spring is near! spring is near! daffidols keep telling me, spring is near!
h2oless jeans
There is a global water crisis underway, as it stands only 1% of water is suitable for human use! Levi’s came out with an online ad for water less jeans. They devised a finishing process where they reduced using 42 liters of water per pair of jeans to just 1.5 liters! You can find information and 2 cool videos about the scary global scene and the process here: http://us.levi.com/home/index.jspab=011011&Camp=CME:Waterless:20110110&csm=178671014&csc=273872&csa=178676460&csu=274666
I am a proud owner of Levis.
A few simple facts and sources for getting a larger scope of the global conditions. The World Water Council, http://www.worldwatercouncil.org/index.php?id=25, says 1.1 billion people lack access to safe drinking water (Estimation for 2002, by the WHO/UNICEF JMP, 2004) and 3,900 children die every day from water borne diseases (WHO 2004). Water.org offers more information on the economics of water when it comes to water usage, environmental challenges, and affects to people and communities. http://water.org/learn-about-the-water-crisis/facts/ 
One staggering fact: an 5 minute American shower uses more water than a person in the developing world use in an entire day for cleaning, cooking, drinking, and bathing combined! 3 simple ways to reduce water usage: shower under 5 minutes, wash clothes less often, using cold water, be more conscious about the water you use on the lawn, in the tub, cooking, drinking, cleaning and what you put into it; realizing that you will drink it later.
Two organizations that offer ways to get involved globally: www.globalwater.org and www.water.org .
submissions
Birdsong Dwellings would like to invite folks to add their own moments in the garden, kitchen, craft projects. Looking to build online community with those near and far. If you have anything you’d like to post, email birdsongdwellings@gmail.com. Will add your material, photos, and of course your name. Thanks for participation in advance.
Neddy
Hugelkultur
I received an email from Paul Wheaton of a permaculture workshop he did in Missoula on building a hugelkultur.
Here is a short video from the workshop. The general idea is that if you build your raised bed with a lot of wood, you should be able to go the whole summer long without irrigating or fertilizing.
His Video: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sp_IObIkInQ
Here is an hugelkultur article he wrote: http://www.richsoil.com/hugelkultur/
You will find fantastic images on his website.
Pozole
A stew found in Mexican cuisine since the Aztecs. It is comprised commonly of corn, pork, and chilies. Each serve as a symbol of Aztec belief. There are many recipes out there, this is one I made using vegetables I love and are readily found in stores.
These chilies were grown in my garden, they were end of season and added a bit of needed flavor.
Ingredients
slice: broccoli and carrots. cook just before softening.
add shredded kale. cook about 15 mins.
dice tomatoes. add to stew
pork tenderloin cut: baked separately covered in olive oil, salt and pepper, garlic cloves. cubed and added into stew and let all cook together for 15-20 mins.
ginger, onions, garlic: sautéed in olive oil in pot, add water to make a stock.
salt and pepper to taste
olive oil
Home Composting
A benefit of gardening is that it can incorporate home composting. Composting closes a loop in the food chain and is a huge step towards increasing individual and family sustainability practices. It allows for food leftovers to be used where they do the most good, giving back nutrients to the earth. Ready-made systems are available so home gardeners only need to determine which system is best suited to their eating habits and space.
Composted material, also known as hummus, is dark, nutrient rich and earthy smelling. Humus is perfect for soil amendment because it enhances soil structure. Hummus enables sandy soil to hold more water, and clay soil to drain more water. Improved soil can better provide a home for bacteria, fungi, and earthworms, allows for better breakdown of its components and carbon sequestration.
Common home composting systems include worm bins, food digesters, tumblers and bins of various other configurations. Once gardeners begin using a system, they will quickly begin to receive the benefits of home composting with nominal effort.
Below you will see steps to making your own compost bin. I reused a worn out trashcan. To keeps unwanted pests away be sure to secure the top. This style of bin is consistent to a food digester where you put the bin, where holes drilled into the sides to allow for worms to enter and leave the bin. I cut off the bottom and drilled holes into the sides.
Green Expo
Birdsong Dwellings will be in attendance at the Green Expo in Decatur.
Happening, November 13, 2010, 9 AM to Noon at Georgia Perimeter College, Clarkston Campus.
Come out and see what other Green businesses, events, and community organizations are in the area!
