Pic of the Day- January 28, 2011- Icicle

Icicle- Syracuse , NY - Mike 01.27.2011

Quote "Always aim at complete harmony of thought and word and deed. Always aim at purifying your thoughts and everything will be well." Mahatma Gandhi

Fact The law of Conservation of Energy states that Energy can be neither created nor destroyed; the energy of the universe is constant. This is the First Law of Thermodynamics.

TheHemp100 - 100 Uses of Hemp
#8 -  Hemp "Jewlery"(w/ how-to)

Homemade Toothpaste- Quick and Cheap!

You'll Need:
Baking Soda
Fine Sea Salt (table salt is acceptable)
Extract/Essential Oil of preference, optional (Peppermint, Wintergreen, Cinnamon)
Container (whatever is handy- jelly/salsa jar, plastic baggie, a glass) 

Simply
Combine 3 parts Baking Soda to 1 part Fine Sea Salt in a container, preferably with a lid. (I opted for 3/4 cups Baking Soda to 1/4 cup Fine Sea Salt as it fit my 15.5oz jar well. What works for you?)

If you'd like, add a few drops of the Extract/Essential Oil of your choice. (My personal preference, peppermint.)

Seal your container and mix well.

Place a bit atop your toothbrush and give those pearly whites a scrub.

Alterations:
-Turn your powder to paste; add 6 tsp. glycerin to every cup of powder along with 20-40 drops extract/essential oil of choice.
-Add a few drops of Hydrogen Peroxide to your toothbrush just after applying powder.
What do you prefer?

Babel


I found the toothpaste to be a touch salty, but bearable. While my boyfriend found it to be too salty. Both felt our mouths were cleaner, and no foul breath. We plan to add a bit of hydrogen peroxide along with some more peppermint and see how that turns out.

All Natutal Salsa Recipe

• 6 large seeded chopped peeled tomatoes
• 2 cups seeded chopped green peppers
• 1 cup seeded jalapeno pepper, chopped
• 3/4 cup chopped onion
• 1 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 2 cloves minced garlic
• 1 1/2 cups cider or wine vinegar
  
  1. Place tomatoes, peppers, onions, salt, garlic, and vinegar into a large pot.
  2. Bring to a boil, reduce heat and simmer 20 minutes.
  3. Pour into hot jars leaving 1/4 teaspoon head space and adjust the caps.
  4. Process for 30 minutes in boiling water bath or make fresh and store in refrigerator.
  5. Yields: 6 half pints
     
     
     
     Mike

Plastic Bag Recycling- DIY Purse

Learn how to make a purse from plastic bags (here.) Source atomicshrimp.com


Mike

Pic of the Day- January 27, 2011- Finding Its Way

Finding Its Way- Syracuse , NY - Babel 10.12.11

Quote " Sometimes the questions are complicated and the answers are simple. " Dr. Seuss

Fact It takes about two years for a pineapple to grow to its full size.

TheHemp100 - 100 Uses of Hemp
#7 -  Hemp "Hummus"

Weather tool

Hate having to wait for the morning/evening news report to find out weather conditions? The weather underground has a great internet based weather tool that you can use free of charge.

wunderground






Mike

Grey Water?

So what exactly is grey water?

"Greywater is wastewater generated from domestic activities such as laundry, dishwashing, and bathing, which can be recycled on-site for uses such as landscape irrigation and constructed wetlands. Greywater differs from water from the toilets which is designated sewage or blackwater to indicate it contains human waste.
Greywater composes 50–80% of residential wastewater generated from all of the house's sanitation equipment (except toilets)."Wikipedia.org

Links
http://www.greywater.com/
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Greywater 
http://www.oasisdesign.net/greywater/
Video
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EBWqUfO-aL0&feature=related

Mike

Pic of the Day- January 26, 2011- Bon Appétit

Bon Appétit - Babel 01.25.11

Quote " Do not believe in anything simply because you have heard it. Do not believe in anything simply because it is spoken and rumored by many. Do not believe in anything simply because it is found written in your religious books. Do not believe in anything merely on the authority of your teachers and elders. Do not believe in traditions because they have been handed down for many generations. But after observation and analysis, when you find that anything agrees with reason and is conducive to the good and benefit of one and all, then accept it and live up to it. " Siddhārtha Gautama

Fact Currently, 70% of all the wheat, corn and other grain produced is fed to farmed animals.

TheHemp100 - 100 Uses of Hemp
#6 -  Hemp "Auto Panels"

Freecycling (Free Recycling)

Freecycling, which is sometimes referred to as Free Recycling, is the act of giving others your usable, unwanted items rather than throwing them away.  Take a look around you, perhaps you have some items cluttering your home which could be used by another.  And, it works both ways; so if there is something specific you are lacking, post a "Wanted Ad."

These sites made Freecycling (Free Recycling) a cinch for me, personally:
http://www.freecycle.org/
http://www.craigslist.org/about/sites (Select your area. Under For Sale, select Free)

Wikipedia also suggests the following sites:
http://www.reuseitnetwork.org/#groupinfo
http://recyclinggroupfinder.com/
http://trashnothing.com/
http://fullcircles.org/

Have a great night, Babel.

Super Energy Efficient Refrigerator (Air Fridge)

If you live in colder climates like I do, then why not use what nature has given us and leave the power hungry refrigerator off during these months. Here's a DIY project that will help build you an indoor cabinet that utilizes the outside air to cool your food during colder months. Or perhaps be creative and build something that fits your situation. Oh and if you do, I'd love to hear about it...


Mike

Pic of the Day- January 25, 2011- Dusk

Dusk - Onondaga Lake , NY  Babel 08.24.2010

Quote " I have realized that the past and future are real illusions, that they exist in the present, which is what there is and all there is. " Alan Watts

Fact Hydrogen is the most common atom in the universe.

TheHemp100 - 100 Uses of Hemp
#5 - Hemp "Pants"

Homemade Tortillas

Homemade Tortillas
The original recipe yields 24 tortillas. Preferring a larger tortilla, I made 12.

Ingredients

• 4 cups all-purpose flour
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 2 teaspoons baking powder
• 2 tablespoons butter
• 1 1/2 cups water
  

  

  24 equal pieces

  Directions

  Whisk the flour, salt, and baking powder together in a large mixing bowl. 
  Mix in the butter with your fingers until the flour resembles cornmeal.
  Add the water and mix until the dough comes together; place on a lightly floured surface and knead a few minutes until smooth and elastic. 
  Divide the dough into 24 equal pieces, enough to fill your closed fist, and roll each piece into a ball. (Or double the ball of dough for 12 larger tortillas.)
  
  

  

  makes 24 tortillas

  
  Preheat a large skillet over medium-high heat.

  Use a well-floured rolling pin to roll a dough ball into a thin, round tortilla.
  
  

   Place into the hot skillet, and cook until bubbly and golden; flip and continue cooking until golden on the other side.

  
  Place the cooked tortilla in a tortilla warmer; continue rolling and cooking the remaining dough.

  

  Mmm, homemade quesadillas! After I chose to half the yield to 12.

  
  

  
  

¡que aproveche!

Babel

Homemade Drain Cleaner

This is a fast, non-caustic drain cleaner that can save you some cash. I used it just this morning on our tub; the drain cleared up and looks like new.

From frugalliving.about.com

Here's How:

What You'll Need

• Baking Soda
• Vinegar

1. Pour half a box of baking soda down the drain.
2. Pour vinegar over top of the baking soda to create a foaming action.
3. Allow the foam to settle, and repeat as necessary.
4. Enjoy a fresher smelling drain and more money in your pocket.

Tips:

1. For maximum effect, allow the drain to sit unused for awhile after cleaning.
2. Run boiling hot water down the drain the first time you use it. This should help to remove any dirt or debris left behind.

Mike

Pic of the Day- January 24, 2011- Tree

Tree with Birds - East Syracuse , NY  Babel 11.24.2010

Quote " A morning-glory at my window satisfies me more than the metaphysics of books." Walt Whitman

Fact Laughing lowers levels of stress hormones and strengthens the immune system.

TheHemp100 - 100 Uses of Hemp
#4 - Hemp "Home Insulation"