Join Lawn Crusaders and the Victory Gardening Movement at the 7th Congress Thanksgiving Activism Party in Tarzana this Saturday 11/21, 2009

Gratitude is Action: Join Lawn Crusaders and the Victory Gardening Movement at the 7th Congress Thanksgiving Activism Party in Tarzana this Saturday 11/21, 2009

Workshops will be held from 3:30-6:00 pm
From 6 PM on we will be eating and socializing until 10:00 pm.
Please bring a favorite dish to share with friends, and also the recipe if you desire to do so! No meat dishes please.

Location: Tarzana
Date: 11/21/2009 Time: 3:30-6:00 PM 6:00-10:00 pm
URL: http://www.luckypotluck.com/potluck/7thCongress


Many of us at Lawn Crusaders and in the Victory Gardening Movement will join the following workshop/party this Saturday. We have worked with them since their creation, and highly recommend them. Tell Zoe we sent you, if interested:

7th Congress Thanksgiving Party.

We are very excited to see everyone next Saturday! There is no admittance charge.
The party will be on November 21 with the workshops running from 3:30-6pm and the party from 6:15-10pm.


We would like to make a "Stone salad" rather than a "Stone soup". In order to do this we would like everyone to bring one veggie item that can be used to build a salad. No need to let us know what you are bringing, because the magic will
be in the surprise. We will put everything together at the party and then enjoy our creation.


The event is a potluck, and it is helpful if you can list the item that they will be bringing. No meat dishes please. The list is located at this website:
http://www.luckypotluck.com/potluck/7thCongress. No need to create an account with luckypotluck.


Volunteers for setup and cleanup would be appreciated.

The official Invitation is here:
http://www.7thcongress.org/invite.html

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HAPPY NEW YEAR!

HAPPY NEW YEAR!

"EATING RIGHT" IS FOR PETS & FARM ANIMALS TOO!

WHY YOU SHOULD FEED YOUR PETS & FARM ANIMALS

LIKE YOU (SHOULD) FEED YOURSELF!
[LaC-000 -100]

Animals are complex biological systems exactly like we, human beings, are.

Consequently, the same guiding principles apply, particularly the garbage in-garbage out principle, which explains so many of our "modern" diseases, particularly obesity, diabetes, cardiovascular diseases and cancer, plus almost all degenerative conditions such as arthritis, Alzheimer's, etc...

More, when animals are actually raised for human consumption, there the "food chain multiplication effect" to consider: Animals become what *they* eat, accumulate toxins in their fat, organs and muscle mass, and we, in turn, become what they eat through them.

Junk foods generate junk lives, and animals raised in the way of the agro-industrial complex generate sickly and obese humans, after having become sickly and obese animals. As well as sickly and obese pets as well, when our pets eat animal-based foods in their diets, such as dogs and cats do.

Look around you, if you are not yet convinced. Even children are getting obese nowadays, and the 30 pounds housecat is no more an odd rarity.

Industrial agriculture, with its bottom-line-oriented practices that totally disregard quality in favor of quantity ultimately produces what we have become at large: Obese, chronically ill, sick and pathetic imitations of a what a human being could be. And the same goes with our pets: That housecat is not really a natural occurrence. It wouldn't survive three days in the wild, maybe not even three hours, when cats are in fact perhaps the most superbly adapted small predators of all, the very model of survivors.

Considering that the chickens or turkey offals they eat in their processed foods come from the very chickens and turkeys WE eat, birds which are fed each other's carcasses as well as chicken feces plus ground diseased animals and "euthanised" pets (yes, Rex and Rover get recycled!), that supermarket beef eats ground-up diseased sheep, roadkill and "euthanised" pets as well, even if the practice is now supposedly banned, and that the same goes for pigs, plus that all this happy crowd, when they don't feast on each other, is filled to the brim with GMOs, herbicides, pesticides, synthetic hormones and antibiotics, and who knows what else, how can we wonder if most of us wallow in diabetes, obesity, chronic illnesses, cancer, heart disease, etc?

And the same is of course true for our pets. At least, *we* are not fed food seasoned with processed animal feces in pellet form. Well... at least not yet!


Could this all change? Could farm animals and pets alike be fed organic and healthy foods? Definitely, and "Wonderplants" and "Miracle Trees" such as the Moringa tree are poised to play a major part in such a necessary change.

For example, the agricultural experimental station run by Foidl & Foidl conducted extensive trials using Moringa leaves as cattle feed for both beef and milk cows, swine feed, and poultry feed. The results were as expected, except that, as almost always with the Moringa and many other "wonderplants", expectations where not only met, but passed.

Wonderplants such as the Moringa do not only offer concentrated nutrition, but in the raw form, often also seem to reduce the activity of pathogenic bacteria and molds, and improve the digestibility of other foods, thus helping not only human beings, but also farm animals and pets express their natural genetic potential.

In other words, plants such as the Moringa, herbs such as certain Artemisias, and mushrooms such as Agaricus Blazeii, to name just a few, are both nutrition and adaptogens with coming with strong pro-genetic factors. They perfectly answer the old Hippocratic injunction: "Let thy food be thy medicine!"


It is most important for our own health to feed farm animals healthy foods that are minimally processed and not denaturated with herbicides, pesticides, GMOs, synthetic hormones and antibiotics: These all end on our own tables, often in a form concentrated as they are passed up along the food chain, and wreak havoc on our already weak and compromised immune systems and hormonal (im)balances.

What is said here of farm animal feeds is as valid for pet food. Sure, from a human health point of view, what pets eat might appear of less importance, since after all, we are not supposed to eat our pets, and usually don't. But there is no doubt that the overall health and appearance (coat, in particular) of pets reacts very well to the addition of organic wholesome functional foods to their diet. And that happiness and well-being in pets usually translates in increased well-being in the pet's owner.

Actually, a whole new industry of wonderplants-based pet food and pet care product might someday arise, once pet owners realize the benefits of adding them to the diet of their animal companions. But even before that happens, since we made these animals our pets, we should also think about *their* health!


Interested in manufacturing or distributing Organic and Sustainable pet foods? Please contact us! All our blogs are tied to an email address which is "blog name @ gmail.com" (without any spaces and quotation marks).

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A NEW PROJECT OF INTEREST in EAST L.A.

A NEW PROJECT OF INTEREST in EAST L.A.

"A Green Beacon shines on the Est side of Los Angeles"

In March 2008 Julie Solomon was able to save a 94-year-old historically sustainable home from demolition and chose to remodel and showcase it with all ecologically-sound products and processes. Her eco-renovation was filmed for Discovery's new channel, Planet Green and is airing on their flagship show called "Greenovate".

As one of LA's oldest neighborhoods, Elysian Heights has been home to many artists, writers, architects filmmakers, counter-culture and radical political activists from the early 1900s to present day. Nestled in the verdant hills of this historic area, her "garden home" was originally a real estate office on the Miracle Mile of Wilshire Boulevard and moved to its current location in 1914 on a horse-drawn flat bed.

Julie has recently established a non-profit organization called The Green Beacon Foundation (GBF) to serve as a community resource for the public to have tactile experiences of "going green," such as on-going workshops, lectures, tours, etc. on the property. The GBF will host public tours of the home and garden on the 1st Saturday of every month starting December 6th at 3:00 pm.

On November 13th there was a kick off garden workshop facilitated by the gals at Heart Beet Gardening whose mission is to promote food security, sustainable gardening practices, and urban agriculture by enabling households to have their own vegetable gardens. These hands-on workshops appeal to the urban gardener with a sustainable tie-in such as the use of drip irrigation and native plants. The lecture entitled "Go Green, $ave Green" will be facilitated by Nancy Astrid Lindo, whose specialties include sustainable interior design, green building and permaculture.

The natural body care and aromatherapy workshops will be facilitated by Lauren Johanson, creator of Chivas Skin Care which specializes in soaps made with organic ingredients, fair trade shea butter that supports a women's co-op in Togo, Africa, and fresh French Alpine goat's milk where the goats are raised humanely by a local family in Ventura County, CA.

For more information about the Green Beacon Foundation or to make a reservation, please call 323.717.9636, or email Julie: contactgbf@gmail.com [OK, this is a little bit on the commercial side, and their workshop are definitely not for free, while groups such as the Westside Permaculture group offer similar information just for volunteering at their events, but this is still worth a look, we feel...]

TOURS:

The Green Beacon will be conducting tours on the first Saturday of each month starting December 6th at 3:00 PM. This hands-on tour will show you how easy it is to "greenovate" your own home/living space with practical tips while giving access to products, services and processes that will help save money while lessening your carbon footprint.

ECO-CHIC WORKSHOPS:

The best organic gardeners and eco-consultants in Los Angeles will facilitate the workshops using organic and repurposed materials. The price of the workshops and lectures are all-inclusive. We will serve wine compliments of Bossa Premium Wine Imports and tasty treats from different local restaurants at each of the Thursday evening workshops.

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Now, we know for a fact that the absolute "best organic gardeners and eco-consultants" in Los Angeles are not (yet? ;) involved with this project, since we are in no way affiliated with them! :) However, when people try to do something that goes in the right direction, even if it's perhaps a bit too commercial for our taste, we think we should support their efforts with a little post. So have a look at their web site here: http://www.greenbeacon.org/Home

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PERMACULTURE IN LOS ANGELES

PERMACULTURE IN LOS ANGELES

If you live in Los Angeles and particularly on the Westside of the county, we highly recommend you to attend the "Westside Permaculture Gatherings". To join their mailing list:
http://visitor.constantcontact.com/email.jsp?m=1102241208022

Here are people who truly understand the lawn problem... as you can see from this excerpt from their last newsletter:

"One lawn down, a couple million more to go...

With the help of some hard working neighbors and friends, a lawn was removed the other day from a home in the Pico neighborhood of Santa Monica. May we have a moment of silence for the grass that lost its life on that day.

Now let's celebrate and boogie!!! One resource consuming lawn gone, one beautiful and productive garden to take its place. There are many more to go, how about we start with yours, go ahead, go outside and tear your lawn out and plant a fruit tree or some tasty veggies. Its easy."

Indeed! What a great example to follow!

Now read on to find out what's happening this week in the LA Permaculture world.

"Hands on Rainwater Harvesting Fun"

This Saturday, Oct 25, we'll discover several different ways to "harvest" our winter rainwater bounty. Learn what we'll be doing at the Community Garden. See various models of tanks. And, for the main part of the day, participate in an installation of an experimental rainwater harvesting system at the Garden.

We'll be digging rainwater infiltration pits to irrigate our new citrus trees. Please come dressed to work in the garden. Tools will be provided. A limited supply of gloves is available, so if you have favorites, you might bring them along.

Event begins at 9am with discussion, followed shortly by installation. Leaders for the day will be John Tikotsky, ASLA, and Joanne Poyourow, Environmental Change-Makers.

Event is free and open to all. It's a great event for teen energy, too! 9am till completion (perhaps 2.5-3 hours?), The Community Garden at Holy Nativity, 6700 W. 83rd, Westchester (Los Angeles 90045). (310) 670-4777 www.EnviroChangeMakers.org


Learning about "Permaculture Around the World"

Sustainable Habitats hosts the second in the series "Permaculture Around the World" on Monday, October 27 with Michal Vital, Israeli Architect and Eco-builder, speaking about her involvement with the non-profit BUSTAN, in the Negev Desert of Israel.

The word "bustan" refers to a fruit-yielding orchard in both Hebrew and Arabic and symbolizes the work of Bustan ( www.bustan.org ). It is a partnership of Jewish and Arab eco-builders, architects, academics, and farmers promoting social and environmental justice in Israel/Palestine with a focus on the Bedouin villages of the Negev Desert. BUSTAN utilizes the principles of permaculture and non-violent direct action across ethnic divides.

The event takes place at the Santa Monica Public Library, 601 Santa Monica Blvd, Santa Monica , on Monday, October 27, 7-9pm, 2008. No reservations are required, fundraiser donation for BUSTAN $10. For more information please email David Kahn at info [{at}] sustainablehabitats.org


If you don't live in or around L.A., and can't find a similarly-oriented group in your area, why not just start one?

BESIDES ORGANIC & SUSTAINABLE FOOD GARDENS, ANOTHER POTENTIAL USE FOR SOME OF THE SPACE WASTED ON LAWNS

BESIDES ORGANIC & SUSTAINABLE FOOD GARDENS, ANOTHER POTENTIAL USE FOR SOME OF THE SPACE WASTED ON LAWNS...

If we believe the "fossil fuels" theory, every drop of oil on earth comes from millions of years of buildup from algae and other natural residue... buried, compressed, liquefied and eventually drilled up -- supplying our energy since the late 1800s. Now sure, this is just a theory, and anyone in the know is well aware most oil is of abiotic origin. But for all practical purposes, it's a useful theory.

So now consider this: In about 250 years, of which less than a 100 remain, we will deplete what took hundreds of millions of years to form... With this inevitable global depletion of oil, we obviously have no other choices than using alternative forms of energy.

In fact, we live amidst a boundless sea of energy, even if we do not really know how to retrieve it for practical uses. Or perhaps are simply not permitted to tap it. But to do so efficiently would often require technological advances which, for one reason or another, are not yet there.

However, solar, wind, HHO gas, and using plant-based energy are all choices we can make right now, as they do not need any radical new technologies.

When it comes to plant-derived energy (that is, indirect solar energy), research at leading universities suggests that algae could supply enough fuel to meet all of America's transportation needs in the form of biodiesel... using a scant 0.2% of the nation's land.

In fact, enough algae can be grown to replace all transportation fuels in the U.S. on only 15,000 square miles, or 4.5 million acres of land.

That's a mere 1/8th or less of the areas currently planted with a totally useless and often poisonous crop -- lawns.

How is this all possible?

Technology exists right now to cultivate algae that can be used as fuel, using all sorts of human and animal waste as fertilizer. A good part of what goes to landfills could be turned into algae food. This can be scaled from one person production plants to plants capable of treating all the biodegradable waste of NYC or Los Angeles. And needless to say, there will be lots of money to make with offering practical implementations that can produce biodiesel easily and steadily using our waste, turning it into fuel for our cars and to generate energy.

So, besides the obvious choice of "food, not lawns", what are we waiting for to start taking back some of the space, time, energy and money currently wasted on lawns, and start producing energy out of it?

Another of these interesting questions...



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Santa Monica Westside Permaculture Center announces a Gathering with Heather Flores: Workshop and Hoe-down

The Santa Monica Westside Permaculture Center announces a Gathering with Heather Flores: Workshop and Hoe-down

In the spirit of fall planting season, Tuesday, October 14th at 6pm Heather Flores, author of "Food Not Lawns" will be joining the folks at the Santa Monica Westside Permaculture Center for an evening of learning and fun. She will lead volunteers as they start transforming a typical suburban lawn into a food producing forest. We will work together to create a design that we will get to implement the following week with some hands on gardening fun.

Later in the evening participants will get the chance to cut loose with Heather Flores and The Underscore Orkestra. Stick around for some live music while we meet, greet and sink in our roots with some food, drinks, strawbale seating and a blanket of stars.

We will be seeking donations for Heather and her Band. Sliding scale donation of $5-$15, or food for potluck, but no one is turned away for lack of funds.

This event will take place at a private home in Santa Monica at 6pm, Tuesday October 14th. If you are local please RSVP to westsidepermies[AT]gmail.com for this event because space is limited.

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