There was actually another article written recently where the author told of visiting a friend over in China and who actually lives in Beijing. When they went grocery shopping one day, the resident of China told the author not to buy any produce that looked too pretty or perfect or large, because of the suspicion of what they may have been injected with. The author was told to stick with fruit that looked like the bugs had chewed on them a bit, because they figured if bugs went after it, then it was safe. Melamine, an ingredient used regularly along with cyan uric acid and other compounds, is used to enhance proteins in cheaper ingredients and help pass them off as better protein foods than they really are. These compounds when combined have been known to cause kidney failure and pose a risk for both animals and humans alike. Of course depending on the day of the week, they go back and forth on this theory, is it bad, or is it not. Well I know a lot of animals died when the pet food recall happened and as far as I am concerned, it is bad. Melamine and cyan uric acid were also the ingredients used in the pet food that was recalled and used to make our farm animal and fish feed here in the United States. Now I am not a conspiracy theorist, but I do not believe them when they say it poses little risk to humans and I personally do not care to risk it. In February of this year, there was a fish recall on the fish the U.S. had received from China. The fish had not been cleaned properly and the guts and organs were still intact, which can cause all kinds of nasty things, like botulism and bacteria growth.

New laws have passed as of this year that will allow the FSMA (Food Safety Modernization Act) to have more authority over food recalls and implement safety plans for our food producers. Food that is imported from China will be required to be inspected and pass the same standards as U.S. food laws. The bad news, this has yet to be funded. I’ll believe it when I see it. The other issue that really bothers me is, why are they just doing this now? Though I appreciate the effort of the FSMA, why weren’t we doing this a long time ago? So this entire time, though we had our own standards and regulations set for our own food production, we did not enforce that with the food imports from other countries? That makes as much sense as wiping off a clean counter and then pouring syrup all over it again, immediately after you wipe it off. We do not inspect 100% of our food here in the U.S., so when we receive food from other countries, then we are subjected to the standards of the country we are importing from and not our own, which not that great to begin with mind you.

We are very lucky that in the United States, consumers have more control over the food they buy and eat and Americans should be taking full advantage of that. There are many countries besides us that offer quality food that is safe and healthy. If China can clean up their act, that would be ok with me too. I personally LOVE Chinese culture and Chinese food, so nothing being said here is anything more than concerns of the food that I eat and how it is being inspected and raised, regardless of where it comes from and that includes right here in my own country .

We import 80% of our fish and only 1 % of that is inspected. They could just skip that part as far as I am concerned, as that is pretty pathetic. The world health organization claims that the U.S. and Northern Europe lead in the front as far as food inspection goes, but no country holds a gold standard and the improvements need to be more on how food is produced. My thoughts are, we may have one of the better food inspection programs, but if we are only inspecting a very low percentage of the food, then it really doesn’t help us. A lot of countries have a tough time linking diseases and illnesses to their food production, they are just now starting to wake up and realize this is causing a lot of problems. Dr. Jorgen Schlundt, president of World Health Organization in Geneva, said it best when interviewed by Melissa Block on NPR when he explained that we have to improve food production and that’s the real way of getting rid of food borne diseases.

Now the exploding watermelons, just gave you another reason to join the slow food movement. Let’s keep our fruit, small, healthy and chemical free as they should be, I think they taste better that way anyway.

JLW-W

Look at all the stuff i bought

Planting will begin tomorrow

This year we decided to pay a little closer attention to our tomato plants; e.g., maintain them properly.

To begin with, we didn’t plant them in the ground – rather, we planted them in large pots.  Why?  Well, we were only planting a couple plants, and it’s easier to manage and maintain them in pots.  Additionally, I’m using PVC piping to “train” the main branches and prevent it from achieving it’s otherwise bushy destiny.  My lovely wife is using a more traditional tomato trellis, which means I will be the one harvesting any interior fruit ripe for the picking… because there will be spiders and other “icky” things in there waiting to chomp her delicate fingers off.

We also did our homework this year, and learned that we need to remove these things called “suckers” which sprout between the main branch and an established leaf.  These “suckers” are what make the plant go all bushy and out of control, and removing them forces the plant to focus more on fruit development.  We learned that it’s possible to root “suckers” into individual plants, which is good to know if we ever decide to grow like a thousand tomato plants on the cheap.

Tomatoes are not low-maintenance plants.  I thought they were, and I was very wrong.  Nipping “suckers” is a weekly task, and you need to be vigilant about training the main stem up whatever it is you’re trying to make it grow on.  It’s also important to keep any leaves and/or fruit off the ground where snails, slugs, and other tomato eating vermin can get to them.  A bit of advice – lay a ring of snail and slug killer in a circle a few inches away from the main stem, this seems to kill them almost immediately on contact.

As we nipped “suckers” off my beefsteak this morning, I regrettably removed a branch with both small, green fruit and flowers that were on their way to becoming fruit.  My wife, who is against trashing anything even remotely salvageable in the garden, insisted I try to root the cutting so we can have another plant.

We mixed a 50/50 of Miracle Grow vermiculite and pearlite, dusted the 45 degree base cut with root stimulating hormone, and popped the cutting into a well watered peat pot to see what happens… more to come on that experiment.

Anyway, it looks like we’ll be having (at least) three tomato plants this year, which means we’ll have more tomatoes than we can possibly consume between the two of us – which makes the extended family very happy.

If you’re going to grow tomatoes and are relatively new to this, do your homework… don’t be like us and do the homework afterword to learn what you did wrong.

When we got there we found a bunch of plants that I liked right away. Within minutes the cart was full and Chris and I had 5 plants, 3 planters and some dirt.

Full Cart!

We loaded everything into the car and headed home.

When we got back to the house we decided that (knowing me) our best bet would be to bring everything into the backyard for me to re-pot the plants.

Everything I need

We ended up picking up 2 larger plants for the livingroom:

Big plant #1

Big Plant #2

I also picked 3 smaller plants for the kitchen. I went with another small aloe plant, and two other little ones that I don’t know the names of, but look really cute.

Little Plants!

Then I got artsy (per usual) with the camera:

Art

Have I mentioned I love my camera??

Anyway, back to the planting. In typical Kate-Style, I managed to get more of the dirt on me than in the planters. Eventually there was enough dirt and the plants were planted.

Planted Plants

Chris and I brought them inside and put them in the kitchen and livingroom.

Apparently the plants got kind of heavy when Chris was carrying the big planters up the stairs. As I was coming up the stairs I ran into this:

That's not right...

Whatever works, right? Which reminds me, we do need something to decorate that spot with…..

The little plants went in the kitchen on the counter.

Love!

The big plants went in the livingroom on the tables.

By the Window

By the door

So there you have it. I FINALLY have the plants that I’ve been wanting for a while. They look great, I love them, and I can’t wait to add more!

Next up, fixing the backyard…..

I am excited for the start of our MIRACLE GROW series on Sunday.  I truly believe that miracles will take place at EPIC Church during the next 8 weeks.

We live in a day and age when people have very little hope.  The economy is bad, the government seems to be corrupt, and the H1N1 virus is virtually touching everyone.  We are deeply troubled – so much so that we have forgotten WHO has absolute control.

There dozens of miracles that are recorded in God’s word.  There are probably thousands more that didn’t even make the final cut.  The miracles that took place in the Bible can still happen today!  OUR GOD IS STILL THE SAME HE HAS NOT CHANGED!

He can still heal like he healed the man who picked up his mat and walked.  He can still cleanse like he cleansed those who were entrapped with the disease of leprosy.  He can still provided just like he provided food for the 5,000+ people.  God can still enable us to defeat the enemy like he enabled David against Goliath.

Don’t underestimate the power of God, but do anticipate miracles taking place through God’s holy power.

Are you ready for MIRACLE GROW?

Alfred State SUNY College of Technology

A Bigger Slice of the Pie

In the spirit of spring, I recently visited two startlingly different gardening supply stores for the first time.   One was your basic nursery type. They carried plants, Miracle Grow, lawn and garden ornaments, and gardening tools.  In the half an hour I spent wandering, there was at least two dozen other shoppers wandering the premises.  The employees were busy answering questions and caring for their plants.

My next stop was the local indoor gardening supply store.  I spent an equal amount of time in this establishment.  Only one other customer entered.  He whispered in a hushed tone to the only employee- a young man behind the counter who proceeded to hand him a bottle of nutrients labeled “Super Bud” or something of the sort.  The customer paid and avoided eye contact as he walked hurriedly from the store.   It made me pause to think about the kind of market that the indoor garden shop has come to represent.    This was the moment that I realized LED Grow Master lighting gives indoor gardening shops across the country a much broader market.  (The moment may also have been inspired by the unnatural amount of time I spend reading, writing, and talking about LED technology.)

For the first time, we have plant lighting that will fit over your bookshelf or countertop.  Lighting that is safe and durable- for the true “hobby” gardeners.  I’m talking about grandmas that want to grow orchids in a dreary corner of the study without 1,000 watts and a climate control system.  Anyone that doubts the size of this market need only step away from the indoor gardening shop and into the nearest nursery.  You can also look at the new trend of gardening in schools, or the increasing number of architects and builders incorporating gardens into new buildings and homes.  The LED Grow Master line is the first product that avoids the burn, fire, shock, and mercury poisoning dangers that have been barriers to these markets.  Maybe you can look into the solar/wind powered communities that now have a viable plant lighting option.  These are only a few of the many new markets opened up with this new technology.  The pie just got bigger.   Get your slice now. -AL

For more information- visit us at http://www.led-grow-master.com or call toll free 1-866-414-7244

Hi all, as some of you know I set up camp at the Encinitas Street fair April 25th and 26th 2009. I love that street fair. The people are super chill and friendly. And I absolutely adore getting the face to face interaction with people and get some feedback on the newest designs. Some things go over really well and others not so much. Luckily this time people really liked our newest designs since the last street fair in the fall. We displayed our designated driver, our grow house and our miracle grow. We also changed our tanks to ribbed (which I prefer) and as it turns out so do you! Here are a couple pics of me and Jaime selling belly9.com shirts.

Hanging out with my maternity mannequins, man they know how to party

My girl Jaime helped a sister (ok an aunt) out both days. Jaime you rule.

Here I am Vanna-ing my shirts for you

And that’s all I have to say about that.

Thanks for coming by to visit! Come back soon, y’all hear?

Please come see all my new designs appearing soon! http://www.belly9.com

48″ x 24″

Acrylic and Mixed Media on Canvas

Completed 3-31-09

Sold

Miracle Grow - abstract painting

Before we get started learning all about growing marigolds, you should know there are a few basic supplies you should have on hand:

1. ) Lots and Lots of cow manure.  You can buy the non-smelly composted bags, 40 lbs worth for a buck at most large gardening supply centers.  I have always found this essential to improve the soil and maintain its health.  It is also important in attracting earthworms, which are vital to a rich, soft soil. 

  Basic Supplies for Growing Cosmos

Before we get started learning all about growing cosmos, you should know there are a few basic supplies you should have on hand:

1. ) Lots and Lots of cow manure.  You can buy the non-smelly composted bags, 40 lbs worth for a buck at most large gardening supply centers.  I have always found this essential to improve the soil and maintain its health.  It is also important in attracting earthworms, which are vital to a rich, soft soil. 

3.) Beer – should be ice cold and refreshing.  No, no….now this isn’t for the slugs.  I have always heard this will atract them and they drown while drinking it.   Now that is a waste of good brew and is reserved for the gardener.

4.) Good, comfy yard chair/lounge.  You’ll need one of these for those rest breaks when you sip your beer and admire your handy work.

…or cucumbers are a girls best friend?

Just came back from a glorious weekend visit with dear friends at their beach house on Fire Island. (more about the visit in my next post).

For those who do not know this place, it is a little slice of heaven. (and the veggies are hot!) A barrier island off of Long Island about 50 miles or so out of NYC. No cars allowed. You take a half hour ferry ride to get there and shoes are definitely optional. It is kid heaven, dog heaven, singles heaven, women of a certain age heaven and from appearances, veggie heaven too. 

Our friends are the ultimate hosts and quite the gardeners. The picture above was taken just before we picked this sucker. (Did I hear someone say Miracle Grow?) He was supposed to be a kirby but apparently if you don’t pick them (or I suppose if you rub them, too) they keep growing. We kept passing him as we went in and out of the kitchen door and he certainly had an alluring personality. One could not help but stare. Or comment for that matter. All sorts of suggestions were made for his fate other than the salad he was destined for.

Poor thing, first circumcized and then tossed in a bowl with some tomatoes, mozzarella and avocado. Brings new meaning to the idea of orgasmic eating, does it not?

: : : : : : : : : : :

Well, we have survived the move. A little worse for wear, but we survived nonetheless.

Having the prior tenants STILL THERE when you move in isn’t a good thing. And the fact that the girl that lived here prior to us had let her brother live here rent free for the last month… well… let’s just say this. He didn`t feel the need to be too careful or clean while “flopping” here. Add the 7 bags worth of garbage left for us and what seemed like a lot of drug paraphernalia (I didn’t realize that a Miracle Grow spayer could be used for other things). Oh, did I mention the smell? Take your right index finger. Stick it as far up your ass as is humanly possible, remove your finger and then stick it right up your nostril. NOW, you have an idea what it was like. I felt really bad for doing it, but I had to call out of work today just so that I could regain a little strength.

Ah well. The place is coming together really well. The only thing that pisses me off is that my turntable now only plays on 45rpm. Oh well.