German TV exposes the horrors of toxic GM soy

Learn more here:
Genetically Modified Soy

Farm of the Future Genetically Modified Livestock and Crops

Genetically modified livestock and crops. Who knew that this innocent cartoon would evolve into the real deal?

Can Mushrooms Save the World?

Regardless of how and why the spill happened, it happened. And now we are faced with the question, " How do we clean up this mess?" Well, a mushroom company, Fungi Perfecti, LLC, has come up with a solution that has peeked our interest. Go to their web page to read more.


Also, watch this video by Paul Stamets:

Return of the "Backyard Chickens"- Mad City Chickens

MAD CITY CHICKENS DVD
The backyard chicken saga continues.....

Mad City Chickens is a sometimes serious, sometimes whimsical look at the people who keep urban chickens in their backyards. From experts and authors to a rescued landfill chicken or an inexperienced family that takes the poultry plunge—it’s a humorous and heartfelt trip through the world of backyard chickendom.

A must see feature-length documentary on people who keep backyard chickens in the city.
Go Here for more info & to purchase.

San Francisco Conservatory of Flowers

San Francisco Conservatory of Flowers

A beautiful video to start your day.....

CLICK HERE

Earth Hour 2010

Earth Hour is tonight,March 27, 2010 at 8:30 PM your local time

ABOUT EARTH HOUR

On Earth Hour hundreds of millions of people around the world will come together to call for action on climate change by doing something quite simple—turning off their lights for one hour. The movement symbolizes that by working together, each of us can make a positive impact in this fight, protecting our future and that of future generations. Learn more about how Earth Hour began, what we’ve accomplished, and what is in store for 2010.Read more ›

Urban Gardener: How to Build a Raised Bed & Hoop House

This - How To- video from Patty is a good one for those who are interested in building their own raised beds but don't know where to start. The best wood for a raised bed is cedar which is quite rot resistant. Recycled boards can also be used. Craig and I used the old boards from Geneva Greenhouse that were used when the snapdragons were grown directly into the ground. They were "cured" nicely and haven't yet shown any sign of rot. Our beds are about 4ft wide by 12ft long. We didn't add any wire to the bottom and haven't had any trouble with animals burrowing underneath. We also pounded the corner "support" wood into the ground to keep the beds from moving.

We allowed 3ft - 4ft isles between our beds to allow plenty of room to harvest or crops, push a wheel barrel through or just relax in a chair on a warm summer day :-)

A raised bed can be placed anywhere one pleases as long as it gets at least a 1/2 a day of sun for plants that require sun. So, pick any spot, even in the middle of your lawn! Just line the bottom of the bed with cardboard or several layers of newspaper. The lawn will not live under the layered paper, compost and soil.

Truck Farm- City Farming at its Best!

Brought to you by the same two guys (Ian Cheney and Curt Ellis) that brought you "Corn King." I think that this is by far the most creative idea for city farming that I have seen yet. I can't wait until the film, "Truck Farm" is released.

Annette




Stay updated on the Truck Farm's progress by visiting this website. I hear that
they are busy converting their truck bed into a greenhouse :-)

New Urban Farm Magazine is Out!

I picked up this new Urban Farm magazine from Barnes & Noble and I just love it! There is an excellent article on the Dervaes family that is a must read for anyone who is interested in growing their own food. I've posted about the Dervaes a few years ago and they just keep "growing and Growing" :-) Pick up a copy today in stores or order online.
Here are a few videos on the Dervaes...

Michael Pollan The Daily Show With Jon Stewart

The Daily Show With Jon Stewart	Mon - Thurs 11p / 10c
Michael Pollan
http://www.thedailyshow.com/
Daily Show Full Episodes Political Humor Health Care Crisis

Incentive to grow your own vegetables and fruits! A humerous clip on a serious subject.

The Shadow Effect

Brought to you by Mindful Metropolis
The Shadow Effect is an emotionally-gripping, visually-compelling docudrama that reveals why suppressed emotions and unresolved internal conflicts lead to behavior that continually unseats politicians, destroys celebrity careers, destabilizes the economy and affects the lives of millions each year.

In this age of public humiliation and media meltdowns, the work of New York Times bestselling author, Debbie Ford, continues to make headway as she exposes the opposing forces of both light and dark that compete for attention within every human being. In The Shadow Effect, her film debut, Ford presents the hidden power of “the Shadow” alongside some of today’s most provocative thinkers including Deepak Chopra, Marianne Williamson, Mark Victor Hansen, James Van Praagh and others.

In this life-altering journey, individuals who have transcended child abuse, racism, the Holocaust, war, and wounded upbringings, share their remarkable stories. Meet those who have learned to face their terror, heal their wounds, and embrace their higher, heroic selves to overcome the shadow effect.


Please join us on Thursday,
February 4th, 2010,
at Unity in Chicago, 1925 W Thome,

to view this remarkable film about the journey all of us face. Everyone has a shadow – learn out to embrace it and connect with resources for positive growth.

The doors open at 6PM. Light fare will be served, so come early and enjoy the opportunity to meet our sponsors and other MindfuLive! supporters. The film will begin at 7PM and will run approximately 70 minutes. Afterward, there will be a brief presentation (until roughly 9:30PM) by local leaders in Shadow Work who will take questions from the audience.

Purchase your tickets HERE.

Seats are limited. Tickets are $15 in advance. Our last MindfuLive! event was sold out, so please be sure to check this site before arriving at the event as tickets might NOT be available at the door.

Garlic & Composting- It's Not Rocket Science!

Craig and I have two compost bins and a handy kitchen composter that we use to collect our kitchen scraps. We just planted our garlic and shallots. We added excellent compost from our bins and now need to cover with straw.
Everything you need for the above projects is available for purchase at The PURE Gardener.

Screening of "Fresh" the movie tonight in Geneva, Il.

TONIGHT!!!!

COME SEE ON THE FOX RIVER! TONIGHT SEPTEMBER 19, 2009 Community Screening of FRESH the Movie
September 19, 2009
7:30 PM - 10:00 PM
The event is for the purpose of educating the general public on the importance of eating healthier, locally grown food.

Those in attendance will learn why this is such an important movement and how they can participate.

Date: September 19, 2009
Time: Sitting starts 6:30, Movie will be shown at 7:30 pm
Location: RiverPark, 75 North River Lane, Geneva IL, 60134

On Saturday, September 19, 2009, the Geneva Green Market will hosting a free outdoor presentation of the documentary "Fresh" for the Fox River Valley (Elgin, South Elgin, St Charles, Geneva, Batavia and Aurora, IL) at RiverPark in Geneva.

The GGM invites the public to come at 7:00 p.m. to get settled in with blankets. Desserts will be available for purchase by the Inglenook Pantry. Proceeds from the dessert sales will go to the Geneva Green Market, NFP.

Address
75 North River Lane
Geneva, IL 60134

Common Edible Flowers

A simple but helpful video regarding common edible flowers. Our nasturtiums quite large this year and I have harvested many flowers and seeds. So, I thought thta it would be helpful to post a video on edible flowers.
Enjoy,
Annette

Grow Your Own Potatoes in Trash Cans!

Craig and I purchased several trash cans and seed potatoes but never found the time to get them planted. Now that things have calmed down a bit, I am tempted to plant them even though it may be too late in the game. I have never seriously grown potatoes before ( only small batches as a child). Watch the video, it is easier than you think! This is a video that was made from a fellow blogger- My Skinny Garden

Karina's Garden Tour of my Raised Beds :-)

Watch Karina give a tour of our garden while she snacks on fresh broccoli. Click on Karina to watch her tour :-)

Every Salad Has a Season

So, you want to grow your own salad? This video is inspiring and informative. Craig and I are growing quite a nice crop of lettuce greens & herbs in our raised beds. I will photograph them over the weekend and post our photos. For now, I am going to enjoy my bagel with fresh greens and herbs that Craig has made for me :-) Then I will be out and about planting more pool side containers for happy summer fun!
Annette

City Chickens...Again

As you may or may not know, Craig and I are advocates of urban chickens. They are easier and quieter than dogs. This is a nice video from the Dervaes Family in CA. Please watch.

Healthy, Local & Organic School Food Now

Healthy, Local & Organic School Food Now

School food: It's never had a reputation for being good, but these days, it's downright unhealthy. Obesity and a host of diet-related diseases are linked to the school lunch menu, which is loaded with over-processed starches, fats, genetically modified ingredients, and meats laced with hormones, antibiotics and pesticides. Squeezed into buying on the cheap, school districts buy milk that has been produced with the use of genetically-modified bovine growth hormone and beef that gets recalled for the E. coli contamination that is inevitable in factory farm operations where corn-fed cattle wade in their own waste all the way to the slaughterhouse. Very few vitamin-rich fresh fruits and vegetables are part of the lunch menu, even though it's universally understood this is the key to improving childhood and long-term health. The 2009 Reauthorization of the Child Nutrition Act is an opportunity to change what kids eat at school and raise a generation of kids who understand good nutrition and value locally produced, fresh, organic food.

Watch Video

TAKE ACTION NOW

Victory Garden on The White House Lawn?