online Schools.
Guest post - coming soon!!!
>> Monday, 6 December 2010
I was contacted by Elizabeth Greene of - My Dog Ate my My Blog with a request to feature one of their guest authors on The Green Crusader.
I thought I'd share her mail here ...
Dear Sudha,
Great blog! Your posts are very informative and I appreciate your post entitled "An Introduction to Ecocide".
My name is Elizabeth, the assistant editor at My Dog Ate My Blog. We have been blogging about politics, education, and technology for a few months now and we think it is about time to start reaching out to other passionate people.I would love to have one of our bloggers write a guest post for your blog. If you have any topic or style guidelines for guest posts, send them my way.I am looking forward to talking with you more.
Elizabeth Greene
Assistant to the Editor - My Dog Ate My Blog
Assistant to the Editor - My Dog Ate My Blog
PS:
My Dog Ate My Blog is a creation of editors, writers, and marketers in the education industry looking for an outlet for their general creativity and immaturity.
Go Green with Craigslist and Freecycle
>> Monday, 18 October 2010
Choosing the right kind of furniture for your home is a major influence on how green you could be...It is no harm in wanting the best for yourself. However, it could be a little considerate on our part to reuse heavy and usable furniture items (among other things) and not let them become landfill before their lifespan.
Readers who are familiar with my Design blog, The Design Enthusiast, know my love for preloved furniture. I have furnished an entire single bed room apartment with finds from local sellers via craigslist. Touch wood, it has been a great experience till date. Although, I am not into upholstered furniture, it is better to avoid beds or heavy cushioned sofas unless you are very sure about the condition. Reason being, loads of bugs and dirt may find their way into your abode. And then, there are odour issues we need to deal with. I dont advocate any particular furnishing style, but defintely would like to see minimal upholstery and cushions (read foam) as possible.
There could be more such collaborating websites I am not aware of yet. Another place to look out for is Freecycle. It is a brilliant way to minimize waste and think about greening your choices without much effort.
quoting the Freecycle website-
The Freecycle Network™ is made up of 4,864 groups with 7,603,875 members around the world. It's a grassroots and entirely nonprofit movement of people who are giving (and getting) stuff for free in their own towns. It's all about reuse and keeping good stuff out of landfills. Each local group is moderated by a local volunteer (them's good people). Membership is free. To sign up, find your community by entering it into the search box above or by clicking on 'Browse Groups' above the search box. Have fun!
One very interesting thing about Freeecycle is that people giveaway stuff for free...so take a look, maybe you will find something that may work for you. (I have been a grad student here in the US...so hand me downs dont bother me...however, i dont see a similar vibe among fellow country men who land here with a job and a heavy paypacket. No comments on that though!!) Read more...
My guest post for The Green Bag Lady
>> Monday, 30 August 2010
I am elated!!...reason- my guest post on Green Bag Lady. :). I cannot write enough about her commitment to giving away fabric bags to people across seven continents. She recently hit 12000 bag mark. I wish there were more like her.... :)
link >> Say no to plastic or paper bags
Green Bag Lady announces a giveaway
>> Tuesday, 3 August 2010
I wrote about the Green bag lady earlier >> HERE and also showed off the bag she sent me :) >> HERE...And now, I take the pleasure of being the unofficial spokesperson for her giveaway....lol...Do try your luck and make sure you follow the instructions to qualify for the freebie :)
 |
| Greenbag lady |
Best of luck!! Read more...
Giveaway announcement - Green Bag Lady
>> Saturday, 19 June 2010
Seems like the blogosphere is buzzing with freebies and giveaways. Teresa of Green Bag Lady has announced a giveaway. Please visit her blog for details :) --HERE
An Introduction to Ecocide
>> Thursday, 17 June 2010
During my routine research for my blogs, I came across this wonderful website which has coined a new word and has regular updates on earth related topics. I recommend a read. >>HERE is the link to the site - thisisecocide.com
The site talks about Ecocide. which is translated as :
"A CRIME AGAINST PEACE Ecocide is the extensive destruction, damage to or loss of ecosystem(s) of a given territory, whether by human agency or by other causes, to such an extent that peaceful enjoyment by the inhabitants of that territory has been severely diminished..." source: theecocide.com
Read more...
Feature your Great Outdoors on Renest
>> Thursday, 10 June 2010
I wanted to break away from usual and mention an announcement inviting refreshing, earth/life-friendly ideas to do up your outdoor space. You must have designed or planned a perfect outdoor space to enjoy your summer evenings, right. And if you are proud of your space why not share it with the world. Sounds interesting?...Then read on....Apartment Therapy has invited hobby gardeners, landscape designers, and backyard farmers, irrespective of the size of their "canvas", to show off their outdoor space. The projects could include building a tool shed, planting, setting up an entertaining area, and the activities you would plan in your outdoor space.
What would be featured -
- An outdoor How-To or DIY project
- Cozy and welcoming outdoor space you've created
- Vegetable garden
- Balcony /terrace/ roof garden
- Your tips and tricks for eco-friendly outdoor decorating, or gardening
I am sure they do a great job assessing the entries. How am I so sure?... My tiny balcony garden was featured last June (09) (uff I am such a show off!!)
And this year, they have featured my last year's submission in this announcement.
(Images, clockwise from top left: Bev's Inspiring Country Garden; Sudha's Repurposed Garden Balcony; Toby and Jason's Petite Patio; Nancy's Patio Veggie Garden)
Giveaway win - update
>> Friday, 16 April 2010
I mentioned my winning a Sunset Green home Design Guide earlier. :)...The Book arrived and I am so looking forward to read through the entire book !..
Will post more pics of the insides of the book asap!!
Thank you Rachel
I won..I won....
>> Friday, 12 March 2010
I woke up to a very anxious day today. I was supposed to get a crucial medical report. As first thing in the morning, I sat down to check my email. And lo!...I had a wonderful surprise waiting for me....I had won a nice Green Design Book...Yippiee!!.. I am thrilled to have been picked a winner in a random giveaway!!!!! Thank you Rachel - for the wonderful book...I am looking forward to receive it!!!
This is the book I won....:-)
Rachel's website... - theinteriorevolution.com is a wonderful Green design and architecture resource..(I recommend that you check it out). I appreciate Architects and Designers who advocate and really believe in Green, sustainable and eco-friendly design. I read a few articles in her website and loved Rachel for her strong will to make a (Green) difference in the design and construction industry. I am glad to have bumped into Rachel's website. I am sure it is going to be a one stop resource to realize my long standing dream to remodel my parent's home. Also, the book I just won, is going to be a perfect addition to my dream library.
About Rachel
Rachel is an interior designer and an active participant in the green design community. She is a Certified Green Building Professional through "Build it Green" and a member of the Sustainable Homes Committee for the local chapter of the USGBC. Want to know more about this wonderful lady >> HERE is the link
The link to her blog >> HERE
Thank you Rachel, you made my day! Read more...
Green Crusader Mentioned - thank you - The Earth Sign
>> Friday, 5 March 2010
I was supposed to publish this post a long time back, a system crash and ill health delayed it by a few weeks. Better late than never..right!!
I am elated to have been mentioned by a fellow blogger - Poornima who blogs at "The Earth Sign". It is a honour to be acknowledged in the blogger world for posting off beat and not so interesting set of topics.
Why I say this...
In my experience as a blogger, I find it really difficult to get people interested in Green topics. It is sad that many allied topics get prominence over very important ones.
Facts...
There are few blogs and e-magazines which publish posts and articles on home design, cooking, technology, children and green /environment...I hardly see comments for the posts under the green or the environment section (excepting a few)..but a load of them for the other segments. I do know that discussing and posting in forums do not move mountains but what hurts is the masses' lack of interest in such issues
Going green is not a fad or a fashion for few. It is a non existing or uninteresting topic for the rest of the population. I find only a few who are working towards tackling issues related to our planet, the least one could do is start by making small lifestyle changes and grow to being more eco-friendly. However, I do not see it happen in most cases.
People still ask for plastic grocery bags as if they were their life lines and as though life couldn't exist with out these flimsy bags. More so, there are a few others who ask for extra bags without giving a second thought to their action and its impact.
Surviving among all these people and their carelessness, I still like to believe that everyone is doing their bit, and maybe are not vocal with their thoughts...this keeps my spirits up and striving towards pooling more number of people into the crusade to save our lives.
Thank you - from the bottom of my heart
I would like to thank Poornima for mentioning A Green Crusader at Work and all the encouraging words she has said in her post (with a special mention about my green balcony!)...I am elated and very honoured :)...
I loved the fact that she is trying to do her bit and wants to make a difference. We need more such youngsters to be a part of this race against time in protecting our planet from further damage. Read more...
Fake Plastic Fish update
>> Tuesday, 2 March 2010
I had done a post on a co-green-advocate and blogger, Beth. I was glad to see her being featured on CBS for all her effort and struggle to live a plastic free life. I am glad to be have a blogger friend who feels and thinks as I do.
Here is the video.
Fake Plastic Fish
>> Tuesday, 23 February 2010
Green Blog : Fake Plastic Fish
Blogger : Beth Terry
This time around, my post is dedicated to a Co-Green blog called Fake Plastic Fish...not that this wonderful blog needs any more publicity. This post is to show my admiration for a co-green-bloggers who is committed to the cause and has made a significant difference around her.
Her posts are very informative and it was a deja-vu when I saw someone who did things I was doing in my daily life....and was definitely striving to do more....Such wonderful people and their lifestyles are real eye openers and examples for people who argue that it is tough to live green anymore, in this part of the planet in particular (read in the USA).
Here is a link to one of her very inspiring posts. - HERE
An Interesting Green Map
>> Wednesday, 30 December 2009
Click on the image for a larger view
Image Source: http://media.learningfundamentals.com.au Read more...
Home made cosmetics
>> Thursday, 24 December 2009
I have a lot on my to-do list while waiting to recover from a truck load of things. One of the to-dos is to try concocting my own cosmetics (including soaps). This would take my `make everything from scratch` agenda one step further .
I have been bookmarking a list of blogs and sites with recipes and articles on home made soaps, scrubs and creams. This is to improve on my trials to avoid all the plastic and other non-biodegradable packaging from the FMCG industry. Crafting Green world.com is one such webstie/blog I found while looking for eco-friendly arts and crafts. Their article about Do it yourself - make your own beauty products looks quite promising. Do check out their articles on more eco-freindly ideas for everyday living.
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