Live Long Naturally ©2012

Volunteering at the L.A. Arboretum has opened up a whole new world for me – it has taught me to think outside the box and the bin. In learning to garden by way of permaculture, I went back and forth on how to build my own compost pile. In waiting for everything to be just right, I decided to just start piling on the ground. Wouldn’t you know, before long… I had my very own compost. No fancy bins, nothing! Here’s what worked for me:

I picked a site near the garden. A site near the kitchen and under the branches of a deciduous tree work well according to some gardeners. I just happened to start mine very near an orange tree. “They” say to alternate between brown and green ingredients for the ideal carbon/nitrogen balance. I didn’t so much alternate –  for brown ingredients… I’ve used straw, grass clippings, dead and broken tree branches, and lots of kitchen scraps. I’ve been told no potatoes or citrus, though, I’ve used the later simply because the citrus trees want it. A textbook of mine suggests layering 3” of straw, 1” to 6” moist green material, then a 1” layer of soil and repeat to 3-4 feet in height. The thickness of green material is dependent on the density of material. Loose open material, such as green bean vines or tomato stems can be applied thicker. Kitchen scraps and grass clippings are denser and can be applied thinner. The microorganisms in the soil help decompose organic matter.

Technical aspect aside – I merely toss my compost ingredients, mix thoroughly, and water almost daily. Pile sits atop the ground, so soil automatically gets mixed in. The soil underneath is where I scoop out my wonderfully smelling decomposed matter. It takes much less time than most people and/or textbooks state. However, temperature does play a role.

Happy composting!

According to Dr. Mercola at Mercola.com, the benefits of laughing include:

• Relaxation and reduction in muscle tension.
• Lowered production of stress hormones.
• Improved immune system function.
• Reduction in blood pressure.
• Clearing the lungs by dislodging mucous plugs.
• Increasing the production of salivary immunoglobulin A, which defends against infectious organisms that enter through the respiratory tract.
• Aerobic effects that increased the body‘s ability to utilize oxygen.
• A rapid ability to disregard aches and pains or to perceive them as less severe.

In the book, Anatomy of an Illness, Norman Cousins tell of his journey of being bedridden with a “death sentence” of a few months to his remarkable recovery with laughter and Vitamin C.

Laughter does more than help and heal you… it does wonders for your face value!

PHARMACEUTICALS… and so the vicious cycle go!

In May 2008, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention stated that overweight and obese individuals are at an increased risk for many diseases and health conditions, some include:

• Hypertension (high blood pressure)
• Osteoarthritis (a degeneration of cartilage and its underlying bone within a joint)
• Dyslipidemia (examples: high total cholesterol or high levels of triglycerides)
• Type 2 Diabetes
• Coronary heart disease
• Stroke
• Gall bladder disease
• Sleep apnea and respiratory problems
• Some cancers (endometrial, breast and colon)

A colored pill can kill! Our food can be our pharmacy and an ongoing source to weight loss and vibrant health. Saying farewell to fast, processed fake foods and hello to real food and balanced meals is a start! Don’t allow the vicious cycle of obesity, disease, and pharmaceuticals to literally stop you dead in your tracks. Obesity as we know, has not yet been labeled a disease, but IT CAN LEAD TO ONE of many.

Medicine cures 3/10, diet cures 7/10  ~Chinese Proverb~