theheartysoul--2020-08-11--Our Must Buy Gifts For Grandma.

Our Must Buy Gifts For Grandma.

Aren ’ t grandmothers the best ?
They feed us , comfort us , and take care of us when we ’ re sick .
They love spoiling us , so it ’ s important that we show Grandma how much we love and appreciate her by spoiling her a little right back .
We asked the team to put together a list of 25 of our favorite gifts for Grandma to help you spoil your grandmother in the best way possible .
Picking out the perfect gift to give the woman who says her grandchildren are her greatest gift @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ve created a list of gifts we know our grandmothers would love and yours will , too .
This one is especially good for grandmothers who walk or use public transit to do their groceries .
Not only does the grocery cart aspect make it easier for them to carry their groceries home with them , but the fold-out seat provides a place to rest while waiting in line , at the bus stop , or simply if they get tired part-way on their walk home .
Click here to buy this gift @ @ @ @ @ @ @ s favorite time of day ?
Then Teadrops tea samplers are for her .
No tea bags or steepers necessary , these drops of organic tea , sugar , and spices dissolve into hot water for the perfect cuppa anytime .
You can purchase a sampler set that includes two drops each of citrus ginger , sweet peppermint , vanilla white , rose earl grey , and matcha green tea , or a set that includes five drops of each tea type .
For the two-drop sampler set click here .
For the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ grandmother has spent her whole life cooking for a crowd .
Make her everyday cooking easier with the all-in-one cooker that does everything .
Meals will be quick and easy for her to put together , and she will have fewer pots and pans to clean up after .
Dinner made simple !
Click here to buy this gift .
This cute little sewing organizer is pretty enough to be kept out on the side table next to your Grandma ’ s sewing chair for all to see .
Best of all , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ sewing necessities in one place .
Perfect for the grandma that ’ s always stitching together something for her grandkids .
Click here to buy this gift .
Sometimes you just need a shoe that ’ s quick and easy to slip on your feet when you ’ re running out to do errands , walk to the mailbox , or visit your neighbor next door .
These shoes are one of the best gifts for Grandma because they are easy to slide on and they also have a concealed orthotic for arch @ @ @ @ @ @ @ stylish , but her feet , knees , and hips will be thanking her , and in turn , she will be thanking you !
Click here to buy this gift .
Give Grandma the gift of freshly grown herbs all year round .
This herb growing kit is easy to use and helps her to grow organic herbs right on her own windowsill .
Click here to buy this gift .
Some of us are more absent-minded than others .
If your Grandma is always misplacing items like her keys , wallet @ @ @ @ @ @ @ these Tile Trackers will help her out .
All she has to do is attach them to her often misplaced items and then she can track them via the Bluetooth on her phone .
No more wasting 30 minutes searching for the keys when she ’ s trying to leave the house .
Click here to buy this gift .
These are the perfect gifts for Grandma who ’ s favorite pastime is knitting .
Help her to keep all of her knitting needles organized and in one , easy-to-store and carry place @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Grandmas deserve to have warm , cozy feet always .
That ’ s why these warming slippers make the best Christmas gifts for grandma .
Even on the coldest winter days , she ’ ll have warm slippers to come home and slide her toes into .
These slippers are the perfect Christmas gift for grandma – or whichever holiday you choose to celebrate !
Click here to purchase this gift .
This gift is amazing because not only does it act as beautiful decor for a couch or a bed , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Imagine grandma curling up with her grandkids for a bedtime story , or coming home on a cold winter day , slipping her feet in those warming slippers and wrapping herself up in a thick , warm blanket .
It ’ s like you ’ re returning the warmth and love she gives you every day in the form of a big , soft blanket .
Click here to buy this gift .
Don ’ t let Grandma ’ s aches and pains get the better of her .
These warming lavender-scented @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Grandma .
They can be placed wherever she ’ s experiencing discomfort – neck , back , or shoulders – so she can get that sweet relief she so deserves .
Click here to buy this gift .
You really can ’ t have too many blankets , especially if those blankets are heated ones .
Keep grandma warm all winter long with this heated throw .
The best part about this one is that it is machine washable , so whether she spills her tea or the grandkids do , it ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ here to buy this gift .
If your Grandma likes to stay up-to-date on all things home and garden but prefers print to reading off of a screen , then a magazine subscription is a great choice .
These are the best Christmas gifts for Grandma because not only are they inexpensive , but they are the gift that keeps on giving for a whole year .
Click here to buy Good Housekeeping .
Click here to buy Better Homes and Garden .
What better gift to give Grandma then something she can @ @ @ @ @ @ @ board game set is something she can pull out at every family get together for some good , old fashioned family fun .
Click here to buy this version .
Click here to buy this version .
If your grandmother is anything like our grandmothers , she loves a good book .
Paperback books , however , can be cumbersome to carry around and take up a lot of space in your home .
Kindles are great birthday presents for Grandma because they solve all those problems .
Plus , she can enlarge @ @ @ @ @ @ @ her to read .
Click here to buy this gift .
As we age , it ’ s important to keep our brains active to keep them healthy .
This book of puzzles and mind games will not only entertain her but also keep her brain healthy for years to come .
Maybe she ’ ll even let you do some of the puzzles with her !
Click here to buy this gift .
If your grandmother is the type who can almost always be found in the kitchen cooking up original recipes @ @ @ @ @ @ @ grandmother , then this is the gift for her .
Fill it up with some of her favorite recipes , as well as leave room for her to keep adding to it .
This will make a wonderful family heirloom gift one day , complete with Grandma ’ s handwriting and all .
Click here to buy this gift .
After years spent raising her own children and hours spent watching the grandkids , Grandma deserves some pampering .
These paraben and chemical-free products are perfect birthday gifts for grandma .
They will @ @ @ @ @ @ @ from head to toe .
Click here to buy this gift .
Give your Grandma a leg-up in her garden this year !
These easy-to-use garden kits have a variety of options to suit your Grandma ’ s growing needs .
They have a chili pepper kit , colorful flower kit , a cocktail kit , salad greens , herbs , honey bee habitat , pizza ingredients , salsa ingredients , and a tranquility kit .
Click here to buy this gift .
Your Grandma is going to need a great mug to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of ( or her morning coffee , if she ’ s more of a ‘ cup o ’ joe ’ type of woman ) .
This is the perfect mug for the job .
After all , grandmothers really do feel like magical beings who are always watching out for us anyways , aren ’ t they ?
Click here to purchase this gift .
If the grandchildren are quite young , then this is a cute gift that she will enjoy reading .
This journal is a prompted fill-in-the-blank book that they @ @ @ @ @ @ @ it , it ’ s all about why they love their grandmother .
Click here to buy this gift .
The best mother ’ s day gift for Grandma is one that celebrates her pride and joy , her family .
Nothing will make her happier than to have a place to display all of her beautiful kids and grandkids ’ faces .
With an inscription that reads “ the love of family is life ’ s greatest blessing ” she ’ s sure to hang it high where all of her guests @ @ @ @ @ @ @ buy this gift .
Grandmothers love to show off the fact that they are grandmothers .
This pillow will allow her to do just that .
After all , being a grandmother is a pretty sweet gig .
Click here to buy this gift .
If your Grandma prefers a glass of cabernet over a mug of earl grey , then this is the perfect glass for her .
Etched with the phrase “ I ’ m the FUN Grandma !
” , she ’ ll laugh every time she cracks open a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , so the phrase is guaranteed not to come off .
Click here to buy the stem-version .
Click here to buy the stem-less version .
This frame allows you to share photos directly from your phone to your Grandma ’ s photo frame instantly via email or an app .
The frame can flip through an array of photos throughout the day , and imagine how tickled Grandma will be when a new photo of her grandbabies appears .
These photos are the mother ’ s day gifts for grandma that she @ @ @ @ @ @ @ here to buy this gift .
With this gift guide , we are sure you ’ ll pick the right gifts for Grandma , whether it ’ s for her birthday , Mother ’ s Day , or the Holiday season .

Aren’t grandmothers the best? They feed us, comfort us, and take care of us when we’re sick. They love spoiling us, so it’s important that we show Grandma how much we love and appreciate her by spoiling her a little right back. We asked the team to put together a list of 25 of our favorite gifts for Grandma to help you spoil your grandmother in the best way possible.
Picking out the perfect gift to give the woman who says her grandchildren are her greatest gift can be tough, so we’ve created a list of gifts we know our grandmothers would love and yours will, too.
Best Gifts For Grandma
1.Cart with Built-in Seat
This one is especially good for grandmothers who walk or use public transit to do their groceries. Not only does the grocery cart aspect make it easier for them to carry their groceries home with them, but the fold-out seat provides a place to rest while waiting in line, at the bus stop, or simply if they get tired part-way on their walk home.
2. Teadrops
Is tea time your grandmother’s favorite time of day? Then Teadrops tea samplers are for her. No tea bags or steepers necessary, these drops of organic tea, sugar, and spices dissolve into hot water for the perfect cuppa anytime. You can purchase a sampler set that includes two drops each of citrus ginger, sweet peppermint, vanilla white, rose earl grey, and matcha green tea, or a set that includes five drops of each tea type.
3. Instant Pot Ultra 10-in-1
Your grandmother has spent her whole life cooking for a crowd. Make her everyday cooking easier with the all-in-one cooker that does everything. Meals will be quick and easy for her to put together, and she will have fewer pots and pans to clean up after. Dinner made simple!
4. Sewing Station
This cute little sewing organizer is pretty enough to be kept out on the side table next to your Grandma’s sewing chair for all to see. Best of all, it helps her keep all of her sewing necessities in one place. Perfect for the grandma that’s always stitching together something for her grandkids.
5. Slip-On Sneaker with Arch Support
Sometimes you just need a shoe that’s quick and easy to slip on your feet when you’re running out to do errands, walk to the mailbox, or visit your neighbor next door. These shoes are one of the best gifts for Grandma because they are easy to slide on and they also have a concealed orthotic for arch support. Not only will she look stylish, but her feet, knees, and hips will be thanking her, and in turn, she will be thanking you!
6. Indoor Organic Herb Growing Kit
Give Grandma the gift of freshly grown herbs all year round. This herb growing kit is easy to use and helps her to grow organic herbs right on her own windowsill.
7. Tile Tracker
Some of us are more absent-minded than others. If your Grandma is always misplacing items like her keys, wallet, remote control, etc, then these Tile Trackers will help her out. All she has to do is attach them to her often misplaced items and then she can track them via the Bluetooth on her phone. No more wasting 30 minutes searching for the keys when she’s trying to leave the house.
8. Knitting Needles Case
These are the perfect gifts for Grandma who’s favorite pastime is knitting. Help her to keep all of her knitting needles organized and in one, easy-to-store and carry place.
Christmas Gifts for Grandma
9. Warmies Slippers
Grandmas deserve to have warm, cozy feet always. That’s why these warming slippers make the best Christmas gifts for grandma. Even on the coldest winter days, she’ll have warm slippers to come home and slide her toes into. These slippers are the perfect Christmas gift for grandma – or whichever holiday you choose to celebrate!
10. Chunky Knit Blanket
This gift is amazing because not only does it act as beautiful decor for a couch or a bed, but it is also cozy and warm. Imagine grandma curling up with her grandkids for a bedtime story, or coming home on a cold winter day, slipping her feet in those warming slippers and wrapping herself up in a thick, warm blanket. It’s like you’re returning the warmth and love she gives you every day in the form of a big, soft blanket.
11. Stress Relief Heat Pillow
Don’t let Grandma’s aches and pains get the better of her. These warming lavender-scented pillows are the best Christmas gifts for Grandma. They can be placed wherever she’s experiencing discomfort – neck, back, or shoulders – so she can get that sweet relief she so deserves.
12. Heated Throw Blanket
You really can’t have too many blankets, especially if those blankets are heated ones. Keep grandma warm all winter long with this heated throw. The best part about this one is that it is machine washable, so whether she spills her tea or the grandkids do, it’s super easy to clean.
13. Magazine Subscription
If your Grandma likes to stay up-to-date on all things home and garden but prefers print to reading off of a screen, then a magazine subscription is a great choice. These are the best Christmas gifts for Grandma because not only are they inexpensive, but they are the gift that keeps on giving for a whole year.
14. Board Game Set
What better gift to give Grandma then something she can do with her favorite people? This board game set is something she can pull out at every family get together for some good, old fashioned family fun.
Best Birthday Gifts For Grandma
15. Kindle
If your grandmother is anything like our grandmothers, she loves a good book. Paperback books, however, can be cumbersome to carry around and take up a lot of space in your home. Kindles are great birthday presents for Grandma because they solve all those problems. Plus, she can enlarge the font to make it easier for her to read.
16. Puzzle Book
As we age, it’s important to keep our brains active to keep them healthy. This book of puzzles and mind games will not only entertain her but also keep her brain healthy for years to come. Maybe she’ll even let you do some of the puzzles with her!
17. Customizable Cookbook
If your grandmother is the type who can almost always be found in the kitchen cooking up original recipes or ones taught to her by her grandmother, then this is the gift for her. Fill it up with some of her favorite recipes, as well as leave room for her to keep adding to it. This will make a wonderful family heirloom gift one day, complete with Grandma’s handwriting and all.
18. At-Home Chemical-Free Spa Kit
After years spent raising her own children and hours spent watching the grandkids, Grandma deserves some pampering. These paraben and chemical-free products are perfect birthday gifts for grandma. They will help her relax and rejuvenate her body from head to toe.
19. Garden Grow Kits
Give your Grandma a leg-up in her garden this year! These easy-to-use garden kits have a variety of options to suit your Grandma’s growing needs. They have a chili pepper kit, colorful flower kit, a cocktail kit, salad greens, herbs, honey bee habitat, pizza ingredients, salsa ingredients, and a tranquility kit.
Best Mother’s Day Gifts for Grandma
20. Fairy Grandmother Mug
Your Grandma is going to need a great mug to drink that tea you got her out of (or her morning coffee, if she’s more of a ‘cup o’ joe’ type of woman). This is the perfect mug for the job. After all, grandmothers really do feel like magical beings who are always watching out for us anyways, aren’t they?
21. I Love Grandma Journal
If the grandchildren are quite young, then this is a cute gift that she will enjoy reading. This journal is a prompted fill-in-the-blank book that they can fill out. As you guessed it, it’s all about why they love their grandmother.
22. Family Photo Frame
The best mother’s day gift for Grandma is one that celebrates her pride and joy, her family. Nothing will make her happier than to have a place to display all of her beautiful kids and grandkids’ faces. With an inscription that reads “the love of family is life’s greatest blessing” she’s sure to hang it high where all of her guests will see it.
23. Throw Pillow
Grandmothers love to show off the fact that they are grandmothers. This pillow will allow her to do just that. After all, being a grandmother is a pretty sweet gig.
24. I’m the Fun Grandma Wine Glass
If your Grandma prefers a glass of cabernet over a mug of earl grey, then this is the perfect glass for her. Etched with the phrase “I’m the FUN Grandma!”, she’ll laugh every time she cracks open a bottle. These glasses are dishwasher friendly, so the phrase is guaranteed not to come off.
25. Digital Photoframe
This frame allows you to share photos directly from your phone to your Grandma’s photo frame instantly via email or an app. The frame can flip through an array of photos throughout the day, and imagine how tickled Grandma will be when a new photo of her grandbabies appears. These photos are the mother’s day gifts for grandma that she will enjoy every single day.
With this gift guide, we are sure you’ll pick the right gifts for Grandma, whether it’s for her birthday, Mother’s Day, or the Holiday season.
Keep Reading: The Perks Of Living Near Grandma


theheartysoul--2020-08-11--This Banana Bread With Sour Cream Melts in Your Mouth (With Vegan, GF, Paleo Option)

There ’ s nothing quite like freshly baked banana bread .
It ’ s probably the only tangible thing in this world that tastes like love .
There ’ s something about the rich flavor of bananas with the hint of cinnamon or the pockets of melted chocolate chips all baked into the dense hearty cake that we pretend is bread so we can eat it for breakfast with less guilt .
It has bananas in it , so it ’ s healthy right ?
Check out our sour cream banana bread to get your fix .
Although we may @ @ @ @ @ @ @ bread , add this one to your repertoire .
This bread adds a cup of sour cream to the batter .
Sounds questionable ?
Just one bite of this will cancel any doubts .
This bread is so decadent and buttery , it will melt in your mouth .
This recipe wins for most moist banana bread ever .
Banana bread is the perfect way to use ripe bananas about to go bad .
The riper the bananas are , the more flavorful the bread will be .
Plus , this recipe freezes @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and grab on-the-go snack or breakfast or treat .
You ’ ll get two loaves out of this recipe , so you can always freeze one for later .
Banana bread never goes out of season , not when there are bananas turning brown on the counter .
With this recipe , you don ’ t need to worry about the bread drying out after a few days .
It stays moist even the next day .
Read : These Pan-Fried Cinnamon Bananas Couldn ’ t Be Easier To Make Here ’ s @ @ @ @ @ @ @ are fully mashed before you incorporate them into the batter .
You could use a potato masher or a fork , whichever works .
You don ’ t want to over mix this batter , so mix the dry ingredients together before slowly adding the dry until every is just combined .
The standard size loaf pans ( 8.5 x 4.5 ) work best for this recipe .
Different Versions of the Same Recipe We ’ ve also included an alternative banana bread recipe for those who are gluten-free , vegan , paleo @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , or someone who just prefers a more nutritionally rich bread overall .
This recipe uses almond and coconut flour instead of wheat flour , and maple syrup instead of refined sugar .
Most of the sweetness comes from the bananas themselves , so be sure to use very ripe ones !
The occasional indulgence won ’ t detract from an otherwise healthy lifestyle so it ’ s up to your which recipe you ’ d go for today .
Remember , the healthy recipe is still calorically dense , so moderation is @ @ @ @ @ @ @ tastes like how a warm hug feels so be sure to share this recipe or the end product with the ones you love .
Keep Reading : Lavender Cupcakes with Honey Cream Cheese Frosting ( Gluten-free and Vegan Options ) Recipe by Christi Johnson from Love From The Oven • Preheat oven to 325 degrees F and generously grease two loaf pans that are approximately 8.5 x 4.5 inches in size .
• Cream the butter and sugar in a large bowl .
Add the eggs and mix well .
Add the sour @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and stir to combine .
Slowly add the flour , salt , cinnamon and baking soda to the wet ingredients and stir until just combined .
Fold in the chocolate chips or nuts , if using .
• Divide the batter evenly between the two prepared loaf pans .
Bake for 1 hour or until a toothpick inserted in the center of the bread comes out clean .
*If you use smaller bananas , five are recommended .
• 2 large eggs ( or chia or flax eggs for vegans ) • Preheat @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 8″-x-5″ loaf pan with parchment paper .
In a medium bowl , whisk together the coconut flour , almond flour , cinnamon , baking powder , baking soda , and salt .
• In a large , microwave-safe bowl , combine the coconut oil and almond ( or peanut ) butter .
Microwave until the coconut oil is melted and almond butter is more liquid , 10 seconds on high .
Whisk in the mashed bananas , maple syrup , and vanilla , then whisk in the eggs .
Gently fold in dry @ @ @ @ @ @ @ batter into prepared pan and bake 40 to 45 minutes , until top is golden and a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean .
Allow to cool completely before slicing .
*If you use peanut butter , the flavor will be slightly altered .

There’s nothing quite like freshly baked banana bread. It’s probably the only tangible thing in this world that tastes like love. There’s something about the rich flavor of bananas with the hint of cinnamon or the pockets of melted chocolate chips all baked into the dense hearty cake that we pretend is bread so we can eat it for breakfast with less guilt. It has bananas in it, so it’s healthy right? Check out our sour cream banana bread to get your fix.
Introducing: Banana Bread with Sour Cream
Although we may already have our favorite versions of banana bread, add this one to your repertoire. This bread adds a cup of sour cream to the batter. Sounds questionable? Just one bite of this will cancel any doubts. This bread is so decadent and buttery, it will melt in your mouth. This recipe wins for most moist banana bread ever.
Banana bread is the perfect way to use ripe bananas about to go bad. The riper the bananas are, the more flavorful the bread will be. Plus, this recipe freezes wonderfully, making it the best make-ahead and grab on-the-go snack or breakfast or treat. You’ll get two loaves out of this recipe, so you can always freeze one for later. Banana bread never goes out of season, not when there are bananas turning brown on the counter.
With this recipe, you don’t need to worry about the bread drying out after a few days. It stays moist even the next day.
Read: These Pan-Fried Cinnamon Bananas Couldn’t Be Easier To Make
Helpful Tips
Here’s a tip, make sure the bananas are fully mashed before you incorporate them into the batter. You could use a potato masher or a fork, whichever works. You don’t want to over mix this batter, so mix the dry ingredients together before slowly adding the dry until every is just combined.
The standard size loaf pans (8.5 x 4.5) work best for this recipe.
Different Versions of the Same Recipe
We’ve also included an alternative banana bread recipe for those who are gluten-free, vegan, paleo, looking to reduce their sugar intake, or someone who just prefers a more nutritionally rich bread overall. This recipe uses almond and coconut flour instead of wheat flour, and maple syrup instead of refined sugar. Most of the sweetness comes from the bananas themselves, so be sure to use very ripe ones!
The occasional indulgence won’t detract from an otherwise healthy lifestyle so it’s up to your which recipe you’d go for today. Remember, the healthy recipe is still calorically dense, so moderation is key in both cases.
Banana bread tastes like how a warm hug feels so be sure to share this recipe or the end product with the ones you love.
Keep Reading: Lavender Cupcakes with Honey Cream Cheese Frosting (Gluten-free and Vegan Options)
Banana Bread with Sour Cream Recipe
Ingredients
1/3 cup butter softened
1 1/4 cups white sugar
2 eggs
4 large very ripe bananas, mashed*
1 cup sour cream
1 tsp vanilla extract
2 1/2 cups all-purpose flour or white whole wheat
1 tsp cinnamon
2 tsp baking soda
1/2 tsp salt
1 cup chocolate chips, chopped walnuts or pecan, optional
Instructions
Preheat oven to 325 degrees F and generously grease two loaf pans that are approximately 8.5 x 4.5 inches in size.
Cream the butter and sugar in a large bowl. Add the eggs and mix well. Add the sour cream, mashed bananas, vanilla, and stir to combine. Slowly add the flour, salt, cinnamon and baking soda to the wet ingredients and stir until just combined. Fold in the chocolate chips or nuts, if using.
Divide the batter evenly between the two prepared loaf pans. Bake for 1 hour or until a toothpick inserted in the center of the bread comes out clean.
*If you use smaller bananas, five are recommended.
Healthy Banana Bread Recipe
INGREDIENTS
1/3 cup coconut flour
1/4 cup finely ground almond flour
1/2 tsp ground cinnamon
1/2 tsp baking powder
1/2 tsp baking soda
1/2 tsp kosher salt
1/4 cup coconut oil
1/4 cup smooth unsweetened natural almond butter (or peanut butter*)
2 large ripe bananas, mashed (about 1 cup)
2 tbsp maple syrup
2 tsp pure vanilla extract
2 large eggs (or chia or flax eggs for vegans)
DIRECTIONS
Preheat the oven to 350° and line an 8″-x-5″ loaf pan with parchment paper. In a medium bowl, whisk together the coconut flour, almond flour, cinnamon, baking powder, baking soda, and salt.
In a large, microwave-safe bowl, combine the coconut oil and almond (or peanut) butter. Microwave until the coconut oil is melted and almond butter is more liquid, 10 seconds on high. Whisk in the mashed bananas, maple syrup, and vanilla, then whisk in the eggs. Gently fold in dry ingredients until just combined.
Pour batter into prepared pan and bake 40 to 45 minutes, until top is golden and a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean. Allow to cool completely before slicing.
*If you use peanut butter, the flavor will be slightly altered.


theheartysoul--2020-08-11--Washington Man Rescues 2.4 Million Pounds of Farmers’ Crops Going to Waste, Gets Them to Food Banks

When the COVID-19 pandemic began , we witnessed the monumental breakdown of one very important system : our food supply chain .
One Washington man saw crops going to waste and decided to do something about it .
The closure of restaurants , schools , and businesses across the country left farmers with a massive surplus of crops and nowhere to sell them , and the increase in demand from food retail locations like grocery stores was not enough to make up for this loss .
As such , farmers across the country were forced to dump thousands of liters @ @ @ @ @ @ @ thousands of animals , and destroy fields of produce .
Crops Going to Waste No More When farmers in Washington lost many of their biggest customers during the COVID-19 pandemic , they began to try to hand out their surplus to locals in need , deciding that they ’ d rather the food get eaten then be thrown away or left to rot in the ground .
George Ahearn heard what these farmers were trying to do , and decided to step in to help out .
He contacted a farm from his @ @ @ @ @ @ @ any produce they were looking to get rid of .
He then contacted food banks , and although they did want the potatoes , they couldn ’ t take them if they were loose and not in bags .
He sent out a Facebook message asking if anyone had a truck he could borrow to haul the discarded produce to Western Washington food banks , and the responses quickly came flooding in .
Instead of just one truck , he ended up with a convoy of four trucks , including two with trailers @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of potatoes and onions to the food banks , far surpassing his original goal of two thousand pounds .
To solve the issue of packaging them for the food banks , Zsofia Pasztor , founder and owner of Farmer Frog , a nonprofit that allows children and families grow food for themselves , offered crates for the produce , as well as the use of her distribution system that she already had set up with the food banks for the other programs she was running .
The help could not have come at @ @ @ @ @ @ @ reason , farmers were faced with the choice of either destroying the 2019 crop , or letting the 2020 crop rot in the field [ 1 ] .
Ahearn , Balin and Pasztor are now the founders and directors of the EastWest Food Rescue , a registered nonprofit that is continuing to deliver discarded produce to food banks .
To date , the organization has saved two million pounds of produce from being wasted .
Balin , who is the president of the organization , says that everything happened very organically and took @ @ @ @ @ @ @ quickly .
Much of the monetary donations collected by the organization go toward paying the farmers because Ahearn wanted to make sure that he was simply asking his farming community to give away their products for free .
Read : Dairy Farmer Bottles His Own Milk Rather than Dump It .
Sells Out in Hours When the project first began they were dealing primarily with potatoes and onions , but as the summer has gone on the harvest has transitioned to fruit .
This presents an even greater challenge , because fruit needs @ @ @ @ @ @ @ does not have any refrigeration capacity .
This also limits their ability to store products like milk and eggs .
The organization ’ s new goal is to rescue ten million pounds of food , which they estimate will require 250 thousand dollars in donations and hundreds of volunteer hours for packaging and delivery .
Ahearn , for his part , was prepared to stop when the organization reached seventy thousand pounds of food in order to spend more time with his family and his other businesses , but when he saw the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ help they were providing , he knew he had to continue .
To learn more about the EastWest Food Rescue , as well as how to donate or volunteer , visit their website .
Keep Reading : Egg farmer considered killing half his flock until a woman on Facebook devised a plan to save them

Washington Man Rescues 2.4 Million Pounds of Farmers’ Crops Going to Waste, Gets Them to Food Banks Across State
When the COVID-19 pandemic began, we witnessed the monumental breakdown of one very important system: our food supply chain. One Washington man saw crops going to waste and decided to do something about it.
The closure of restaurants, schools, and businesses across the country left farmers with a massive surplus of crops and nowhere to sell them, and the increase in demand from food retail locations like grocery stores was not enough to make up for this loss.
As such, farmers across the country were forced to dump thousands of liters of milk down the drain, euthanise thousands of animals, and destroy fields of produce.
Crops Going to Waste No More
When farmers in Washington lost many of their biggest customers during the COVID-19 pandemic, they began to try to hand out their surplus to locals in need, deciding that they’d rather the food get eaten then be thrown away or left to rot in the ground.
George Ahearn heard what these farmers were trying to do, and decided to step in to help out. He contacted a farm from his hometown to find out if they had any produce they were looking to get rid of.
“Owner AJ Ochoa offered five semi-loads (of potatoes),” Ahearn said. “I said, ‘I’ve got a private vehicle, and I can’t take that.’ He said, ‘Just come take what you need.’” [1]
He then contacted food banks, and although they did want the potatoes, they couldn’t take them if they were loose and not in bags.
He sent out a Facebook message asking if anyone had a truck he could borrow to haul the discarded produce to Western Washington food banks, and the responses quickly came flooding in.
Instead of just one truck, he ended up with a convoy of four trucks, including two with trailers, and managed to bring 9.36 tonnes of potatoes and onions to the food banks, far surpassing his original goal of two thousand pounds.
To solve the issue of packaging them for the food banks, Zsofia Pasztor, founder and owner of Farmer Frog, a nonprofit that allows children and families grow food for themselves, offered crates for the produce, as well as the use of her distribution system that she already had set up with the food banks for the other programs she was running.
The help could not have come at a more crucial time.
“At the time COVID all happened, the 2020 potatoes were all in the ground and the 2019 potatoes were in cold storage,” explained Nancy Balin, one of the original responders to Aheard’s request. “The problem is, when the 2020 potatoes are done, those 2019 potatoes better be gone or there is nowhere for the 2020 potatoes to go.”
For this reason, farmers were faced with the choice of either destroying the 2019 crop, or letting the 2020 crop rot in the field [1].
EastWest Food Rescue
Ahearn, Balin and Pasztor are now the founders and directors of the EastWest Food Rescue, a registered nonprofit that is continuing to deliver discarded produce to food banks. To date, the organization has saved two million pounds of produce from being wasted.
Balin, who is the president of the organization, says that everything happened very organically and took on a life of its own very quickly.
“Now we have a totally volunteer, unpaid staff of about 11 main people who are doing different aspects of it. We have about 500 email addresses and half are volunteers and the other half are donors.” [1]
Much of the monetary donations collected by the organization go toward paying the farmers because Ahearn wanted to make sure that he was simply asking his farming community to give away their products for free.
“We’ll take it if they want to give it away for free, but I always wanted to find out from the farmer what their needs were, what their costs were, and at least try to cover their costs,” he said [1].
Read: Dairy Farmer Bottles His Own Milk Rather than Dump It. Sells Out in Hours
New Season, New Challenges
When the project first began they were dealing primarily with potatoes and onions, but as the summer has gone on the harvest has transitioned to fruit. This presents an even greater challenge, because fruit needs to be refrigerated, and the organization does not have any refrigeration capacity. This also limits their ability to store products like milk and eggs.
“We still don’t have any refrigeration capacity,” said Balin, “so our biggest need besides funds is cold storage, for fruit, milk and eggs.” [1]
The organization’s new goal is to rescue ten million pounds of food, which they estimate will require 250 thousand dollars in donations and hundreds of volunteer hours for packaging and delivery.
Ahearn, for his part, was prepared to stop when the organization reached seventy thousand pounds of food in order to spend more time with his family and his other businesses, but when he saw the communities and the people who needed the help they were providing, he knew he had to continue.
“It has been a wonderful, eye-opening experience about the sheer need that we are experiencing. I am much more attuned to food insecurity issues in our region and in our state.” [1]
To learn more about the EastWest Food Rescue, as well as how to donate or volunteer, visit their website.


theheartysoul--2020-08-11--Teenagers Gain Confidence Raising Bees and Growing Crops at North Carolina Farm

In 2016 , when science teacher Kamal Bell realized his African-American students were unable to connect fully with the learning environment , he came up with a way to boost their confidence while also providing some of their basic needs at home .
Bell invented the term “ at-possibility ” to describe his students who would have been otherwise referred to ask “ at-risk ” .
“ At-risk ” students are young minds who are deemed highly likely to drop out of school before graduation for a wide range of reasons and would probably require some level of intervention .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ at-possibility ” due to social pressures , status symbols , and racial prejudice .
Once a young black man himself , Bell , who teaches at the Durham Public Schools , decided to put his students on a course of self-development , at no cost whatsoever to the young fellow .
Gardening has a way of making a person feel in control of their personal growth and environment , as though they had enhanced abilities .
Out there in the fields , tending to crops and watching their hard work sprout into edible @ @ @ @ @ @ @ had a real chance of sorting out their feelings and emotions and growing into confident young men .
Bell ’ s school had a free garden where he could start up the program for his students , but when he pitched his idea to the principal , he was turned down .
Determined to bring the project to reality , Bell applied for a farm loan with the U.S. Department of Agriculture and was able to purchase abandoned farmland in Efland .
When Bell finally secured the 12-acre stretch of overgrown land , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Sankofa is a word in the Twi language of Ghana that translates to “ go back and get it ” .
Bell immediately began to drive some of his interested students out there after school .
He can work with up to six young men at a time , visiting the site four times a month when school is in session and three to five times a week during the summer holidays .
The first lesson the kids learned was patience .
They started working on the farm in 2016 but they didn @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 2018 .
They had to carve out viable fields of red clay soil from the partly arid and overgrown land .
It took a lot of hard work , but the children were determined and were finally able to plant their first batch of vegetables in 2018 .
From squash to kale , cowpeas , squash , peppers , radishes , navy beans , watermelon , and more , Bell and his student now grow a bubbling garden filled with a variety of crops and even some livestock .
Some of Bell ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ s tough to get fresh fruits and vegetables , and when their crops mature , they get to share the harvest and take them home .
He hopes to expand the garden so they can supply foodstuff to people who live nearby and possibly give some away to charity .
Read : Should Every School Have a Year-Round Gardening Program ?
Vegetable gardening is just one part of the Sankofa Farms .
The main objective is honey production and beekeeping , and four out of Bell ’ s five boys are now @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , the boys manage over 40 beehives ( and counting ) , produce liters of honey , and lease the bees out to local farm owners .
Naturally , the boys were terrified of being around so many buzzing bees in one place , but Bell got them through their fears eventually .
They all geared up in protective clothing one morning and watched one of the boys , 14-year-old Mikal Ali as he split a hive into two parts .
Watching Mikal succeed at the task boosted their confidence and the boys @ @ @ @ @ @ @ bees .
One of the oldest kids and the first to join the program , 16-year-old Kamoni King , says the program was a breath of fresh air from the choices often available to African-American kids .
Bell plans to expand the farm soon and hopefully build a school on the property in the future .
Keep Reading : How One Man Turned His Backyard Garden Into a Full-Fledged Community Farmers Market

In 2016, when science teacher Kamal Bell realized his African-American students were unable to connect fully with the learning environment, he came up with a way to boost their confidence while also providing some of their basic needs at home. Bell invented the term “at-possibility” to describe his students who would have been otherwise referred to ask “at-risk”. “At-risk” students are young minds who are deemed highly likely to drop out of school before graduation for a wide range of reasons and would probably require some level of intervention. In this case, they were “at-possibility” due to social pressures, status symbols, and racial prejudice.
Once a young black man himself, Bell, who teaches at the Durham Public Schools, decided to put his students on a course of self-development, at no cost whatsoever to the young fellow. Gardening has a way of making a person feel in control of their personal growth and environment, as though they had enhanced abilities. Out there in the fields, tending to crops and watching their hard work sprout into edible plants for their families, the boys had a real chance of sorting out their feelings and emotions and growing into confident young men.
“I want them to be able to see where hard work and dedication leads,” Bell said [1]. “[Working in agriculture] gives them agency and control over where their lives can go. Young black men are forced to go into sports or to become entertainers. Here they’re being exposed to things they didn’t even know existed. STEM can use as a platform to go and find their own destiny.”
Bell’s school had a free garden where he could start up the program for his students, but when he pitched his idea to the principal, he was turned down. Determined to bring the project to reality, Bell applied for a farm loan with the U.S. Department of Agriculture and was able to purchase abandoned farmland in Efland.
Read: Hospital Grows Organic Rooftop Garden
Shaping young minds through fulfilling work
When Bell finally secured the 12-acre stretch of overgrown land, he named it the Sankofa Farms. Sankofa is a word in the Twi language of Ghana that translates to “go back and get it”. Bell immediately began to drive some of his interested students out there after school. He can work with up to six young men at a time, visiting the site four times a month when school is in session and three to five times a week during the summer holidays.
The first lesson the kids learned was patience. They started working on the farm in 2016 but they didn’t get to plant anything until 2018. They had to carve out viable fields of red clay soil from the partly arid and overgrown land. It took a lot of hard work, but the children were determined and were finally able to plant their first batch of vegetables in 2018.
From squash to kale, cowpeas, squash, peppers, radishes, navy beans, watermelon, and more, Bell and his student now grow a bubbling garden filled with a variety of crops and even some livestock. Some of Bell’s students live in neighborhoods where it’s tough to get fresh fruits and vegetables, and when their crops mature, they get to share the harvest and take them home. He hopes to expand the garden so they can supply foodstuff to people who live nearby and possibly give some away to charity.
Read: Should Every School Have a Year-Round Gardening Program?
Proud beekeepers
Vegetable gardening is just one part of the Sankofa Farms. The main objective is honey production and beekeeping, and four out of Bell’s five boys are now certified beekeepers.
Together with their mentor, the boys manage over 40 beehives (and counting), produce liters of honey, and lease the bees out to local farm owners.
Naturally, the boys were terrified of being around so many buzzing bees in one place, but Bell got them through their fears eventually. They all geared up in protective clothing one morning and watched one of the boys, 14-year-old Mikal Ali as he split a hive into two parts. Watching Mikal succeed at the task boosted their confidence and the boys gradually began to get used to the bees.
One of the oldest kids and the first to join the program, 16-year-old Kamoni King, says the program was a breath of fresh air from the choices often available to African-American kids.
“I wanted to try something different,” King said [2]. The young man would be a senior next year and plans to head off to college to study genetics. About the public schools, he said, “I don’t see much hope. But out here, they light up.”
Bell plans to expand the farm soon and hopefully build a school on the property in the future.
“You can teach everything through agriculture,” he said.
Keep Reading: How One Man Turned His Backyard Garden Into a Full-Fledged Community Farmers Market


theheartysoul--2020-08-12--How to Propagate Succulents: Turning One Plant Into Hundreds of Babies

Succulents are such beautiful plants , with surprisingly low maintenance needs .
There are so many varieties to choose from , with so many different colors .
Best of all , they are easy to propagate , which means growing new plants from clippings of other plant parts .
Succulents in particular spawn very easily and numerously .
Want to know how to propagate succulents ?
Look no further .
“ Propagating succulents is a perfect project for beginning and advanced gardeners alike , as very little is required to yield rewarding results , ” says Nadine Kremblas , the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Pistils Nursery , a specialty plant shop in Portland , Oregon .
Propagating succulents prevents the plants from becoming rather “ leggy ” as they grow .
Pruning the plant allows them to look plump and full .
Also , little potted succulents make pretty , personal , and inexpensive gifts .
This process can be done any time during the year , but for the best results , do it during the summer and spring when the succulents are growing more actively .
How to Propagate Succulents from Stem Cuttings There are @ @ @ @ @ @ @ propagate succulents .
However , the most common one is using a cutting .
This method is best used for older succulents that have become too tall and leggy .
“ To take a stem cutting , you ’ ll always want to use a sharp , clean blade , ” advises Kremblas .
“ A clean cut gives your cutting the best chance at survival , minimizing the chance of fungus or disease.
” Pick your cutting from a fresh stem that ’ s actively growing .
Stems with aerial roots , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ side of the stem , are a sign that they will be able to sprout into its own plant .
Take your cutting from there .
After you take your cutting , allow it to sit for three to five days before you place it in soil .
This waiting period will create a callus and prevent fungus from growing .
After the callus forms , put the cutting in a shallow container with a potting mix , and bury the calloused end into the soil without submerging it .
The environment should @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of intense light .
Do not over-water the cutting .
Succulents ’ roots are delicate and too much watering can kill fragile cutting .
“ Rather than watering the soil directly , it ’ s best to just spray the ends of the cutting where the root growth is expected , ” says Kremblas .
“ Avoid saturating the soil to prevent them from rotting before rooting happens.
” Once the roots develop , plant the cutting/now succulent in a pot or in a garden .
[ 1 ] Read : Bring The @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Mermaid Tail Succulent How to Propagate Succulents from Leaves Another method of propagating is using succulent leaves .
This process works best for succulents with easily-removable , plump leaves .
It will take much longer to develop a full-size plant , but leaf propagations require less of the original plant .
To get a leaf cutting , choose a plump , firm leaf and ensure to cut from the stem .
“ Be sure to get all the way down to where the leaf meets the stem , as a broken leaf will @ @ @ @ @ @ @ As with stem cuttings , leaves should be left out to callus for several days .
They also require partial sun exposure while they propagate .
Place the leaf on top of a thin layer of succulent potting soils and dampen it with water .
After about three weeks , the leaf should begin to sprout little plants .
Around the eight-week mark , the original leaf will wither and fall , and the new little plants are ready to be planted in pots or in gardens .
Read : Rose Succulents : @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Straight Out Of a Fairytale How to Propagate Them with Offsets Some succulents are able to spread across a garden by developing mini-plants that are connected to the original ’ s roots .
These mini offshoots have their own roots that can be detached from the original and planted or potted individually .
However , sometimes the offshoots need a few weeks to grow their roots .
Once you separate the offsets from the original , plant them as you would the leaf or stem cuttings .
Succulents that are conducive to this @ @ @ @ @ @ @ aeonium .
[ 2 ] How to Propagate Them in Water Stem cuttings and offsets can often propagate in water instead of potting soil .
We recommend for people who only have small space to designate for propagation .
After the cutting or offset has been allowed to callus , place it in a jar or cup of water .
Rest the stems over the rim to keep the plant suspended just above the water .
As time passes , the plant will grow roots to reach the water .
Ensure the cup @ @ @ @ @ @ @ has partial sunlight .
When the roots sprout , the succulents are ready to be planted in a pot or garden .
[ 3 ] Keep Reading : 12 Pink Succulents You Need in Your Home This Summer

Succulents are such beautiful plants, with surprisingly low maintenance needs. There are so many varieties to choose from, with so many different colors. Best of all, they are easy to propagate, which means growing new plants from clippings of other plant parts. Succulents in particular spawn very easily and numerously. Want to know how to propagate succulents? Look no further.
“Propagating succulents is a perfect project for beginning and advanced gardeners alike, as very little is required to yield rewarding results,” says Nadine Kremblas, the Living Arts Lead and succulent evangelist at Pistils Nursery, a specialty plant shop in Portland, Oregon.
Propagating succulents prevents the plants from becoming rather “leggy” as they grow. Pruning the plant allows them to look plump and full. Also, little potted succulents make pretty, personal, and inexpensive gifts.
This process can be done any time during the year, but for the best results, do it during the summer and spring when the succulents are growing more actively.
Read More: 12 Pink Succulents You Need In Your Home
How to Propagate Succulents from Stem Cuttings
There are a few ways to approach how to propagate succulents. However, the most common one is using a cutting. This method is best used for older succulents that have become too tall and leggy.
“To take a stem cutting, you’ll always want to use a sharp, clean blade,” advises Kremblas. “A clean cut gives your cutting the best chance at survival, minimizing the chance of fungus or disease.”
Pick your cutting from a fresh stem that’s actively growing. Stems with aerial roots, which are wispy roots growing from the side of the stem, are a sign that they will be able to sprout into its own plant. Take your cutting from there.
After you take your cutting, allow it to sit for three to five days before you place it in soil. This waiting period will create a callus and prevent fungus from growing. After the callus forms, put the cutting in a shallow container with a potting mix, and bury the calloused end into the soil without submerging it. The environment should be warm and sunlit, but out of intense light.
Do not over-water the cutting. Succulents’ roots are delicate and too much watering can kill fragile cutting.
Once the roots develop, plant the cutting/now succulent in a pot or in a garden.
Read More: Jellyfish Succulents Will Turn Your Garden Into An Otherworldly Aquarium
How to Propagate Succulents from Leaves
Another method of propagating is using succulent leaves. This process works best for succulents with easily-removable, plump leaves. It will take much longer to develop a full-size plant, but leaf propagations require less of the original plant.
To get a leaf cutting, choose a plump, firm leaf and ensure to cut from the stem. “Be sure to get all the way down to where the leaf meets the stem, as a broken leaf will not propagate,” says Kremblas.
As with stem cuttings, leaves should be left out to callus for several days. They also require partial sun exposure while they propagate. Place the leaf on top of a thin layer of succulent potting soils and dampen it with water.
After about three weeks, the leaf should begin to sprout little plants. Around the eight-week mark, the original leaf will wither and fall, and the new little plants are ready to be planted in pots or in gardens.
Read More: These Mermaid Tail Succulents Bring The The Sea To Your Home
How to Propagate Them with Offsets
Some succulents are able to spread across a garden by developing mini-plants that are connected to the original’s roots. These mini offshoots have their own roots that can be detached from the original and planted or potted individually. However, sometimes the offshoots need a few weeks to grow their roots. Once you separate the offsets from the original, plant them as you would the leaf or stem cuttings.
Succulents that are conducive to this process include echeveria, jade, and aeonium.
How to Propagate Them in Water
Stem cuttings and offsets can often propagate in water instead of potting soil. We recommend for people who only have small space to designate for propagation.
After the cutting or offset has been allowed to callus, place it in a jar or cup of water. Rest the stems over the rim to keep the plant suspended just above the water. As time passes, the plant will grow roots to reach the water. Ensure the cup is kept in a warm area that has partial sunlight. When the roots sprout, the succulents are ready to be planted in a pot or garden.
Keep Reading: Rainbow Succulents Bring A Magical Burst Of Color To Your Garden


theheartysoul--2020-08-12--This Living Pod Could Replace Your Apartment, Costs Only $24,000 And Takes Just A Day To Install

The housing situation in the UK is dire .
Not only is there widespread homelessness , but people with low incomes also can ’ t afford payments every month .
[ 1 ] People graduating from university and embarking into adult life , for example , do not have the resources to live on their own .
However , this former Rolls-Royce engineer came up with a solution specifically for this demographic : a living pod .
The Conker : The Future of Affordable Living Jag Virdie designed what he called The Conker , a small cubicle-like space for people @ @ @ @ @ @ @ explains that it ’ s more than just that .
On his website , he writes , “ Take the best that exists and make it better .
When it does not exist , design it.
” The Conker is shaped like a soccer ball , or in the UK , a football .
The living pod is 3.9 m in diameter and has a carpet area of 10 square meters .
It ’ s made of entirely British materials so no importing goods are necessary , which reduces the costs .
Despite @ @ @ @ @ @ @ pod has an efficient heat-retention system and is completely waterproof .
Its features also include an underfloor heating system , a ventilation system with an air filter , a heat recovery system , a secure locking system , and power sockets , including USB sockets .
“ It ’ s suitable for use in even very remote locations , where , because of its four minimal anchor points , it has almost zero impact upon the ground in which it is set , ” said Virdie .
“ The spherical design allows for @ @ @ @ @ @ @ no , or very small , foundations ensure zero impact on natural drainage .
For the occupiers , a heat-exchange pump ensures a comfortable maintained temperature and a constant flow of fresh air , which really aids sleep and optimizes the body ’ s metabolism.
” [ 2 ] Read : How A Year of Living Off the Grid With Kids Helped Prepare for the Global Pandemic How to Customize the Conker Living Pod Not only that , but the Conker is customizable and requires only one day to install .
“ Our @ @ @ @ @ @ @ are designed today , ” said Virdie , “ by disrupting the norm , challenging construction practices at their core.
” The living pod can also be connected to other pods to create more “ rooms ” aside from the installed bathroom and kitchenette .
The Conker could be a great option for young people who crave privacy , especially as they transition into adulthood .
Many bookworms who saw these pods immediately imagine it as the perfect , cozy reading spot .
“ We aspire to bring automotive and aerospace engineering standards @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Conker ’ s official website .
“ By using these principles , we have already achieved and exceeded building regulations multiple times .
In addition , our collaboration with Keele University has brought a new framework into play where the building is designed around the user , rather than the other way around .
This is known as ‘ User Centered Design ’ which allows us to be efficient in design from the onset.
” [ 3 ] Virdie began his career in automotive design and engineering with Rolls-Royce Bentley then eventually set @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 2010 .
He designed the Conker originally as a spherical treehouse for his kids .
With his previous car-designing skills , he created a living pod that could aid with the current UK housing crisis .
It costs a one-time price of $ 24,000 , which is low when considering the rent of an average middle-class family .
“ The Conker was born in 2015 through the knowledge that a building should be beautiful , aerodynamic , strong and versatile , ” says its website .
“ We envisaged a contemporary , state @ @ @ @ @ @ @ could be adapted and personalized without limitation .
A sphere was the natural choice due to its streamlined and structural properties.
” Virdie considers the current Conker as his starting point .
“ We ’ re looking at smaller ones and much larger ones that will be three bedrooms inside and even a full house , and all the foundation you require is the four legs , so you don ’ t need to disrupt the ground .
Because of the shape of it , there ’ s no maintenance on the outside @ @ @ @ @ @ @ you want by requesting new panels.
” Read : Project combines hemp and solar to go totally off grid There are three options of the kind of Conker available : the plug-in , the off-the grid , and the plug-in hybrid version .
Here ’ s how to buy one : • Customize the Conker to your individual tastes [ 4 ] The Conker can be an office space , a bedroom , a lab , a play area , a sitting room , attach multiple living pods to each other , and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ It ’ s a simple innovation that could potentially aid the modern world of inflation and population rise .
Conker and similar sustainable housing solutions are needed to improve the issue of rising homeless population or others in a need of housing .
The potential uses could be unlimited .
For example , Virdie has been contacted quite quickly by a family who ’ d like a Conker for an elderly relative with Alzheimer ’ s .
It could create a safe , familiar space for him while he could live close to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Glamping to the Next Level with This mansion-like Tent That ’ s Bigger than Most Apartments

This Living Pod Could Replace Your Apartment, Costs Only $24,000 And Takes Just A Day To Install
The housing situation in the UK is dire. Not only is there widespread homelessness, but people with low incomes also can’t afford payments every month. [1] People graduating from university and embarking into adult life, for example, do not have the resources to live on their own. However, this former Rolls-Royce engineer came up with a solution specifically for this demographic: a living pod.
The Conker: The Future of Affordable Living
Jag Virdie designed what he called The Conker, a small cubicle-like space for people to live in. However, Virdie explains that it’s more than just that. On his website, he writes, “Take the best that exists and make it better. When it does not exist, design it.”
The Conker is shaped like a soccer ball, or in the UK, a football. The living pod is 3.9 m in diameter and has a carpet area of 10 square meters. It’s made of entirely British materials so no importing goods are necessary, which reduces the costs. Despite the small size and affordability, the pod has an efficient heat-retention system and is completely waterproof. Its features also include an underfloor heating system, a ventilation system with an air filter, a heat recovery system, a secure locking system, and power sockets, including USB sockets.
“It’s suitable for use in even very remote locations, where, because of its four minimal anchor points, it has almost zero impact upon the ground in which it is set,” said Virdie.
“The spherical design allows for a natural run-off when it rains and no, or very small, foundations ensure zero impact on natural drainage. For the occupiers, a heat-exchange pump ensures a comfortable maintained temperature and a constant flow of fresh air, which really aids sleep and optimizes the body’s metabolism.” [2]
How to Customize the Conker Living Pod
Not only that, but the Conker is customizable and requires only one day to install. “Our mission is to change the way buildings are designed today,” said Virdie, “by disrupting the norm, challenging construction practices at their core.”
The living pod can also be connected to other pods to create more “rooms” aside from the installed bathroom and kitchenette. The Conker could be a great option for young people who crave privacy, especially as they transition into adulthood. Many bookworms who saw these pods immediately imagine it as the perfect, cozy reading spot.
“We aspire to bring automotive and aerospace engineering standards to the construction industry,” says Conker’s official website. “By using these principles, we have already achieved and exceeded building regulations multiple times. In addition, our collaboration with Keele University has brought a new framework into play where the building is designed around the user, rather than the other way around. This is known as ‘User Centered Design’ which allows us to be efficient in design from the onset.” [3]
How Jag Virdie Designed the Conker
Virdie began his career in automotive design and engineering with Rolls-Royce Bentley then eventually set up his own freelance design business in 2010. He designed the Conker originally as a spherical treehouse for his kids. With his previous car-designing skills, he created a living pod that could aid with the current UK housing crisis. It costs a one-time price of $24,000, which is low when considering the rent of an average middle-class family.
“The Conker was born in 2015 through the knowledge that a building should be beautiful, aerodynamic, strong and versatile,” says its website. “We envisaged a contemporary, state of the art, desirable environment which could be adapted and personalized without limitation. A sphere was the natural choice due to its streamlined and structural properties.”
Virdie considers the current Conker as his starting point. “We’re looking at smaller ones and much larger ones that will be three bedrooms inside and even a full house, and all the foundation you require is the four legs, so you don’t need to disrupt the ground. Because of the shape of it, there’s no maintenance on the outside and you can even update it when you want by requesting new panels.”
Read: Project combines hemp and solar to go totally off grid
How to Order a Conker Living Pod
There are three options of the kind of Conker available: the plug-in, the off-the grid, and the plug-in hybrid version.
Here’s how to buy one:
Register
Check the location
Customize the Conker to your individual tastes [4]
The Conker can be an office space, a bedroom, a lab, a play area, a sitting room, attach multiple living pods to each other, and be suited to many different environments.
It’s a simple innovation that could potentially aid the modern world of inflation and population rise. Conker and similar sustainable housing solutions are needed to improve the issue of rising homeless population or others in a need of housing. The potential uses could be unlimited.
For example, Virdie has been contacted quite quickly by a family who’d like a Conker for an elderly relative with Alzheimer’s. It could create a safe, familiar space for him while he could live close to his family.
Keep Reading: Take Glamping to the Next Level with This mansion-like Tent That’s Bigger than Most Apartments


theheartysoul--2020-08-12--New Video Reveals ‘Deeply Disturbing’ Treatment Of Cows Killed For Leather

Over the last several years , a significant effort has gone into exposing the animal cruelty that is rampant in the meat , dairy , and fur industries .
Less attention , however , has gone into the leather industry , until now .
It should be noted that details of cow abuse will be covered , and may be disturbing to some readers .
Recent video footage showing brutal cow abuse in the leather industry has been circulating on the internet , prompting organizations and individuals to speak out against the cruelty that exists within it , and asking @ @ @ @ @ @ @ The video was released as a part of the Manfred Karreman investigation by vegan charity PETA Germany , in an effort to disclose the cruel practices and conditions that the organizations say are rampant in the leather industry [ 1 ] .
According to the organization , the animals were transported for weeks from Europe and South America to abattoirs in Lebanon , Turkey , Iraq , and other places , to then have their skins show up on shelves in Europe and the United States .
PETA says that when the animals @ @ @ @ @ @ @ then pinned to the ground or tied up , and their throats are cut .
According to the charity , more than 1.4 billion cows , goats , and sheep , as well as millions of other animals , are killed for leather every year [ 1 ] .
Leather- A By-Product of the Meat Industry ?
Yes and No .
Part of the reason the leather industry has flown under the radar is that there is a common misconception that leather is simply a by-product of the meat industry and that by @ @ @ @ @ @ @ [ 2 ] .
Even as people have become increasingly aware of the cruelties of the fur industry , leather has , relatively speaking , remained a popular and sought-after material , in part due to this misguided belief .
So where does leather come from ?
The primary source for leather are cows , with goats , pigs , and sheep supplementing that supply in order to meet consumer demand .
The majority of that leather is , in fact , taken from cows who were killed for their meat or from @ @ @ @ @ @ @ enough milk to remain profitable .
That being said , the most “ luxurious ” and sought-after leather comes from newborn veal calves , and even sometimes unborn calves taken prematurely from their mother ’ s wombs .
This produced the softest , thinnest leather that is more comfortable .
Even though much of the leather on the shelves comes from animals in the meat and dairy industry , saying that leather is a by-product of those industries isn ’ t exactly correct .
Leather is a product just like any other : @ @ @ @ @ @ @ consumer demand , and to make a profit for the businesses involved .
That means that if demand is higher than what is produced from the meat and dairy industries , more animals will be slaughtered for their hide alone [ 2 ] .
Read : Dogs are Born with Ears and Tails .
They Should Get to Keep Them Cow abuse is not the only problem with the leather industry .
The environmental impact of leather-making has some serious ramifications as well , which come from two main sources : livestock factory @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
The environmental impact of factory farming is well-documented .
It requires immense amounts of energy , with feed making up approximately 75 percent of its energy needs .
The remaining 25 percent is needed for other factors like heating , ventilation , and lighting [ 3 ] .
Large-scale factory farms have led to a loss of biodiversity , polluted the environment , and consumes massive amounts of scarce resources including land , water , and as previously mentioned , energy [ 4 ] .
Animal waste and fertilizers also release large @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , both of which are much more potent and damaging to the environment than carbon dioxide [ 3 ] .
The processing of leather produces even more environmental concerns .
Turning animal skin into leather is called called “ tanning “ , and requires several chemicals and toxins , including ammonia , cyanide-based dyes , formaldehyde , and lead .
These products end up leaching into the ground and water , and get released into the air , a side-effect that happens more often than not in countries where environmental regulations aren ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ : Holland breaks record as first country ever to have zero stray dogs In addition to cow abuse and other animals involved in the process , the leather industry is cruel to humans too .
Many of the tanneries and leather-processing factories are filled with underpaid workers .
These include children , who are forced to work in unsafe conditions , and who are exposed to toxic chemicals on a daily basis [ 5 ] .
Jason Baker , who established the Indian branch of PETA in 1999 , was not shocked at @ @ @ @ @ @ @ video were treated .
As the realities of the leather industry have gradually come to light , there has been a push for more sustainable materials to be used in its place .
Today there are many different vegan alternatives to leather that look and feel just like the real thing , but are cruelty-free .
Goodforyou.eco provides a list of eight different types of “ leather ” , each made from plant sources like pineapple leaves , cork , recycled rubber , mushrooms , apple skins , and coconuts .
Brands like @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Matt and Nat create products like jackets , bags , and shoes from vegan leather that are indistinguishable from the real thing .
Whatever you ’ re looking for , whether it ’ s a classic leather tote or a stylish biker jacket , you can find a vegan alternative .
Due to its graphic nature , we have not posted the video from PETA .
However , if you wish , you can view it here .
Keep Reading : Millions of US farm animals to be culled by suffocation , drowning @ @

Over the last several years, a significant effort has gone into exposing animal cruelty that is rampant in the meat, dairy, and fur industries. Less attention, however, has gone into the leather industry, until now. It should be noted that details of cow abuse will be covered, and may be disturbing to some readers.
Video footage showing brutal cow abuse in the leather industry has been circulating on the internet, prompting organizations and individuals to speak out against the cruelty that exists within it, and asking consumers to reconsider purchasing leather goods.
Cow Abuse in the Leather Industry
The video was released as a part of the Manfred Karreman investigation by vegan charity PETA Germany, in an effort to disclose the cruel practices and conditions that the organizations say are rampant in the leather industry [1].
According to the organization, the animals were transported for weeks from Europe and South America to abattoirs in Lebanon, Turkey, Iraq, and other places, to then have their skins show up on shelves in Europe and the United States.
“[The video footage shows] weak or injured animals being hoisted off a docked ship by one leg with a crane (a process that can break their legs and dislocate their joints) and then dropped onto an abattoir-bound truck,” PETA said about the video [1].
PETA says that when the animals arrive at the slaughterhouse, they are then pinned to the ground or tied up, and their throats are cut. According to the charity, more than 1.4 billion cows, goats, and sheep, as well as millions of other animals, are killed for leather every year [1].
Leather- A By-Product of the Meat Industry? Yes and No.
Part of the reason the leather industry has flown under the radar is that there is a common misconception that leather is simply a by-product of the meat industry and that by purchasing it you are actually preventing waste [2].
Even as people have become increasingly aware of the cruelties of the fur industry, leather has, relatively speaking, remained a popular and sought-after material, in part due to this misguided belief. So where does leather come from?
The primary source for leather are cows, with goats, pigs, and sheep supplementing that supply in order to meet consumer demand. The majority of that leather is, in fact, taken from cows who were killed for their meat or from dairy cows who are no longer producing enough milk to remain profitable.
That being said, the most “luxurious” and sought-after leather comes from newborn veal calves, and even sometimes unborn calves are taken prematurely from their mother’s wombs. This produced the softest, thinnest leather that is more comfortable.
Even though much of the leather on the shelves comes from animals in the meat and dairy industry, saying that leather is a by-product of those industries isn’t exactly correct. Leather is a product just like any other: it is produced in order to meet consumer demand and to make a profit for the businesses involved. That means that if demand is higher than what is produced from the meat and dairy industries, more animals will be slaughtered for their hide alone [2].
Read: ‘No-Kill’ Lab-Grown Meat To Go On Sale For First Time
The Environmental Impact of Leather
Cow abuse is not the only problem with the leather industry. The environmental impact of leather-making has some serious ramifications as well, which come from two main sources: livestock factory farming, and the processing of leather.
The environmental impact of factory farming is well-documented. It requires immense amounts of energy, with feed making up approximately 75 percent of its energy needs. The remaining 25 percent is needed for other factors like heating, ventilation, and lighting [3].
Large-scale factory farms have led to a loss of biodiversity, polluted the environment, and consumes massive amounts of scarce resources including land, water, and as previously mentioned, energy [4].
Animal waste and fertilizers also release large amounts of methane gas and nitrous oxide, both of which are much more potent and damaging to the environment than carbon dioxide [3].
The processing of leather produces even more environmental concerns. Turning animal skin into leather is called called “tanning“, and requires several chemicals and toxins, including ammonia, cyanide-based dyes, formaldehyde, and lead.
These products end up leaching into the ground and water, and get released into the air, a side-effect that happens more often than not in countries where environmental regulations aren’t enforced [2].
Cruel for Animals, Cruel for Humans
In addition to cow abuse and other animals involved in the process, the leather industry is cruel to humans too. Many of the tanneries and leather-processing factories are filled with underpaid workers. These include children, who are forced to work in unsafe conditions, and who are exposed to toxic chemicals on a daily basis [5].
Jason Baker, who established the Indian branch of PETA in 1999, was not shocked at the horrible way the animals in the video were treated.
“But what still shocked me,” he says of this latest footage, “was that the Bangladesh leather industry doesn’t just mean cruel conditions for animals. We documented workers, including children, performing hazardous tasks such as soaking hides in toxic chemicals and using knives to cut the skins.” [5]
Sustainable Alternatives to Leather
As the realities of the leather industry have gradually come to light, there has been a push for more sustainable materials to be used in its place.
“Simply put,” says Baker, “there is no such thing as humane leather. No matter where it comes from, leather is the product of a cruel industry. And with so many synthetic materials available today, there’s no need to wear leather at all.” [5]
Today there are many different vegan alternatives to leather that look and feel just like the real thing, but are cruelty-free. Goodforyou.eco provides a list of eight different types of “leather”, each made from plant sources like pineapple leaves, cork, recycled rubber, mushrooms, apple skins, and coconuts.
Brands like Beyond Skin, Bourgeois Boheme, and Matt and Nat create products like jackets, bags, and shoes from vegan leather that are indistinguishable from the real thing. Whatever you’re looking for, whether it’s a classic leather tote or a stylish biker jacket, you can find a vegan alternative.
Due to its graphic nature, we have not posted the video from PETA. However, if you wish, you can view it here.
Keep Reading: People Are Turning Vegan After Watching Seaspiracy On Netflix, But How Accurate Is The Documentary?
Sources
Editor’s Note: This article originally appeared on The Hearty Soul in August 2020. It has been republished here with permission.


theheartysoul--2020-08-12--Photographer Captures the Perfect Shot of a Stunning Bald Eagle

When Canadian photographer Steve Biro visited the Canadian Raptor Conservancy in May 2019 , he knew he was going to get a few awesome shots of the resident eagles , but he never imagined he would be thrown into the global spotlight in a matter of days [ 1 ] after capturing the perfect bald eagle photo .
Biro is a hobbyist photographer who enjoys capturing natural scenes and wildlife .
One particularly majestic bald eagle , Bruce , caught his attention that day and Biro set out taking hundreds of photos of the high flyer .
He ended up @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of an eagle ever taken , just when the bird ’ s wings were perfectly symmetrical in flight and glazing over the surface of a still pond .
The eagle was terrifyingly stunning , staring intently into the camera as if he ’ d paused mid-flight for the shot .
Speaking to BBC News , Biro says he could never have imagined how much people would love his amazing shot of Bruce .
When the photo eventually made it to Reddit ’ s front page after it hit Facebook , it was widely @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in a matter of days .
Biro also captured a slow-motion video of the beautiful bird in flight , surrounded by several other photographers clicking away as he dove through the air to rest on his favorite rock .
Biro shared the video on Facebook with the caption , “ Hi everyone , here ’ s a slow-motion vid of the Eagle coming across the water at the Canadian Raptor conservancy yesterday .
The Eagle was literally flying inches over my head where I was sitting , it was an amazing experience !
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ the video has garnered over 528,000 views and 1,500 shares on Biro ’ s page only .
Bruce was quite territorial toward the photographers .
According to Biro , the birds at the conservancy are rarely bothered by the presence of people , but Bruce was unhappy with Biro for taking over his special rock .
When Biro finally got up from the rock , the bird quickly dove down from a higher perch to claim his throne .
“ He was actually trying to brush me away from where I was perched @ @ @ @ @ @ @ could feel the breeze from his wings as he flew over me .
The other people who were there were gasping as he came over my head .
It was really quite exhilarating.
” Read : Photographer Gives Birth to Twins , One Dark-Skinned and the Other Albino , and They Are a Sight For Sore Eyes For Biro , birds are the real deal However , birds are his true calling .
Steve wrote a heartfelt message of appreciation to all his friends and fans on Facebook when his photo was featured @ @ @ @ @ @ @ America , CTV News Canada , Lad Bible , CBC , USA Today , Bored Panda , amongst dozens of other media outlets .
Keep Reading : Photographer Waits 6 Days to Capture Perfect Moment Between Stunning Black Panther and Leopard

When Canadian photographer Steve Biro visited the Canadian Raptor Conservancy in May 2019, he knew he was going to get a few awesome shots of the resident eagles, but he never imagined he would be thrown into the global spotlight in a matter of days [1] after capturing the perfect bald eagle photo.
Biro is a hobbyist photographer who enjoys capturing natural scenes and wildlife. One particularly majestic bald eagle, Bruce, caught his attention that day and Biro set out taking hundreds of photos of the high flyer. He ended up capturing one of the most stunning shots of an eagle ever taken, just when the bird’s wings were perfectly symmetrical in flight and glazing over the surface of a still pond. The eagle was terrifyingly stunning, staring intently into the camera as if he’d paused mid-flight for the shot.
Speaking to BBC News, Biro says he could never have imagined how much people would love his amazing shot of Bruce.
“He’s squared up perfectly, both wings are touching the water,” he told the BBC [2]. “That [photograph] was the one that struck me as a little more special than the others. But I still didn’t even know how it would resonate with people.”
https://www.instagram.com/p/Bx2oKZMnWVr/
Territorial Bruce
When the photo eventually made it to Reddit’s front page after it hit Facebook, it was widely reposted by several media outlets and websites in a matter of days.
Biro also captured a slow-motion video of the beautiful bird in flight, surrounded by several other photographers clicking away as he dove through the air to rest on his favorite rock.
Biro shared the video on Facebook with the caption, “Hi everyone, here’s a slow-motion vid of the Eagle coming across the water at the Canadian Raptor conservancy yesterday. The Eagle was literally flying inches over my head where I was sitting, it was an amazing experience!” So far, since 2019, the video has garnered over 528,000 views and 1,500 shares on Biro’s page only.
Bruce was quite territorial toward the photographers. According to Biro, the birds at the conservancy are rarely bothered by the presence of people, but Bruce was unhappy with Biro for taking over his special rock. When Biro finally got up from the rock, the bird quickly dove down from a higher perch to claim his throne.
“He was actually trying to brush me away from where I was perched,” he said. “I could feel the breeze from his wings as he flew over me. The other people who were there were gasping as he came over my head. It was really quite exhilarating.”
For Biro, birds are the real deal
Biro says he’s been a lover of photography for the past 10 years and would capture “nature pics, landscapes, city pics, I love it all. I try to look at it like I’m in awe of it all the time, and in wonder of it.”
However, birds are his true calling.
“There’s something about birds that to me is captivating,” Mr. Biro said. “The way they hunt, the way they interact. Sometimes you’ll see them do things. They’ll be playful, just like children. It’s amazing how you’ll see aspects of humanity in birds – and in animals overall.”
Steve wrote a heartfelt message of appreciation to all his friends and fans on Facebook when his photo was featured by the India Times, Fine Art America, CTV News Canada, Lad Bible, CBC, USA Today, Bored Panda, amongst dozens of other media outlets.
“The worldwide recognition of my image continues to surprise me, thank you everyone so much again for all the love, cheers!”
Keep Reading: The Glistening-Green Tanager Is So Bright It Looks Like It Could Glow In The Dark


theheartysoul--2020-08-12--The Last Blockbuster Store Is Now On Airbnb for a Nostalgic ‘90s And ‘00s Sleepover

Everyone used to keep close tabs at their local Blockbuster video .
You ’ d either wait until your favorite movies were released or just head over to peruse the countless shelves of VHS and DVDs .
‘ Renting a movie ’ was more often than not a fun experience , and a memorable part of some people ’ s childhoods .
It was almost impossible to walk into a Blockbuster and select only one movie .
Well , if you miss that experience , you might be able to soak it all in again as the last Blockbuster store @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , Oregon , has been temporarily converted into its Airbnb rental [ 1 ] .
The store ’ s manager , Sandi Harding , is putting it up for three one-night stays in September – but only to residents of Deschutes County in Bend .
According to a press release from Tuesday , August 11 the gesture is to appreciate her host community for the endless support and to ease the tension of the COVID-19 pandemic .
With relaxing blue lights , retro bed lamps , a comfortable couch , a bed , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ will be ready for booking starting August 17 at 1 p.m. Lucky residents of the county can book a stay on September 18 , 19 , or 20 .
They ’ ll get to sleep amongst countless shelves of some of their favorite movies from past decades while watching their recent favorite flicks on old DVD players .
Where a regular Airbnb rental may cost anywhere from $ 50 to $ 400 or more per night , Blockbuster is charging Deschutes County residents only $ 4 to per night , and renting a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ $ 3.99 .
The offer description reads : “ Whether you want to stay up until sunrise or pass out on the couch , we ’ ve created the perfect space complete with a pull-out couch , bean bags , and pillows for you to cozy up with ‘ new releases ’ from the ’ 90s .
Crack open a two-liter of Pepsi before locking into a video game , charting your future in a game of MASH , or watching movie after movie .
But be wary of reciting ‘ Bloody Mary @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the break room , as you just may summon the ghost rumored to haunt the store .
Your Airbnb host and will stock the shelves with all the movies your heart could desire before handing over the keys.
” Bend ’ s 20-year-old Blockbuster store remained open during the pandemic , serving the locals and selling “ Made in Oregon ” merch including T-shirts , sweatpants , and sweatshirts .
Read : What Are Those Grids of Glass in the Sidewalk — And Why Are They Purple The store is permitting only Deschutes @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to minimize the risk of coronavirus transmission .
All guests must come from the same households and must wear masks .
To further ensure the safety of their “ glamorous campers ” , the store will be thoroughly cleaned and disinfected following the CDC ’ s guidelines and Airbnb ’ s enhanced cleaning protocol .
Airbnb also hit Twitter for the first time in six years that Tuesday .
Of course , the three-word tweet has gone viral on the platform , and it almost seems like a resurrection of sorts .
Airbnb @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Read : Common vintage tool is puzzling everyone .
Can you guess what it was used for ?
Before the advents of Netflix , HBO , Hulu , Amazon Prime Video , and other internet-based movie streaming services , Blockbuster was king !
Founded in 1985 , the video rental service had over 9 thousand stores in 2004 .
Over 1,300 of them were outlets in countries outside the U.S. including Canada , Brazil , Mexico , Australia , and the U.K. With a market value of $ 5 billion and revenues @ @ @ @ @ @ @ employed 84,300 people worldwide – 58,500 in the United States and 25,800 in other countries [ 2 ] .
Other video rental companies began to emerge but Blockbuster stayed on top as America ’ s largest video rental chain by offering a selection of over 9,000 VHS tapes in some of its major locations .
They would often charge customers a small penalty fee for every day they defaulted on returning their movie tapes , a strategy that generated $ 800 million in revenue at the company ’ s peak .
The company @ @ @ @ @ @ @ began to pop up .
In 2000 , they made a mistake that ended up costing their business a decade down the line .
Blockbuster had the chance to buy Netflix for $ 50 million , but they decided not to make the purchase [ 3 ] .
Alongside poor leadership , as the company continued changing hands from one private organization to another , Netflix went on to become Blockbuster ’ s doom .
In 2010 , with debts of $ 1 billion , Blockbuster filed for bankruptcy as it continued closing @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Dish Network bought the company for $ 320 million in 2011 and planned to keep it operational long enough to become a Netflix competitor .
Their plans eventually fell through and as of 2019 , only one Blockbuster store is left in the whole world – in Bend , Oregon .
Blockbuster Bend ’ s COVID-19 merch inscription hilariously reads : “ I SURVIVED ALONG WITH THE LAST BLOCKBUSTER.
” Keep Reading : Canned bread is making a comeback — here ’ s how it really tastes

The Last Blockbuster Store Is Now On Airbnb for a Nostalgic ‘90s And ‘00s Sleepover
Everyone used to keep close tabs at their local Blockbuster video. You’d either wait until your favorite movies were released or just head over to peruse the countless shelves of VHS and DVDs. ‘Renting a movie’ was more often than not a fun experience, and a memorable part of some people’s childhoods. It was almost impossible to walk into a Blockbuster and select only one movie.
Well, if you miss that experience, you might be able to soak it all in again as the last Blockbuster store in the world, located in Bend, Oregon, has been temporarily converted into its Airbnb rental [1]. The store’s manager, Sandi Harding, is putting it up for three one-night stays in September – but only to residents of Deschutes County in Bend. According to a press release from Tuesday, August 11 the gesture is to appreciate her host community for the endless support and to ease the tension of the COVID-19 pandemic.
“In appreciation for all that the local community has recently done to support the last-of-its-kind during these uncertain times, this end of summer sleepover will offer movie lovers in Deschutes County the chance for a 90s-themed stay to relive the bygone Friday night tradition just as we remember it,” read a press release.
’90s rockers, get ready!
With relaxing blue lights, retro bed lamps, a comfortable couch, a bed, and tastefully exotic ambiance, the store will be ready for booking starting August 17 at 1 p.m. Lucky residents of the county can book a stay on September 18, 19, or 20. They’ll get to sleep amongst countless shelves of some of their favorite movies from past decades while watching their recent favorite flicks on old DVD players.
Where a regular Airbnb rental may cost anywhere from $50 to $400 or more per night, Blockbuster is charging Deschutes County residents only $4 to per night, and renting a movie while you enjoy the night costs $3.99.
The offer description reads: “Whether you want to stay up until sunrise or pass out on the couch, we’ve created the perfect space complete with a pull-out couch, bean bags, and pillows for you to cozy up with ‘new releases’ from the ’90s. Crack open a two-liter of Pepsi before locking into a video game, charting your future in a game of MASH, or watching movie after movie. But be wary of reciting ‘Bloody Mary’ in the staff bathroom off of the break room, as you just may summon the ghost rumored to haunt the store. Your Airbnb host and will stock the shelves with all the movies your heart could desire before handing over the keys.”
Bend’s 20-year-old Blockbuster store remained open during the pandemic, serving the locals and selling “Made in Oregon” merch including T-shirts, sweatpants, and sweatshirts.
Read: What Are Those Grids of Glass in the Sidewalk — And Why Are They Purple
House rules
The store is permitting only Deschutes County residents to apply for a stay to minimize the risk of coronavirus transmission. All guests must come from the same households and must wear masks. To further ensure the safety of their “glamorous campers”, the store will be thoroughly cleaned and disinfected following the CDC’s guidelines and Airbnb’s enhanced cleaning protocol.
“After the final guests check out, BLOCKBUSTER customers can check out the living room space during store hours for a limited time,” the store wrote.
Airbnb also hit Twitter for the first time in six years that Tuesday. Of course, the three-word tweet has gone viral on the platform, and it almost seems like a resurrection of sorts.
https://twitter.com/blockbuster/status/1293201636236627968
Airbnb immediately came through with a warm reception.
https://twitter.com/Airbnb/status/1293204325628436483
Read: Common vintage tool is puzzling everyone. Can you guess what it was used for?
A once thriving business
Before the advents of Netflix, HBO, Hulu, Amazon Prime Video, and other internet-based movie streaming services, Blockbuster was king! Founded in 1985, the video rental service had over 9 thousand stores in 2004. Over 1,300 of them were outlets in countries outside the U.S. including Canada, Brazil, Mexico, Australia, and the U.K. With a market value of $5 billion and revenues of $5.9 billion, the company employed 84,300 people worldwide – 58,500 in the United States and 25,800 in other countries [2].
Other video rental companies began to emerge but Blockbuster stayed on top as America’s largest video rental chain by offering a selection of over 9,000 VHS tapes in some of its major locations. They would often charge customers a small penalty fee for every day they defaulted on returning their movie tapes, a strategy that generated $800 million in revenue at the company’s peak.
The company’s troubles began when streaming services began to pop up.
The Big Mistake
In 2000, they made a mistake that ended up costing their business a decade down the line. Blockbuster had the chance to buy Netflix for $50 million, but they decided not to make the purchase [3]. Alongside poor leadership, as the company continued changing hands from one private organization to another, Netflix went on to become Blockbuster’s doom.
In 2010, with debts of $1 billion, Blockbuster filed for bankruptcy as it continued closing down stores worldwide [4]. Dish Network bought the company for $320 million in 2011 and planned to keep it operational long enough to become a Netflix competitor. Their plans eventually fell through and as of 2019, only one Blockbuster store is left in the whole world – in Bend, Oregon.
Blockbuster Bend’s COVID-19 merch inscription hilariously reads: “I SURVIVED ALONG WITH THE LAST BLOCKBUSTER.”
Keep Reading: Canned bread is making a comeback — here’s how it really tastes