Standing Ovation>>>Harvesting the Water With Rain Barrels

Maybe, fresh water is becoming the next oil in terms of being a necessary but limited resource. However, even if that turns out to be hyperbole, regional droughts will always be with us. That means that at some point many people will be forced to conserve water.

"The population is growing, but the water supply is not," says Bill Hoffman, a coordinator for the City of Austin Water Conservation Program, in Texas. That's why people around the country are turning to the centuries–old practice of collecting rain as an alternative source of water.

By collecting rain from a roof during wet months and storing it in a tank or cistern, homeowners can create an alternative supply that won't tax the groundwater or jack up the water bill. Its kind of hard convincing me to drink it considering the acid rain concept. But, collecting water to re-use for non internal use sounds feesable. And because rain doesn't contain the minerals found n wells or the chlorine in municipal supplies, it's ideal for watering the lawn, washing the car, doing the laundry, taking a shower—even drinking if it's properly filtered."Rainwater is the purest water you can find," says Dr. Hari Krishna, president of the American Rainwater Catchment Systems Association (ARCSA).

A rainwater-collection system can be as simple as a rain barrel at the end of a downspout or as elaborate as a whole–house system, which supplies all the water needs for my family of four in the Texas Hill Country. Cost and complexity depend on how much water you need and how you plan to use it.A house with a sloped roof, gutters, and downspouts is well on its way to harvesting rainwater for landscape irrigation or other nonpotable uses. You just need a few simple components: wire–mesh gutter screens to keep out debris, a storage tank, and a way to move the water out of the tank.

The storage tank, or cistern, can be made from almost any material—even a clean recycled metal drum. Gardening stores sell 55– to 75–gallon plastic rain barrels, complete with leaf screens and spouts, for $50 to $250. Wooden barrels have a nostalgic charm, but they're hard to come by and expensive. A wine or whiskey barrel made by a professional cooper will cost at least $250.Larger storage tanks can be made of stone, cement, metal, wood, or fiberglass.

To prevent mosquitoes from breeding in tanks, make sure the tanks are covered or screened. Also, during winter months, barrels should be kept only three quarters full to allow freezing water to expand. Gravity is the easiest (and cheapest) way to move rainwater out of the tank. Systems that work by gravity are good for watering landscapes; you only need to open a spigot or valve at the bottom of the tank. However, if you have to move water to a level higher than the tank, you'll need a pump.

A 1–horsepower electric jet pump mounted in a small shed near the tank costs about $400, and can provide about 8 gallons of water a minute up to 500 feet away from the water tank.

THE MANY FACES OF SAMUEL FOSSO

Samuel Fosso is one of Africa's most eminent photographers. His photographs are shown all over Europe and America, from the Guggenheim in New York to galleries in Barcelona, Paris and Amsterdam. His art is self-portraiture- from African Chiefs to American women - are revealed, upon closer inspection, to be self-portraits. A witty and ironic exploration of self-identity.




Now at jean marc patras galerie, paris

Do you ever give back?

Documentation of the work of an elderly man who started an orphanage after living through the violent government upheavals in the 1980s. Val Children's Home Care, is an orphanage in rural Haiti. To learn more about the orphanage and how you can get involved, explore the site by watching videos, viewing pictures, and reading about the orphanage's history.

Val's Children from Abby Metty on Vimeo.

The Perfecto>>>

Click to enlarge. Which would you choose?

What Is Tea Tree Oil? Benefits?

Tea Tree Oil is a natural antiseptic, germicide, antibacterial, fungicide.

Tea tree oil is effective against nail fungus, ringworm, athlete's foot, dandruff, acne, blackheads and many types of infestations including lice, mites, scabies and mosquitoes etc...

Tea tree oil is not just soothing and disinfecting, it is capable of penetrating into the lower skin layers with its anti-inflammatory, disinfectant, pain-killing and wound-healing qualities.

It promotes sweating - which enhances the body's own natural preventative response when threatened by infection. Great for colds alone or in combination with eucalyptus oil. Add to an oil or cream and massage on chest alone or chest and back. Add about 1-2 drop of each. Tea tree oil exhibits expectorant and balsamic characteristics, which are especially beneficial in the case of throat or chest infections, having a generally soothing and clearing (mucus-expelling) effect on the entire respiratory tract. It is also effective against head colds and acne.

It can be used as a immune system booster and a preventative against many types of infections. In a nutshell!

The Footstool Home Remedy>>>

Most of us spend most of our time trying not to think about our bowel movements, so it’s no surprise that many people do not know what a “normal” bowel movement is. The fact is that there is no one definition of a normal bowel movement. There are gradations of normal, and every person is going to have different bowel habits. There are, however, several signs that a bowel movement is abnormal and should be discussed with a physician.

Bowel habits among healthy people vary greatly from three times a day to three times a week. In some individuals, constipation may refer to infrequent bowel movements (less than 3 per week). So lets assume you are very regular and have normal releases.

The assistance provided by a foot stool are broad. The AMERICAN toilet has a faulty design. Dr William Welles, writer of The Culture of the Abdomen published in 1924, says,"It would have been better if the contraption had killed its inventor before he launched it under humanity's buttocks." We don't believe in killing but this statement has a lot of truth within reason.

Constipation, hernias, varicose veins, hemorrhoids and appendicitis were also attributed to the use of the toilet. A solution to the dilemma was offered in the form of a foot stool used to elevate the feet to the approximate squatting posture. If you don't have a nice fancy wood foot stool, you can use anything that elevates your feet at least to the point where your knees are above your waist. You will have a better and more complete release of your intestines every day if you put a footstool in front of the toilet. As most of the rest of the world knows, the easiest bowel movements come when the human body is in a squatting position. American toilets disable the proper amount of matter to release from the body. They just look nice.

Whole Foods 3 Coming Sooner Than Later///

Coming Sooner Than later...Guidance>>>

Jay Electronica: Appetizer: Dear: MoleSkine

Bless Bless Bless...Hope everyone's weekend was filled with a lot of newness and magic...Stumbled across this vid today. I have always appreciated what Jay Electronica has had to offer lyrically but, this little snippet reminds me of the stillness and the quiet that must exist in order to make light noise. Oh, and the noise, such a pleasure. This is just a prelude to the actual video, its a part of a documentary that he is a part of, no release date yet. Please check him out, he will be on "The Estatic" tour with Mos Def beginning next week, check your local listings for the whens and wheres. It was shot in Nepal, one of those places high up on my list, you got to respect that, can't wait 4 real..Bless..Enjoy....

Juicing Update?????

You've heard the talk. Yes, everyone's juicing but you.
So, what's the deal? Well, here it is: juicing takes all the fiber out of your favorite fruits and veggies so all that's left is the good stuff.

I know, you're thinking, What? I thought fiber was good for you. I'm supposed to increase my fiber intake, right? Well, yes...sort of.

Here's the thing--it's nearly impossible for us to get the daily dose of vitamins and minerals our bodies need through the food that we eat in a 24 hour period. Juicing makes it easier.

Of course, you can take supplements. In fact, you probably should take supplements. However, fresh fruit and/or vegetable juice absorbs more easily into your system, increasing your body's ability to utilize all those vitamins and minerals.

Juicing is also much easier on your digestive system. The less energy your body has to use digesting food, the more you will have left over for other things like running, jumping, laughing, and living.

Those battling disease often incorporate juicing into their plan for recovery, allowing their bodies the energy needed to heal.

Click HERE TO SEE our article we wrote months ago.

Waxpoetics Issue 36 - Gilberto Gil/Airto Moreira

I used to be sceptical about Wax Poetics but if your a real life documetarian, AS MOS DEF USED TO SAY, its worth buying and collecting every issue. I know my brother, DAMU, cherishes his collection. Remember when we used to collect The Source Magazines back in the day. Black when they put pics of graffiti in the mag. Or all those South Pole and Lugz adds? When we didn't care about the foods we ate?

For Waxpoetics 36th issue, there first Brazil Issue, writer David Katz sat down with tropicalia founder Gilberto Gil at his Bahia residence and spoke about the past and present. They talk with the great percussionist Airto Moreira and the brilliant Arthur Verocai, and take a look at soul man Tim Maia. Also: Jards Macale, Ceu, Joyce, Ze Bertrami.


Speaking of Tropicalia....Tropicalia In Furs is a store near lower east side of Manhattan. I went there not to long ago and DROPPPPPED!!!. Nothing like NYC. Records and good vegan food. What more is there to life? Comments accepted.....

Check out the stop motion video of CERN painting there sign below>>>

Tropicalia in Furs - animation from Gandja Monteiro on Vimeo.

Link Up>>HERE

Walk With Grace... 7:30:09....

If you happen to be stateside and near NYC on July 30, Grace Jones will be performing at The Hammerstein Ballroom..Tix start at $69.50 and are available @ www.ticketmaster.com or you can just call 212)564)4882) for further info... Doors are @ 6:30pm and showtime is @ 8pm...She's one one of the dopest Jamacian ladies, isn't she? Check the pics...Blessed weekend...Be safe....

Premiere: Rain Machine (TV on the Radio's Kyp Malone): "Give Blood"

PLAY SONG
DOWNLOAD SONG

Weekend Lessons on Your Eating Habits>>

These tips should get you through the weekend and beyond. They work!

Eat 5-6 Smaller Meals Per Day

Instead of eating three medium to large-sized meals per day, you should be eating five smaller meals. You can even treat yourself at the end of the day with a small dessert.

You should also always eat breakfast within one hour of rising. This is because your metabolism has slowed down during the night and breakfast will kick-start it up again.

A lot of people think it's OK to skip breakfast because that means fewer fat and calories and one less meal for the day. But when you skip breakfast, hunger begins to kick in and that actually slows down your metabolism even more.

The key to health is not to eat less, but to actually eat more sensible meals.

Eating more frequent, smaller meals will prevent you from feeling hungry throughout the day. And if you're eating fiber and proteins and drinking enough water, you'll actually feel fuller for longer periods of time and will not have the urge to snack so often.

Here's my eating schedule if interested:

1. 7:00 a.m. - Eat breakfast
2. 10:00 a.m. - Eat a light snack
3. 12:00 p.m. - Eat lunch
4. 4:00 p.m. - Eat a another snack
5. 7:00 p.m. - Eat a small dinner with a treat

Eating More Boosts Your Metabolism

Sounds funny but it's true. The actual process of breaking down food burns up calories. So if you eat several meals throughout the day, you'll burn up more calories through the digestion process.

Now of course this doesn't mean eat more of the "bad stuff" - this would be foods high in fat and calories. When I say "eat more" that means meals that consist of sensible foods high in fiber and protein. It's okay to treat yourself every now and then, just don't overdo it.

Stop Eating 3 Hours Before Bedtime

You've probably seen the suggestion of not eating anything after 7 p.m. Well this generally assumes you go to bed around 9 or 10 at night.

If you are a night owl, you may retire a little later so it may seem unrealistic to not eat anything after 7 if you don't go to bed until 12 a.m.

Generally, the rule of the thumb is to not eat anything within 3 hours of your bedtime. So if you do usually go to sleep at 1 a.m. this would mean no food intake after 10 p.m.

The reason you don't want to eat late at night is because your food may not properly digest. This can cause morning gas and stomach cramps.

Some people who complain about bloating never realize that it's from the gas and food particles left over from improper digestion. This can be avoided if you cut down the late night snacking.

Eating late at night also forces your body to use its energy on digestion,. One of the primary functions of sleep is to help you recuperate from the day. You want your body to be as relaxed as possible so you can wake up energized.

Now we all know we have to cheat at some points. It's just not realistic to believe you can refrain from eating late at night every single night. So if you must cheat, then eat something healthy like a piece of fruit or a very small handful of nuts.

555 KUBIK

555 KUBIK
“How it would be, if a house was dreaming”

The conception of this project consistently derives from its underlying architecture - the theoretic conception and visual pattern of the Hamburg Kunsthalle. The Basic idea of narration was to dissolve and break through the strict architecture of O. M. Ungers “Galerie der Gegenwart”. Resultant permeabilty of the solid facade uncovers different interpretations of conception, geometry and aesthetics expressed through graphics and movement. A situation of reflexivity evolves - describing the constitution and spacious perception of this location by means of the building itself.

Production: urbanscreen.com
Art Direction: Daniel Rossa - rossarossa.de
Realized with MXWendler mediaserver

555 KubiK | facade projection | from urbanscreen on Vimeo.

Sunshine Burgers>>>

Peace! We have been eating these for years but just wanted to share these with those that don't know. Not all veggie burgers are created equal. One of my favorite brands is Sunshine Burgers. Appropriately enough, these veggie burgers are made out of a sunflower seed base, with the addition of brown rice. They’re free of soy, wheat, gluten, and dairy (in fact, they’re vegan), so they can be especially useful if you have certain food sensitivities. And they’re available in half a dozen varieties, from Original to Barbecue (how appropriate!) to the new Falafel. My favorite is the Garden Herb flavor. Mainly because its green.

But it gets better: all Sunshine Burgers (except the Original) are certified organic. And if you’re wondering what kind of effort is involved in preparing them, rest assured it’s minimal. The burgers are fully-cooked, oven-browned for a more attractive appearance, and then frozen; you need only heat and serve. My favorite variety is the Garden Herb, but then again I haven’t tasted the newcomer Breakfast Patty yet. And don’t think for a minute that you have to restrict use of these to a barbecue grill. I enjoy Sunshine Burgers year-round; I heat them on a nonstick griddle and use them as part of the filling (along with more veggies and condiments) for a whole wheat wrap.

Many of the brands that are readily available like, "Morning Star", have tons of additives and calories leading to excess fat absorption and calorie intake. Basically empty calories. I am not endorsing just here to push you to better choices of wellness. Stay Up!