The Loma Prietan
October 2002
Meandering
by John Maybury
Big-game SUV hunting
Maniacs are running around slapping guilt stickers on SUV bumpers. The stickers read "I'm changing the climate. Ask me how." The eco-pranksters' website challenges people to question why they drive oversize vehicles: www.changingtheclimate.com.
Miracle grow
Grow tomatoes and herbs without soil. Home hydroponic gardening kits use baked porcelain pellets, geolite growing medium, and liquid fertilizer instead. And don't forget the grow light for indoor plants. Available at garden stores, catalogs, or online. Or call 800/374-9376 or 800/426-6937.
Rogue drogue
The U.S. Geological Survey has found steroids, hormones, antibiotics, pesticides, caffeine, nicotine, detergents, plastic hardeners, and fire retardants in 100 major waterways across the county.
E-co buzz
Malcolm Margolin publishes a beautiful new nature magazine covering the Bay Area: See www.baynature.com or phone 925/372-6002... The Environmental Support Center helps green groups with planning, organization, training, legal, fundraising, and leadership challenges: www.envsc.org... Green thumbs rely on expert horticultural advice from Katherine Jones at U.C. Cooperative Extension in Half Moon Bay, 650/726-9059 or kajones@ucdavis.edu... Interesting new environmental site: www.earthsystems.org...Mechanical engineers' best ideas on saving energy are at www.memagazine.org... Learn smart ways to save money, time, and natural resources while helping the environment: www.thenewenvironmentalist.com.
Locust stir fry?
As intense heat and drought have brought forth a plague of locusts in northern China, the ever-practical editors at the Guangzhou Daily are telling their readers how to prepare the protein-rich bugs in delicious, nutritious locust recipes (source: Earthweek).
Seconds
Second Helpings (a Second Harvest program) collects quality surplus food from restaurants, caterers, and cafeterias and delivers it fresh to soup kitchens, rescue missions, and homeless shelters on the Peninsula. The drivers also go in and eat meals with the recipients, adding a nice human touch to the program and providing feedback to the donors on how their contributions are received.
Your internal environment
Abu Dhabi growers have developed cube-shaped watermelons, tomatoes, and cucumbers, allowing for easier storage... Rooibos tea from South Africa has 50 times more antioxidant punch than green tea... Eating nuts and leafy green vegetables may help prevent Alzheimer's disease... Eating fatty fish (salmon, tuna, herring, mackerel) may prevent or reduce the risk of Alzheimer's, cancer, stroke, heart disease, obesity, and depression. A cocktail of alpha lipoic acid and acetyl-L-carnitine (both available in health food stores) has proven to reverse the aging process in laboratory rats (not yet tested on humans)... Tea drinkers, especially women, may enjoy healthier hearts, according to a Dutch study... Supermarkets use untested, secret, genetically engineered food in their store brand products. Biotech industry lobbyists push their agenda: more genetically engineered crops, no mandatory labeling of genetically modified (GM) food, and government support for exporting GM food. Contact geteam@truefoodnow.org to find out how you can help in the campaign for safe, natural food... Oreos, Stovetop Stuffing, Taco Bell taco shells, Lunchables, and other Kraft foods may contain untested and unlabeled genetically engineered ingredients. Kraft products are found in 99% of American homes.
Killer trees
Lumberjacks can't buy life insurance. Michael Kennedy and Sonny Bono both skied into trees with deadly results. Falling trees kill people all over the world, especially eucalyptus trees known as "widowmakers". Twenty-three different people have died after crashing into one particular cottonwood tree in Albuquerque, N.M. Thirty-six percent of hunting accidents in Georgia are caused by hunters falling out of trees. Falling coconuts bop islanders on the head. (source: "Killer Trees," by Gene Weingarten, Washington Post)
Five a day
Pound down five servings of fruits and vegetables every day. Make fruit smoothies in your blender. Quaff a spicy V-8 juice instead of a soda. Snack on organic sweet baby carrots from the bag. Top your pizza with extra veggies. Get salad instead of fries. Add dried fruit to your trail mix and granola. Microwave frozen veggies and mix with your pasta and sauce. Info: www.5aday.com.
Safe herbs
When the federal government eased restrictions on dietary supplements in 1994, new herbs and exotic formulas flooded the market. No U.S. agency oversees herb ingredients, so do your own research before you swallow that magic potion. Does it make outrageous, unsupportable health claims? If it sounds too good to be true, it probably is. Herbs are not miracle cures. Are dosing instructions clear? Does the label warn of any side effects? Always tell your health care provider about any herbal supplements you take and ask if long-term use is safe. Never self-diagnose or self-treat.
Going batty
Remember this: Bats are your friends. They eat mosquitoes, flies, and gnats. A single bat can eat 600 mosquitoes an hour. To encourage bats in your belfry, order an all-natural cedar wood bat house from www.cleanairgardening.com.
Keep in touch with Meandering John Maybury, Mayburrito@mindspring.com