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Rural Country Living eZine, June, 2008
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Table of Contents
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Letter From the Editor
Companion Planting Vegetables For Increased Crops by Jason Anderson
Your Mouth Has A Lot To Say About Your Health by Darrell Miller
A Wind Power Turbine Generator--Build Your Own At Low Cost by John Mowatt
Soap Making for Beginners -- Melt and Pour by Susan Chiang
Composting! An Environmental Gold Mine In Your Back Yard by Richard Murray
Barbecue Roasted Salmon Recipe
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Letter From the Editor
Welcome,
I am back at last I am happy to say. My apologies to all who've missed the
appearance of this eZine.
After the record rainfall (and flooding) here in Missouri, plowing the bottom
pasture did not take place until last week; the tilling was done by my honey as
sweat dripped off his Irish brow...however, I have at last planted the garden
and now there isn't a drop of rain in sight for about a week. I will have to
borrow a long hose from someone and give the garden a good drink. The humidity
is something else this year; didn't seem this hot last year, but then there
hadn't been so much rain.
I bought two little girly pigs from the neighbor up the road which I am very
happy about. When they're big enough, I will breed them and have a bunch of
piglets--can't wait! Don't know what to call my two piggies...any suggestions?
They're pink piggies and I will post their cute photos on the website this week.
Anyway, enough about my life. I hope life is treating you well and that you are
enjoying your rural country life. Don't forget, if you have a country property
for sale I will post it on the website--also recipes are accepted for the recipe
pages--so email me with your favorites,
editor@ruralcountryliving.com
. Accepting stories for Farmer of the Month, too.
Enjoy the issue!
Love & Hugs,
Victoria
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Companion Planting Vegetables For Increased Crops by Jason Anderson
Companion planting in your vegetable garden is a great way to increase the size
of the crop you will have when it comes time to harvest. The right combination
of vegetables planted together improves growth, reduces disease, encourages
beneficial insects to thrive in the garden, and discourages pests.
But companion planting vegetables does have it's drawbacks, as some vegetables
are much more fussy than others about who they are planted next to. This simple
guide will help you with a few of the more common combinations you should keep
in mind when companion planting vegetables.
Asparagus get on well with most vegetables, but their ideal companions are
tomato, parsley and basil.
Bush beans like potatoes, cucumber, corn, strawberries and celery, but hate
onions. On the other hand, pole beans are a little more selective ? they only
like corn and radishes, and hate beets as well as onions.
The cabbage family (broccoli, brussels sprouts, cabbage, cauliflower and kale to
name a few) like many companions - beet, celery, cucumber, lettuce, onion,
potatoes and spinach. But they have a few hates as well - dill, strawberries,
pole beans and tomatoes.
Carrots get on well with a wide variety of vegetables - peas, lettuce, rosemary,
onions, sage and tomatoes. Just keep them away from dill.
Celery is also a very accepting vegetable, liking onions, the cabbage family,
tomatoes and bush beans. Like asparagus, they don't hate any vegetables.
Keep your corn away from tomatoes, but to keep it happy plant it near potatoes,
beans, peas, pumpkins, cucumber and squash.
Cucumber doesn't like being near aromatic herbs or potatoes, but plant it near
beans, corn or peas and it will be happy.
Lettuce is an accepting plant, not hating any vegetables but appreciating being
planted next to carrots, strawberries and cucumbers.
Onions generally like being planted next to beets, carrots, lettuce and the
cabbage family, but keep them away from beans and peas if you want good results.
Peas like being planted next to carrots, turnips, cucumbers, corn and beans, but
be sure to not plant them near onions or potatoes.
Speaking of potatoes, you should plant them near beans, corn and members of the
cabbage family for best results, and make sure they are away from pumpkins,
squash, tomatoes and cucumbers.
Finally the humble tomato - one of the more popular summer vegetables for the
gardener to grow. For the best results plant them near onions, asparagus,
carrots, parsley or cucumbers, but keep them well away from potatoes or members
of the cabbage family.
This isn't a fully comprehensive list ? obviously there are many more types of
vegetables available for you to plant in your vegetable garden, and this article
could easily double or triple in size if we tried to include everything. But
this list of the more common vegetables should be a good start in helping you
plan the layout of your vegetable garden for the next year.
So give companion planting in your vegetable garden a try. You'll find you'll
have happier, healthier plants in your vegetable garden, which in turn will give
you tastier vegetables to feed you and your family.
Find out more about companion planting and many other gardening topics at
http://garden.bemiso.com
- learn how you can make your garden grow faster, healthier and produce larger
crops than you ever thought possible.
Article Source:
http://www.organicgardenarticles.com
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Your Mouth Has A Lot To Say About Your Health by Darrell Miller
Many people in America have started buying organic foods. Organic food sales
have shot up from $180 million in 1980 to over $6.5 billion last year, not only
in health food stores but in grocery stores as well. Actually, grocery stores
sales made up fifty-six percent of organic food sales in the past year.
Although organic food sales only make up two percent of national food sales, the
organic market has definitely begun soaring, especially on Wall Street.
Experts expect the figure to more than double by the year 2010. The USDA has
finally released an official definition of what qualifies as “organic” food in
response to the great increase in sales. It is also developing labeling
standards which should be in effect by this summer. Up until the past couple of
months, a definition of what actually qualifies as organic foods did not even
exist.
Throughout the past decade farmers and conventional farming organizations have
been debating the need for federal organic labeling. Fear that the organic
labels would create an unfair bias against conventional products kept
conventional farmers from encouraging labeling.
In December, the Grocery Manufactures of America actually complained about the
new organic standards, claiming that the new labels will mislead consumers into
believing that organic products are safer and more nutritious. The agricultural
secretary denies the accusation of bias stating that although the organic seal
will give more validity to organic products, the seal will not imply that
organic foods are safer or more nutritious. Of course, users of organic foods
often believe that organic foods are safer, since they contain fewer pesticides,
more nutritious because they contain more trace minerals and nutrients, and also
better for the environment because organic growing practices are kinder to the
soil, sky, and water.
The new USDA standards mean you will get better organic food for your buck due
to an official and national standard for what foods can be called organic. You
will now know with certainty that the organic foods you purchase contain no
synthetic pesticides and no added chemicals. Organic farmers will also use no
genetic engineering, no irradiation and no sewage fertilization. Additionally,
live-stock raised under these standards will be given 100 percent organic feed
and will not be treated with antibiotics.
Before the standardization, consumers often had to trust misleading labeling
claims on organic products. Even with the new standards, the question is
whether it is worth it to purchase organic. Americans who consume organic foods
often have substantially higher monthly grocery costs. Actually, in 1998
average costs of organic foods were fifty-seven percent higher than conventional
foods.
Additionally, a recent report on 20/20 stated that organic foods contain
dangerous bacteria such as E. coli and salmonella. However, more and more
doctors believe that organic foods are safe and are well worth the additional
cost. Those doctors who support organic eating often believe that the
cumulative effects of toxins in our food, water, and air can be extremely
harmful to our health. They also believe that anything we can do to reduce the
toxins is well worth it.
If you only have a small budget but would like to go organic, there are still
some things you can do. Some foods are more known for pesticide residue than
others. Start with buying these if you can only buy limited amounts of organic
foods. Citrus foods are usually not a high risk because of their thick skins,
as well as asparagus, bananas, broccoli cauliflower, cherries, corn, onions,
pineapple, sweet peas, and watermelon. These are considered by the FDA and EPA
to be the ten cleanest foods.
Additionally, make sure to wash all the produce you buy, whether or not it is
organic. You can regularly take an antioxidant supplement which will help the
body to remove any toxins that are on the produce. Most importantly, be sure to
keep eating fruits and vegetables, as they are essential to good health.
More information on buying organic foods is available at
http://vitanetonline.com
where a large selection of organic foods is available.
Article Source:
http://www.articlegarden.com
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A Wind Power Turbine Generator--Build Your Own At Low Cost by John Mowatt
Wind turbine power is the wave of the future.Clean,free and abundant it is by
far the best alternative energy form.You can make a difference to our
environment,while saving money to boot,by harnessing wind power to generate all
or part of your electricity supply.Generate electricity from the wind with your
own small wind turbine.
You can buy them from many sources now or save a lot of money by building your
own wind turbine power generator.
From the 1930s through the 1950s small wind power generators were common on
farms.Wind power was also used for such jobs as pumping water from wells.In
those days people were much more inclined to save money in this way than we are
today. Since then with increasing prosperity and little care for the environment
we rely almost completely on the power company to supply our electric power.
These days attitudes,of necessity are changing.We have become aware that we must
reduce our impact on the environment or face increasing problems in the years
ahead. Many are now looking for alternative energy sources.The most viable
alternatives are wind power or solar panels.Solar panels are however expensive
and produce limited amounts of power.They have a place in some applications but
are presently too expensive for general use as a power supply.
Wind power turbines are now in use to supply all or part of the power supply for
many cities all over the world including the USA.They supply "green" power at a
cost competitive to conventional power generating facilities.Wind turbine power
generators are now being used by many to produce all or part of their power
needs.
Small wind turbines for private use are now available from many sources. They
can be mounted on a rooftop or on a small tower or pole.They are however quite
expensive.A better solution than buying a wind power generator is to build your
own which can be done at quite low cost.Plans are available for building a wind
generator using new or used auto parts.Any home handyman who can use simple
tools can build a wind turbine which will supply part of the power needs of an
average household.All or most of the power requirements of a home can be
supplied with several generators.Power can be stored in storage batteries till
put to use.
Power companies in many areas now will buy any excess power which you
generate.When you are at work or away from home any excess power which you
generate from your wind generators will earn you money.You will not only be
helping to preserve our environment but making money into the bargain.It doesn't
get any better than that
Build your own wind turbine,or if you don't mind the cost,buy one.You will help
mother earth and do yourself a favor.You can save money and reduce your impact
on our climate by generating power with a wind turbine.Do it today and be an
example to your neighborhood.You can obtain more information by clicking on the
URL below.
John Mowatt is a retired businessman.He is interested in harnessing wind power
to help preserve our environment and writes on this subject.For more information
on building a wind power turbine at low cost go to
http://www.greenwindpowerturbine.com
Article Source:
http://www.articlegarden.com
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Soap Making for Beginners -- Melt and Pour by Susan Chiang
Soap making has been around for ages. The process of making soaps can either be
simple or complex, depending on what you want to make. You can make soaps as a
way to make money or you can make soaps for personal use or as gifts.
Keep in mind that soap making can be dangerous, as soaps become very hot when
melted during the melt and pour soap making process. Soap making should be fun
and entertaining, but it is also important to practice all necessary safety
precautions when making soaps.
Always wear rubber gloves and eye protection. It is also a good idea to keep
your safety equipment on at all times even after you have removed the soap from
the mold. This is because melted soap takes a long time to cool.
To start making soaps, you have to get to know the basic ingredients in handmade
soaps. Handmade soaps are generally made from glycerin. You can buy glycerin
soap at your local hobby store. There are many types of glycerin soaps that you
can melt and pour into your own handmade soaps. They also have different
properties and benefits for your skin.
Here are some examples of glycerin soap:
* Hemp Glycerin Soap
* Olive Oil Soap
* Clear Glycerin Soap
* Goat Milk Glycerin Soap
The good thing about the melt and pour soap making method is that all the
equipments you need can be found in your own house. You can use either your
double broiler or your microwave oven for melting soaps.
It is important to remember to keep the bowl containing the soap base covered
when using the microwave. This is to prevent the melted soap base from
splattering out of the bowl in the microwave oven and to keep the excess
moisture from evaporating.
When using the microwave, melt the soap base for one minute in high temperature,
stirring in the remaining unmelted soap pieces until those have melted too.
If you prefer to use the double broiler, you should first bring the water to a
boil then add your soap base of choice
to the boiling water, cover the pot and set the fire on low. Keep in mind that
this method will take some time. The soap base may take as long as 10 minutes to
melt. Stirring occasionally will also ensure an even melt.
You can also add some optional ingredients:
* You can add fragrance to your soaps. You can buy your choice of fragrance oil
in your local hobby store. Keep in mind that the fragrance oil should be
completely mixed in so that the soap will not have a cloudy appearance.
* You can also add your color preference when making soaps. You can use mica or
food coloring for it. When using food coloring, you should start by adding one
drop at a time and mixing it thoroughly until you reach your color preference.
After the soap base has melted, pour it into individual molds, tray molds, or
blocks, which can then be sliced. You can also be creative and design your own
soap mold to create soaps of various shapes and sizes.
Creating your own handmade soap by the melt and pour soap making process can be
fun and an inexpensive process. It also makes great gifts for family and
friends.
For a more in-depth look at Soap Making visit Susan's sites Soap Making Supply
and Soap Making Recipe. Susan also enjoys writing on a wide range of topics at
Shopping and Society.
Article Source:
http://www.articlegarden.com
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Composting! An Environmental Gold Mine In Your Back Yard by Richard Murray
Composting is not only one of the best things you can do for your garden, it is
also one of the best things you can do for our environment. Knowing how to
create and use compost is in our interest due to the tremendous problem of waste
disposal. Landfills are becoming more and more difficult to find, so some
municipalities are dealing with waste by refusing to pick up leaves and grass
clippings.. About one-third of the space in our landfills is taken up with
organic wastes from our yards and kitchens, which are ideal materials to be used
in compost.
The end product from your compost bin it will be a wonderful pile of black,
crumbly humus which makes an ideal soil conditioner. Compost added regularly to
your soil will benefit the soil by improving it?s texture such as loosening up
clay soils and will create moisture holding capacity in sandy soils.
Composting, is the controlled decomposition of biodegradable organic matter.
Instead of allowing nature to take its slow course, a compost pile or bin
provides the optimal environment in which decomposition can thrive. To encourage
the best results, the compost pile needs the correct mix of the following
ingredients:
* Carbon
* Nitrogen
* Oxygen
With enough time, all biodegradable materials will eventually decompose,
although some materials are not appropriate for backyard composting. Most
backyard systems will not reach high enough temperatures to kill pathogens and
vermin, so certain items such as meat scraps, dairy products and pet droppings
are discouraged from use. A well balanced compost pile will not have an
offensive smell
High carbon materials (browns), which convert to heat include:
* Dry straw and hay
* Autumn leaves
* Newspaper
High nitrogen materials (greens) which will allow the compost bacteria to thrive
include:
* Green plant material such as garden residue, fresh hay, grass clippings, and
weeds
* Animal manure; such as horse, cow, chicken, or guano
* Fruit and vegetable waste
* Seaweed (rinse well to remove salt)
* Coffee grounds and filters
A few leaf species such as live oak, southern magnolia and holly trees are too
tough and leathery for easy composting, also avoid all parts of the black walnut
tree as they contain a plant poison that survives composting. It is also common
sense to avoid using poison oak, poison ivy, and poison sumac in your compost.
The proportions of these materials will make a difference in the rate of
decomposition. The best ratio is about 25 or 30 parts of browns to one part of
greens. Too much carbon slows the composting process and too much nitrogen will
cause odors.
As a convenience, keep a small compost pail in the kitchen to bring your scraps
to the pile every few days. Keep a lid on the container to discourage insects
and odors.
A well chosen site will speed up the composting process. Find a level, well
drained sunny area preferably over dirt or grass. If you plan to be using
kitchen scraps, keep it close to the back door and also close to the garden so
that it will be used on a regular basis and not forgotten.
Home composting uses a variety of techniques, running from passive composting
(throw everything into a pile in the corner and leave it alone) to active, which
consists of monitoring temperature, turning the pile on a regular basis and
adjusting the materials on a regular schedule. A well managed system may produce
a finished product in as little as three to four weeks, but this involves some
participation, ranging from turning the pile on a regular basis to a major
commitment of time and energy.
Is very helpful to have a compost bin enclosed in a structure either homemade or
purchased. The bin should measure at least about 3 ft. by 3 ft. and should have
air spaces so air circulation can occur. Materials such as used freight pallets,
chicken wire, builders? hardware cloth or concrete blocks can all be utilized to
create a three sided structure. You may find it desirable to have two bins, one
for fresh material while the composting process is happening in the other bin.
Leave one side open for access or create a gate that can be opened for access. A
tarpaulin may be used to cover the top of the bin in rainy weather to prevent
the compost from getting too wet.
Start your compost pile with a 3 in. layer of course plant material such as
small twigs or straw. Next place your first layer of plant and kitchen refuse.
The next layer should be a nitrogen rich material such as fresh manure if it is
available, fresh grass clippings, fresh hay, or succulent green weeds. If the
waste materials are fairly free of soil, a small amount of soil, a compost
starter, a layer of old compost or good gardening soil added to each layer will
introduce necessary microorganisms.
Water the pile just enough to keep the contents moist but not soaking wet. In a
week or two, the pile should heat up to approximately to 160 degrees Fahrenheit.
At this temperature many of the weed seeds and harmful organisms will be killed.
Approximately a month after this point the pile should be forked over to
thoroughly mix the materials in the pile. Repeat this step in another five to
six weeks. If the pile is decreasing in size after this time, you will know that
it is composting properly.
The finished compost will be black and crumbly, like good loam, with a pleasant,
earthy smell. The compost is now ready to use.
Another system of composting is called sheet composting. A layer of organic
material, about 3 to 4 in thick is spread over your garden, and then covered
with a 2 in. layer of soil. The organic material is allowed to decay at least
three months prior to cultivating. This can be done over the winter when your
garden is fallow and will provide you with a good start for your spring crops.
A different concept of composting that is rapidly gaining in popularity is worm
farming, or vermiculture. Small scale vermin-composting is well-suited to turn
kitchen waste into high-quality soil, where space is limited. There are
suppliers of worm-farming equipment on the internet to help you get started.
Dick Murray is a retired urbanite who has kept his passion for gardening alive
with the creation of an informational web site dedicated to vegetable gardening
basics. More and more families are beginning to grow their own fruits and
vegetables due to their increased concern regarding the quality, price and
safety of our food supply.
http://www.vegetable-gardening-basics.com
Article Source:
http://www.organicgardenarticles.com
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Barbecue Roasted Salmon Recipe
Written by admin2
Tuesday, 03 October 2006
1/4 c pineapple juice
2 tbsp fresh lemon juice
4 (6 oz) salmon fillets
2 tbsp brown sugar
4 tsp chili powder
2 tsp grated lemon rind
3/4 tsp cumin
1/2 tsp salt
1/4 tsp cinnamon
Cooking spray
Lemon wedges (optional)
Combine first 3 ingredients in a ziploc plastic bag, seal and marinate in
refrigerator 1 hour, turning occasionally.
Combine the last 6 ingredients and set aside. Once salmon is finished
marinading, rub dry ingredient mixture on the fillets and grill to desired meat
temperature.
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