returntonow--2020-07-06--750 Million GMO Mosquitoes to be Released in Florida and Texas

Jurassic Park-like killer mosquitoes to be released in Florida this summer , and Texas next year State regulators in Florida and Texas recently approved a biotech company ’ s plan to release nearly a billion genetically modified mosquitoes .
These GMO super bugs will be deployed on marsh ecosystems where plenty of natural mosquitoes already exist .
The goal is to depopulate Aedes aegypti mosquitoes , which are responsible for spreading viruses that trigger yellow fever , dengue fever , and Zika fever .
The genetically modified male mosquitoes will pass on a special protein to their female offspring that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that by reducing mosquito populations , they ’ ll also reduce the transmission of “ disease-causing ” viruses .
However , with zero reported cases of Zika in Florida this year and in 2019 , and only 1 locally reported case of dengue , some are question whether such drastic measures are necessary .
Jaydee Hanson of the International Center for Technology Assessment and Center for Food Safety calls it a “ Jurassic Park experiment.
” Floridians have been objecting to the release of these “ killer bugs ” on their picturesque string @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Keys , since the idea was first proposed in 2016 .
“ We have repeatedly asked for Oxitec to work with us to prove the technology is safe , ” Florida Keys Environmental Coalition Executive Director Barry Wray said in a statement .
“ Instead of receiving Oxitec ’ s cooperation to provide this confidence , we have witnessed a pattern of avoidance , misrepresentations , obfuscations and using marketing and political influence to persuade the regulatory and community stakeholders to proceed with what is truly a poorly designed experiment on our public @ @ @ @ @ @ @ The EPA and Florida ’ s Department of Agriculture green lighted the biotech company ’ s plan to release the mosquitoes this summer .
Texas plans to roll out the high-tech mosquitoes in 2021 .
“ People here in Florida do not consent to the genetically engineered mosquitoes or to being human experiments , ” Wray said .
“ What could possibly go wrong ?
We don ’ t know , because they unlawfully refused to seriously analyze environmental risks , ” Hanson added .
Will this be better than conducting mass spraying @ @ @ @ @ @ @ also kill bees and other insects ?
Or , will we end up victims to some kind of Franken-bug , that , until now , was only found in a Jurassic Park movie ?
Time will only tell .
For now , outraged citizens are protesting at the Florida Keys Mosquito Control .
If you can ’ t be there in person , environmentalists urge you to call them at 305-292-7190 .

Jurassic Park-like killer mosquitoes to be released in Florida this summer, and Texas next year
State regulators in Florida and Texas recently approved a biotech company’s plan to release nearly a billion genetically modified mosquitoes.
These GMO super bugs will be deployed on marsh ecosystems where plenty of natural mosquitoes already exist.
The goal is to depopulate Aedes aegypti mosquitoes, which are responsible for spreading viruses that trigger yellow fever, dengue fever, and Zika fever.
The genetically modified male mosquitoes will pass on a special protein to their female offspring that will kill them.
British-based Oxitec claims that by reducing mosquito populations, they’ll also reduce the transmission of “disease-causing” viruses.
However, with zero reported cases of Zika in Florida this year and in 2019, and only 1 locally reported case of dengue, some are question whether such drastic measures are necessary.
Jaydee Hanson of the International Center for Technology Assessment and Center for Food Safety calls it a “Jurassic Park experiment.”
Floridians have been objecting to the release of these “killer bugs” on their picturesque string of islands, know as the Florida Keys, since the idea was first proposed in 2016.
“We have repeatedly asked for Oxitec to work with us to prove the technology is safe,” Florida Keys Environmental Coalition Executive Director Barry Wray said in a statement.
“Instead of receiving Oxitec’s cooperation to provide this confidence, we have witnessed a pattern of avoidance, misrepresentations, obfuscations and using marketing and political influence to persuade the regulatory and community stakeholders to proceed with what is truly a poorly designed experiment on our public and ecosystems,” Wray said.
The EPA and Florida’s Department of Agriculture green lighted the biotech company’s plan to release the mosquitoes this summer. Texas plans to roll out the high-tech mosquitoes in 2021.
“People here in Florida do not consent to the genetically engineered mosquitoes or to being human experiments,” Wray said.
“What could possibly go wrong? We don’t know, because they unlawfully refused to seriously analyze environmental risks,” Hanson added.
Will this be better than conducting mass spraying of mosquitoes’ habitat with insecticides that also kill bees and other insects?
Or, will we end up victims to some kind of Franken-bug, that, until now, was only found in a Jurassic Park movie? Time will only tell.
For now, outraged citizens are protesting at the Florida Keys Mosquito Control. If you can’t be there in person, environmentalists urge you to call them at 305-292-7190.


returntonow--2020-07-07--14 Beautiful Perennial Flowers That’ll Bloom in Your Garden Year After Year

Perennial flowers make excellent cover crops , improve your soil , and never need to be replanted Why plant annual flowers every year , when you can plant one year and be done ?
Perennials are plants that live longer than two years , and many of them live much , much longer .
And once they are planted , they pretty much take care of themselves .
Unlike annuals , they don ’ t require tilling , mulching , weeding , fertilizing or evening watering after the first year .
And… they repair your soil , rather than deplete @ @ @ @ @ @ @ root systems are much deeper and more complex than annuals , enabling them to bring nutrients trapped in the subsoil up to the topsoil , making it available not only for themselves , but for any annual food crops you may have planted nearby .
This makes them great cover crops .
Not only do they pull up nutrients , they pull down water from above .
Water runs right off compacted soil , but the vast root systems of perennials aerate and soften the soil , making it more spongey and more @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and locking in moisture for food-bearing plants , perennial flowers will beautify your garden year after year , with no work on your part .
And , if you plant a wide variety , you ’ ll have new waves of various colored blooms coming in and out throughout the year .
Below are some favorites recommended by Good Housekeeping magazine .
They ’ re selected not only for their beauty , but their long-lasting hardiness ; 1 .
Hostas .
These hardy plants offer a tropical vibe with purple or white blooms @ @ @ @ @ @ @ well in the shade ( or a bit of sun , and can survive for decades in the right conditions .
They ’ re new shoots are also edible !
They ’ ll grow in USDA growing zones 3-9 .
2 .
Shasta daisies .
These classic flowers will quickly fill any empty patches in your garden with cheery splashes if white and yellow .
Their long-lasting blooms will last spring through fall .
Their leaves can be tossed into salads .
USDA hardiness zones 5-8 .
3 .
False Indigo .
Basically @ @ @ @ @ @ @ also live for decades , growing about 4-feet tall .
They ’ ll paint your garden with splashes of Royal purple and blue In the late spring/early summer .
Hardiness zones 5-9 .
4 .
Daylily .
For a quick burst of crimson in the early summer , throw in some daylilies .
Each bloom will only last a day , but there are several in each stem , and you ’ ll be delighted to catch a glimpse of their fast-fading glory .
These plants are virtually indestructible , Surviving extreme temperature @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Zones 4-9 .
5 .
Phlox .
Starting in early spring , low-growing phlox blooms as ground cover .
Then during the summer months , the tall phlox — three to five feet in height — pop up , creating a colorful backdrop for any low-growers .
The star-shaped flowers emit a strong , pleasant fragrance .
Zones 2-9 .
6 .
Lupines .
These exotic delights are usually found growing in the wild , but will adapt perfectly to your garden .
They vary in color from red to white , yellow @ @ @ @ @ @ @ spring and summer .
They ’ re also known as Texas Bluebonnets .
Zones 4-7 .
7 .
Butterfly bush .
These flowers require a bit more maintenance ( pruning ) than the others , but it ’ ll attract beautiful butterflies in summer and fall .
The flowers also come in white and dark purple , but lavender are most appealing to butterflies .
Zones 5-10 .
8 .
Hydrangeas .
These giant blooms have been popular for a long time for their classic beauty .
Their petals appear tie-dyed in pink @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Many live over 50 years , blooming in summer and fall .
Zones 3-9 .
9 .
Yarrow .
Another great snack for pollinators , Use this fast-growing ground cover to create meadow-like wide open spaces .
Once the red , yellow , white and pink starts to fade , cut the flowers off to keep them blooming all summer long .
Zones 3-9 .
10 .
Coneflowers ( echinacea ) .
These bold purple , orange , pink and yellow flowers are medicine , not only for you , but for butterflies @ @ @ @ @ @ @ are fast-growing a drought-resistant .
Zones 3-9 .
11 .
Sage .
This famous culinary herb also produces pretty purple flowers .
It also feeds hummingbirds , bees and butterflies spring through fall .
They grow up to 5 feet tall , even in hot heat and drought .
Zones 5-10 .
12 .
Lavender .
Another beautiful culinary herb , lavender will make your yard smell lovely as well .
This Mediterranean plant also tolerated drought and heat .
Zones 5-9 .
13 .
Tickseed .
Another pretty pollinator attractor , these @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , bright yellow .
They can also be used in medicinal teas .
Zones 4-9 .
14 .
Allium .
These purple pompoms are part of the onion family so feel free to eat a few .
As a bonus , they tend to repel rodents , deer and other pests .
The long skinny stems grow almost 3 feet tall , making them stand out against lower ground cover .
Zones 3-9 .

Perennial flowers also make excellent cover crops for your veggie garden, improving soil and keeping pests away!
Why plant annual flowers every year, when you can plant one year and be done?
Perennials are plants that live longer than two years, and many of them live much, much longer.
And once they are planted, they pretty much take care of themselves.
Unlike annuals, they don’t require tilling, mulching, weeding, fertilizing or evening watering after the first year. And… they repair your soil, rather than deplete it.
That’s because their root systems are much deeper and more complex than annuals, enabling them to bring nutrients trapped in the subsoil up to the topsoil, making it available not only for themselves, but for any annual food crops you may have planted nearby.
This makes them great cover crops. Not only do they pull up nutrients, they pull down water from above. Water runs right off compacted soil, but the vast root systems of perennials aerate and soften the soil, making it more spongey and more absorbent.
In addition to fixing soil and locking in moisture for food-bearing plants, perennial flowers will beautify your garden year after year, with no work on your part.
And, if you plant a wide variety, you’ll have new waves of various colored blooms coming in and out throughout the year.
Below are some favorites recommended by Good Housekeeping magazine. They’re selected not only for their beauty, but their long-lasting hardiness;
1. Hostas. These hardy plants offer a tropical vibe with purple or white blooms from summer to fall. They do well in the shade (or a bit of sun, and can survive for decades in the right conditions. They’re new shoots are also edible! They’ll grow in USDA growing zones 3-9.
2. Shasta daisies. These classic flowers will quickly fill any empty patches in your garden with cheery splashes if white and yellow. Their long-lasting blooms will last spring through fall. Their leaves can be tossed into salads. USDA hardiness zones 5-8.
3. False Indigo. Basically disease-free and pest-free, these beauties will also live for decades, growing about 4-feet tall. They’ll paint your garden with splashes of Royal purple and blue In the late spring/early summer. Hardiness zones 5-9.
4. Daylily. For a quick burst of crimson in the early summer, throw in some daylilies. Each bloom will only last a day, but there are several in each stem, and you’ll be delighted to catch a glimpse of their fast-fading glory. These plants are virtually indestructible, Surviving extreme temperature changes, fluctuating rainfall, etc. Zones 4-9.
5. Phlox. Starting in early spring, low-growing phlox blooms as ground cover. Then during the summer months, the tall phlox — three to five feet in height — pop up, creating a colorful backdrop for any low-growers. The star-shaped flowers emit a strong, pleasant fragrance. Zones 2-9.
6. Lupines. These exotic delights are usually found growing in the wild, but will adapt perfectly to your garden. They vary in color from red to white, yellow, pink and purple, blooming throughout spring and summer. They’re also known as Texas Bluebonnets. Zones 4-7.
7. Butterfly bush. These flowers require a bit more maintenance (pruning) than the others, but it’ll attract beautiful butterflies in summer and fall. The flowers also come in white and dark purple, but lavender are most appealing to butterflies. Zones 5-10.
8. Hydrangeas. These giant blooms have been popular for a long time for their classic beauty. Their petals appear tie-dyed in pink, blue, purple and white. Many live over 50 years, blooming in summer and fall. Zones 3-9.
9. Yarrow. Another great snack for pollinators, Use this fast-growing ground cover to create meadow-like wide open spaces. Once the red, yellow, white and pink starts to fade, cut the flowers off to keep them blooming all summer long. Zones 3-9.
10. Coneflowers (echinacea). These bold purple, orange, pink and yellow flowers are medicine, not only for you, but for butterflies, throughout summer and fall. They are fast-growing a drought-resistant. Zones 3-9.
11. Sage. This famous culinary herb also produces pretty purple flowers. It also feeds hummingbirds, bees and butterflies spring through fall. They grow up to 5 feet tall, even in hot heat and drought. Zones 5-10.
12. Lavender. Another beautiful culinary herb, lavender will make your yard smell lovely as well. This Mediterranean plant also tolerated drought and heat. Zones 5-9.
13. Tickseed. Another pretty pollinator attractor, these daisy-like flowers add a splash of cherry, bright yellow. They can also be used in medicinal teas. Zones 4-9.
14. Allium. These purple pompoms are part of the onion family so feel free to eat a few. As a bonus, they tend to repel rodents, deer and other pests. The long skinny stems grow almost 3 feet tall, making them stand out against lower ground cover. Zones 3-9.


returntonow--2020-07-08--NASA Releases Amazing New High-Definition Photos of Jupiter

High-resolution space photography gives us the clearest view of Jupiter yet , and it ’ s beautiful !
After four years and nearly 500 million miles of traveling , NASA ’ s spacecraft Juno finally reached Jupiter ’ s atmosphere in 2016 and has been taking awesome photos ever since .
Over the last few months , the space probe has made several close “ flybys ” past the planet , enabling its high-resolution cameras to snap some of the coolest images yet .
This close-up of Jupiter ’ s stormy Great Red Spot was posted to NASA ’ s @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ s 27th “ close flyby ” of the planet : On the spacecraft ’ s 26th flyby in April , it captured the following image of these elaborate atmospheric jets or “ pop-up ” clouds from about 5000 miles away : This image is a composite of four photos taken between 30,000 and 60,000 feet from Jupiter in February , giving us a broader view of the gas giant : In this shot the JunoCam caught two storms ( white ovals ) merging in December , 2019 : This image of Jupiter @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , but wasn ’ t published on NASA ’ s website until February , 2020 : This composite , false-color infrared image taken in 2017 reveals haze particles over a range of altitudes , as seen in reflected sunlight : And finally , this amazing shot of Jupiter ’ s South Pole from 2017 :

High-resolution space photography gives us the clearest view of Jupiter yet, and it’s beautiful!
After four years and nearly 500 million miles of traveling, NASA’s spacecraft Juno finally reached Jupiter’s atmosphere in 2016 and has been taking awesome photos ever since.
Over the last few months, the space probe has made several close “flybys” past the planet, enabling its high-resolution cameras to snap some of the coolest images yet.
This close-up of Jupiter’s stormy Great Red Spot was posted to NASA’s website July 1, taken on Juno’s 27th “close flyby” of the planet:
On the spacecraft’s 26th flyby in April, it captured the following image of these elaborate atmospheric jets or “pop-up” clouds from about 5000 miles away:
This image is a composite of four photos taken between 30,000 and 60,000 feet from Jupiter in February, giving us a broader view of the gas giant:
In this shot the JunoCam caught two storms (white ovals) merging in December, 2019:
This image of Jupiter’s equator was taken in 2017, but wasn’t published on NASA’s website until February, 2020:
This composite, false-color infrared image taken in 2017 reveals haze particles over a range of altitudes, as seen in reflected sunlight:
And finally, this amazing shot of Jupiter’s South Pole from 2017:


returntonow--2020-07-09--Photographer Snaps Once-in-a-Lifetime Shot of a Rainbow Sky

You have to be in exactly the right place , at exactly the right time , to see the extremely rare “ fire rainbow ” … luckily this lady had her camera Fire rainbows – or circumhorizonal arcs – are actually a type of ice halo that fill the whole sky with their colorful beams of light .
They can only be seen between the latitudes of 55 degrees North and 55 degrees South , when the sun is high in the sky ( at an elevation of 58 degrees or more ) , shining through horizontally-oriented , flat , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ cirrus clouds , according to the World Meteorological Organization .
In the United States , these conditions are most likely to occur in June or July .
In this lucky Washington State photographer ’ s case , it happened on March 23 , right after the coronavirus lockdown began : “ Witnessed a pretty cool phenomenon out on lake Sammamish today .
A horizontal rainbow !
To me , it was a little reminder to hold onto hope and love instead of fear and panic in these unknown times .
Stay safe out @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Kutz wrote on Instagram .

You have to be in exactly the right place, at exactly the right time, to see the extremely rare “fire rainbow”… luckily this lady had her camera
Fire rainbows – or circumhorizonal arcs – are actually a type of ice halo that fill the whole sky with their colorful beams of light.
They can only be seen between the latitudes of 55 degrees North and 55 degrees South, when the sun is high in the sky (at an elevation of 58 degrees or more), shining through horizontally-oriented, flat, hexagonal ice crystals, found in high-altitude cirrus clouds, according to the World Meteorological Organization.
In the United States, these conditions are most likely to occur in June or July.
In this lucky Washington State photographer’s case, it happened on March 23, right after the coronavirus lockdown began:
“Witnessed a pretty cool phenomenon out on lake Sammamish today. A horizontal rainbow! To me, it was a little reminder to hold onto hope and love instead of fear and panic in these unknown times. Stay safe out there, friends,” photographer Cessna Kutz wrote on Instagram.


returntonow--2020-07-10--Man Catches Huge Fish from a Rainbow Unicorn Floaty

Florida man catches huge tarpon while floating in the ocean on a “ magical ” flying unicorn In a new @ @ @ @ @ Old Man and the Sea , a young man was caught on film wrestling with @ @ @ @ @ relatively small “ boat ” off the coast of Clearwater , Florida .
What better @ @ @ @ @ trip on than a winged , rainbow unicorn floaty ?
Apparently it made fisherman Jack @ @ @ @ @ extra large tarpon .
Luckily , his friends were standing by on an actual boat @ @ @ @ @ and help him load his catch : “ The stealthy natural drift of the unicorn @ @ @ @ @ was deadly this afternoon 3/3 all in time to make Father ’ s Day dinner @ @ @ @ @ Facebook .

Florida man catches huge tarpon while floating in the ocean on a “magical” flying unicorn
In a new twist on Hemingway’s Old Man and the Sea, a young man was caught on film wrestling with a giant fish from a relatively small “boat” off the coast of Clearwater, Florida.
What better vessel to take a fishing trip on than a winged, rainbow unicorn floaty?
Apparently it made fisherman Jack Vasileros less intimidating to an extra large tarpon.
Luckily, his friends were standing by on an actual boat to catch it on video and help him load his catch:
“The stealthy natural drift of the unicorn float with the Stella combo was deadly this afternoon 3/3 all in time to make Father’s Day dinner!” Vasilaros wrote on Facebook.


returntonow--2020-07-12--Mexico Bans Monsanto’s Roundup Herbicide

Mexico announces a plan to be 100 % glyphosate-free by 2024 Mexico is breaking free from Monsanto ’ s grip on its soil .
The country ’ s Environment Ministry just announced it plans to gradually reduce the amount of glyphosate farmers are allowed to use , until it is completely phased out in 2024 .
“ Beyond productivity , there is human and environmental health , ” Director of the Renewable Natural Resources Department Adelita San Vicente Tello said in a statement .
Glyphosate is the main ingredient in Monsanto ’ s Roundup herbicide , and one of the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ It ’ s currently the subject of thousands of lawsuits claiming it causes non-Hodgkins lymphoma .
Farmers and landscapers who administer the weedkiller to their crops and lawns are the most exposed , but almost all of us consume trace amounts of glyphosate residue left on our grains , fruits and veggies and secondhand through meats and dairy , unless we eat all organic .
The World Health Organization and the state of California recognize the weedkiller as a probable carcinogen , and an increasing number of judges are also recognizing it as @ @ @ @ @ @ @ plaintiffs .
Not only is the weedkiller harmful to human health , organizations like the Center for Biological Diversity claim it ’ s terrible for ecological health , wiping out entire ecosystems of living organisms from soil bacteria to plants to pollinators and birds .
Mexico ’ s National Council of Science and Technology is analyzing alternatives to glyphosate-herbicides , including methods used by indigenous farmers for thousands of years .

Mexico announces a plan to be 100% glyphosate-free by 2024
Mexico is breaking free from Monsanto’s grip on its soil.
The country’s Environment Ministry just announced it plans to gradually reduce the amount of glyphosate farmers are allowed to use, until it is completely phased out in 2024.
“Beyond productivity, there is human and environmental health,” Director of the Renewable Natural Resources Department Adelita San Vicente Tello said in a statement.
Glyphosate is the main ingredient in Monsanto’s Roundup herbicide, and one of the most controversial chemicals in the world.
It’s currently the subject of thousands of lawsuits claiming it causes non-Hodgkins lymphoma.
Farmers and landscapers who administer the weedkiller to their crops and lawns are the most exposed, but almost all of us consume trace amounts of glyphosate residue left on our grains, fruits and veggies and secondhand through meats and dairy, unless we eat all organic.
The World Health Organization and the state of California recognize the weedkiller as a probable carcinogen, and an increasing number of judges are also recognizing it as such, awarding millions of dollars to plaintiffs.
Not only is the weedkiller harmful to human health, organizations like the Center for Biological Diversity claim it’s terrible for ecological health, wiping out entire ecosystems of living organisms from soil bacteria to plants to pollinators and birds.
Mexico’s National Council of Science and Technology is analyzing alternatives to glyphosate-herbicides, including methods used by indigenous farmers for thousands of years.


returntonow--2020-07-13--People Flock To Get Tattooed By This 103-Year-Old Filipino Traditional Tattoo Artist

Visitors from all over the world are seeking out this woman to get a hand-poked traditional tattoo Adventurists wanting authentic , tribal tattoos , containing both mystery and meaning , come to a small village in the Philippines to visit the world ’ s oldest tattoo artist .
Whang Od Oggay is 103 years old and lives in the northern mountainous region of the Kalinga province .
Many filipinos consider her a celebrity because she ’ s the only mambabatok – traditional tattooist – left in their country .
These hand-poked tattoos are made with a pomelo tree , a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ water .
Whang Od taps her homemade ink deep into the the skin with a thorn , while the bamboo pushes it in .
Her tattoos symbolize either strength or fertility and are permanent once applied .
Designs range from various lines to mysterious tribal prints to animals .
She ’ s popular not only among the locals , but with tourists from all over the world .
Because she ’ s revered as a master of her craft and recognized as such , people will drive 15 hours north of Manila to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a long car ride , visitors have to hike over a mile down a skinny dirt road through forests and rice terraces .
In the old days , these traditional Kalinga tattoos used to be given to tribal warriors after they killed a man in battle but today anyone can get one… well , anyone who can mange to reach her anyway .
“ I had a 4-day trip going from Baguio to Sagada to Buscalan , where the village of Whang Od is .
The villagers were friendly , and I had @ @ @ @ @ @ @ They dance to modern hits from a phone there .
They respect their elders so much , ” said Rajayana Librojo Fajatin .
“ For me , Whang Od is the most beautiful woman I ’ ve seen , ” said Rajayana .
“ The tattooing was not as painful as it was illustrated and lasted for less than an hour .
I had it done on my right shoulder .
Going down the mountains after getting a tattoo was quite exhausting , but the villagers , even the old women , can @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , a fun and humbling experience !
”

Visitors from all over the world are seeking out this woman to get a hand-poked traditional tattoo
Adventurists wanting authentic, tribal tattoos, containing both mystery and meaning, come to a small village in the Philippines to visit the world’s oldest tattoo artist.
Whang Od Oggay is 103 years old and lives in the northern mountainous region of the Kalinga province.
Many filipinos consider her a celebrity because she’s the only mambabatok – traditional tattooist – left in their country.
These hand-poked tattoos are made with a pomelo tree, a foot-long bamboo stick, coal, and water. Whang Od taps her homemade ink deep into the the skin with a thorn, while the bamboo pushes it in.
Her tattoos symbolize either strength or fertility and are permanent once applied. Designs range from various lines to mysterious tribal prints to animals.
She’s popular not only among the locals, but with tourists from all over the world.
Because she’s revered as a master of her craft and recognized as such, people will drive 15 hours north of Manila to the mountain village of Buscalan. After a long car ride, visitors have to hike over a mile down a skinny dirt road through forests and rice terraces.
In the old days, these traditional Kalinga tattoos used to be given to tribal warriors after they killed a man in battle but today anyone can get one… well, anyone who can mange to reach her anyway.
“I had a 4-day trip going from Baguio to Sagada to Buscalan, where the village of Whang Od is. The villagers were friendly, and I had fun, especially with the kids. They dance to modern hits from a phone there. They respect their elders so much,” said Rajayana Librojo Fajatin.
“For me, Whang Od is the most beautiful woman I’ve seen,” said Rajayana. “The tattooing was not as painful as it was illustrated and lasted for less than an hour. I had it done on my right shoulder. Going down the mountains after getting a tattoo was quite exhausting, but the villagers, even the old women, can do it fastly and smoothly. Overall, a fun and humbling experience!”


returntonow--2020-07-13--Appeals Court Upholds Protections for Yellowstone Grizzlies

Yellowstone grizzlies are protected from hunters as court stands by the Endangered Species Act Trophy hunters looking to bag a Yellowstone-grizzly on their next big hunt will have to put their plans on hold .
The 9th Circuit Court of Appeals just upheld a ruling from 2018 that protects grizzly bears under Endangered Species Act , which the Trump administration tried to to illegally nullify .
“ This is a tremendous victory , ” said Andrea Zaccardi , attorney at the Center for Biological Diversity .
“ Grizzlies still have a long way to go before recovery .
Hunting these @ @ @ @ @ @ @ treasured national park should never again be an option.
” Back in 2017 , the Yellowstone-region grizzly bear was removed from the federal endangered and threatened species list by the U.S .
Fish and Wildlife Service .
This caused outrage among the Northern Cheyenne tribe and other conservation groups in Wyoming and Idaho because it allowed bears to be killed for the first time in 40 years .
Hunters were now allowed to kill up to 23 bears a year on sacred land just outside of Yellowstone National Park .
The Cheyenne tribe @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , as they challenged the U.S .
Fish and Wildlife Service in court in a Montana federal court .
The 2018 ruling blocked the hunts .
However , the Fish and Wildlife Service , along with farmers and private hunting firms in the area appealed the district court ’ s order .
The 9th Circuit Court of Appeals said there was no “ concrete , enforceable mechanisms ” to “ ensure long-term genetic health of the Yellowstone grizzly , and that a “ commitment to increase population size ” is “ required to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ referred to the grizzly bear as “ an iconic symbol of the Rocky Mountain west.
” “ The courts have repeatedly slammed the Fish and Wildlife Service for prematurely removing federal protections from grizzly bears , ” said Zaccardi .
“ I hope the agency will now concentrate on fully recovering these magnificent animals , not stripping them of needed safeguards .
”

Yellowstone grizzlies are protected from hunters as court stands by the Endangered Species Act
Trophy hunters looking to bag a Yellowstone-grizzly on their next big hunt will have to put their plans on hold.
The 9th Circuit Court of Appeals just upheld a ruling from 2018 that protects grizzly bears under Endangered Species Act, which the Trump administration tried to to illegally nullify.
“This is a tremendous victory,” said Andrea Zaccardi, attorney at the Center for Biological Diversity. “Grizzlies still have a long way to go before recovery. Hunting these beautiful animals around America’s most treasured national park should never again be an option.”
Back in 2017, the Yellowstone-region grizzly bear was removed from the federal endangered and threatened species list by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service.
This caused outrage among the Northern Cheyenne tribe and other conservation groups in Wyoming and Idaho because it allowed bears to be killed for the first time in 40 years.
Hunters were now allowed to kill up to 23 bears a year on sacred land just outside of Yellowstone National Park.
The Cheyenne tribe didn’t let the issue rest, as they challenged the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service in court in a Montana federal court. The 2018 ruling blocked the hunts.
However, the Fish and Wildlife Service, along with farmers and private hunting firms in the area appealed the district court’s order.
The 9th Circuit Court of Appeals said there was no “concrete, enforceable mechanisms” to “ensure long-term genetic health of the Yellowstone grizzly, and that a “commitment to increase population size” is “required to ensure long-term viability.” The ruling also referred to the grizzly bear as “an iconic symbol of the Rocky Mountain west.”
“The courts have repeatedly slammed the Fish and Wildlife Service for prematurely removing federal protections from grizzly bears,” said Zaccardi. “I hope the agency will now concentrate on fully recovering these magnificent animals, not stripping them of needed safeguards.”


returntonow--2020-07-15--Backyard Chicken Ownership is Booming Thanks to Corona

Wait-lists at hatcheries grow as Americans return to the tradition of raising their own eggs and chicken meat There ’ s been a sharp rise in backyard chicken ownership , and rentals , in the wake of CoVid-19 .
Hatcheries can ’ t keep up with orders for chickens and baby chicks , as people scramble for a more secure source of food .
“ We are swamped with orders , ” owner of Cackle Hatchery in Missouri Nancy Smith told NPR .
“ We can ’ t answer all the phone calls , and we are booked out several @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ ve never seen anything like this and I ’ ve been here since 1964 .
Everyone is very anxious , and in some cases very impatient.
” “ People are at home so they ’ re looking for something for their families to do while they ’ re home , ” says Kendall Fox of Freedom Ranger Hatchery in Pennsylvania .
“ The other reason is the security of having food in their backyard.
” Small orders for backyard chickens are replacing large orders cancelled by factory farmers , who supply restaurants @ @ @ @ @ @ @ lot of the stores and processing plants in New York City have closed as well , and a lot of our birds end up there , ” Fox says .
While most newbie-homesteaders are raising the chickens for eggs , some more hardcore preppers plan to raise the birds for their meat .
“ Our most popular breed is the Freedom Ranger , a slower growing colored broiler ( a meat bird ) , ” Fox says .
It might not be a bad idea to get on the backyard chicken bandwagon according @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
The study found free-range eggs contain a third less cholesterol , a quarter less saturated fat , and more vitamin A and E , beta-carotene and omega-3 fatty acids — than conventional grocery store eggs .

Wait-lists at hatcheries grow as Americans return to the tradition of raising their own eggs and chicken meat
There’s been a sharp rise in backyard chicken ownership, and rentals, in the wake of CoVid-19.
Hatcheries can’t keep up with orders for chickens and baby chicks, as people scramble for a more secure source of food.
“We are swamped with orders,” owner of Cackle Hatchery in Missouri Nancy Smith told NPR. “We can’t answer all the phone calls, and we are booked out several weeks on most breeds.”
“We’ve never seen anything like this and I’ve been here since 1964. Everyone is very anxious, and in some cases very impatient.”
“People are at home so they’re looking for something for their families to do while they’re home,” says Kendall Fox of Freedom Ranger Hatchery in Pennsylvania. “The other reason is the security of having food in their backyard.”
Small orders for backyard chickens are replacing large orders cancelled by factory farmers, who supply restaurants and processed food plants.
“A lot of the stores and processing plants in New York City have closed as well, and a lot of our birds end up there,” Fox says.
While most newbie-homesteaders are raising the chickens for eggs, some more hardcore preppers plan to raise the birds for their meat.
“Our most popular breed is the Freedom Ranger, a slower growing colored broiler (a meat bird),” Fox says.
It might not be a bad idea to get on the backyard chicken bandwagon according to a 2007 Mother Earth News study. The study found free-range eggs contain a third less cholesterol, a quarter less saturated fat, and more vitamin A and E, beta-carotene and omega-3 fatty acids — than conventional grocery store eggs.


returntonow--2020-07-16--Bison are Becoming Beach Bums On Catalina Island with Tourism at an All Time Low

Man snaps photo of bison on the beach on recent trip to California ’ s Catalina Island Strange as it seems , around 150 bison roam wild on California ’ s Catalina Island .
A movie producer brought them to the island nearly 100 years ago and couldn ’ t afford to ship them back .
They typically stay high in the hills , munching on the grasslands , but a tourist recently caught them on camera relaxing on the beach .
According to the comments , locals frequently spot bison of the beach in the photo – a campground @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the off-tourism-season ( fall or winter ) .
But this photo was taken in May , when the beach would usually be packed with campers if not for CoVid19 .
A Google search of “ bison+beach+Catalina Island ” shows only a few images snapped by locals over the years .
This image seems to be the first where a bison is actually lying down .
Twitter commenters who ’ ve camped at the beach say they ’ ve heard or seen them running near the beachfront campground before , but no one had @ @ @ @ @ @ @ home .
It seems the animals get to enjoy their first summer soaking up the sun with the beach all to themselves !

Man snaps photo of bison on the beach on recent trip to California’s Catalina Island
Strange as it seems, around 150 bison roam wild on California’s Catalina Island. A movie producer brought them to the island nearly 100 years ago and couldn’t afford to ship them back.
They typically stay high in the hills, munching on the grasslands, but a tourist recently caught them on camera relaxing on the beach.
This is crazy. Those who are familiar to Catalina Island, know the island has a lot of buffalo in it’s hills. But because of the lack of people visiting, look! Have you ever seen a buffalo at the beach? pic.twitter.com/KQ1qeUc2ZS — Danny Deraney (@DannyDeraney) May 13, 2020
According to the comments, locals frequently spot bison of the beach in the photo – a campground called White’s Landing – during the off-tourism-season (fall or winter).
But this photo was taken in May, when the beach would usually be packed with campers if not for CoVid19.
A Google search of “bison+beach+Catalina Island” shows only a few images snapped by locals over the years. This image seems to be the first where a bison is actually lying down.
Twitter commenters who’ve camped at the beach say they’ve heard or seen them running near the beachfront campground before, but no one had ever seen them make themselves this at home.
It seems the animals get to enjoy their first summer soaking up the sun with the beach all to themselves!


returntonow--2020-07-18--Germany Bans Single-Use Plastics by 2021

Germany bans single-use plastic food containers , cups , cutlery , straws and more In a race to prevent the @ @ @ @ @ plastic , Germany has put an abrupt end to the consumption of most major single-use @ @ @ @ @ , plates , cups , cutlery , straws , stirring sticks , cotton ear swabs @ @ @ @ @ all included on the list of items to be banned by July , 2021 .
@ @ @ @ @ already banned in the country last year .
Canada took the lead on the movement @ @ @ @ @ also would phase out most single-use plastics by 2021 .
As we catapult toward a @ @ @ @ @ scientists estimate there will be more plastic than fish in the sea , more countries @ @ @ @ @ Germany ’ s example .
While there are no federal restrictions on single-use plastics in @ @ @ @ @ states — California , Connecticut , Delaware , Hawaii , Maine , New York , @ @ @ @ @ banned single-use plastic bags .

Germany bans single-use plastic food containers, cups, cutlery, straws and more
In a race to prevent the human race from drowning in plastic, Germany has put an abrupt end to the consumption of most major single-use plastics.
Plastic takeout containers, plates, cups, cutlery, straws, stirring sticks, cotton ear swabs, and balloon holders are all included on the list of items to be banned by July, 2021.
Single-use plastic shopping bags were already banned in the country last year.
It’s time to end “throw-away culture,” said Germany’s Environment Minister Svenja Schulze.
Canada took the lead on the movement last year, announcing it also would phase out most single-use plastics by 2021.
As we catapult toward a date (2050) when scientists estimate there will be more plastic than fish in the sea, more countries need to follow Canada and Germany’s example.
While there are no federal restrictions on single-use plastics in the United States, eight states — California, Connecticut, Delaware, Hawaii, Maine, New York, Oregon and Vermont — have banned single-use plastic bags.


returntonow--2020-07-18--Costa Rica Set to Become World’s First Plastic-Free, Fossil-Fuel-Free Country

Costa Rica pledges to eliminate all single-use plastics and fossil fuels by 2021 Costa Rica is positioning itself to be the first country in the world to be totally free of single-use plastics and fossil fuels by 2021 .
At his inauguration earlier this year , President Carlos Alvarado Quesada announced his initiative to ban fossil fuels and become the world ’ s first decarbonized society : “ Decarbonization is the great task of our generation and Costa Rica must be one of the first countries in the world to accomplish it , if not the first.
” While it @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the country is already almost there .
Almost 99 % of Costa Rica ’ s energy already comes renewable sources , such as rivers , volcanoes , geothermal , wind and solar power .
In 2017 , the country ran on 100 % renewable energy for 300 days straight .
Now , the government is focused on switching to all electric cars using incentives to make them as cheap as cars that run in gas .
“ When we reach 200 years of independent life we will take Costa Rica forward and celebrate… @ @ @ @ @ @ @ diesel from our transportation , ” the president said in his inauguration speech .
Along with coal and petroleum , the country aims to make single-use plastics a thing of the past .
Last year , the government announced its plan to eradicate all single-use plastics by 2021 .
From then on , plastic has to be replaced by alternatives that are 100 % recyclable or biodegradable and not petroleum-based .
Costa Rica has the technical and financial support of the United Nations Development Program to help accomplish the goal .
Economist Mónica @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and director of Costa Rica Limpia , goes into more detail in a Democracy Now interview .

Costa Rica pledges to eliminate all single-use plastics and fossil fuels by 2021
Costa Rica is positioning itself to be the first country in the world to be totally free of single-use plastics and fossil fuels by 2021.
At his inauguration earlier this year, President Carlos Alvarado Quesada announced his initiative to ban fossil fuels and become the world’s first decarbonized society:
“Decarbonization is the great task of our generation and Costa Rica must be one of the first countries in the world to accomplish it, if not the first.”
While it may sound like a pipe dream, the country is already almost there.
Almost 99% of Costa Rica’s energy already comes renewable sources, such as rivers, volcanoes, geothermal, wind and solar power.
In 2017, the country ran on 100% renewable energy for 300 days straight.
Now, the government is focused on switching to all electric cars using incentives to make them as cheap as cars that run in gas.
“When we reach 200 years of independent life we will take Costa Rica forward and celebrate… that we’ve removed gasoline and diesel from our transportation,” the president said in his inauguration speech.
Along with coal and petroleum, the country aims to make single-use plastics a thing of the past.
Last year, the government announced its plan to eradicate all single-use plastics by 2021.
From then on, plastic has to be replaced by alternatives that are 100% recyclable or biodegradable and not petroleum-based.
Costa Rica has the technical and financial support of the United Nations Development Program to help accomplish the goal.
Economist Mónica Araya, a Costa Rican sustainability expert and director of Costa Rica Limpia, goes into more detail in a Democracy Now interview.


returntonow--2020-07-20--Wild Bison Return to the UK for the First Time in 6000 Years

Conservationists are repopulating England with bison to restore biodiversity Environmentalist groups have joined together in an effort to restore wild bison to the United Kingdom .
While typically thought of as a Native American animal , bison also used to roam the United Kingdom .
They were just wiped out and replaced by domesticated cattle much earlier there than in the United States – 6000 years ago rather than 200 .
Realizing how important the species is to creating bio-diverse , natural ecosystems the Kent Wildlife Trust and Wildwood Trust have teamed up to bring them back .
The groups @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the Netherlands or Poland into a former pine tree plantation in Kent in 2022 , with the hopes the bison will reproduce and repopulate the area .
The hope is that the bison will restore the man-made , mono-crop forest to it ’ s former natural state , a healthy mix of woodland , scrub and glades , increasing the diversity of insect , bird and plant life .
The 2000-pound beasts are considered a “ keystone species ” when it comes to creating diverse ecosystems .
They kill select trees by eating @ @ @ @ @ @ @ remove their thick winter fur .
This creates dead wood for insects , which provide food for birds , including nightingales and turtle doves .
It also creates sunny clearings where native plants can thrive .
Free-living longhorn cattle , “ iron age ” pigs , and Exmoor ponies will also live alongside the ecosytem-engineering bison and assist in restoring the woodland .

Conservationists are repopulating England with bison to restore biodiversity
Environmentalist groups have joined together in an effort to restore wild bison to the United Kingdom.
While typically thought of as a Native American animal, bison also used to roam the United Kingdom. They were just wiped out and replaced by domesticated cattle much earlier there than in the United States – 6000 years ago rather than 200.
Realizing how important the species is to creating bio-diverse, natural ecosystems the Kent Wildlife Trust and Wildwood Trust have teamed up to bring them back.
The groups plan to release four wild bison from the Netherlands or Poland into a former pine tree plantation in Kent in 2022, with the hopes the bison will reproduce and repopulate the area.
The hope is that the bison will restore the man-made, mono-crop forest to it’s former natural state, a healthy mix of woodland, scrub and glades, increasing the diversity of insect, bird and plant life.
The 2000-pound beasts are considered a “keystone species” when it comes to creating diverse ecosystems.
They kill select trees by eating their bark or rubbing against them to remove their thick winter fur. This creates dead wood for insects, which provide food for birds, including nightingales and turtle doves. It also creates sunny clearings where native plants can thrive.
Free-living longhorn cattle, “iron age” pigs, and Exmoor ponies will also live alongside the ecosytem-engineering bison and assist in restoring the woodland.


returntonow--2020-07-21--Recycled Wood Pallets Turned into Stylish Tiny Homes For the Homeless

Architect finds a cheap , efficient , eco-friendly way to shelter the homeless Susan Wines was on a mission to build the ultimate house for homeless refugees , made out of recycled materials .
At first , her and her fellow architect , Azin Valy , had failed at everything they tried .
It wasn ’ t until Susan tripped over a bunch of pallets on a walk that the idea came to her .
The two architects got to work ripping apart pallets and organizing them into various floor plans .
After a few trial and errors , they @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , tiny structure .
What they came up with was a work of art .
With sleek lines , these tiny houses have a modern look .
In addition to their contemporary style , they ’ re also quite practical .
Check out this cool built-in bench .
If you thought the outside was impressive , checkout what they ’ ve done to the interior .
A light grey paint has been applied to the inside pallets , while long , slender lights hang from the ceiling .
The skinny walls don ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ it easy to divide up living areas .
The designers spaced out the wood to create an easy-access ladder to the loft , which can fit a full-size bed .
Take another look at how these minimalist lights blend in well with the simplicity of the the pallets .
Plans for these pallet homes can be had for $ 75 .
These cheap builds could help homeless people all over the world .
Check out the designers ’ website for more information .

Architect finds a cheap, efficient,eco-friendly way to shelter the homeless
Susan Wines was on a mission to build the ultimate house for homeless refugees, made out of recycled materials.
At first, her and her fellow architect, Azin Valy, had failed at everything they tried. It wasn’t until Susan tripped over a bunch of pallets on a walk that the idea came to her.
The two architects got to work ripping apart pallets and organizing them into various floor plans.
After a few trial and errors, they finally came up with the perfect low-cost, tiny structure. What they came up with was a work of art.
With sleek lines, these tiny houses have a modern look.
In addition to their contemporary style, they’re also quite practical. Check out this cool built-in bench.
If you thought the outside was impressive, checkout what they’ve done to the interior. A light grey paint has been applied to the inside pallets, while long, slender lights hang from the ceiling.
The skinny walls don’t take up much room, making it easy to divide up living areas.
The designers spaced out the wood to create an easy-access ladder to the loft, which can fit a full-size bed.
Take another look at how these minimalist lights blend in well with the simplicity of the the pallets.
Plans for these pallet homes can be had for $75. These cheap builds could help homeless people all over the world. Check out the designers’ website for more information.


returntonow--2020-07-21--Man Sets World Record with 3-Story Tomato Plant that Yields 400 Pounds of Tomatoes

In 1985 , an Alabama man named Charles Wilber set a Guinness World Record with his 28-foot-tall tomato plant , loaded with nearly 400 pounds of tomatoes .
35 years later , no one has beat that record , and Wilbur has become somewhat of a legend for his giant tomato stalk .
It didn ’ t reach quite into the clouds , but pretty close , stretching three stories into the air .
And its humongous “ cherry ” tomatoes weighed up to 2.5 pounds each .
Not only were Wilber ’ s tomato plants enormous in height , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ four plants yielding nearly 1400 pounds of tomatoes one year .
While you might be thinking they were some kind of GMO Franken-plants , they ’ re weren ’ t .
Wilber ’ s tomatoes were 100 % organic .
And lucky for us , he has written a book revealing all his secrets : Here are his five main tips : 1 .
Pinch suckers : Diligently pinching suckers off the tomato plant is Wilber ’ s number one secret to success .
“ Suckers , if allowed to grow , become @ @ @ @ @ @ @ send off more suckers , forking again and again , ” he writes in his book , How to Grow World Record Tomatoes .
“ If these suckers are pinched off , the stem can be trained to grow straight up the cage.
” Like the name suggests , suckers suck energy away from the tomatoes that are already growing off the main branches .
Pinch them off from the crotch – or corner – right between leaf and stem , but not the fruit clusters that grow out directly from the stem @ @ @ @ @ @ @ branch is strong , allow the sucker to grow until a fruit cluster appears , pinching off new suckers , ” advises Wilber .
Wilber advises only pinching – not cutting – sucker stems , using fingers or tweezers , so they heal better .
It ’ s important to pinch them before they reach 1.5 inches .
If they are allowed to get bigger , pinching can create a wound that bleeds and stresses the plant .
2 .
Tall cages : Unable to find a tomato cage tall enough for his @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of each other .
As branches grow upward , he recommends loosely tying them to the vertical wires on the outside of the cages ( for easy picking ) using soft , 3-ply string .
“ The plant can climb to the top of the cage and then spill over and come back down , or a second cage can be set atop the first , ” says Wilber .
Wilber used a precise mixture of green waste – hay , weeds , and grass clippings – along with kitchen scraps and fresh @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of composting , using air-tight containers , because it preserves 90 percent of the nitrogen .
Aerobic composting preserves only 60 percent .
Ideally , the covered compost gets heated up to a steamy 160 degrees – which kills most diseases and weed seeds – by baking in the sun .
4 .
Clean water : To Wilber , even the type of water you use is important .
He prefers rain or pond water to chlorinated and chemically treated city water .
He also says most people underestimate the length of tomato @ @ @ @ @ @ @ several feet from the plant and should be watered at a wide circumference .
5 .
Ground cover : Along with synthetic fertilizer , Wilbur avoided synthetic herbicides .
He kept weeds under control by surrounding his tomato plants with tightly packed bales of hay .
Another option would be some low-growing perennial flowers , like clover .

Man grows Jack-and-the-Beanstalk-sized tomato plant using all organic methods!
In 1985, an Alabama man named Charles Wilber set a Guinness World Record with his 28-foot-tall tomato plant, loaded with nearly 400 pounds of tomatoes.
35 years later, no one has beat that record, and Wilbur has become somewhat of a legend for his giant tomato stalk.
It didn’t reach quite into the clouds, but pretty close, stretching three stories into the air. And its humongous “cherry” tomatoes weighed up to 2.5 pounds each.
Not only were Wilber’s tomato plants enormous in height, they were unbelievably bountiful, with just four plants yielding nearly 1400 pounds of tomatoes one year.
While you might be thinking they were some kind of GMO Franken-plants, they’re weren’t. Wilber’s tomatoes were 100% organic.
And lucky for us, he has written a book revealing all his secrets:
Here are his five main tips:
1. Kudzu compost:Wilber used a precise mixture of green waste and brown waste, including hay, weeds, and grass clippings, kitchen scraps and fresh manure… along with a special, secret ingredient, leaves from invasive kudzu plants!
“It’s the kudzu in the compost!” he yelled from his ladder, grinning as he posed for his world-record-winning picture. In his book, How to Grow World Record Tomatoes. he elaborates on the miraculous value of adding fresh-cut green kudzu leaves to his compost.
He recommends the anaerobic method of composting, using air-tight containers, because it preserves 90 percent of the nitrogen. Aerobic composting preserves only 60 percent.
Ideally, the covered compost gets heated up to a steamy 160 degrees – which kills most diseases and weed seeds – by baking in the sun.
2. Pinch suckers: Diligently pinching suckers off the tomato plant is Wilber’s number one secret to success.
“Suckers, if allowed to grow, become full-fledged stems, which in turn will send off more suckers, forking again and again,” he writes in his book.
“If these suckers are pinched off, the stem can be trained to grow straight up the cage.”
Like the name suggests, suckers suck energy away from the tomatoes that are already growing off the main branches.
Pinch them off from the crotch – or corner – right between leaf and stem, but not the fruit clusters that grow out directly from the stem, Wilber says.
“If the branch is strong, allow the sucker to grow until a fruit cluster appears, pinching off new suckers,” advises Wilber.
Wilber advises only pinching – not cutting – sucker stems, using fingers or tweezers, so they heal better. It’s important to pinch them before they reach 1.5 inches. If they are allowed to get bigger, pinching can create a wound that bleeds and stresses the plant.
3. Tall cages: Unable to find a tomato cage tall enough for his goals, Wilbur stacked his on top of each other.
As branches grow upward, he recommends loosely tying them to the vertical wires on the outside of the cages (for easy picking) using soft, 3-ply string.
“The plant can climb to the top of the cage and then spill over and come back down, or a second cage can be set atop the first,” says Wilber.
4. Clean water: To Wilber, even the type of water you use is important. He prefers rain or pond water to chlorinated and chemically treated city water.
He also says most people underestimate the length of tomato plant roots, which can extend horizontally several feet from the plant and should be watered at a wide circumference.
5. Ground cover: Along with synthetic fertilizer, Wilbur avoided synthetic herbicides. He kept weeds under control by surrounding his tomato plants with tightly packed bales of hay. Another option would be some low-growing perennial flowers, like clover.


returntonow--2020-07-22--These Blacknose Sheep Look Like Stuffed Animals, But They’re Real

These adorable Swiss sheep are now being bred in the U.S .
Looking for a pet that ’ s super cute , cuddly and looks just like your favorite stuffed animal ?
Well , Valais Blacknose ( Ovis aries ) sheep check off all those boxes and then some .
Originating in Switzerland , these animals are cherished for not only their cute looks , but for their provision of super soft wool and meat .
These wooly creatures are a large breed , that ’ s both strong and hardy .
Males and females both have spiral horns on @ @ @ @ @ @ @ covers their entire face , making it difficult to see their eyes , and adding to their stuffed-animal resemblance .
While it ’ s hard to find a pure-bred Blacknose sheep outside of Valais , Switzerland some farms in the U.S. are starting to breed something pretty close .
Foxglove Farm in Junction City , OG is importing semen from the UK from high quality Valais Blacknose Sheep rams .
They take this quarantined semen and inject into high quality pure-bred , female sheep from another breed .
This produces something very close @ @ @ @ @ @ @ part of the very first importation of these gorgeous creatures ’ genetics , and we had beautiful F2 ( 3/4 ) lambs and an incredible F3 ( 7/8 ) ram lamb this year !
!
, ” according to their website .
Here in the U.S. sheep aren ’ t as popular because they come across as less intelligent that other barnyard animals , such as cows and goats .
However , cows and goats don ’ t provide both meat and wool .
Plus these sheep look as cuddly as can be @

These adorable Swiss sheep are now being bred in the U.S.
Looking for a pet that’s super cute, cuddly and looks just like your favorite stuffed animal? Well, Valais Blacknose (Ovis aries) sheep check off all those boxes and then some.
Originating in Switzerland, these animals are cherished for not only their cute looks, but for their provision of super soft wool and meat.
These wooly creatures are a large breed, that’s both strong and hardy. Males and females both have spiral horns on their heads. A large black patch covers their entire face, making it difficult to see their eyes, and adding to their stuffed-animal resemblance.
While it’s hard to find a pure-bred Blacknose sheep outside of Valais, Switzerland some farms in the U.S. are starting to breed something pretty close.
Foxglove Farm in Junction City, OG is importing semen from the UK from high quality Valais Blacknose Sheep rams.
They take this quarantined semen and inject into high quality pure-bred, female sheep from another breed. This produces something very close to the original.
“We are part of the very first importation of these gorgeous creatures’ genetics, and we had beautiful F2 (3/4) lambs and an incredible F3 (7/8) ram lamb this year!!,” according to their website.
Here in the U.S. sheep aren’t as popular because they come across as less intelligent that other barnyard animals, such as cows and goats.
However, cows and goats don’t provide both meat and wool. Plus these sheep look as cuddly as can be.


returntonow--2020-07-23--Alaska High School Teacher Shoots Moose and Has Students Butcher It to Learn Life Skills

Students get some serious “ hands on ” learning about living off the land Hunting and trapping is still a common way of life in America ’ s “ last frontier , ” but it ’ s not usually included in public school curriculum .
Alaska high school teacher Brian Mason isn ’ t your average teacher .
He recently came rolling into class with a dead moose in the back of his truck that he shot and killed himself .
He had his 30 students help him unload his kill , gave them each a four-inch boning knife , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , process and package the meat properly .
“ You can learn certainly about anatomy from diagrams and textbooks and videos but getting your hands on an animal is a big part of the science aspect of it , ” Mason told the Anchorage Daily News .
Not only did the students get the see the animal ’ s anatomy , but they also got to appreciate the local tradition of hunting and trapping , a way of life supported Alaska ’ s indigenous people for centuries .
Mason got a special harvesting @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and Game , which gave him permission to process the animal for educational purposes .
Chugiak High School , where Mason teaches , offers a program called World Discovery Seminar , which sponsors activities like these and other real-world , hand-on learning experiences .

Students get some serious “hands on” learning about living off the land
Hunting and trapping is still a common way of life in America’s “last frontier,” but it’s not usually included in public school curriculum.
Alaska high school teacher Brian Mason isn’t your average teacher. He recently came rolling into class with a dead moose in the back of his truck that he shot and killed himself.
He had his 30 students help him unload his kill, gave them each a four-inch boning knife, and taught them to de-bone, trim and process the meat properly.
“You can learn certainly about anatomy from diagrams and textbooks and videos but getting your hands on an animal is a big part of the science aspect of it,” Mason told the Anchorage Daily News.
Not only did the students get to see the animal’s anatomy, but they also got to appreciate the local tradition of hunting and trapping, a way of life that supported Alaska’s indigenous people for centuries.
Mason got a special harvesting permit from the Alaska Department of Fish and Game, which gave him permission to process the animal for educational purposes.
Chugiak High School, where Mason teaches, offers a program called World Discovery Seminar, which sponsors activities like these and other real-world, hand-on learning experiences.


returntonow--2020-07-24--Crows Are Able To Hold A Grudge And Remember Your Face If You Are Mean To Them

Don ’ t tick off this black bird or it might remember you and take revenge Don ’ t cross a crow .
While they ’ re known for their loud “ caw ” and messing up your garden , research shows that they ’ ll also remember your face if you ’ re mean to them .
Zoologists John Marzluff and his research team decided to wear masks , in a recent study , to see if the crows they were observing would remember what they looked like .
They followed the crows from five locations , each time @ @ @ @ @ @ @ The captured crows would would scold them with a harsh , repeated “ caw , ” accompanied by wing and tail flicking , sounding the alarm to other crows and animals nearby .
Other crows in the area would caw loudly as well , even “ dive bombing ” the researchers in some cases .
The only time the crows didn ’ t react loudly was when researchers switched to a more neutral mask .
As the study wore on , more and more crows became leery of the researchers as they switched @ @ @ @ @ @ @ years of studying the black bird , close to 70 percent of crows didn ’ t trust the masked men .
Crows are able to retain this information about their “ caretakers ” because the amygdala in their brain is similar to those in humans and other mammals , which is responsible for recognition .
In a follow up study , Marzluff noted that when crows spot a familiar face their brains light up like a human mind .
He also noted that if you fed and were nice to the captive birds @ @ @ @ @ @ @ humans as “ valued social partners , rather than animals that must be feared.
” In short , it took scientists over three years to learn what most of us knew in kindergarten – that the golden rule applies to birds , and other animals , as well as humans .

Don’t tick off this black bird or it might remember you and take revenge
Don’t cross a crow. While they’re known for their loud “caw” and messing up your garden, research shows that they’ll also remember your face if you’re mean to them.
Zoologists John Marzluff and his research team decided to wear masks, in a recent study, to see if the crows they were observing would remember what they looked like.
They followed the crows from five locations, each time capturing 7-15 birds while wearing masks. The captured crows would would scold them with a harsh, repeated “caw,” accompanied by wing and tail flicking, sounding the alarm to other crows and animals nearby. Other crows in the area would caw loudly as well, even “dive bombing” the researchers in some cases.
The only time the crows didn’t react loudly was when researchers switched to a more neutral mask.
As the study wore on, more and more crows became leery of the researchers as they switched from location to location. After three years of studying the black bird, close to 70 percent of crows didn’t trust the masked men.
Crows are able to retain this information about their “caretakers” because the amygdala in their brain is similar to those in humans and other mammals, which is responsible for recognition.
In a follow up study, Marzluff noted that when crows spot a familiar face their brains light up like a human mind.
He also noted that if you fed and were nice to the captive birds that they were better-behaved and looked at humans as “valued social partners, rather than animals that must be feared.”
In short, it took scientists over three years to learn what most of us knew in kindergarten – that the golden rule applies to birds, and other animals, as well as humans.


returntonow--2020-07-26--Feed Ducks Frozen Peas, Not Bread, Wildlife Organization Urges

Bread makes ducks sick , prevents them from learning to forage , and can even deform their wings so they can ’ t fly .
Here are some healthier alternatives , if you must feed the ducks .
The British Canal and River Trust is on a mission to save ducks from malnutrition caused by bread .
Tossing stale chunks of bread to ducks in a pond or canal is an even more popular pass-time in England than in America apparently .
Nearly three quarters of Brits engage in the activity , tossing nearly 6 million loaves of bread to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ especially white bread , doesn ’ t have much nutritional value , but like humans , ducks tend to stuff themselves with the tasty treat , not leaving room for more nutritious food , says the Royal Society for the Protection of Birds .
Reliance on human-supplied junk food also prevents ducklings from learning how to forage healthy food on their own .
Additionally , uneaten bread crumbs attract predators like rats , grow mold that makes ducks and other riparian animals sick , and contribute to harmful algae blooms .
Worst of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ prevent them from flying .
A high-carb , high-protein diet of mostly bread can cause a wing deformity known as “ angel wing ” or “ airplane wing ” that causes the end feathers to stick out sideways instead flat against the body , so that it can ’ t fly .
Still , humans love feeding ducks .
It brings us joy to be able to connect and interact with wildlife in such a way .
Luckily , the Canal and River Trust says we can still feed the ducks , in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ closer to their natural diet .
The charity even conducted a taste test to see which healthy foods ducks like best .
Here ’ s the list : 1 .
Frozen peas and pea shoots ( don ’ t cook the peas , but let them thaw ) 3 .
Lettuce or cabbage ( kale is their favorite ! )
4 .
Oats ( rolled , steel-cut , or instant , they ’ ll love this treat in moderation ) 5 .
Seeds ( bird seed or seeds from the health food market @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of these items are special treats to be given sparingly .
Ducks natural diet consists of algae , aquatic plants , worms , crustaceans , snails , small fish and fish eggs , insects , small amphibians , berries , fruits and nuts .

Bread makes ducks sick, prevents them from learning to forage, and can even deform their wings so they can’t fly. Here are some healthier alternatives, if you must feed the ducks.
The British Canal and River Trust is on a mission to save ducks from malnutrition caused by bread. Tossing stale chunks of bread to ducks in a pond or canal is an even more popular pass-time in England than in America apparently.
Nearly three quarters of Brits engage in the activity, tossing nearly 6 million loaves of bread to the birds each year.
Bread, especially white bread, doesn’t have much nutritional value, but like humans, ducks tend to stuff themselves with the tasty treat, not leaving room for more nutritious food, says the Royal Society for the Protection of Birds.
Reliance on human-supplied junk food also prevents ducklings from learning how to forage healthy food on their own.
Additionally, uneaten bread crumbs attract predators like rats, grow mold that makes ducks and other riparian animals sick, and contribute to harmful algae blooms.
Worst of all, feeding ducks bread can even prevent them from flying. A high-carb, high-protein diet of mostly bread can cause a wing deformity known as “angel wing” or “airplane wing” that causes the end feathers to stick out sideways instead flat against the body, so that it can’t fly.
Still, humans love feeding ducks. It brings us joy to be able to connect and interact with wildlife in such a way.
Luckily, the Canal and River Trust says we can still feed the ducks, in moderation, with healthier foods that are closer to their natural diet.
The charity even conducted a taste test to see which healthy foods ducks like best. Here’s the list:
1. Frozen peas and pea shoots (don’t cook the peas, but let them thaw)
2. Sweet corn (canned, frozen or fresh)
3. Lettuce or cabbage (kale is their favorite!)
4. Oats (rolled, steel-cut, or instant, they’ll love this treat in moderation)
5. Seeds (bird seed or seeds from the health food market)
6. Rice (cooked or uncooked, in moderation)
Just keep in mind, all of these items are special treats to be given sparingly. Ducks natural diet consists of algae, aquatic plants, worms, crustaceans, snails, small fish and fish eggs, insects, small amphibians, berries, fruits and nuts.


returntonow--2020-07-25--Single-Use Plastic Consumption Triples Since Coronavirus

We may see the day when there ’ s more plastic than fish in the sea three times faster thanks to coronavirus .
Global consumption of single-use plastics has risen between 250 % and 300 % since coronavirus hit , estimates the International Solid Waste Association .
Germaphobia has pushed concern about plastic pollution to the back-burner , as former environmentalists gear up in plastic masks , gloves and plastic-covered plasticware .
Former campaigns to reduce plastic pollution seem to have fallen by the wayside , as fear of germs takes center stage .
Not only are we gobbling up @ @ @ @ @ @ @ re going out of style , we ’ re wrapping pretty much everything we touch in plastic , to give us the illusion that we haven ’ t touched it .
Most restaurants are now packaging all their food in takeout containers , even if you ’ re dining in .
Plastic “ silver ” ware is no longer sufficient , it now needs to be wrapped in a plastic film as well .
Forget drinking water out of a glass , it only comes in plastic bottles at some restaurants now .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ Even if you do all your own cooking , it ’ s still hard to avoid consuming far more plastic than in the olden days .
If you ’ re one that avoids grocery stores , your food likely comes delivered in copious amounts of plastic… And if you ’ re one who braves them , you ’ re now looked down upon for bringing your own “ hazardous ” reusable bags and asked to bag them yourself .
In addition to wrapping all the credit card machines in plastic , large plastic @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that may seep through the checkout lady ’ s mask .
Lockdowns have also led to a boom in online shopping , and when you buy goods online , they typically come bubble-wrapped or Styrofoam-packed in non-recyclable plastic .
In March , as much of America and Europe shut up shop , an estimated 2.5 billion customers visited Amazon ’ s website , a 65 % increase over last year , according to The Economist .
Even condom sales are up , both as a protective measure against germs and a potential lockdown-baby @ @ @ @ @ @ @ not recyclable .
Before CoVid-19 , scientists predicted there would be more plastic than fish in the sea by 2050 – 30 years from now .
If the coronavirus-plastic-protection mania continues , we could potentially hit that benchmark in 10 .

We may see the day when there’s more plastic than fish in the sea three times faster thanks to coronavirus.
Global consumption of single-use plastics has risen between 250% and 300% since coronavirus hit, estimates the International Solid Waste Association.
Germaphobia has pushed concern about plastic pollution to the back-burner, as former environmentalists gear up in plastic masks, gloves and plastic-covered plasticware.
Former campaigns to reduce plastic pollution seem to have fallen by the wayside, as fear of germs takes center stage.
Not only are we gobbling up plastic facemasks and gloves like they’re going out of style, we’re wrapping pretty much everything we touch in plastic, to give us the illusion that we haven’t touched it.
Most restaurants are now packaging all their food in takeout containers, even if you’re dining in. Plastic “silver”ware is no longer sufficient, it now needs to be wrapped in a plastic film as well. Forget drinking water out of a glass, it only comes in plastic bottles at some restaurants now. Drinking fountains are also off limits.
Even if you do all your own cooking, it’s still hard to avoid consuming far more plastic than in the olden days. If you’re one that avoids grocery stores, your food likely comes delivered in copious amounts of plastic… And if you’re one who braves them, you’re now looked down upon for bringing your own “hazardous” reusable bags and asked to bag them yourself.
In addition to wrapping all the credit card machines in plastic, large plastic windows now protect us from any breath that may seep through the checkout lady’s mask.
Lockdowns have also led to a boom in online shopping, and when you buy goods online, they typically come bubble-wrapped or Styrofoam-packed in non-recyclable plastic.
In March, as much of America and Europe shut up shop, an estimated 2.5 billion customers visited Amazon’s website, a 65% increase over last year, according to The Economist.
Even condom sales are up, both as a protective measure against germs and a potential lockdown-baby boom. Unfortunately, condoms are also not recyclable.
Before CoVid-19, scientists predicted there would be more plastic than fish in the sea by 2050 – 30 years from now. If the coronavirus-plastic-protection mania continues, we could potentially hit that benchmark in 10.


returntonow--2020-07-29--USDA Approves Cancerous Chicken Meat as “Fit For Human Consumption”

Meat processors are now allowed to “ trim ” cancerous lesions off chickens , rather than discard the whole bird The United States Department of Agriculture has deemed chickens infected with the avian sarcoma leukosis virus “ fit for human consumption.
” The retrovirus often causes cancer in chickens , with tumors typically forming on the liver , spleen , kidneys and other abdominal organs .
The virus , although it has mutated many times , has been around for over 100 years .
Until now , processors have been forced to throw away entire chickens found with the disease @ @ @ @ @ @ @ last week , the USDA finally gave into pressure from the industry — the National Chicken Council — to treat suspected leukosis lesions as a “ trimmable condition “ and not a condition that requires “ whole bird condemnation.
” Simultaneously , the agency increased the speed at which chickens can be processed from 140 birds per minute to 175 birds per minute .
” That ’ s per MINUTE , in case you were sleeping during the last sentence , ” former journalist and regenerative farmer Suzanne Nelson Karreman wrote on her @ @ @ @ @ @ @ could tell if a chicken had the liver tumor–causing viral infection at 140 bpm , let alone 175 bpm.
” It ’ s not clear whether it ’ s possible for the cancer-causing virus to enter humans by eating infected chicken meat , as it typically passes genetically from mother chicken to baby chicken , and sometimes orally by feces , but lab experiments have found inter-species transmission to mammals is possible .
“ Meanwhile , in the heart of America , Illinois , my home state , annual farm income this year @ @ @ @ @ @ @ - $ 25,000/family , ” Karreman added .
“ At least the chicken integrators are still making money , but given that John Tyson admitted on CNN a few months back that our food system ‘ is breaking , ’ maybe he ’ s even worried .
Still think it doesn ’ t matter where you buy food ?
”

Meat processors are now allowed to “trim” cancerous lesions off chickens, rather than discard the whole bird
The United States Department of Agriculture has deemed chickens infected with the avian sarcoma leukosis virus “fit for human consumption.”
The retrovirus often causes cancer in chickens, with tumors typically forming on the liver, spleen, kidneys and other abdominal organs.
The virus, although it has mutated many times, has been around for over 100 years.
Until now, processors have been forced to throw away entire chickens found with the disease at a significant financial loss.
But last week, the USDA finally gave into pressure from the industry — the National Chicken Council — to treat suspected leukosis lesions as a “trimmable condition“ and not a condition that requires “whole bird condemnation.”
Simultaneously, the agency increased the speed at which chickens can be processed from 140 birds per minute to 175 birds per minute.
”That’s per MINUTE, in case you were sleeping during the last sentence,” former journalist and regenerative farmer Suzanne Nelson Karreman wrote on her Facebook page.
“Not that anyone could tell if a chicken had the liver tumor–causing viral infection at 140 bpm, let alone 175 bpm.”
It’s not clear whether it’s possible for the cancer-causing virus to enter humans by eating infected chicken meat, as it typically passes genetically from mother chicken to baby chicken, and sometimes orally by feces, but lab experiments have found inter-species transmission to mammals is possible.
“Meanwhile, in the heart of America, Illinois, my home state, annual farm income this year is expected to be (negative) -$25,000/family,” Karreman added.
“At least the chicken integrators are still making money, but given that John Tyson admitted on CNN a few months back that our food system ‘is breaking,’ maybe he’s even worried. Still think it doesn’t matter where you buy food?”


returntonow--2020-08-01--Hand Sanitizer Poisoning, Blindness and Deaths Mounting, CDC Warns

People are dying from a boom in cheap , toxic hand sanitizer products sold at Walmart and Costco .
Here are the brands the CDC is urging people to avoid : The FDA is urging consumers to safely dispose of a long list of hand sanitizers the agency discovered contain potentially lethal chemical methanol , as states continue to report increasing cases of harm from the products , including death.Methanol – typically used in fuel and antifreeze – is being used as a substitute for ethanol ( drinking alcohol ) in cheap hand sanitizers imported from Mexico and sold in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ you won ’ t find it on the ingredients list .
Even though the labels on the products say ethyl alcohol , they actually contain various levels of methyl alcohol .
FDA testing found 87 hand sanitizer products containing anywhere from 1 % to 80 % methanol .
No amount of methanol is acceptable , the agency notes .
Methanol is metabolized to formaldehyde , and then into formic acid , in the body .
No matter whether it ’ s ingested , inhaled or absorbed through the skin , it has systemic @ @ @ @ @ @ @ be fatal if ingested by teens looking for a cheap buzz , or 2 tablespoons for small children , who might accidentally ingest it .
It can cause permanent blindness if accidentally rubbed in eyes .
Even using it for its intended purpose – hand sanitizing – can have devastating side effects including nausea , vomiting , headache , blurred vision , seizures , coma , permanent nervous system damage , cardiac effects , and death.Here ’ s a complete list of the products the FDA says to avoid , dispose of , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ every product on the list was manufactured in Mexico , but be careful , the labels can be deceiving like the one below , which says “ A Canadian Company ” in large print , with “ Made in Mexico ” in small print .
International companies are using Mexican factories to manufacture their illegal junk .
As a side note , almost all conventional hand sanitizers contain harmful chemicals approved by the FDA .
Consider natural sanitizers instead :

People are dying from a boom in cheap, toxic hand sanitizer products sold at Walmart and Costco. Here are the brands the CDC is urging people to avoid:
The FDA is urging consumers to safely dispose of a long list of hand sanitizers the agency discovered contain potentially lethal chemical methanol, as states continue to report increasing cases of harm from the products, including death.Methanol – typically used in fuel and antifreeze – is being used as a substitute for ethanol (drinking alcohol) in cheap hand sanitizers imported from Mexico and sold in stores like Walmart and Costco.
But you won’t find it on the ingredients list. Even though the labels on the products say ethyl alcohol, they actually contain various levels of methyl alcohol.
FDA testing found 87 hand sanitizer products containing anywhere from 1% to 80% methanol. No amount of methanol is acceptable, the agency notes.
Methanol is metabolized to formaldehyde, and then into formic acid, in the body. No matter whether it’s ingested, inhaled or absorbed through the skin, it has systemic toxic effects.
Just 3 tablespoons can be fatal if ingested by teens looking for a cheap buzz, or 2 tablespoons for small children, who might accidentally ingest it.
It can cause permanent blindness if accidentally rubbed in eyes.
Even using it for its intended purpose – hand sanitizing – can have devastating side effects including nausea, vomiting, headache, blurred vision, seizures, coma, permanent nervous system damage, cardiac effects, and death.Here’s a complete list of the products the FDA says to avoid, dispose of, or return.
As a hint, every product on the list was manufactured in Mexico, but be careful, the labels can be deceiving like the one below, which says “A Canadian Company” in large print, with “Made in Mexico” in small print. International companies are using Mexican factories to manufacture their illegal junk.
As a side note, almost all conventional hand sanitizers contain harmful chemicals approved by the FDA. Consider natural sanitizers instead:


returntonow--2020-08-02--Stop Spitting Out Your Watermelon Seeds! Studies Show They are Cancer-Fighting Super Foods

Seedless watermelons are missing the most nutritious part – the seeds !
And seedy kind are sweeter too !
Watermelon seeds are being touted as a new “ superfood ” after several recent studies show they are loaded with cancer-fighting , heart-health-promoting , blood-sugar-balancing nutrients .
While Americans grew up learning to spit the seeds out – thanks , in part , to old wives tales about watermelons growing in their stomachs – the Chinese and other cultures save and roast them or chew them up raw .
Since the seedless watermelon was first created in the 1940 ’ s @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , you can hardly find the good old seeded kind in the store anymore .
Americans have long forgotten fruit seeds are super foods , and have hybridized the little inconveniences many of them ( like grapes ) .
Just like white bread , we ’ ve been conditioned to prefer foods with a smooth , non-seedy texture .
While all fruit seeds are packed with nutrition , researchers are learning watermelon seeds are particularly loaded with vitamins , minerals , antioxidants , fiber , protein and a heart-healthy balance of fatty acids @ @ @ @ @ @ @ seeds have a “ positive impact on growth , cardio-protective effect , anti-diabetic-effect , anti-obesity , anti-ulcerogenic effect and it has also been revealed that adequate doses of watermelon seed extracts can increase sperm count.
” Another 2016 study provides a full breakdown of the seeds ’ impressive nutrient profile , and notes their exceptional free-radical-scavenging antioxidant content .
“ Consumption of the seeds may reduce the chances of getting cardiovascular diseases and cancers due to the appreciable amount of total phenols found in the seeds and its antioxidant activity , ” the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the nutritional value of the seeds can be increased even more by sprouting , fermenting or roasting the seeds if you want to go the extra mile .
In addition to having higher nutritional value , many people argue seedy watermelons taste sweeter .
Growers of seedless watermelon assure our grandparents it ’ s just nostalgia that makes them think watermelon and other fruits were sweeter back when they were kids , but many watermelon lovers insist it ’ s true .
Do a taste test for yourself .
Also , while seedless @ @ @ @ @ @ @ their creation was not as simple selective breeding .
The seeds in the fruit are made sterile by doubling number of chromosomes by treating the seeds with a chemical called colchicine .
Purists think of them as mutants and prefer the real , fertile deal .

Studies show watermelon seeds fight cancer, protect the heart and increase sperm count! Plus seeded watermelons are sweeter than seedless!
Watermelon seeds are being touted as a new “superfood” after several recent studies show they are loaded with cancer-fighting, heart-health-promoting, blood-sugar-balancing nutrients.
While Americans grew up learning to spit the seeds out – thanks, in part, to old wives tales about watermelons growing in their stomachs – the Chinese and other cultures save and roast them or chew them up raw.
Since the seedless watermelon was first created in the 1940’s, they’ve become so popular, you can hardly find the good old seeded kind in the store anymore.
Americans have long forgotten fruit seeds are super foods, and have hybridized the little inconveniences many of them (like grapes). Just like white bread, we’ve been conditioned to prefer foods with a smooth, non-seedy texture.
While all fruit seeds are packed with nutrition, researchers are learning watermelon seeds are particularly loaded with vitamins, minerals, antioxidants, fiber, protein and a heart-healthy balance of fatty acids.
A 2016 study found that watermelon seeds have a “positive impact on growth, cardio-protective effect, anti-diabetic-effect, anti-obesity , anti-ulcerogenic effect and it has also been revealed that adequate doses of watermelon seed extracts can increase sperm count.”
Another 2016 study provides a full breakdown of the seeds’ impressive nutrient profile, and notes their exceptional free-radical-scavenging antioxidant content.
“Consumption of the seeds may reduce the chances of getting cardiovascular diseases and cancers due to the appreciable amount of total phenols found in the seeds and its antioxidant activity,” the authors write.
A 2018 study finds the nutritional value of the seeds can be increased even more by sprouting, fermenting or roasting the seeds if you want to go the extra mile.
In addition to having higher nutritional value, many people argue seedy watermelons taste sweeter.
Growers of seedless watermelon assure our grandparents it’s just nostalgia that makes them think watermelon and other fruits were sweeter back when they were kids, but many watermelon lovers insist it’s true. Do a taste test for yourself.
Also, while seedless watermelons aren’t technically GMO, their creation was not as simple selective breeding. The seeds in the fruit are made sterile by doubling number of chromosomes by treating the seeds with a chemical called colchicine. Purists think of them as mutants and prefer the real, fertile deal.
Here are some delicious, heirloom, seeded varieties:


returntonow--2020-08-05--20 Extraordinary Flowers That Look Exactly Like Animals, Aliens, Fairies, and Other Strange Creature

20 Extraordinary Flowers That Look Exactly Like Animals, Aliens, Fairies, and Other Strange Creatures

You won ’ t believe these flowers are real , but they are !
Mother Nature is full of all @ @ @ @ @ surprises if we look at her creations through the right set of eyes .
Below @ @ @ @ @ make you feel like you accidentally ate a magic mushroom and got lost in Alice @ @ @

You won’t believe these flowers are real, but they are!
Mother Nature is full of all kinds of bizarre, wonderful surprises if we look at her creations through the right set of eyes.
Below are 20 flowers that will make you feel like you accidentally ate a magic mushroom and got lost in Alice in Wonderland.
1. The Naked Man Orchid
2. Dancing girls
3. Swaddled Babies
4. The Happy Alien
5. The Angel Orchid
6. The Moth Orchid
7. The Duck Orchid
8. The Laughing Bumble Bee Orchid
9. The Monkey Face Orchid
10. Hooker’s Lips
11. The White Egret Orchid
12. The Ballerina Orchid
13. The Ice Cream Tulip
14. The Flame Lily
15. The Darth Vader Flower
16. The Snap Dragon Seed Pod
17. The Bat Flower
18. The Jeweled Carpet Flower
19. Purple Morning Glory
20. The Hanging Lobster Claw Flower


returntonow--2020-08-06--Vermont Makes it Illegal to Throw Compost in the Trash

All food scraps must now be composted in Vermont to save space in landfills and reduce methane emissions Composting is not only popular in Vermont , it ’ s now the law .
As of July , it is now illegal to throw food waste/scraps in the trash .
The law is part of the state ’ s larger goal of cutting the amount of waste sent to the landfill in half , by banning the disposal of recyclable and compostable items .
Food waste makes up about 30 % of a typical Vermont family ’ s waste , according @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Natural Resources .
Left to rot in a landfill without oxygen , food waste is a significant source of methane gas , a greenhouse gas about 25 times more powerful than carbon dioxide when it comes to warming the earth .
“ If it was once part of something alive , like a plant or animal , it does not belong in the landfill , ” says a press release .
“ Food scraps and yard debris ( leaves , grass , brush clippings , etc . )
will need to be managed @ @ @ @ @ @ @ option of composting food scraps in their backyards , feeding them to animals , dropping off at a composting facility or using a composting pickup service .
Many of the state ’ s trash services already offer compost pickup .
Trash companies that service commercial or apartment buildings will now be required to offer composting services .
The state won ’ t be looking through citizens trash bags to make sure there aren ’ t any food scraps or recyclables , but with 72 % of Vermont ’ s citizens already composting voluntarily @ @ @ @ @ @ @ cooperate .
The state offers instructions on composting and a list of dropoff and pickup services .

All food scraps must now be composted in Vermont to save space in landfills and reduce methane emissions
Composting is not only popular in Vermont, it’s now the law.
As of July, it is now illegal to throw food waste/scraps in the trash.
The law is part of the state’s larger goal of cutting the amount of waste sent to the landfill in half, by banning the disposal of recyclable and compostable items.
Food waste makes up about 30% of a typical Vermont family’s waste, according to the state’s Agency of Natural Resources.
Left to rot in a landfill without oxygen, food waste is a significant source of methane gas, a greenhouse gas about 25 times more powerful than carbon dioxide when it comes to warming the earth.
“If it was once part of something alive, like a plant or animal, it does not belong in the landfill,” says a press release. “Food scraps and yard debris (leaves, grass, brush clippings, etc.) will need to be managed separately from trash.”
Citizens have the option of composting food scraps in their backyards, feeding them to animals, dropping off at a composting facility or using a composting pickup service. Many of the state’s trash services already offer compost pickup.
Trash companies that service commercial or apartment buildings will now be required to offer composting services.
The state won’t be looking through citizens trash bags to make sure there aren’t any food scraps or recyclables, but with 72% of Vermont’s citizens already composting voluntarily, the vast majority are expected to cooperate.
The state offers instructions on composting and a list of dropoff and pickup services.


returntonow--2020-08-07--“Dignity” Statue Joins Crazy Horse and Mount Rushmore in South Dakota

A 2-ton stainless steel statue of a Sioux woman now honors the Lakota and Dakota natives of South Dakota A giant stainless steel statue of a Native American woman now stands guard over the Missouri River in the middle of South Dakota .
The 50-foot beauty soars over highway 90 , between exits 263 and 265 , on a bluff between the Black Hills and the state ’ s wide-open prairies .
Like the Native American Statue of Liberty , “ Dignity ” serves as a reminder of the ” courage , perseverance and wisdom of the Lakota and Dakota @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the sculpture might serve as a symbol of respect and promise for the future , ” sculptor Dale Lamphere said .
The statue was a $ 1 million gift from Norm and Eunabel McKie of Rapid City to all people of South Dakota for the state ’ s 125th anniversary .
Norm McKie joked that “ it ’ s not always easy to spend a million dollars ” but , when the idea of Dignity was proposed , he said he was “ all smiles.
” “ This gift will mean a lot @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Daugaard .
“ In addition to being the state of Mount Rushmore and Crazy Horse , South Dakota will also be the state of the Dignity statue.
” The sculptor used three Native American models ages 14 , 29 and 55 to perfect the face of Dignity .
The statue wears a dress patterned after a two-hide Native dress of the 1850s .
She gracefully holds an outstretched quilt decorated with 4-foot turquoise and blue glass diamonds that represent the water and sky .
The flexible quilt is designed to flutter in the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ glitter in the sun .
At night , the statue is illuminated with LED lights .
The statue , which represents peace and tolerance , is meant to memorialize not only the local Lakota and Dakota tribes , but all indigenous Americans , with the names of every federally recognized tribe inscribed around her feet .

A 2-ton stainless steel statue of a Sioux woman now honors the Lakota and Dakota natives of South Dakota
A giant stainless steel statue of a Native American woman now stands guard over the Missouri River in the middle of South Dakota.
The 50-foot beauty soars over highway 90, between exits 263 and 265, on a bluff between the Black Hills and the state’s wide-open prairies.
Like the Native American Statue of Liberty, “Dignity” serves as a reminder of the ”courage, perseverance and wisdom of the Lakota and Dakota culture.”
“My hope is that the sculpture might serve as a symbol of respect and promise for the future,” sculptor Dale Lamphere said.
The statue was a $1 million gift from Norm and Eunabel McKie of Rapid City to all people of South Dakota for the state’s 125th anniversary. Norm McKie joked that “it’s not always easy to spend a million dollars” but, when the idea of Dignity was proposed, he said he was “all smiles.”
“This gift will mean a lot to South Dakota,” said Governor Daugaard. “In addition to being the state of Mount Rushmore and Crazy Horse, South Dakota will also be the state of the Dignity statue.”
The sculptor used three Native American models ages 14, 29 and 55 to perfect the face of Dignity.
The statue wears a dress patterned after a two-hide Native dress of the 1850s. She gracefully holds an outstretched quilt decorated with 4-foot turquoise and blue glass diamonds that represent the water and sky.
The flexible quilt is designed to flutter in the wind, allowing stained-glass star pieces to glitter in the sun. At night, the statue is illuminated with LED lights.
The statue, which represents peace and tolerance, is meant to memorialize not only the local Lakota and Dakota tribes, but all indigenous Americans, with the names of every federally recognized tribe inscribed around her feet.
RELATED: Monument of Native American Hero “Crazy Horse” Slowly Taking Shape in South Dakota