350.ORG: DON'T PASS THE GAS!

When I was in college, my liberal roommates had countless fights with me about the lights and recycling.
I never seemed to care and thought their autocratic ways to be nuts!

Recently, I started realizing a bit more about the World I inhabit or at least growing more sensitive to it whereas before I was too concerned with developing a sensitive spirit to people and my internal world.
I finally woke up, and kicked the covering off my face.

350 stands for the amount of carbondioxide in the atmosphere that needs to be reduced. Everyone hold your breaths, its getting sticky in here!

If you have no clue what I'm talking about still: It's global warming, caused by all the "greenhouse gases" we so graciously release into the air with our factories, cars, and ever advancing technology.
The biggest concern of those gases is carbondioxide, and the carbon footprint we are leaving in this World.

What can you do?

Hmmmm. Let me think about it....

Talk to people, spread the word, arrange events in your local area, TAKE ACTION!, Lead by example.
The activities we do everyday at home: turning our lights on and just forgetting about that artificial sunlight for a few more hours, cooking food, and heating/cooling our homes relies on coal and oil energy sources that emit Co2.

If you're thinking: No one ever gave a damn about me. Why should I care about the World?
I'm looking out for my own needs everyday. Don't worry, I'm thinking that too, but another part of me is thinking why embrace that negative victimized attitude and settle for apathy when you can be the change? You can enforce the changes in those areas that frustrate you most and you can even make it a fun socializing opportunity.

Organize events for bike riding, a talk about controlling our gas: I know we've got to let it out but the whole world doent have to smell it, and doing art projects or planting trees. Use your personal resources to do something useful for this World.

You have the abilities, the talent, the networking connections, and the friends, family, and neighbors to support you. If they don't, even better, use this as a reason to rebel and shock them.

Go on the World Naked Bike Ride. Be the change. Make the change.

I want to do this... are you with me?

Become a Container Gardener Today.

If you dream of growing your own veggies and herbs, but don't have a backyard.
Look no further, youre at the right place.

I found this article on: http://www.gardenguides.com/685-guide-container-gardening.html

Container Gardening.

Even the smallest patio or porch can boast a crop of vegetables or a garden of flowers in containers. Planter boxes, wooden barrels, hanging baskets and large flowerpots are just some of the containers that can be used. The container gardener is limited only by his imagination. Consider the following guidelines when choosing your container.

• Avoid containers with narrow openings.
• Cheap plastic pots may deteriorate in UV sunlight and terracotta pots dry out rapidly. Glazed ceramic pots are excellent choices but require several drainage holes.
• Wooden containers are susceptible to rot. Redwood and cedar are relatively rot resistant and can be used without staining or painting. Avoid wood treated with creosote, penta or other toxic compounds since the vapors can damage the plants. One advantage of wooden containers is that they can be built to sizes and shapes that suit the location.
• Use containers between 15 and 120 quarts capacity. Small pots restrict the root area and dry out very quickly. The size and number of plants to be grown will determine the size of the container used. Deep rooted vegetables require deep pots.
• Make sure your pot has adequate drainage. Holes should be 1/2 inch across. Line the base of the pot with newspaper to prevent soil loss.
• In hot climates use light-colored containers to lessen heat absorption and discourage uneven root growth.
• Set containers on bricks or blocks to allow free drainage.
• Line hanging baskets with sphagnum moss for water retention. Keep baskets away from afternoon sun.
• If you choose clay pots, remember that clay is porous and water is lost from the sides of the container. Plants in clay pots should be monitored closely for loss of moisture.

Growing Mixture
Make sure your planting medium drains rapidly but retains enough moisture to keep the roots evenly moist. Your compost will make an excellent potting soil. Check the requirements of the plants you grow to determine whether you will need to add sand. If compost is not available, purchase a good quality potting mixture or make your own from equal parts of sand, loamy garden soil, and peat moss. Commercial potting mixes are usually slightly acidic, so you may want to add a little lime.
Most container gardeners have found that a "soilless" potting mix works best. In addition to draining quickly, "soilless" mixes are lightweight and free from soil- borne diseases and weed seeds. These mixes can be purchased from garden centers.
When you add your soil to your container, leave a 2 inch space between the top of the soil and the top of the container. You will be able to add 1/2 inch or so of mulch later.
Sunlight

Container Gardening

This 32-page booklet is part of Storey Publishing's Country Wisdom series. In this informative booklet you'll learn:
- How to select containers
- How to choose a good potting mix or make your own.
- How to plant and care for your container gardens.
- How to create beautiful hanging baskets and windowboxes.
- Which plants are best for containers.
- And more!

Your container garden will need at least five hours of direct sunlight each day, and many plants will benefit from even more. As a general rule, leafy vegetables such as cabbage and lettuce can tolerate the most shade, while root crops such as beets and carrots will need more sun. Fruiting vegetables such as tomatoes and cucumbers need the most sun. The amount of sunlight needed by flowers varies depending on the varieties grown. Check the flower guides for sunlight requirements.
Fertilizer
Since potting mixes drain water rapidly, fertilizer will be washed out of the container as you water. Lighter mixes will require more frequent fertilizing than heavier mixes. It's a good idea to use a dilute liquid fertilizer with every other watering. Liquid fish emulsion or liquid seaweed are great plant boosters, but remember that you need to provide your plants with a variety of nutrients. Check the labels on the products in you garden center to be sure that they contain a complete, balanced solution that includes trace elements.
Watering
In an exposed location, container plants loose moisture quickly. Some plants will need to be watered daily, especially during hot, dry weather.
What to Grow?
Annuals
Annuals suitable for containers include:

Alyssum Begonia Browallia Coleus Geraniums Impatiens Latana Lobelia Marigolds

Periwinkle Nasturtiums Pansies Petunias Salvia Sanvitalia Snapdragons Thunbergia Zinnias

Constructing a healthy diet.

I gave myself a list:

Rice
Whole wheat
Oat meal
Soup
Salads and Juices
Water
Pasta/Spaghetti
Fish/Meat/Beans
Non-caffinated tea
Non-sweetened cereal
Soy milk.

You can also look into your blood type and figure out what type of diet you need and figure it out on your own based on gut instincts.

Keep it light. Simple. Fun. and Healthy.

I'm blood type O-

I need raw food: raw meet, fish, and vegetables, fruit to make me feel strong and healthy.


Heres some info from: http://www.dadamo.com/bloodtype_O.htm


The Type O Profile

Type O was the first blood type, the type O ancestral prototype was a canny, aggressive predator. Aspects of the Type O profile remain essential in every society even to this day – leadership, extroversion, energy and focus are among their best traits. Type O’s can be powerful and productive, however, when stressed Type O’s response can be one of anger, hyperactivity, and impulsivity. When Type O wiring gets crossed, as a result of a poor diet, lack of exercise, unhealthy behaviors or elevated stress levels, Type O’s are more vulnerable to negative metabolic effects, including insulin resistance, sluggish thyroid activity, and weight gain. When you customize your life to Type O’s strengths you can reap the benefits of your ancestry. Your genetic inheritance offers you the opportunity to be strong, lean, productive, long-lived and optimistic.

What Makes You Unique

As a Blood Type O you may be predisposed to certain illnesses, such as ulcers and thyroid disorders. In the 1950’s it was discovered that Type O’s had about twice the instances of ulcers of all kinds than the other blood types. These findings have been replicated many times since then. Type O’s tend to have low levels of thyroid hormone and often exhibit insufficient levels of iodine, a chemical element whose sole purpose is thyroid hormone regulation. This causes many side effects such as weight gain, fluid retention and fatigue. Dr. D’Adamo does not recommend iodine supplements, rather a diet rich in saltwater fish and kelp to help regulate the thyroid gland. Bladder Wrack is also an excellent nutrient for type O’s. This herb, actually a seaweed, is very effective as an aid to weight control for Type O’s. “The fucose in bladder wrack seems to help normalize the sluggish metabolic rate and produce weight loss in Type O’s,” says Dr. D’Adamo.

Type O’s also have a higher level of stomach acid than the other blood types, which often results in stomach irritation and ulcers. Dr. D’Adamo recommends a licorice preparation called DGL (de glycyrrhizinated licorice) which can reduce discomfort and aid healing. DGL protects the stomach lining in addition to protecting it from stomach acids. Avoid crude licorice preparations as they contain a component of the plant which can cause elevated blood pressure. This component has been removed in DGL. Dr. D'Adamo also recommends Mastic Gum and Bismuth to soothe Type O's common and even frequent tummy troubles.

Type O Personality?

In Japan, blood type has long been associated with personality type. You might well be asked your blood type on a job interview! In an independent study of 45 MBA students, Type O’s most often described themselves in ways related to the following characteristics; responsible, decisive, organized, objective, rule-conscious, and practical. Both male and female Type O’s reported a higher percentage of the mesomorphic body type when compared to controls. Interestingly, Type O’s also scored significantly higher than the rest in “sensing” – using the 5 senses to gather information, and in the sensing-thinking combination, indicating that they are more detail and fact oriented, logical, precise and orderly. “I believe that the tendency to sense and get facts right stems from the inbred hunter-gatherer need to observe and accurately assess the environment in order to insure survival.” Says D’Adamo.

Manage Your Type O Stress

The legacy of your Type O ancestry causes an immediate “fight or flight” response in people of this blood type. However, this finely tuned response to stress, so vital in early Type O’s, is not always so beneficial in modern times. The Type O response can cause bouts of excessive anger, temper tantrums, hyperactivity and even create a severe enough chemical imbalance to bring about a manic episode. Since there is a powerful, synergistic relationship between the release of dopamine and feelings of reward, Type O is more vulnerable to destructive behaviors when overly tired, depressed or bored. These can include gambling, sensation seeking, risk taking, substance abuse and impulsivity. To avoid becoming overstressed, Dr. D’Adamo recommends following the Type O diet, which focuses on lean, organic meats, vegetables and fruits and avoid wheat and dairy which can be triggers for digestive and health issues in Type O. Additionally, he suggests that Type O’s avoid caffeine and alcohol. Caffeine can be particularly harmful because of its tendency to raise adrenaline and noradrenaline, which are already high for Type O’s.

Energize - The Essential Exercise Component

Type O’s benefit tremendously from brisk regular exercise that taxes the cardiovascular and muscular skeletal system. But the benefit derived surpasses the goal of physical fitness. Type O also derives the benefit of a well timed chemical release system. The act of physical exercise releases a swarm of neurotransmitter activity that acts as a tonic for the entire system. The Type O who exercises regularly also has a better emotional response. You are more emotionally balanced as a result of well regulated, efficient chemical transport system. More than any other blood type, O’s rely on physical exercise to maintain physical health and emotional balance. Dr. D’Adamo suggests that Type O’s engage in regular physical activity three to four times per week. For best results, engage in aerobic activity for thirty to forty five minutes at least four times per week. If you are easily bored, choose two or three different exercises and vary your routine.

Live Right!

In addition to exercising and eating foods that are Right For Your Type, here are a few key lifestyle strategies for Type O individuals:

• Develop clear plans for goals and tasks – annual, monthly, weekly, daily to avoid impulsivity.
• Make lifestyle changes gradually, rather than trying to tackle everything at once.
• Eat all meals, even snacks, seated at a table.
• Chew slowly and put your fork down between bites of food.
• Avoid making big decisions or spending money when stressed.
• Do something physical when you feel anxious.
• Engage in thirty to forty five minutes of aerobic exercise at least four times per week.
• When you crave a pleasure releasing-substance (alcohol, tobacco, sugar), do something physical.

Haha! Brilliant.

We must be willing to let go of the life we've planned to have the life that is waiting for us.- E.M. Forster.

~Own the Good you do to others!~

Accept yourself on the deepest level and you won't have a problem accepting others.

Look up your temerament: Keirsey.com

 Idealists (NFs)

• Idealists are enthusiastic, they trust their intuition, yearn for romance, seek their true self, prize meaningful relationships, and dream of attaining wisdom.
• Idealists pride themselves on being loving, kindhearted, and authentic.
• Idealists tend to be giving, trusting, spiritual, and they are focused on personal journeys and human potentials.
• Idealists make intense mates, nurturing parents, and inspirational leaders.

Idealists, as a temperament, are passionately concerned with personal growth and development. Idealists strive to discover who they are and how they can become their best possible self -- always this quest for self-knowledge and self-improvement drives their imagination. And they want to help others make the journey. Idealists are naturally drawn to working with people, and whether in education or counseling, in social services or personnel work, in journalism or the ministry, they are gifted at helping others find their way in life, often inspiring them to grow as individuals and to fulfill their potentials.Idealists are sure that friendly cooperation is the best way for people to achieve their goals. Conflict and confrontation upset them because they seem to put up angry barriers between people. Idealists dream of creating harmonious, even caring personal relations, and they have a unique talent for helping people get along with each other and work together for the good of all. Such interpersonal harmony might be a romantic ideal, but then Idealists are incurable romantics who prefer to focus on what might be, rather than what is. The real, practical world is only a starting place for Idealists; they believe that life is filled with possibilities waiting to be realized, rich with meanings calling out to be understood. This idea of a mystical or spiritual dimension to life, the "not visible" or the "not yet" that can only be known through intuition or by a leap of faith, is far more important to Idealists than the world of material things.
Highly ethical in their actions, Idealists hold themselves to a strict standard of personal integrity. They must be true to themselves and to others, and they can be quite hard on themselves when they are dishonest, or when they are false or insincere. More often, however, Idealists are the very soul of kindness. Particularly in their personal relationships, Idealists are without question filled with love and good will. They believe in giving of themselves to help others; they cherish a few warm, sensitive friendships; they strive for a special rapport with their children; and in marriage they wish to find a "soulmate," someone with whom they can bond emotionally and spiritually, sharing their deepest feelings and their complex inner worlds.
Idealists are relatively rare, making up no more than 15 to 20 percent of the population. But their ability to inspire people with their enthusiasm and their idealism has given them influence far beyond their numbers.

In the end of the day, the way you act is how you represent yourself, and who you are in this life.
The way you respond to other people's actions, no matter how low they may get, is included as well.
You should carry with you quite a clear understanding of who you are, and how to represent yourself accordingly. Don't change it for anyone, no matter what you think of them or feel for them. Your opinion and voice always matter. In every situation and with every person, think how you can benefit from it, while making the best of it.

Yama- Ethical Practices by Shri Patanjali

Ahisma- Non-violence. Causing no harm to any living being, including oneself, in thought, word or deed. Non-violence is the basis of all the other Yama and Niyama. True non-violence is love.

Satya- Truth. Abstaining from falsehood, and also seeing the inherent good in everyone. Whenever possible, practicing periods of silence will greatly one support one in this Yama. Perhaps try to be silent one morning or even one day a week. If that is not possible, create times where social interaction is minimized, in which you only speak only when necessary, with truth and sweetness.

Asteya- Non-Stealing. Releasing the desire to possess that which belongs to another.

Aparigraha- Non-possessiveness. We all need certain posessions. However, many of us not only accumulate more than we need but continually desire even further luxuries. Thus engaged, we disturb our peace of mind. The more simply we live, the more energy can be devoted to our spiritual practice.



Brahmacharya- Continence, Moderation. In all areas of our lives, the seeker saves, and thus accumulates great energy that can be channeled into his/her spiritual enfoldment. This practice is imperative for those wishing to embark upon the spiritual path.