Facts excerpted from the Pulitzer Prize nominated DIET FOR A NEW AMERICA by John Robbins.

Realities Facts excerpted from the Pulitzer Prize nominated DIET FOR A NEW AMERICA by John Robbins. Full documentation of every fact in "Realities" is in DIET FOR A NEW AMERICA, available from EarthSave. Human population of United States: 243,000,000 Number of human beings who could be fed by the grain and soybeans eaten by U.S. livestock: 1,300,000,000 Sacred food of Native Americans: Corn Percentage of corn grown in United States eaten by human beings: 20 Percentage of corn grown in United States eaten by livestock: 80 Percentage of oats grown in United States eaten by livestock: 95 Percentage of protein wasted by cycling grain through livestock: 90 Percentage of carbohydrate wasted by cycling grain through livestock: 99 Percentage of dietary fibre wasted by cycling grain through livestock: 100 How frequently a child dies of starvation: Every 2 seconds Pounds of potatoes that can be grown on 1 acre of land: 20,000 Pounds of beef that can be produced on 1 acre of land: 165 Percentage of U.S. agricultural land used to produce beef: 56 Pounds of grain and soybeans needed to produce 1 pound of feedlot beef: 16 Pounds of protein fed to chickens to produce 1 pound of protein as chicken flesh: 5 pounds Pounds of protein fed to hogs to produce 1 pound of protein as hog flesh: 7.5 pounds Number of children who starve to death every day: 40,000 Number of pure vegetarians who can be fed on the amount of land needed to feed 1 person consuming meat-based diet: 20 Number of people who will starve to death this year: 60,000,000 Number of people who could be adequately fed by the grain saved if Americans reduced their intake of meat by 10%: 60,000,000 Historic cause of demise of many great civilizations: Topsoil depletion Percentage of original U.S. topsoil lost to date: 75 Amount of U.S. cropland lost each year to soil erosion: 4,000,000 acres, the size of Connecticut Percentage of U.S. topsoil loss directly associated with livestock raising: 85 Number of acres of U.S. forest which have been cleared to create cropland to produce a meat-centred diet: 260,000,000 How often an acre of U.S. trees disappears: Every 8 seconds Amount of trees spared per year by each individual who switches to pure vegetarian diet: 1 acre A driving force behind the destruction of the tropical rainforests: American meat habit Amount of meat imported annually by U.S. from Costa Rica,El Salvador,Guatemala, Nicaragua,Honduras and Panama: 200,000,000 pounds Amount of meat eaten by average person in Costa Rica,El Salvador,Guatemala, Nicaragua,Honduras and Panama: Less than average American housecat Current rate of species extinction due to destruction of tropical rainforests and related habitats: 1,000/year Length of time the world's petroleum reserves would last if all human beings ate meat-centred diets: 13 years Length of time the world's petroleum reserves would last if all human beings are vegetarian diet: 260 years Principal reason for U.S. military intervention in Persian Gulf: Dependence on foreign oil Barrels of oil imported daily by U.S.: 6,800,000 Percentage of energy return (as food energy per fossil energy expended) of most energy efficient factory farming of meat: 34.5% Percentage of energy return (as food energy per fossil energy expended) of least energy efficient plant food: 32.8% Pounds of soybeans produced by the amount of fossil fuel needed to produce 1 pound of feedlot beef: 40 Percentage of raw materials consumed in U.S. for all purposes presently consumed to produce current meat-centred diet: 33 Percentage of raw materials consumed in U.S. for all purposes needed to produce fully vegetarian diet: 2 User of more than half of all water used for all purposes in the United States: Livestock production Quantity of water used in the production of the average cow sufficient to: Float a destroyer Water needed to produce 1 pound of wheat: 25 gallons Water needed to reduce 1 pound of meat: 2,500 gallons Cost of common hamburger meat if water used by meat industry was not subsidized by U.S. taxpayers: $35/pound Current cost for pound of protein from wheat: $1.50 Current cost for pound of protein from beefsteak: $15.40 Cost for pound of protein from beefsteak if U.S. taxpayers ceased subsidizing meat industry's use of water: $89 Production of excrement by total U.S. human population: 12,000 pounds/second Production of excrement by U.S. livestock: 250,000 pounds/second Sewage systems in U.S. cities: Common Sewage systems in U.S. feedlots: Nil Amount of waste produced annually by U.S. livestock in confinement operations which is not recycled: 1 billion tons Relative concentration of feedlot wastes compared to raw domestic sewage: Ten to several hundred times more highly concentrated Where feedlot waste often ends up: In our water Number of U.S. medical schools: 125 Number of U.S. medical schools with required course in nutrition: 30 Training in nutrition received during 4 years of medical school by average U.S. physician: 2.5 hours How frequently a heart attack strikes in the U.S.: Every 25 seconds How frequently heart attack kills in U.S.: Every 45 seconds Most common cause of death in U.S.: Heart attack Risk of death from heart attack by average American man: 50% Risk of death from heart attack by average American vegetarian man: 15% Risk of death from heart attack by average American pure vegetarian man: 4% Amount you reduce your risk of heart attack by reducing your consumption of meat,dairy products and eggs 10%: 9% Amount you reduce the risk of heart attack by reducing your consumption of meat,dairy products and eggs by 50%: 45% Amount you reduce your risk of heart attack by reducing your consumption of meat,dairy products and eggs by 100%: 90% Rise in blood cholesterol level from consuming 1 egg per day: 12% Rise in heart attack risk from 12% rise in blood cholesterol: 24% Meat,dairy and egg industries claim there is no reason to be concerned about your blood cholesterol as long as it is: "normal" Your risk of dying of a disease caused by clogged arteries if your blood cholesterol is"normal": over 50% Your risk of dying of a disease caused by clogged arteries if you do not consume saturated fat and cholesterol: 5% Leading sources of saturated fat and cholesterol in American diets: Meat, dairy products and eggs Hollywood celebrity paid by meat board to tout beef as "Real food for real people": James Garner Medical event experienced by James Garner in April,1988: Quintuple coronary artery bypass surgery World populations with high meat intakes who do not have correspondingly high rates of colon cancer: None World populations with low meat intakes who do not have correspondingly low rates of colon cancer: None Increased risk of breast cancer for women who eat meat daily compared to women who eat meat less than once a week: 4 times higher Egg Board's advertising slogan: The incredible edible egg Photographs often accompanying the egg board's slogan: Young women in bathing suits, emphasizing the shape of their breasts Increased risk of breast cancer for women who eat eggs daily compared to women who eat eggs less than once a week: 3 times higher Milk Producers original ad campaign slogan: "Everybody needs milk" What the Federal Trade Commission called the "Everybody needs milk" slogan: "False, misleading and deceptive" Milk Producer's revised campaign slogan: "Milk has something for everybody" Increased risk of breast cancer for women who eat butter and cheese 3 or more times a week compared to women who eat these foods less than once a week: 3 times higher Part of female chicken's body that produces eggs: Ovaries Increased risk of fatal ovarian cancer for women who eat eggs 3 or more times a week compared to women who eat eggs less than once a week: 3 times higher Foods males in U.S. are conditioned to think of as "manly": Animal products Increased risk of fatal prostate cancer for men who consume meats,cheese,eggs and milk daily compared to men who eat these foods sparingly or not at all: 3.6 times higher Recommended percentage of daily calories to be derived from protein according to World Health Organization: 4.5% Recommended percentage of daily calories to be derived from protein according to Food and Nutrition Board of the U.S.D.A: 6% Recommended percentage of daily calories to be derived from protein according to National Research Council: 8% Percentage of calories as protein in wheat: 17% Percentage of calories as protein in broccoli: 45% Percentage of calories as protein in rice: 8% Disease linked to inadequate protein consumption: Kwashiorkor Number of cases of kwashiorkor in United States: Virtually none Diseases linked to excess protein consumption: Osteoporosis and Kidney failure Number of cases of osteoporosis and kidney failure in the United States: Tens of millions The average measurable bone loss of female meat-eaters at age 65: 35% The average measurable bone loss of female vegetarians at age 65: 18% Person who popularized the concept of protein combining: Frances Moore Lappe Frances Moore lappe's updated research on a healthy, varied vegetarian diet: Protein combining os completely unnecessary. Health status of pure vegetarians from many populations of the world accordingto the Food and Nutrition Board of the National Academy of Sciences:Excellent The Meat Board tells us: Today's meats are low in fat. The Meat Board shows us: A serving of beef they claim has "only 300 calories". The Meat Board doesn't tell us: The serving of beef they show us is only 3 ounces (half the size of an average serving of beef) and has been surgically defatted with a scalpel. The dairy industry tells us: Whole milk is 3.5% fat The dairy industry doesn't tell us: That 3.5% figure is based on weight, and most of the weight in milk is water The dairy industry doesn't want us to know: The amount of calories as fat in whole milk is 50% Oscar Mayer tells us: It is "myth" that hot dogs are fatty Oscar Mayer demonstrates their point by favourably comparing the fattiness of hot dogs to such low fat bastions as: Margarine, mayonnaise, salad dressing and cream cheese The Dairy Council tells us: Milk is nature's most perfect food The Dairy Council doesn't tell us: Milk is nature's food for a baby calf, who has four stomachs, will double its weight in 47 days and is destined to weigh 300 pounds within a year The Dairy Council tells children: To grow up big and strong, drink lots of milk The Dairy Council occasionally tells children: The enzyme necessary for digestion of milk is lactase The Dairy Council never tells children: 20% of caucasian children and 80% of Black children have no lactase in their intestines. The meat,dairy and egg industries tell us: Animal products constitute 2 of the "Basic 4" food groups The meat,dairy and egg industries don't tell us: There were originally 12 official basic food groups, before these industries applied enormous political pressure on behalf of their products The meat,dairy and egg industries tell us: We are well-fed only with animal products The meat,dairy and eggs industries don't tell us: The diseases which are commonly prevented, consistently improved, and sometimes cured by low-fat vegetarian diet include: Strokes Heart disease Osteoporosis Kidney stones Breast cancer Colon cancer Prostate cancer Pancreatic cancer Ovarian cancer Cervical cancer Stomach cancer Endometrial cancer Diabetes Hypoglycaemia Kidney disease Peptic ulcers Constipation Haemorrhoids Hiatal hernias Diverticulosis Obesity Gallstones Hypertension Asthma Salmonellosis Trichinosis Irritable colon syndrome Chlorinated hydrocarbon pesticide residues in the U.S. diet supplied by meat: 55% Pesticide residues in the U.S. diet supplied by Dairy products: 23% Pesticide residues in U.S. diet supplied by vegetables: 6% Pesticide residues in U.S. diet supplied by fruits: 4% Pesticide residues in U.S. diet supplied by grains: 1% Percentage of U.S. mother's milk containing significant levels of DDT: 99% Percentage of U.S. vegetarian mother's milk containing significant levels of DDT: 8% Relative pesticide contamination in breast milk of meat-eating mothers compared to pesticide contamination in breast milk of vegetarian mothers: 35 times as high Percentage of male college students sterile in 1950: 0.5 Percentage of male college students sterile in 1978: 25 Sperm count of average American male compared to 30 years ago: Down 30% Principle reason for sterility and sperm count reduction in U.S. males: Chlorinated hydrocarbon pesticides, including dioxin, DDT, etc Percentage of chlorinated hydrocarbon pesticide residues in American diet attributable to meats, dairy products, fish and eggs: 94% The meat Board tells us not to be concerned about the dioxin and other pesticides in today's beef because: the quantities are to small The meat board doesn't want us to know: How potent dioxin and the other pesticides are. The meat board particularly doesn't want us to know: A mere ounce of dioxin could kill 10 million people The USDA tells us: Our meat is inspected The USDA doesn't tell us: Less than 1 out of every quarter million slaughtered animals is tested for toxic chemical residues The dye used for many years by the USDA for many years to stamp meats "Choice", "Prime", or "U.S. No.1 USDA": Violet Dye No.1. Current status of Violet Dye No.1: Banned as proven carcinogen Wingspan of average leghorn chicken: 26 inches Space average leghorn chicken given in egg factories: 6 inches Number of 700 plus pounds pigs confined to space the size of a twin bed in typical factory farm: 3 Reason today's veal is so tender: Calves never allowed to take single step Reason today's veal is whitish-pink: Calves force fed an anaemia producing diet McDonald's brags: 60 million sold McDonald's doesn't brag about: 50 million butchered McDonald's clown, Ronald McDonald, tells children: Hamburgers grow in hamburger patches and love to be eaten McDonald's clown, Ronald McDonald,doesn't tell children: Hamburgers are ground up cows who've had their throats slit by machetes or their brains bashed in by sledgehammers Original actor to play Ronald McDonald: Jeff Juliano Diet now followed by Jeff Juliano: Vegetarian Number of animals killed for meat per hour in U.S.: 500,000 Occupation with highest employee turnover rate in U.S.: Slaughterhouse worker Occupation with highest employee rate of injury in U.S.: Slaughterhouse worker Cost to render an animal unconscious prior to slaughter with captive bolt pistol so that process is done humanely: 1 penny Reason given by meat industry for not utilizing captive bolt pistol: Too expensive Percentage of total antibiotics used in U.S. fed routinely to livestock: 55 Percentage of staphylococci infections resistant to penicillin in 1960: 13 Percentage of staphylococci infections resistant to penicillin in 1988: 91 Reason: Breeding of antibiotic resistant bacteria in factory farms due to routine feeding of antibiotics to livestock Effectiveness of all "wonder-drug" antibiotics: Declining rapidly Reason: reeding of antibiotics resistant bacteria in factory farms due to routine feeding of antibiotics to livestock Response by entire European Economic Community to routine feeding of antibiotics to livestock: Ban Response by American meat and pharmaceutical industries to routine feeding of antibiotics to livestock: Full and complete support Only man to win ironman Triathlon more than twice: Dave Scott, 6 time winner Food choices of Dave Scott: Vegetarian World record holder for 24 hour triathlon, swim 4.8 miles, cycle 185 miles,run 52.5 miles: Sixto Linares Food choices of Sixti Linares: Strict vegetarian Athlete who most totally dominated Olympic sport in track and field history: Edwin Moses,undefeated in 8 years, 400 meter hurdles Food choices of Edwin Moses: Vegetarian Other notable vegetarian athletes: Stan Price: World record-bench press Robert Sweetgall: World's premier ultra-distance walker Paavo Nurmi: 20 World's records in distance running, 9 olympic medals Bill Pickering: World record swimming english channel Murray Rose: World records 400 and 1500 meter freestyles Andreas Cahling: Winner Mr International body building championships Roy Hilligan: Winner Mr America body building championships Pierreo Verot: World's record for downhill endurance skiing Estelle Gray and Cherly Marek: World's record for cross country tandem cycling James and Johnathon deDonato: World's record for distance butterfly stroke swimming Ridgely Abele: Winner of 8 national championships in Karate,including U.S. arate Association World Championships For the complete documentation of all the facts contained in "Realities," read DIET FOR A NEW AMERICA. Order from EarthSave for $15.70 (includes shipping). Multiple copies are available at a discount write for details. Feel free to copy and distribute "Realities." We ask only that you copy it in its entirety and that the reproduction be of good quality. You may order "Realities" in quantity from EarthSave at cost: (including shipping) 25 - $12 / 100 - $40 / 500 - $190 Make check or money order payable,in U.S. funds, to EarthSave. All orders shipped bookrate, Mail to: EarthSave 706 Frederick Street Santa Cruz, CA 95062-2205 408-4230-4069 Email: earthsave@aol.com

The U.S. Congress Is Bought And Paid For!

Ron Arnold Defends Environmentalist Smeared as “Eco-terrorist” »GreenIsTheNewRed.com

 http://www.greenisthenewred.com/blog/ron-arnold-says-mike-roselle-not-eco-terrorist/2134/

Ron Arnold Defends Environmentalist Smeared as “Eco-terrorist”

Sep 28th, 2009 by Will Potter

Wow, here’s some news of the weird for you. There’s been an ongoing campaign against mountain top removal in West Virginia. Big Coal is playing dirty, and has been smearing opponents of their plans as “eco-terrorists.” The local press shamefully jumped on the bandwagon, calling Mike Roselle an “eco-terrorist” for civil disobedience and warning he “may put lives at stake in West Virginia.”. (Roselle is a co-founder of Earth First!, the Ruckus Society and the Rainforest Action Network, and one of the most influential activists in the history of the environmental movement–and I don’t think that’s an overstatement).

Well, that was too much to stomach, even for the guy who claims he invented the term “eco-terrorist.” Ron Arnold of the Center for Defense of Free Enterprise said:

“I’ve covered Roselle since 1995 and even devoted dozens of pages to his protest activities in my 1997 book EcoTerror: The Violent Agenda to Save Nature. I covered his actions to distinguish between radicals and terrorists. I say he’s a radical environmentalist, not an eco-terrorist. It’s not a crime to be a radical and Roselle has never been charged with any violent crime… Face it: what he did was civil disobedience, not terrorism. But his opponents are dredging up eco-terror accusations. That’s just hot air and it’s wrong.”

Of course, Arnold goes on to say he feels this way because the “honorable” term of “eco-terrorism” should not be “diluted” by this kind of scare-mongering, so it’s clear he still firmly stands by the use of the word. But I think it’s important to note how the usage of “eco-terrorism” has strayed beyond even what the architects of the Green Scare had intended.

The AETA 4 have been indicted as terrorists for lawful First Amendment activity, the SHAC 7 are in prison for running a website, lawmakers are threatening new legislation to target non-violent activists like Tim DeChristopher.

As Arnold says, people like Roselle “may be a terrible pain in the ass, but he’s no terrorist.”

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Ron Arnold Defends Environmentalist Smeared as “Eco-terrorist” »GreenIsTheNewRed.com

How To Make Infused Herbal Oils

Reposted With Thanks To: Martha


How To Make Infused Herbal Oils

..In an oil infusion the healing properties of the herbs are extracted into the oil. Dried or fresh herbs can be used...
..Oil infusions can be used for herbal rubs, massage oils, bath oils and lotions. They can form the base for ointments, salves, creams or liniments. They can also be used for salad dressings, marinades and sautéing.

The Slow Sun Method..
..The slow method is the best infusion method for the delicate fragrance of rose petals...
..Use about 50g/2 oz herbs or petals to 300ml/ ½ pint of oil...
..Fill a large jar or bottle with good quality oil such as organic cold-pressed olive oil or sunflower oil. Add the rose petals or herbs so that they are covered with oil but not tightly packed. Cover with an airtight lid and place on a warm sunny windowsill for about two weeks. Shake the jar daily. ..
..If you like this strength for culinary use, strain through muslin or a coffee filter paper and discard the herbs. Use discarded herbs for garden compost. Pour into clean jars or bottles, and add a sprig of the fresh herb for garnish and identification.
For massage or medicinal use, add fresh petals or herbs. Repeat until the oil is the required strength - about 4-5 weeks
Basil Oil..
Ingredients..
..4 tablespoons/ 1/3 cup chopped basil leaves..
..450ml/ ¾ pint/2 cups olive or sunflower oil...
..1. Remove the stalks and crush the basil in a mortar...
..2. Add a little olive oil and pound again...
..3. Mix with the rest of the oil, pour into a wide-mouthed bottle, and seal tightly...
..4. Place the jar on a sunny windowsill for 2 weeks, shaking every other day...
..5. Strain through muslin or coffee filter paper into a decorative bottle and add a couple of fresh basil leaves. Label. ..
..Use in salad dressings, pasta sauce and pizzas...
..Use this recipe for other herbs such as dill, oregano, fennel leaves, sage, marjoram, rosemary or thyme...

Aromatic Oil..
Ingredients..
..450ml/ ¾ pint organic cold-pressed olive oil..
..2 sprigs rosemary..
..6 sprigs thyme..
..1 large clove garlic..
..1 green chilli pepper..
..5-6 small red chilli peppers..
..6 black peppercorns..
..6 juniper berries
..
..1. Pour the oil into an attractive bottle with a stopper or cork...
..2. Wash the herbs and pat dry...
..3. Peel and halve the garlic...
..4. Drop all the ingredients into the bottle and seal tightly...
..5. Leave for 2 weeks. Do not strain...
..Don't be too concerned about precise measurements.
....Be loose and relaxed and remember not to pack the jars too tightly.
.... ..
..Bouquet Garni Oil..
..Ingredients..
..1 tablespoon each of sage, lemon thyme, oregano and parsley..
..1 bay leaf..
..500 ml/¾ pint/2 cups organic cold-pressed olive or sunflower oil...
..1. Chop and crush the leaves together in a mortar...
..2. Add a small amount of the oil, mix well and pound again briefly...
..3. Pour into a wide-necked jar with the rest of the oil...
..4. Cover and leave on a sunny windowsill for 2-3 weeks, shaking every other day...
..5. Strain through muslin or coffee filter paper into a bottle...
..6. Decorate by adding a sprig of each herb used...
.. ..
..Infused Spice and Seed Oils..
..Ingredients..
..2 tablespoon of seeds such as coriander, dill or fennel, or spice such as cloves or star anise...
..500ml/¾ pint/2 cups organic cold-pressed olive or sunflower oil...
..1. Crush the seeds, cloves or anise in a mortar...
..2. Mix in a little of the oil and pound again...
..3. Combine with the rest of the oil and pour into a jar...
..4. Seal and stand the jar on a sunny windowsill for 2-3 weeks, shaking every other day...
..5. Strain, pour into a bottle with a few whole seeds. Label...
..Use in salad dressings, sautéing and stir-frying...
.. ..
..The Quick Method..
..Ingredients..
..50-75 g/ 2-3 oz dried herbs such as rosemary, lavender or sage (or 75-100 g/ 3-4 oz fresh herbs)...
..300-ml/½ pint/ sunflower oil...
..1. Chop the herbs. Put half the herbs and all the oil in a container with a tight lid. (Heat resistant pyrex jars can be used if heated slowly. For larger amounts several containers can be heated together)...
..2. Put the container(s) in a pan, and fill the pan up to 2.5 cm/ 1 inch from the top of the container...
..3. Bring to the boil and simmer slowly for 2 hours...
..4. Allow to cool slightly and strain. At this strength the oil can be used for infants as a massage or bath oil...
..5. Strain, discard the used herbs and use for garden compost...
..6. Refill the container(s) with the remaining herb, cover with the strained oil, replace the lid tightly and return to the water pan. Top up the water if necessary...
..7. Simmer gently for another 2 hours. ..
..8. Cool slightly, and pour through muslin in a strainer or jelly bag, squeezing out the last drops. Any watery green liquid at the bottom of the oil must be separated and discarded, or it will spoil the oil...
..9. Pour the oil into clean bottles, and label and date them. Store in a cool, dark place and the oil will keep for a year.
..
..Try making marigold (calendula), chamomile, chickweed and plantain oils. Where possible, always use a sunny windowsill in preference to simmering the oil.
..
.. ©Martha Magenta ..
..Images from top to bottom:..
..1- Infused oils 2- Peace rose 3- Basil 4- Rosemary 5-Chilli peppers 6- Oregano 7- Star anise 8- Lavender 9- Organic cold-pressed olive oil 10- Calendula marigolds
.. Music: Celtic Journey by Einalem and Enaid
....
For a list of herb names see Botanical Herb Names

Posted by Martha

Hello Bully founders Daisy and John are asking for your help!

An Email I received and reposting

Register to Vote in the One Million Dollar Cutest Dog Competition Vote on Cute Dog Photos

Hello Patricia!

It's been a while since we've sent out an update. With all of our new friends, we needed to find a more streamlined way to keep in touch. With this new format, we'll be sending out updates more regularly to keep you up to date on all things Hello Bully, and all things Pit Bull! Thanks for your support! HELP HELLO BULLY WIN 1M! Hello Bully founders Daisy and John are asking for your help! They have entered this beautiful puppy photo of one of their dogs - Meiko Luscious - in the Cutest Dog Competition. The grand prize is 1,000,000 and they have pledged to donate 100 percent of whatever they win straight to Hello Bully! This money would mean a facility for our organization and would enable us to help more Pit Bulls and owners in need. Please vote once a day and ask friends and family to do the same. Together, we can build a better future for Pit Bulls. And wouldn't it be great to see a rescued Pit Bull win this contest !?! Click here to vote for Meiko Luscious! Is your rescued or spayed/neutered Pit Bull heroic, multi-titled or working in therapy or search & rescue? If your Pit is press-worthy we want to know! Submit your story along with quality photos for the fall edition of our online newsletter! Stories must be 1000 words or less. Email your entry to johntribley@hellobully.com by October 4th. Include a note stating that Hello Bully has permission to edit and post your story and photo. SUBMIT YOUR PHOTOS FOR HELLO BULLY'S 2010 CALENDAR! The wall calendar is one of our favorite things to do each year. We just love all the cute Pittie faces and heartwarming stories. This year we will be doing feature months and collage months. We fit in as many dogs as we can while still looking neat and clean. Here's what we need from you: *Highest resolution photos possible. Large files are okay. The better quality your photo - the better chance your Pit will make it into the calendar. Email to daisy@hellobully.com *A donation of $5 for one photo or $10 for 3 photos. You can donate on the front page of our website using PayPal. Include the email address you sent your photos from if it's not the same as the one you use for PayPal. *A quick email stating that we have permission to use and edit your photos and stories. *If you'd like to include a short story about your Pit Bull, please keep it to 2-3 paragraphs. *We ask that the Pit Bulls or Pit Bull mixes in your photos be rescues or spayed/neutered. Sorry, we cannot include photos of Pit Bulls wearing choke, prong or shock collars. *Deadline for submissions is October 25th. HELLO BULLY WANTS YOU! Hello Bully is looking for dedicated volunteers who can dedicate even a few hours a month! We need help with events, fundraisers, community outreach, promoting adoptable dogs, and local shelter support. If you're interested, please fill out a Volunteer Application. If you have any questions, please contact our Volunteer Coordinator at rachel@hellobully.com If you are outside of the Pittsburgh area, you can find a Pit Bull friendly shelter, rescue or advocacy group in your area by visiting Pit Bull Rescue Central at www.pbrc.net To all of you who help Pit Bulls in need, we thank you. You are not in this alone. Keep up the great work! Sincerely, Your friends at Hello Bully Forward email This email was sent to pupelove@gmail.com by hello@hellobully.com. Update Profile/Email Address | Instant removal with SafeUnsubscribe™ | Privacy Policy. Email Marketing by Hello Bully | 4885A McKnight Road #197 | Pittsburgh | PA | 15237

Green Tea May Benefit Bone Health

 

Green Tea May Benefit Bone Health

Article Date: 17 Sep 2009 - 8:00 PDT

---

Green tea benefit

New research from Hong Kong found that green tea, one of the most popular drinks around the world, may benefit bone health and the researchers suggest it has the potential to help prevent and treat osteoporosis and other bone diseases suffered by millions of people worldwide.
The study was the work of Dr Ping Chung Leung and colleagues from the Institute of Chinese Medicine at the Chinese University of Hong Kong, and you can read about it in the Journal of Agricultural and Food Chemistry where a web version appeared last month.
Other studies have already suggested that chemicals in green tea benefit health in many ways, for example by preventing cancer and heart disease, but this is the first study to pinpoint which of those chemicals may also improve bone health by stimulating formation and slowing the breakdown of bone.
In humans, as in many organisms, bone is not a dead tissue but a living dynamic metabolic system that relies on a delicately maintained balance between bone formation and bone resorption. Cells called osteoblasts make bone while cells called osteoclasts resorb it.
For the study, the researchers exposed a group of cultured rat osteoblast-like cells to three catechin chemicals for several days. The chemicals were epigallocatechin (EGC), gallocatechin (GC), and gallocatechin gallate (GCG), all main components of green tea.
They found that one catechin in particular, EGC, stimulated the action of a key enzyme that promotes bone growth by up to 79 per cent.
The effect of boosting EGC also increased the level of bone mineralization in the cells, which strengthens bones.
They also found that EGC weakened the activity of osteoclasts, tipping the delicate bone metabolism balance away from resorption to formation.
The researchers also noted that the catechins did not appear to cause toxic effects in the bone cells.
They concluded that these findings showed:
"That the tea catechins, EGC in particular, had positive effects on bone metabolism through a double process of promoting osteoblastic activity and inhibiting osteoclast differentiations."
Osteoporosis is a condition where the density and quality of bone is reduced, increasing the risk of fracture.
According to the International Osteoporosis Foundation, for the year 2000, there were an estimated 9 million new osteoporotic fractures worldwide, of which 1.6 million were at the hip, 1.7 million were at the forearm and 1.4 million were clinical vertebral fractures.
Europe and the Americas accounted for just over half of all these fractures, while most of the remainder were in the Western Pacific region and Southeast Asia.
Although usually affecting women more often than men, in China there is a higher incidence of hip fractures in men than women.

Green Tea May Benefit Bone Health

What Is Love ?

Reposted with thanks by:
Martha

Two bulletins by Cornwalls Voice for Animals reposted by Kindness of Strangers E_CO Member

Thank you!
Cornwalls Voice for Animals 




http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=K0RqQe4k2O8

Now that you feel great watching that wonderful video, remember that cute little cat you patted on holiday in Rhodes?

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-1214960/Remember-cute-little-cat-patted-holiday-Rhodes-Its-got-weeks-live.htmlI know better than most what happens to the animals in Greece after the tourists go home - they are killed in the most horrific ways by those who are in the first place responsible for them being born homeless ! This article tells it all ! Please share 

Reposted by Kindness of Strangers E_CO Member





Thank you for veggie starter kit info!

VEGAN FUTURE


Starter Kit (PCRM)


Starter Kit for Teens (Animal Place)


Starter Kit (Mercy for Animals)


Guide to vegetarian eating (Humane Society of the US)


Guide to dairy- and egg-free shopping, cooking and eating (Animal Aid)

Birds On The Wire

Birds on the Wires from Jarbas Agnelli on Vimeo.

How to Plant a Fall Vegetable Garden

How to Plant a Fall Vegetable Garden

http://www.dannylipford.com/diy-home-improvement/lawn-and-gardening/how-to-plant-a-fall-vegetable-garden/

Featured, Fruits & Vegetables, Lawn and Garden by Julie Day

Cabbage makes a great addition to a fall vegetable garden.

The summer gardening season might be coming to an end, but did you know that you can continue planting and growing yummy vegetables all the way through the fall? Many cool-season vegetables come into their heyday as the temperature drops, and some taste even better once they’re been nipped by a light frost.

Here’s what you need to know to plan, plant, and enjoy the harvest from a fall vegetable garden in your yard.

About Fall Vegetables

Vegetable plants don’t care what season it is, as long as their basic growing conditions are met. Gardeners in warmer climates may be able to grow “fall vegetables” all winter long. Colder areas, on the other hand, have a shortened growing season in late summer, before autumn snowfall begins.

Carrots need well-aerated soil that is free of stones.

Fall vegetables are considered cool-season vegetables, which means that they will thrive under these growing conditions:

• Daytime temperatures between 60° and 80° F (the cooler the better).
• Nighttime temperatures above 40° F (a light frost is usually okay).
• 6 hours of sunshine per day.
• Rich, well-draining soil.
• One inch or more of water per week.

Vegetables grown in the fall include:

Broccoli is a real fall treat.

• Beets
• Broccoli
• Cauliflower
• Cabbage
• Carrots
• Kale
• Lettuce
• Spinach
• Turnips

When to Plant Fall Vegetables

In most areas, fall vegetables are planted in August or September, for harvest through October and November. However, unlike spring planting, the fall garden is a race against time, so you have to calculate carefully to be sure your plants won’t be killed by freezing weather before they produce.

You can start planting fall vegetables as soon as daytime temperatures average below 80º F, and you can continue planting as long as they will have time to mature before the first frost and freeze. If you live in a region that doesn’t freeze, you can grow cool-season vegetables until temperatures begin to rise above 80° F in the spring.

Salad greens can be grown in containers during the fall.

Know Your Frost Date

The first step to planning a fall vegetable garden is to learn your average dates of first frost and freeze. Frost dates for your area can be found on the NOAA and Farmers’ Almanac websites. In addition, your local agricultural extension service should have more detailed local information.

Once you’re armed with your local frost and freeze dates, planning your garden is as easy as counting backwards on the calendar. Your veggies should be planted so they will mature before the first frost, and provide most of their harvest before the first heavy freeze.

Most plant and seed labels include information on “average days to maturity,” so you can choose vegetables that will be ready in time. Some cool-season crops mature in as few as 30-40 days while others can take several months to produce.

Beets can be dug as needed until the ground freezes.

Fall Gardening Tips

Here are some tips to make your fall garden a success:

• Plants: The easiest way to start a fall garden is to buy transplants that are already growing. Choose fast-maturing varieties to get the most for your harvest.
• Seeds: If you’re planting seeds, they’ll need to be planted deeper – and watered more often – than seeds for warm-season crops, to help them germinate in the hot late-summer soil.
• Preparation: Remove and clean up all plants and debris from your summer garden, so your fall veggies will be free of disease.


Turnips grow great in the fall.

• Fertilizer: Work in some fresh compost or soil conditioner. You can also mix in an organic slow-release fertilizer, although if you heavily fertilized your summer garden you probably have enough left in the soil.
• Drainage: Make sure your soil is light, well-aerated, and well-draining. Pay extra attention to drainage, since fall gardens are more likely to get soggy from rain.
• Mulch: Fall veggies need mulch to keep the soil cool and moist during the last days of summer. Mulch also helps keep low-growing leafy veggies clean.
• Cold Weather: As winter grows closer, you can extend your garden harvest by using floating row covers on frosty nights, or by planting in containers that can be brought indoors overnight.
• Warm Weather: You can also use row covers to cool down your veggies during surprise hot spells. Some fall veggies will “bolt” (bloom and set seed) in hotter temperatures, which can change their flavor and ruin your harvest.

Gardening Tip

Since fall vegetables are often grown for the entire plant, rather than just the fruit, it’s necessary to keep them healthy, clean, and pest-free. This makes organic growing techniques even more important to avoid ingesting chemicals sprayed on your plants.

Further Information

• Vegetable Garden: Planning and Layout
• Growing Cool-Season Vegetables
• How to Protect Your Garden from Frost and Freeze

The Associated Press: Hoop houses extend urban farmers' growing season

Hoop houses extend urban farmers' growing season

By DAVID RUNK (AP) – 4 hours ago

FLINT, Mich. — On the vacant lot in Michigan where her childhood home once stood, Carolyn Meekins grows seedlings for Asian greens, red kale and green beans in a plastic-covered greenhouse known as a hoop house.

The structure warms and protects the tender, young plants, allowing Meekins to plant earlier in the year. She was the first in Flint to build one last year, but more urban farmers like her are using hoop houses to extend the growing season in northern U.S. cities.

Hoop houses are relatively inexpensive to build and often are unheated — relying instead on the sun or heat thrown off by compost heaps. With frames made of metal, flexible PVC pipe or wood, they work like greenhouses but are covered with plastic instead of glass. They can be small enough for a city back yard or 100 feet long.

With them, farmers can extend a five- or six-month outdoor growing season to the whole year, said Adam Montri, an outreach specialist with Michigan State University's Department of Horticulture. And hoop houses don't need heaters or the costly high-intensity lights often used in commercial greenhouses.

"Northern cities are ... seeing the benefits of having them," Montri said. "As urban agriculture has grown, hoop houses have kind of grown simultaneously."

Urban farming is on the rise in Flint, where sparsely populated neighborhoods and thousands of empty lots provide space for growing. Meekins began gardening in her neighborhood in 1995, and her Urban Community Youth Outreach farm now includes 11 lots, with rows of vegetables and a wheat field.

Plants started in late winter in the hoop house, Meekins said, will give her an early jump on spring crops for her farm. She also wants her hoop house to be a place where smaller community gardeners can get their starter plants.

"Our plan is to make this a hub of all transplants," Meekins said.

Commercial farmers in rural areas around the country also use hoop houses, but they make sense in cities, where lots are smaller and yard space is often limited, because crops can be grown close together — or even stacked in layers inside.

"It's very different than in the field," Montri said. "What it allows us to do is produce a large amount of food in a smaller space."

The Detroit Black Community Food Security Network uses a hoop house at its D-Town Farm to grow food that it sells in the city. Former pro basketball player and urban farmer Will Allen's Growing Power Inc. uses hoop houses in Milwaukee to grow greens. They're also popping up in Chicago, where increased interest in eating locally grown food has made a longer growing season more attractive.

"It's very easy to eat locally in Chicago in August. It's harder to do that in February or March," said Lisa Junkin, education coordinator at Jane Addams Hull-House Museum, which has a hoop house on its farm.

The cost of a hoop house depends on its size and the materials used. Kits for 8-by-10-foot backyard models start at a few hundred dollars, while larger hoop houses can cost tens of thousands of dollars. Many can be built in a day or two by a group of do-it-yourselfers. Food can be grown in the ground if the hoop house doesn't have a floor, or plants can be put in pots or raised beds.

Hoop houses are usually permanent structures, but often aren't strong enough to withstand high winds and can collapse if heavy snow isn't brushed off. The plastic traps warmth from the sun. In colder weather, composting inside the hoop house can add warmth, since the process throws off heat.

Before building a hoop house, however, urban growers need to check local zoning rules and building codes. Meekins learned this after she started building her hoop house in 2005. The city stopped construction, saying she needed a zoning variance because it was on a vacant lot.

Meekins had expected to spend a few thousand dollars and have a hoop house in a few days. Three years later, the total reached $21,000. Money spent seeking a permit, getting blueprints drawn up to satisfy the city and buying more materials drove up the cost.

If she built another one, Meekins said, the price likely would be much lower.

Once a hoop house is up, farmers find using them is a learning experience — more like growing in a traditional greenhouse than a field. The sides can be rolled up or down to vent air and control the temperature, but it took Meekins a while to learn to do this properly. Her first set of plants died.

"I thought it was supposed to get real hot and I just burned them out," she said. "I'm strictly a city girl, so I am learning."

The Associated Press: Hoop houses extend urban farmers' growing season

More On Composting

Composting - helping you to Grow Your Own
Making and using compost is the cornerstone of organic gardening - if you want to 'Grow Your Own', there's no better place to start.

The finished product is rich, dark, crumbly and sweet-smelling. It is made of recycled garden and kitchen waste, and can also include paper products. It is used to feed and condition the soil and in making potting mixes. Around 40 per cent of the average dustbin contents are suitable for home composting so it helps cut down on landfill too.

Making compost is often considered to be complex but all you need to do is provide the right ingredients and let nature do the rest - however, a little know-how will help you make better compost, more efficiently.

How to Keep Your Garden Pots Watered While on Vacation this Summer | eHow.com

 

Plant Nanny for Wine Bottles My  favorite way of keeping my pots watered while I'm away however, is The Plant Nanny! They are hollow ceramic stakes that have an attachment on the top. To use them, you screw on a 1 or 2 liter soda bottle full of water to the top of the Plant Nanny. Push the stake side deep into the soil of the potted plant and the water is slowly released through the ceramic. The Plant Nanny keeps the soil in the flower pot moist and your plants alive and well. If you'd like something a little more fancy, purchase Plant Nannies that are made for attaching wine bottle to. See below in

 

Potted Plant with Plastic Bottle

The next step is great for a weekend away. If you are going to be gone only a short time, consider filling an empty soda bottle with water and screwing it's cap back on. Pierce a small hole somewhere at the top of the bottle. With cap side down, push the top of the bottle into the potting soil, just like you would have with a Plant Nanny. This will allow water to slowly drip into the soil and also keep the potted plant watered. I've watered my potted plants just before I've left the house, put one of these bottles in and it worked perfectly for a long weekend getaway!

How to Keep Your Garden Pots Watered While on Vacation this Summer | eHow.com

Basil for Natural and Homeopathic Remedies

Love for the Earth
-Sue

(Natural News) Basil is not just for pesto anymore, but a plant of many health benefits. Basil is a plant that looks similar to the peppermint plant, as they both come from the same family. The leaves are tender and minty green and grow to 30-130cm tall. Basil, a highly fragrant plant, is best known as the ingredient in pesto using parmesan, pine nuts and olive oil.

A few types of Basil
- Sweet basil, the one used in Italian cooking
- Thai Basil
- Holy basil
- Lemon basil
- Anise basil
- Cinnamon basil
Each one of the types, has its own specific flavor and uses. Actually, there are over 60 types of plants and each one offers its own unique smell and taste. There are also, many types of basil in the Middle East, which are used strictly for the smell and grown as ornamental plants. Basil..s scientific name is Ocimum basilicum.

Health Benefits of the basil
- Lowering blood pressure
- Anti-spasmodic
- Cholesterol lowering benefit
- General detoxifier
- Cleansing the blood
- Lowering blood sugar levels
- Anti-cancer
- Anti-....inflammatory
- Anxiety relief
- Can be used as an "adaptogen"
- Anti-viral
- Anti-microbial properties
Basil Natural Remedies (a few selected ones)

Abrasions
Remedy: Use Basil extract directly on the skin and expect to see relief in three days.

Acidity
Remedy: To get immediate relief you can chew on some of the leaves.

Amnesia
Remedy: Take one teaspoon of the extract of basil, two times a day and expect to see relief in three months.

Body Rash
Remedy: Apply the extract directly to the rash and expect to see relief in one week.

Chicken Pox
Remedy: Take one teaspoon of basil extract, three times a day and expect to see relief in one week.

Common Fever
Remedy: Place four to five leaves in some boiling water and then add in 1/2 cup of milk, 1 teaspoon of honey and 1/4 teaspoon of ground cardamom. Sip this tea slowly and expect to see relief in six hours.

Dizziness
Remedy: Put three to four leaves in some boiling milk and drink this remedy. Expect to see relief from dizziness immediately.

Drinking too much alcohol
Remedy: Make a tea of basil, using one cup of boiling water and three leaves or one tablespoon of the dried leaves. Remove from the stove and let the tea sit for 20 minutes and then strain. You can expect to see relief from the symptoms of intoxication immediately.

Insomnia
Remedy: Before sleeping, take one teaspoon of the basil extract and expect relief in one week

Joint Pains
Remedy: Take one teaspoon of basil extract, three times a day and expect to see relief in one month.

Low Blood Pressure
Remedy: Crush 10-15 leaves and add them to one teaspoon of basil juice and then mix with one teaspoon of honey. This remedy should be taken on an empty stomach, first thing in the morning. You can expect to see relief from low blood pressure in one month.

Ringworm
Remedy: Use the extract directly on the skin, twice a day and expect to see relief in one month.

Tooth Discoloration
Remedy: Crush 10-15 leaves and the rind of one orange together. Use this mixture as a tooth cleaner and expect to see results in one week.
Note: Basil has no known side effects and can be used in conjunction with most other remedies.

How to choose the right varieties and storage
Fresh basil is always the optimum choice over dried, as the fresh leaves are the best in flavor. Look for basil that has vibrant looking leaves, that are dark green. Make sure they do not have any brown marks or yellowing spots. There are many varieties of both basil plants and the dried spices. Always look for organic spices when possible and make sure they have not been irradiated, which would decrease the vitamin C and carotenoid content.

What does irradiate mean?
The process of irradiation in food, means the food is exposed to radiation. The radiation is meant to destroy microorganisms,.... bacteria, viruses or insects that could harm the products being consumed. This very harmful process, also prevents sprouting and delays ripening further of the produce. It is messing with Mother Nature, in other words. The irradiation damages the DNA and stunts the growth of the food.
The fresh basil should be stored in a paper towel, that has been sprayed lightly with water and then stored inside a plastic bag in the refrigerator. Basil may be chopped and placed in the freezer also, but it looses much of its flavor and texture that way. The dried herbs need to be placed in glass containers with tightly sealed lids and placed in a dark cool place. Dried herbs may be kept for up to six months.
Left over pesto, minus the parmesan cheese may be stored in ice cube trays. To be used as needed. Add the parmesan once the pesto is defrosted. You can also place fresh leaves in the ice cube trays and top with some water, to be used later for soups or pesto.

Recipes for using Basil
The typical recipe using basil is a simple pesto. It is very easy to make.
1. In a food processor add in one tablespoon of pine nuts and chop.
2. Add in two handfuls of fresh basil
3. Mix well.
4. Slowly add in 1/2 cup of olive oil and mixing very well.
5. Add in 1/4 cup of parmesan cheese and season with salt and black pepper.
6. Add some of the pasta water to the pesto as needed.
This can be used over some whole wheat spaghetti.

A simple sandwich
Scramble two eggs with one small chopped tomato, one ounce of goat cheese, and some salt and pepper.
Let it cool slightly and using a very thin whole wheat tortilla, place the egg mixture on the tortilla and top with some fresh basil leaves. Roll and place on a grill and heat slightly until the edges are browned.
**Note - It is best to add the fresh basil at the end of the cooking, as the basil oils are volatile. By adding them at the end, you get the maximum flavor and essence.

~Source~

~Bulletin brought to you by~
-Sue
Bulletin Stats & more powered by Peerspin
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How To Build A Bee House

 

Bees in Crisis: the National Wildlife Federation Has Tips to Help : Planet Green

 

"Bee Houses" provide cover and places to raise young for bees. They're easy and fun to make, or can be purchased commercially from several vendors.

The Orchard Mason Bee is a wonderful little creature. It does not live in a nest like other bees; it lives in wooden blocks, but does not drill holes and destroy wooden items like other bees. It uses holes that are already available. The male Orchard Mason Bee can not sting and the female rarely stings.

How to build a bee house:

• With drill bits of various sizes (5/16th of an inch works best for Mason bees) simply take some scrap lumber and drill holes 3 to 5 inches deep but not all the way through the wood block. For example, get a 4 inch by 4 inch piece of wood and drill holes that are 3 and 1/2 inches deep.

• You can cover the holes with chicken wire to help keep birds away from the bee house.

• Securely place the bee house on the South side of buildings, fence posts, or trees.

• Scatter some of the houses throughout your community. You may find an excellent location to trap some bees and then move them to your location.

• DO NOT move bee houses after they are in place until at least November.

• DO NOT spray insecticides on or around bee houses.

• If you choose to build your own bee houses, DO NOT use treated wood.

Be sure to be cautious of the use of insecticides around bees and especially during open bloom. Use products that are recommended, and during times that the bees will not suffer.

For more information or to order bee houses, contact:
Carroll County Extension Office
VA Cooperative Extension
Extension Distribution Center
112 Landsdowne Street
Blacksburg, VA 24060

Bees in Crisis: the National Wildlife Federation Has Tips to Help : Planet Green

 

 

No matter who you are, you can help the plight of the honeybees.

By Rachel Cernansky
Boulder, CO, USA | Thu Sep 10 15:30:00 GMT 2009

Press Association via AP Images

READ MORE ABOUT:
Animals | Honey | Insects | Nature | Outdoors | Take Action

If you haven't been keeping up on the dire situation for honeybees in the last few years, let the National Wildlife Federation help. Bee numbers are dropping as hives disappear and scientists don't yet understand the exact cause--they just know that the bees are in danger and along with them, our food supply as well.

Honeybees pollinate many of the crops we love and depend on, from apples and blueberries to the alfalfa that dairy cows eat (if you're still drinking milk). "Honey bees pollinate approximately $10 billion worth of crops in the United States annually," says the National Wildlife Federation's Why Care? report.

Colony Collapse Disorder is a phenomenon that is mysteriously wiping them out, devastating their own survival as well as the beekeepers who raise them.

Want to help? The National Wildlife Federation has some great tips for how you can "plant for pollinators," including: choosing native and diverse plants, plants that provide a lot of pollen and nectar, and leaving a mess where you garden. (Don't clean up your mulch, for example, so bees and birds have stuff to work with when they need to build their nests.) After all, as The Last Beekeeper illustrates, lawns are simply desert environments for bees. Meadows are where it's at.

The NWF quotes Scott Hoffman Black, executive director of the Xerces Society for Invertebrate Conservation: "The neat thing about pollinator conservation is that anyone, from the owner of a golf course to an apartment dweller with a window box, can do something to help."

All you need to do is provide adequate food and habitat for pollinating species, including bees and butterflies--and, of course, avoid spraying pesticides that harm them.

Or, why not try building a bee house?

Don't miss The Last Beekeeper on Planet Green!

Learn more about the plight of the honeybees:
Meet Jeremy Simmons, Director of The Last Beekeeper
Meet Fenton Bailey, Producer of The Last Beekeeper
Green Your Yard, Part 2: Rethinking the Backyard Save the Bees! Grow Garden Plants Honey Bees Love
Blogger Writes About Bee Colony Collapse Disorder in his Backyard