food

I got so sick of my weeds I ate them.

http://www.greenmodernkits.com/2008/05/garden-revenge.html

(Forgive the picture of me in my jammies with yesterday's makeup falling off my face, but I still like it anyway because it shows how large the burdock grows!)

From mkd's newsletter:

Time to break out those gumdrops and some icing glue because ‘tis the season for gingerbread houses! This year, however, why not put a green twist on this great holiday tradition? We’ve created a recipe for creating your very own gingerbread Lotus or, as we like to call it, gingerLotus. Aside from being a fun and delicious holiday activity, we think this project is an excellent way to start acquainting children with the ideas of sustainability and green living. It’s never too early to begin teaching your kids to be concerned for our environment and training them how to respect and protect it through everyday actions. This time of year is such a fun and exciting one for children; what better way to engage them in greening then by integrating it into your family’s holiday traditions. We hope you’ll find the results yummy in every way!

I received this from a friend and it originated at Andropogon Associates, a landscape architecture firm in Philly. It is only a concept house for now but could have huge implications if embraced by bakers in scale.

Water Harvesting: Roof leaders and cisterns are employed to collect and store water for non-potable water needs such as frosting and gingerbread hydration

Reduced Resource Consumption and Waste: Locally made gummy trees and shrubs reduce negative environmental impacts caused by shipping

Sustainable Materials: Baked in hybrid solar oven, all gingerbread is made of organic ingredients. Contains no artificial flavorings, preservatives, or hydrogenated oils

Recycled Materials: Walkway paved with salvaged frosting from roof

Stormwater Management: A bioretention pond collects excess water and recycles wastewater by filtering out all artificial flavorings, preservatives, and transfats

This is simple to make. Made from two cardboard boxes (or even timber), some clear plastic wrap, and a little tape and you can build an inexpensive solar dehydrator. A functional food preservation machine that can be created for little work and little money. For full details on this great concept, go to http://ecostudio.com.au/self-reliance-diy/diy-solar-food-dehydrator.html