Gay is GREEN

Gay is GREEN!.....Now that I have your attention, let me introduce to you Mr. Tom Clements, the Green Party-US Senate candidate. I saw Tom on the local channel in Spartanburg, SC and was compelled to ask you to vote for him on November 2nd http://clementsforsenate.com/

I also felt it necessary to copy and paste a quote by Jim DeMint that I am personally offended by:
He told the crowd that if someone is openly homosexual or if an unmarried woman sleeps with her boyfriend, then that person shouldn't be allowed to teach in the classroom.

.......Excuse me, but I thought classes were taught in public classrooms not private bedrooms.....

Personally, I like where Mr. Clements stands on green issues. The following is an excerpt written by his campaign manager, Scott West (slwest@gmail.com) :

ON ENERGY: The United States cannot afford to build its future on an ever-expanding energy consumption model: rather, we need a Marshall Plan aimed at implementation of the lowest cost options first: energy efficiency and conservation, followed by clean alternatives….We must acknowledge that wasting energy as we have in the past will not be possible in the future and move rapidly to produce more efficient housing, better-planned cities, and mass transit on a scale never seen before.
ENERGY AND JOBS: In the midst of our economic crisis, the global energy crisis looms large. The search for clean and sustainable sources of energy can provide much more than just a cleaner future. Solar and wind energy represent new avenues for innovation and job creation.

Please check out his website on the link provided above, check him out on U Tube (link below) or call him like I did. (803.240.7268) He is very approachable and very real. If you can't reach him call his right hand man, Scott at 803.312.0055. They will answer any questions or concerns you have, but most importantly vote for him on November 2nd and make a difference!
http://www.youtube.com/user/TomClementsSenate

Eat My Yard!

I was talking to a friend, who’s lawn is barren, and she wants to surround herself with beauty. She considers it a blank canvas from which to create a masterful piece of art!

For those who have a yard, a small balcony and a little sun, you can have an edible landscape! Most of my neighbors have the typical yard consisting of a certain amount of visual appeal, however, none of their gardens feed people or provide a home for the butterflies bees,and birds.
So, here are some quick design tips:
Create primary and secondary focal points.
Use color, texture, and seasons of blooms and fruit when choosing your garden’s palette.
Avoid a busy and random appearance and make sure the eye leads from one end of the garden to the other.
Grow vines on arbors.
Use containers as accents and grow decorative, edible borders!
These are some suggestions for getting the most produce from a small space:
Grow cherry tomatoes in a window box.
Plant a fruit tree in the corner of your yard.
Put Herb pots on the patio or windowsill in your kitchen.
Grow Red Jewel cabbage.
Plant colorful peppers such as Lipstick or Habanero alongside flowers.
Grow chives around your mailbox.
Plant yellow or rainbow chard.
Grow nasturtiums, violas, borage or calendula to use in salads!

Yummy! Beautiful! and Edible!
If you would like more history on edible landscaping read Carol Venolia’s article in Natural Home Magazine's spring issue. Also, take a peek at Fritz Haeg’s Edible Estates program at www.edibleestates.org. You’ll be amazed at his transformations of lawns that are now productive environments!

Farmers Market

Be Global and eat Local!

Here is the Local Farmers Market Schedule:
http://www.hubcityfm.org/
Wednesday Market
June 2- October 27
3-6pm
Morgan Square
Thursday Inman Market
June 10-Sept.23
4-7pm
Inman Family Practice
12230 Asheville Highway

Vendors
Amy Lynne: loose-leaf teas. (Wednesday)

Beechwood:zucchini, cucumbers, green beans, okra and cabbage. (Thursday)

Belle View Farm: uses pure and natural practices! okra, green beans, cucumbers, cabbage and eggplant. (Wednesday)

Crescent Growers:Perennials and herbs. (Thursday)

Down to Earth Farm: no chemicals or pesticides! herbs. (Wednesday)

Easler Farm: peppers, cucumbers, zucchinis, potatoes, squash, green beans, onions, peaches and pecans. (Wednesday and Thursday)

Jeter Farm: farm-fresh eggs. (Thursday)

Thao Farm:cucumbers, peppers, green beans, bitter melon. (Wednesday and Thursday)

Tyger River Farm:black walnuts, green beans, okra, corn, beets and potatoes.(Wednesday and Thursday)

My Cat has Fleas

Its one thing for my cat to have fleas, but when they are jumping and biting me too, it really sucks. Recently, I was at my neighbors house when her 12 year old dog was rolling around rubbing/scratching her back on the carpet, then outside in the driveway on the rocks trying to get relief from the fleas and dry skin. I instinctively rubbed a handful of FPP on the dog. Excitedly, I told her how the powder dries up any pests and relieves animals of their unrelenting itching. She replied, “We are trying to keep her moisturized not dry her up”. Mind you, I don’t have an itchy dog, just a cat with fleas, so I felt bad having contributed to de-moisturizing the poor, old pup. To our surprise she stopped scratching within minutes and has done well ever since! The chemicals we put on our animals to kill tics and fleas are toxic, not just to them, but to us. Here is a pesticide that is not harmful to animals or humans and its edible! This natural pesticide powder is called Diatomaceous Earth. 5000 or more years ago it became part of the pantheon of Chinese medicine. In European countries it is used by holistic seeking individuals as an alternative to chemicals for strengthening the nails, hair, skin and bones. In other countries it is used as an additive in the large grain silos to keep them bug free. Here is how it works on our little, fury friends:
Officially called fossilized phytoplankton powder (FPP), the sharpness of the fossil cuts through the waxy coating of a pests outer layer of skin, essentially drying them up, dehydrating them (the pests). Diatomaceous Earth can be found online at freshwaterorganics.com and available in 3 different grades. I purchased the organic human consumption grade. To my surprise, I found that diatomaceous earth lowers cholesterol, kills parasites, and is great for the nails, skin and bones!....not to mention its edible.....!

Earth Day

Please make one small change in your life in honor of Earth Day. I am touched by the academy award winning documentary film called The Cove. Click on this link and be prepared for the shocking truth. http://www.glumbert.com/media/dolphin
Thank you for caring for Mother Earth and Happy Earth Day!

Lucky 13

Have you ever been to a store and heard the words...."would you like your receipt?" and the other person says cheerfully, "no thanks....save a tree!"
Ive often wondered, how can that little piece of paper save a tree? Common since tells me that inside that ittie, bittie piece of paper is NOT a big old tree........I'm sorry, I just don't buy it... Do you?
So, have I got news for you!!! The answer you've all been waiting for! It takes 13 people going paperless to save a tree. Now, you and 12 of your friends must not take that reciept! Regardless of the stats, we must commit to each other, go paperless and save a tree! Isn't that beautiful? This phot0 is of the oldest tree in the US...700 years old taken in Portland OR. Also shown is Cindy Garrotone, designer and so much more. http://www.fengshuisavy.net/
Check her out. She's paperless too!

Live Oak Farms

Lovingly grown fresh food

A family consisting of three generations run and operate this 80 acre South Carolina farm located in Woodruff, SC.
Live oak Farms hold certifications including Certified Nationally Grown, Certified South Carolina Grown, and Certified Appalachian Grown.
Their local farm store has everything from fresh dairy, meats and veggies to dry goods, Amish products and seafood! For hours of store operation or a tour of the farm go to www.liveoakfarmsllc.com
For those of you out of state I have provided a link to check out local farms in your area! http://www.localharvest.org/organic-farms/
Healthy Eating!!