Anima: Animals, Faith, Compassion

...w do we feed a growing population and not destroy the planet? How does our food impact our health? How do we keep the costs of food reasonable? What kind of diet should we follow? What about GMOs? We might be tempted to rely purely on the scientific method or economic statistics for these answers but life is not so simple. All too often we forget that our bonds to the natural world are also defined by meaning and spiritual practice. This short fil...

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Growing Strawberries in a Self Irrigating Gutter (SIG).

...r. This could be countered with a mosquito dunk. Advantages I can now grow food in an otherwise useless space–the top retaining wall in our front yard (we live on a hill). I can also, finally, make good use of my rain barrel. I was also able to recycle a bunch of scrap wood and some billboard material. And, unlike hydroponics, no electricity or liquid fertilizers are needed. If this system works out I’m eying the top of our garage for more SIGs (o...

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Pumpkin Spice Apocalypse

...will go bad or you won’t know how best to prepare it. Rotate through your food stocks and you’ll know what foods you like and save money while you’re at it. The weekend had a Road Warrior vibe when it became obvious that many or our neighbors had evacuated to somewhere with power, either relatives houses or a hotel. It felt like a preview of future climate uncertainty and a sober reminder of the tasks we have to prepare. At least we have kind nei...

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Homegrown Evolution Podcast Episode #1

...t small-measure.blogspot.com. English will have two books out next year on food preservation and chickens, part of a series entitled “Homemade Living,” (Lark Books). She also has a weekly column every Friday on Design*Sponge at www.designspongeonline.com/category/small-measures. In the second part of the show we talk to Wing Tam, assistant division manager for the Watershed Protection Program in the City of Los Angeles’ Bureau of Sanitation about...

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30 Years of Farmer’s Markets in Los Angeles

...ee self irrigating pot (SIP) demo. Learn how to use a SIP to grow your own food even if you have no land to call your own. Best of all there will be a whole lot more to enjoy–see the amazing lineup here. The event will take place downtown at the Arts District/Little Tokyo Market at City Hall–1st and Spring Street. Chef demonstrations, a salsa contest and speeches kick off at 10:30 a.m. If you like food and live in Los Angeles don’t be anywhere els...

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