Monday, August 30, 2010
Wednesday, July 21, 2010
A New Beginning
WOW! We finally launched our website late last week.
It's been quite a journey and a number of products still need to be added or have their image modified.
I started this process nearly two years ago (and had a couple of false starts over the last 12 years). I spent about a year researching the best way to do my website given what I wanted to do. Everyone I contacted, of course thought I should use their software/method.
In the end I chose not to go with open source software but an ecommerce software package from the USA. No system is perfect but this one allows me a lot of freedom and flexibilty. I have a good consultant/web designer to work with (happy to make recommendations - see www.cameronsloutions.com.au).
The hardest part was coming up with a design - both Lisa and I spent many hours trawling istockphoto and my own photos for ideas. I had the logo, which I designed 11 years ago.
Eventually, the design was borne and I love it. Thanks Lisa.
Please visit the site - there's a lot on offer. It is a dynamic enterprise, like life. Enjoy. Tell us what you think - both good and bad. Make suggestions.
KISS for life,
peace to all,
Miriam.
It's been quite a journey and a number of products still need to be added or have their image modified.
I started this process nearly two years ago (and had a couple of false starts over the last 12 years). I spent about a year researching the best way to do my website given what I wanted to do. Everyone I contacted, of course thought I should use their software/method.
In the end I chose not to go with open source software but an ecommerce software package from the USA. No system is perfect but this one allows me a lot of freedom and flexibilty. I have a good consultant/web designer to work with (happy to make recommendations - see www.cameronsloutions.com.au).
The hardest part was coming up with a design - both Lisa and I spent many hours trawling istockphoto and my own photos for ideas. I had the logo, which I designed 11 years ago.
Eventually, the design was borne and I love it. Thanks Lisa.
Please visit the site - there's a lot on offer. It is a dynamic enterprise, like life. Enjoy. Tell us what you think - both good and bad. Make suggestions.
KISS for life,
peace to all,
Miriam.
Thursday, April 15, 2010
Give Me Some Sugar
There is a lot of mixed information about sugar and sugar substitutes. If you are diabetic or pre-diabetic you are told to use sugar substitutes if you wish to have "sweets" or sweet baked goods and the like. There is mounting evidence that artificial sweeteners are deleterious to health too.
This is not really surprising. It seems that anything that is a processed food is not good for our health and no matter how you sweeten it, our bodies are not designed to eat such things. (The same can be said for all other species. In fact, studies have been done with cats. Those kept on unnatural diets had increasing health problems with each subsequent generation. Each generation was given the same diet. It only took three generations for the cats to become sterile, amongst other problems. Do you see similarities with humans? We are far more adaptive, but eventually we suffer similar difficulties. )
If you can, I strongly recommend you read Sugar Blues by William Dufty. Unfortunately, it is out of print.
You may be wondering why I've chosen this topic. Well, it's due to, amongst other reasons (like being passionate about your health), an article in the current issue of Nexus (see http://www.nexusmagazine.com.au/ ) about high fructose corn and agave syrups. (One of the most frightening claims in this article is the ability of agave syrup to cause miscarraige.)
It is interesting that, in Japan, one of the most popular sugar substitutes is banned - aspartame. Diabetic products tend to use Stevia or Xylitol over there.
Beware of foods advertised as "low fat" as they often are loaded with sugar. Sugar will put weight on you more easily than fat (you've heard of "carb loading" haven't you? - increasing simple & complex carb food intake in order to gain body fat, usually for some sort of endurance physical activity - note that an endurance athlete doesn't "fat load" in order to put on weight).
Many fats are actually healthy to consume and some are essential fatty acids because our bodies cannot manufacture them. You probably have seen articles or tv reports on them - Omega 3 fatty acids. How do you get them? Wild fish, wild game, and Oganically/Biodynamically reared animals are your best sources. Some seeds are good sources too - hemp (in Australia, you cannot get the unprocessed seeds but the oil is widely available), flax, and chia are your best options.
Make certain not to consume trans fatty acids. This, togeher with genetically modified foods, is probably the worst thing to ask your body to process. If you are concerned about GMOs or want information, contact Gene-ethics and/or see http://www.madge.org.au/.
ALWAYS READ LABELS ON PROCESSED FOODS AND PERSONAL AND HOUSEHOLD HYGIENE PRODUCTS.
If you can't understand the words, it's a good bet, it may not be good for your health. Also, beware of the "greenwash" tactics that are widely used to market products as "natural" or "organic" or "degradeable" (as opposed to biodegradeable).
Firstly, look for organic certification on anything claiming to be organic - no certification number = not organic. (Some certifying bodies have much better criteria than others - OCA and BFA and NASAA are some of the better ones.) Also beware of organic junk food - it's not any better than other junk food in the long run. But in the short run, it doesn't have certain chemicals for preservation or pesticides.
Raw food, minimally processed foods, organic foods, wild/wildcrafted foods, simple personal care and household hygiene products are the best options for you, me, our families and the planet.
That's our specialty at Between Father Sky and Mother Earth - we care about you.
On a closing note, I'd like to recommend the film Dirt! the movie.
KISS for life,
Peace to all,
Miriam.
This is not really surprising. It seems that anything that is a processed food is not good for our health and no matter how you sweeten it, our bodies are not designed to eat such things. (The same can be said for all other species. In fact, studies have been done with cats. Those kept on unnatural diets had increasing health problems with each subsequent generation. Each generation was given the same diet. It only took three generations for the cats to become sterile, amongst other problems. Do you see similarities with humans? We are far more adaptive, but eventually we suffer similar difficulties. )
If you can, I strongly recommend you read Sugar Blues by William Dufty. Unfortunately, it is out of print.
You may be wondering why I've chosen this topic. Well, it's due to, amongst other reasons (like being passionate about your health), an article in the current issue of Nexus (see http://www.nexusmagazine.com.au/ ) about high fructose corn and agave syrups. (One of the most frightening claims in this article is the ability of agave syrup to cause miscarraige.)
It is interesting that, in Japan, one of the most popular sugar substitutes is banned - aspartame. Diabetic products tend to use Stevia or Xylitol over there.
Beware of foods advertised as "low fat" as they often are loaded with sugar. Sugar will put weight on you more easily than fat (you've heard of "carb loading" haven't you? - increasing simple & complex carb food intake in order to gain body fat, usually for some sort of endurance physical activity - note that an endurance athlete doesn't "fat load" in order to put on weight).
Many fats are actually healthy to consume and some are essential fatty acids because our bodies cannot manufacture them. You probably have seen articles or tv reports on them - Omega 3 fatty acids. How do you get them? Wild fish, wild game, and Oganically/Biodynamically reared animals are your best sources. Some seeds are good sources too - hemp (in Australia, you cannot get the unprocessed seeds but the oil is widely available), flax, and chia are your best options.
Make certain not to consume trans fatty acids. This, togeher with genetically modified foods, is probably the worst thing to ask your body to process. If you are concerned about GMOs or want information, contact Gene-ethics and/or see http://www.madge.org.au/.
ALWAYS READ LABELS ON PROCESSED FOODS AND PERSONAL AND HOUSEHOLD HYGIENE PRODUCTS.
If you can't understand the words, it's a good bet, it may not be good for your health. Also, beware of the "greenwash" tactics that are widely used to market products as "natural" or "organic" or "degradeable" (as opposed to biodegradeable).
Firstly, look for organic certification on anything claiming to be organic - no certification number = not organic. (Some certifying bodies have much better criteria than others - OCA and BFA and NASAA are some of the better ones.) Also beware of organic junk food - it's not any better than other junk food in the long run. But in the short run, it doesn't have certain chemicals for preservation or pesticides.
Raw food, minimally processed foods, organic foods, wild/wildcrafted foods, simple personal care and household hygiene products are the best options for you, me, our families and the planet.
That's our specialty at Between Father Sky and Mother Earth - we care about you.
On a closing note, I'd like to recommend the film Dirt! the movie.
KISS for life,
Peace to all,
Miriam.
Thursday, March 25, 2010
The story of bottled water - part of the Story of Stuff project
Here's the latest from Annie Leonard, creator of the Story of Stuff, about bottled water at http://www.thestoryofstuff.org/.
Remember, the best way to avoid the problems associated with too much stuff, ie. waste materials used to make products that companies convince us that we need, is to ignore the marketing and don't buy the stuff.
If something is called or marketed as "take-away" there is probably packaging involved that is bad for the environment (eg. plastics and polystyrene) or it's a very poor nutritonal choice or it cost hundreds if not more times what it would cost you to take from home in the first place or all of these things!
Recycling is not always a good option either. Some plastics are recyclable but they are generally downcycled - the new product is inferior to the original.
Here endeth the lesson for today.
If you are interested in these sorts of issues and/or products and services that can help you live more sustainably, or you would like to make a comment, please contact us:
info@betweenskyandearth.com.au
See our website:
http://www.betweenskyandearth.com.au/
Thanks for your time. Enjoy the rest of the day - plant some seeds and see what happens.
Miriam.
Friday, March 5, 2010
Ego Lemos talks about Permaculture in East Timor
Ego Lemos speaking on permaculture in East Timor
A meeting of Permaculture Melbourne's South Eastern Suburbs Group
Wednesday 10th March 7-9pm
Venue Coatesville Church,
corner North & Mackie Rds, Bentleigh East.
To RSVP contact Miriam Baxt on tel; 9578 7237
Or email; permaculture@betweenskyandearth.com.au
Ego is an East Timorese and in November 1999 he together with Steve Cran, a permaculture volunteer from Australia, started developing permaculture in Timor Leste. What started as 2 people developed into the local NGO called Permatill (Permaculture Timor Leste).
Permatil's work has been to strengthen and promote permanent and sustainable agriculture and culture, helping to provide independence, food security, sustainable incomes, cultural strength and environment protection to local communities.
After many years working with communities Permatill published a book - the "Permaculture Guidebook from Timor Leste." some copies of this book will be available at the meeting for $20, and other publications developed in conjunction with IDEP in Indonesia can be seen online at http://www.idepfoundation.org/ptl.html
For the past two years Ego has been in Australia studying community development at Victoria University. He's also been playing and singing at various folk festivals and recently recorded a CD "O Hele Le" with Skinny Fish, and in November 2009 he won the 2009 APRA Screen Music Award winner for "Best Original Song Composed for the Screen" - for the song "Balibo" used in the film of the same name.
http://www.skinnyfishmusic.com.au/site/ego-lemos/106-ego/278-egolemos.html
Ego has finished his studies and is heading back to Dili in the next couple of weeks to resume work with Permatill. This may be the last chance to see him for some time so please come and hear his story. Join us in congratulating him on his work so far and in offering support for his work in the future work.
Some topics to be covered;
What issues are people faced with in Timor Leste. What ideas have proved most useful in assisting people, what process of engagement with the community has proved most useful
The talk will offer an example of Permaculture as a set of ideas and skills for supporting development assistance and community development projects.
Tea and refreshments will be available. Entry by donation is requested to cover costs: $2 members/$5 non-members.
A meeting of Permaculture Melbourne's South Eastern Suburbs Group
Wednesday 10th March 7-9pm
Venue Coatesville Church,
corner North & Mackie Rds, Bentleigh East.
To RSVP contact Miriam Baxt on tel; 9578 7237
Or email; permaculture@betweenskyandearth.com.au
Ego is an East Timorese and in November 1999 he together with Steve Cran, a permaculture volunteer from Australia, started developing permaculture in Timor Leste. What started as 2 people developed into the local NGO called Permatill (Permaculture Timor Leste).
Permatil's work has been to strengthen and promote permanent and sustainable agriculture and culture, helping to provide independence, food security, sustainable incomes, cultural strength and environment protection to local communities.
After many years working with communities Permatill published a book - the "Permaculture Guidebook from Timor Leste." some copies of this book will be available at the meeting for $20, and other publications developed in conjunction with IDEP in Indonesia can be seen online at http://www.idepfoundation.org/ptl.html
For the past two years Ego has been in Australia studying community development at Victoria University. He's also been playing and singing at various folk festivals and recently recorded a CD "O Hele Le" with Skinny Fish, and in November 2009 he won the 2009 APRA Screen Music Award winner for "Best Original Song Composed for the Screen" - for the song "Balibo" used in the film of the same name.
http://www.skinnyfishmusic.com.au/site/ego-lemos/106-ego/278-egolemos.html
Ego has finished his studies and is heading back to Dili in the next couple of weeks to resume work with Permatill. This may be the last chance to see him for some time so please come and hear his story. Join us in congratulating him on his work so far and in offering support for his work in the future work.
Some topics to be covered;
What issues are people faced with in Timor Leste. What ideas have proved most useful in assisting people, what process of engagement with the community has proved most useful
The talk will offer an example of Permaculture as a set of ideas and skills for supporting development assistance and community development projects.
Tea and refreshments will be available. Entry by donation is requested to cover costs: $2 members/$5 non-members.
Sunday, February 14, 2010
Useful Natural Remedies
The Amazing Cucumber
This information was in The New York Times several weeks ago as part of their "Spotlight on the Home" series that highlighted creative and fanciful ways to solve common problems.
1. Cucumbers contain most of the vitamins you need every day, just one cucumber contains Vitamin B1, Vitamin B2, Vitamin B3, Vitamin B5, Vitamin B6, Folic Acid, Vitamin C, Calcium, Iron, Magnesium, Phosphorus, Potassium and Zinc.
2. Feeling tired in the afternoon, put down the caffeinated soda and pick up a cucumber. Cucumbers are a good source of B Vitamins and Carbohydrates that can provide that quick pick-me-up that can last for hours.
3. Tired of your bathroom mirror fogging up after a shower? Try rubbing a cucumber slice along the mirror, it will eliminate the fog and provide a soothing, spa-like fragrance.
4. Are grubs and slugs ruining your planting beds? Place a few slices in a small pie tin and your garden will be free of pests all season long. The chemicals in the cucumber react with the aluminum to give off a scent undetectable to humans but drive garden pests crazy and make them flee the area. (WOW)
5. Looking for a fast and easy way to remove cellulite before going out or to the pool? Try rubbing a slice or two of cucumbers along your problem area for a few minutes, the phytochemicals in the cucumber cause the collagen in your skin to tighten, firming up the outer layer and reducing the visibility of cellulite. Works great on wrinkles too!!! (DOUBLE WOW)
6. Want to avoid a hangover or terrible headache? Eat a few cucumber slices before going to bed and wake up refreshed and headache free. Cucumbers contain enough sugar, B vitamins and electrolytes to replenish essential nutrients the body lost, keeping everything in equilibrium, avoiding both a hangover and headache!!
7. Looking to fight off that afternoon or evening snacking binge? Cucumbers have been used for centuries and often used by European trappers, traders and explores for quick meals to thwart off starvation.
8. Have an important meeting or job interview and you realize that you don't have enough time to polish your shoes? Rub a freshly cut cucumber over the shoe, its chemicals will provide a quick and durable shine that not only looks great but also repels water.
9. Out of WD 40 and need to fix a squeaky hinge? Take a cucumber sliced rub it along the problematic hinge, and voila, the squeak is gone!
10. Stressed out and don't have time for massage, facial or visit to the spa? Cut up an entire cucumber and place it in a boiling pot of water, the chemicals and nutrients from the cucumber will react with the boiling water and be released in the steam, creating a soothing, relaxing aroma that has been shown the reduce stress in new mothers and college students during final exams.
11. Just finish a business lunch and realize you don't have gum or mints? Take a slice of cucumber and press it to the roof of your mouth with your tongue for 30 seconds to eliminate bad breath, the phytochemcials will kill the bacteria in your mouth responsible for causing bad breath.
12. Looking for a 'green' way to clean your faucets, sinks or stainless steel? Take a slice of cucumber and rub it on the surface you want to clean, not only will it remove years of tarnish and bring back the shine, but is won't leave streaks and won't harm you fingers or fingernails while you clean.
13. Using a pen and made a mistake? Take the outside of the cucumber and slowly use it to erase the pen writing, also works great on crayons and markers that the kids have used to decorate the walls!!
Pass this along to everybody you know who is looking for better and safer ways to solve life's everyday problems..
This information was in The New York Times several weeks ago as part of their "Spotlight on the Home" series that highlighted creative and fanciful ways to solve common problems.
1. Cucumbers contain most of the vitamins you need every day, just one cucumber contains Vitamin B1, Vitamin B2, Vitamin B3, Vitamin B5, Vitamin B6, Folic Acid, Vitamin C, Calcium, Iron, Magnesium, Phosphorus, Potassium and Zinc.
2. Feeling tired in the afternoon, put down the caffeinated soda and pick up a cucumber. Cucumbers are a good source of B Vitamins and Carbohydrates that can provide that quick pick-me-up that can last for hours.
3. Tired of your bathroom mirror fogging up after a shower? Try rubbing a cucumber slice along the mirror, it will eliminate the fog and provide a soothing, spa-like fragrance.
4. Are grubs and slugs ruining your planting beds? Place a few slices in a small pie tin and your garden will be free of pests all season long. The chemicals in the cucumber react with the aluminum to give off a scent undetectable to humans but drive garden pests crazy and make them flee the area. (WOW)
5. Looking for a fast and easy way to remove cellulite before going out or to the pool? Try rubbing a slice or two of cucumbers along your problem area for a few minutes, the phytochemicals in the cucumber cause the collagen in your skin to tighten, firming up the outer layer and reducing the visibility of cellulite. Works great on wrinkles too!!! (DOUBLE WOW)
6. Want to avoid a hangover or terrible headache? Eat a few cucumber slices before going to bed and wake up refreshed and headache free. Cucumbers contain enough sugar, B vitamins and electrolytes to replenish essential nutrients the body lost, keeping everything in equilibrium, avoiding both a hangover and headache!!
7. Looking to fight off that afternoon or evening snacking binge? Cucumbers have been used for centuries and often used by European trappers, traders and explores for quick meals to thwart off starvation.
8. Have an important meeting or job interview and you realize that you don't have enough time to polish your shoes? Rub a freshly cut cucumber over the shoe, its chemicals will provide a quick and durable shine that not only looks great but also repels water.
9. Out of WD 40 and need to fix a squeaky hinge? Take a cucumber sliced rub it along the problematic hinge, and voila, the squeak is gone!
10. Stressed out and don't have time for massage, facial or visit to the spa? Cut up an entire cucumber and place it in a boiling pot of water, the chemicals and nutrients from the cucumber will react with the boiling water and be released in the steam, creating a soothing, relaxing aroma that has been shown the reduce stress in new mothers and college students during final exams.
11. Just finish a business lunch and realize you don't have gum or mints? Take a slice of cucumber and press it to the roof of your mouth with your tongue for 30 seconds to eliminate bad breath, the phytochemcials will kill the bacteria in your mouth responsible for causing bad breath.
12. Looking for a 'green' way to clean your faucets, sinks or stainless steel? Take a slice of cucumber and rub it on the surface you want to clean, not only will it remove years of tarnish and bring back the shine, but is won't leave streaks and won't harm you fingers or fingernails while you clean.
13. Using a pen and made a mistake? Take the outside of the cucumber and slowly use it to erase the pen writing, also works great on crayons and markers that the kids have used to decorate the walls!!
Pass this along to everybody you know who is looking for better and safer ways to solve life's everyday problems..
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