theheartysoul--2020-09-01--Flowers and Plants You Can Grow in October

As summer winds to an end and autumn is fast approaching , most of us are thinking about harvesting rather than planting .
Luckily , there are still plenty of plants you can grow in October to keep on flexing your green thumb even as the weather gets cooler .
Plants You Can Grow in October Not all plants aren ’ t meant to be planted and grown in the springtime .
In this category of plants , you can grow in October , there are both flowers and decorative plants as well as vegetables .
Some of these are @ @ @ @ @ @ @ months , others are ones that you will plant in the fall to allow them months of root development before they bloom in the spring .
Either way , they will keep your gardening itch scratched .
( 1 ) You ’ ll need to know what gardening zone you are in to know which plants will thrive and which won ’ t .
To discover your gardening zone , click here for the United States and here for Canada .
Read : 10 vegetables you can buy once and regrow forever !
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ is the time when you want to plant wildflowers , spring-blooming bulbs , and more .
In fact , many of them benefit from time spent under the ground at the cooler temperatures .
For all of these , make sure you wait until it is now warmer than 60 degrees Fahrenheit to plant these .
( 1 ) • Full or partial sun , some shade needed at sun peak • If planted in October , will plant in time for Christmas ( 1 ) • Must stay between 35 and 45 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in order to flower • Blossoms 10 to 12 weeks after bulbs are planted ( 1 ) • Bloom one to two years after seeds are planted ( 1 ) • Can grow in fertile standard , poor , or rocky soil ( 1 ) • Plant them now to have a full-looking garden early in the springtime ( 1 ) • Can bloom in temperatures below freezing • Can be found in Zones 4 to 9 ( 1 ) • Thrives in light soil with ample drainage but can grow in most @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ( 1 ) Read : Eggshells in the Garden : 5 Ways They ’ ll Help You Grow Food Other optional flowers to grow in October ( 1 ) : AdvertisementThere are plenty of landscaping plants , herbs , shrubs , trees , roses , cover crops , and herbs you can also grow in October .
Again , check your zone , estimated freezing date , and instructions for each plant to know whether or not it can be left outside in the cold .
( 1 ) Read : Gardening Experts @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Your Vegetable Patch Vegetables You Can Grow in October If growing food is more your thing than flowers and decorative plants than there are plenty of vegetables to plant in October that will also keep you busy .
( 2 ) • Zones 3 to 11 , best in zones 8+ • Zones 7 to 11 as perennial , colder zones grow as an annual • 30 days for baby bok choy , 120 to 180 days for standard ( 2 ) • Protect with fleece during snowstorms of hard frost • Can @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the 60s • As the plant matures , use a cold frame until spring • Only plant when the temperature is below 75 degrees Fahrenheit • Once the plant is 4 inches tall , harvest 2 to 3 leaves daily • 55 days if transplanting to harvest , 70 to 80 from seeds • Best between 40 and 75 degrees Fahrenheit • 120 to 170 days to harvest , depending on if they are short or long-season leeks ( 2 ) • Can begin harvest at 120 days , full maturity at 180 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in the winter • Plant 6 to 8 weeks before the first frost • In snow or hard frost protect plants with fleece ( 2 ) • Harvest 2 to 3 weeks after foliage has died black • Best in full sun , partial sun okay • Plant 2 to 4 weeks before the first frost • Plant every few weeks for a continuous harvest • Harvest between 4 and 6 inches long for tender , tasty fruits ( 2 ) • Plant 40 days before the first frost • 30 days for @ @ @ @ @ @ @ for mature greens ( 2 ) • Best-tasting when harvested when bulbs are between 2 and 3 inches in diameter ( 2 ) Clearly there are so many options for plants you can grow in October , so there ’ s no reason to mourn the end of the spring and summer season .
Happy gardening !

As summer winds to an end and autumn is fast approaching, most of us are thinking about harvesting rather than planting. Luckily, there are still plenty of plants you can grow in October to keep on flexing your green thumb even as the weather gets cooler. This article features 50+ ideas for what to plant in October. Give it a try!
What to plant in October
Not all plants aren’t meant to be planted and grown in the springtime. In this category of plants, you can grow in October, there are both flowers and decorative plants as well as vegetables. Some of these are plants that will bloom in the colder months, others are ones that you will plant in the fall to allow them months of root development before they bloom in the spring. Either way, they will keep your gardening itch scratched.
Check your USDA hardiness zone before planting.
Flowers You Can Plant in October
This is the time when you want to plant wildflowers, spring-blooming bulbs, and more. In fact, many of them benefit from time spent under the ground at the cooler temperatures. For all of these, make sure you wait until it is now warmer than 60 degrees Fahrenheit to plant these.
Amaryllis
Zones 9 to 11, zone 8 with winter protection.
Loamy soil
Full or partial sun, some shade needed at sun peak
Flower 6 weeks after planting
Blossom from December to June
If planted in October, will plant in time for Christmas
Aster
Zones 3 to 8
Loamy soil
Full or partial sun
Autumn Crocus/Saffron Crocus
Zones 3 to 8
Must stay between 35 and 45 degrees Fahrenheit for 12 to 15 weeks in order to flower
Any soil type
Full sun or light shade
Read More: How To Grow Autumn Crocus
Baboon Flower/Blue Freesia
Zones 9 to 10
Moist, well-draining soil
Full sun or light shade
Blossoms 10 to 12 weeks after bulbs are planted
Carnation
Zones 3 to 10 (variety dependent)
Slightly alkaline (pH 6.75), fertile, well-draining soil
4 to 5 hours of daily sunshine
Bloom one to two years after seeds are planted
Cornflower
Zones 2 to 11
Full sun
Slightly alkaline soil (pH 7.2 to 7.8)
Can grow in fertile standard, poor, or rocky soil
Forget-Me-Not
Plant them now to have a full-looking garden early in the springtime
Goldenrod
Zones 3 to 9
Full sun or part shade
Hyacinth
Zones 4 to 9
Full sun or partial shade
Fertile, well-draining soil
Flowers bloom 3 weeks after leaves appear
Ice Plant
Zones 8 to 10
Full sun
Can bloom in temperatures below freezing
Can be found in Zones 4 to 9
Larkspur
Zones 3 to 8
Thrives in light soil with ample drainage but can grow in most
Full sun or partial shade
Blooms will appear in the spring
Marigold
Zones 3 to 9
Poppies
Three varieties: annual, California, and Oriental
Tulips
Zones 4 to 6
Other flowers to grow in October:
Cockscomb
Common daisy
Dogtooth
Fritillaria
Giant allium
Glory-of-the-snow
Hawksbeard
Hellebore
Hollyhock
Iris
Leather flower
Lupine
Pansy
Peony
Petunia
Pinks
Poached eggplant
Primrose
Siberian squill
Snowdrop
Snapdragon
Stock
Summer snowflake
Sweet pea
Sweet william
Wallflower
Watsonia
Winter aconite
There are plenty of landscaping plants, herbs, shrubs, trees, roses, cover crops, and herbs you can also grow in October. Again, check your zone, estimated freezing date, and instructions for each plant to know whether or not it can be left outside in the cold.
Bay
Blueberries
Chives
Cilantro
Dill
Fothergilla
French Thyme
Japanese Maple
Milk flower
Oregano
Parsley
Red chokeberry
Rosemary
Rowan
Smokebush
Strawberries
Turfgrass
Witch Hazel shrub
Vegetables You Can Grow in October
If growing food is more your thing than flowers and decorative plants than there are plenty of vegetables to plant in October that will also keep you busy.
Arugula
Zones 3 to 11, best in zones 8+
Full sun
45-60 days to harvest
Plant every 2-3 weeks for continuous harvest
Asparagus
Zones 4 to 9
Full sun
Sandy soil
2 to 3 years for full production
Artichoke
Zones 7 to 11 as perennial, colder zones grow as an annual
110-150 days to maturity
Beets
Zones 9+
Loamy or sandy soil
Full or part sun
45-65 days to harvest
Plant every 20 days for continuous harvest
Bok Choy
Zones 4 to 7, undercover
Prefers partial shade, full sun is okay
30 days for baby bok choy, 120 to 180 days for standard
Broccoli
Zones 3 to 10
Sandy soil
Full sun
Use transplants for October planting
55 to 80 days to harvest
Read More: The Best Companion Plants For Broccoli
Broad Bean
Excellent to 14 degrees Fahrenheit
Protect with fleece during snowstorms of hard frost
240 days to harvest
Brussels Sprouts
Zones 2 to 9
Full sun
Loamy soil
80+ days to harvest
Cabbage
Zones 1 to 9
Full sun
80 to 180 days to harvest
Carrots
Zones 3 to 10
Full sun
60 to 120 days to harvest
Plant every 3 weeks for continuous harvest
Read More: How To Grow Perfect Carrots Every Time
Cauliflower
Can grow as long as temperatures are in the 60s
As the plant matures, use a cold frame until spring
Only plant when the temperature is below 75 degrees Fahrenheit
Full sun, shade from heat as needed
Corn salad/Lamb’s lettuce
Zones 5+
Once the plant is 4 inches tall, harvest 2 to 3 leaves daily
120 days to harvest
Collard greens
Zones 8+
Plant 3 feet apart
Full sun, hot areas partial shade
60-75 days to harvest
Cucumber
Zones 4 to 11
Loamy soil
Full sun
50 to 70 days to harvest
Garlic
Zones 3 to 8
Full sun
Loamy soil
Read More: How To Grow Garlic For An Endless Supply
Kale
Good to 20 degrees Fahrenheit
Full sun
Loamy soil
55 days if transplanting to harvest, 70 to 80 from seeds
Plant every 3 weeks for continuous harvest
Kohlrabi
Best between 40 and 75 degrees Fahrenheit
Can tolerate an early fall frost
45 to 60 days to maturity
Leek
Zones 7+
120 to 170 days to harvest, depending on if they are short or long-season leeks
Read More: How To Regrow Leeks From Scraps
Lettuce
Zones 3 to 9
Select loose-leaf varieties
Mustard greens
Zones 8 to 11
Can begin harvest at 120 days, full maturity at 180
Onions
Zones 3 to 9
Full sun varieties
Choose long-day varieties
Parsnip
Zones 2 to 9
Loamy or sandy soil
Full or partial sun
Cover with mulch in the winter
480 days to harvest
Harvest before ground freezes
Peas
Zones 2 to 9
Plant 6 to 8 weeks before the first frost
Full or partial sun
In snow or hard frost protect plants with fleece
Potato
Good in most growing zones
120-135 days to harvest
Harvest 2 to 3 weeks after foliage has died black
Plant late-season varieties
Read More: How To Grow Potatoes
Radish
Zones 3 to 9
30 days to harvest
Rhubarb
Zone 6 and cooler
Rutabaga
Zones 3 to 9
Loamy soil
Full sun
80 to 100 days to harvest
Shallot
Zones 4 to 10
Best in full sun, partial sun okay
Plant 2 to 4 weeks before the first frost
90 to 180 days to harvest
Spinach
Zones 3 to 9
Plant every few weeks for a continuous harvest
Protect with fleece
37 to 45 days to harvest
Spring Onion
Zones 5 to 9
240 days to harvest
Summer Squash
Zones 3 to 10
Average harvest time is 60 days
Harvest between 4 and 6 inches long for tender, tasty fruits
Swiss Chard
Zones 3 to 10
Full or partial sun
Plant 40 days before the first frost
30 days for baby greens, 45 to 60 days for mature greens
Turnip
Zone 9 and 10
Best-tasting when harvested when bulbs are between 2 and 3 inches in diameter
Clearly there are so many options for plants you can grow in October, so there’s no reason to mourn the end of the spring and summer season. We hope this guide on what to plant in October helps you in your gardening journey!
Keep Reading: 12 Vegetables You Can Grow All Winter


theheartysoul--2020-09-01--Take a tour inside the tiny house that sold for $1.8 million

The housing market was yet another sector of the economy that got hit hard during the COVID-19 pandemic .
In March 2020 when the economy took a nosedive and unemployment skyrocketed , housing sales dropped by an average of seventy percent [ 1 ] .
It appears , however , that as businesses , workplaces , restaurants , and stores have opened up , the housing market might be on the rebound , even if some of Canada ’ s most expensive cities .
This comeback is exemplified by a recent for sale sign that has gone up in the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ home with an asking price of one million dollars .
Curious ?
Canada ’ s CTV news recently took viewers on a tiny house tour .
A tiny home in Toronto ’ s east end near Little Italy has just been listed for a cool $ 999 , 999 .
It has two tiny bedrooms , a bathroom , a kitchen , a living area , and a two-car detached garage .
According to the listing , the total land size is 6.14 meters by 39.32 meters ( 20 x 129 ft ) @ @ @ @ @ @ @ “ great size ” with “ loads of potential ” , and is in a great location being just steps away from shops , restaurants , parks , bars , schools , and public transit [ 2 ] .Advertisement This price is above the average price for the Greater Toronto Area , which was $ 930,869 as of June , which is nearly 12 % higher than the year previous .
Read : How A Year of Living Off the Grid With Kids Helped Prepare for the Global Pandemic Experts believe that in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of government workers or people working in the tech industry who have held onto their jobs , the housing market will bounce back quickly , since it wasn ’ t as hard-hit in the first place .
Likewise , cities that are considered immigration hubs ( Montreal , for example , in Canada ) will also bounce back relatively easily as there will continue to be a demand for housing .
Other cities , like Toronto , are not expected to fare quite as well .
The condo market in particular , because @ @ @ @ @ @ @ hurt by declining rental prospects .
A study by StatsCan ( Statistics Canada ) described this drop : This is partly because travel restrictions have left many of the apartments and condos that were previously reserved for short-term rentals empty , and landlords are dropping prices to fill them with long-term renters .
Experts also predict that with more people working from home , sales of single-family dwellings outside the city are likely to go up , as more and more people decide to leave the city for more space and fewer neighbours @ @ @ @ @ @ @ likely drive down condo prices for the foreseeable future [ 1 ] .
Are You the Ideal Buyer ?
Most people would scoff at the idea of purchasing such a tiny property for one million dollars , but if you ’ re someone who ’ s got a little money to burn and you don ’ t like cleaning a large home , maybe this tiny house is the place for you ?
Keep Reading : A homeless Detroit man bought an abandoned house for $ 1,500 and spent 10 years renovating it @ @ @ @ @ @ @ how he did it — and what it looks like now .

The housing market was yet another sector of the economy that got hit hard during the COVID-19 pandemic. In March 2020 when the economy took a nosedive and unemployment skyrocketed, housing sales dropped by an average of seventy percent [1].
It appears, however, that as businesses, workplaces, restaurants, and stores have opened up, the housing market might be on the rebound, even if some of Canada’s most expensive cities. This comeback is exemplified by a recent for sale sign that has gone up in the Canadian city of Toronto: a tiny home with an asking price of one million dollars. Curious? Canada’s CTV news recently took viewers on a tiny house tour.
A Tiny House Tour
A tiny home in Toronto’s east end near Little Italy has just been listed for a cool $999, 999. It has two tiny bedrooms, a bathroom, a kitchen, a living area, and a two-car detached garage.
According to the listing, the total land size is 6.14 meters by 39.32 meters (20 x 129 ft), and is being advertised as a “great size” with “loads of potential”, and is in a great location being just steps away from shops, restaurants, parks, bars, schools, and public transit [2].
This price is above the average price for the Greater Toronto Area, which was $930,869 as of June, which is nearly 12% higher than the year previous.
A Rebounding Market
Experts believe that in cities where there are a large number of government workers or people working in the tech industry who have held onto their jobs, the housing market will bounce back quickly, since it wasn’t as hard-hit in the first place.
Likewise, cities that are considered immigration hubs (Montreal, for example, in Canada) will also bounce back relatively easily as there will continue to be a demand for housing.
Other cities, like Toronto, are not expected to fare quite as well. The condo market in particular, because of physical distancing measures, may be hurt by declining rental prospects. A study by StatsCan (Statistics Canada) described this drop:
“There is already evidence of this happening in Toronto, where average rental prices have begun decreasing as new landlords try to attract clients from a diminished pool of potential renters,” the study said [1].
This is partly because travel restrictions have left many of the apartments and condos that were previously reserved for short-term rentals empty, and landlords are dropping prices to fill them with long-term renters.
Experts also predict that with more people working from home, sales of single-family dwellings outside the city are likely to go up, as more and more people decide to leave the city for more space and fewer neighbours. This, in turn, will likely drive down condo prices for the foreseeable future [1].
Are You the Ideal Buyer?
Most people would scoff at the idea of purchasing such a tiny property for one million dollars, but if you’re someone who’s got a little money to burn and you don’t like cleaning a large home, maybe this tiny house is the place for you?
Keep Reading: Two Tiny Houses and a Sunroom Combine To Comfortably Fit a Family of Four
Sources


theheartysoul--2020-08-28--16 Fish You Should Consider Never Eating

Fish can be an excellent part of a healthy diet , providing important nutrients like omega-3 fatty acids which can lower your risk for diseases like cardiovascular disease , cancer , Alzheimer ’ s and dementia , age-related macular degeneration , and rheumatoid arthritis , among others [ 1 ] .
However , there are some fish you shouldn ’ t eat .
Unfortunately , due to human industrial activity like coal-fired electricity generation , smelting , and the incineration of waste , large amounts of mercury are ending up in our waterways , and subsequently , the fish that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ gets into the marine food chain , it “ bioaccumulates.
” This means that as smaller fish get eaten by gradually larger fish , the concentration of mercury at each level becomes greater [ 2 ] .
Consuming too much mercury can be dangerous to your health , and lead to mercury poisoning .
For this reason , the US Food and Drug Administration ( FDA ) and the US Environmental Protection Agency ( EPA ) have issued guidelines regarding how much mercury is safe for humans to ingest , and the non-profit @ @ @ @ @ @ @ provides suggestions for which fish you shouldn ’ t eat [ 2 ] .Advertisement Read : Is The Sushi You ’ re Served Made With Fake Crab & Should You Eat It ?
16 Fish You Shouldn ’ t Eat ( or eat less of ) Tilapia is one of the most widely consumed fish in America , but it contains very low levels of omega-3s and high levels of omega-6s , which is linked to inflammation throughout the body .
Eating a diet with an adequate ratio of omega 3 to 6 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ deal with chronic inflammation .
The main problem with most of the tilapia that is consumed in the US is that it is farmed , which does not have the same nutrition profile as wild-caught fish .
A 2008 study revealed that the shift to consuming more farmed fish like tilapia has led to a larger consumption of inflammatory fatty acids , and thus inflammatory diets [ 3 ] .
The problem with Atlantic cod has less to do with your health , and everything to do with the environment and the fish @ @ @ @ @ @ @ heavily for a thousand years , and in the late 1990s , the fishery collapsed .
Fishing for Atlantic cod has been dramatically reduced since then , but the species has struggled to rebound .
Scientists agree that the collapse of the fishery has fundamentally changed the North Atlantic food web , and the species is now considered vulnerable to extinction [ 4 ] .
This is another case of overfishing and general waste .
Commercial fisheries have what is referred to as “ wasted bycatch ” , which is when a fish @ @ @ @ @ @ @ while catching other fish .
AdvertisementUS fisheries throw about 2 billion lbs of wasted bycatch overboard every year .
This is equivalent of about half a billion meals !
The California gillnet fishery , which targets halibut , has been identified as one of the worst , and if you ’ ve eaten halibut in the US it likely came from this operation [ 5 ] .
Caviar are the eggs of the Beluga Sturgeon , an ancient fish that can live for one hundred years .
Its eggs are highly sought after @ @ @ @ @ @ @ dollars a pound .
Because of this , this special fish is now highly vulnerable to extinction [ 6 ] .
The same goes for many other types of Sturgeon as well .
In terms of the environment , this is another species that has been highly over-fished .
In addition to that , its high mercury content poses a health risk to humans [ 7 ] .
This is one fish you may want to avoid on the sushi menu .
Eel are slow to mature and have been overfished in many @ @ @ @ @ @ @ populations to collapse .
This is problematic because eels play an important role in spreading mussel populations , which act as natural water filters [ 8 ] .
Additionally , eels absorb and store harmful chemicals and pollutants very easily .
This is such a problem that in some areas residents are advised to eat eel no more than once per year [ 9 ] .Advertisement The majority of the salmon consumer in the US is farmed , and farmed salmon may contain higher amounts of harmful contaminants like PCBs , which are @ @ @ @ @ @ @ like insulin resistance , obesity , cancer , and stroke [ 10 ] .
Farmed Atlantic salmon are also often treated with antibiotics that make them higher in the inflammatory omega-6 fatty acids [ 11 ] .
Some progress has been made While farmed salmon has been shown to contain high contaminants when compared to its wild counterparts , the trend may be shifting .
Between 1999 and 2011 PCBs in Norwegian farmed salmon has decreased significantly [ 20 ] .
In many cases , these fish are simply labeled “ catfish ” @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 2016 study found that seventy to eighty percent of these fish were contaminated by Vibrio Bacteria , which is what causes most cases of shellfish poisoning [ 12 ] .
There are a number of pesticides that are used globally in shrimp production .
All but one of them are banned in the United States .
On top of that , these shrimps have often been treated with large quantities of antibiotics , and so any time you handle these raw shrimp you run the risk of being infected with antibiotic-resistant bacteria [ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ crab sold in the United States is imported from Russia , where unsustainable fishing practices are very common .
Technically , the only crab that was caught in Alaska can be called “ Alaskan King Crab.
” However , mislabelling is incredibly common , so it is important to know where your crab is coming from .
If it says “ imported ” and “ Alaskan ” on the label , something is amiss and you should stay away [ 14 ] .
These fish can live for several decades , and don @ @ @ @ @ @ @ they ’ re at least twenty years old .
They are another species that have been overfished , but because of their very slow reproduction cycles , they have an extremely difficult time recovering [ 15 ] .
Orange Roughy are also known to have high levels of mercury [ 7 ] .
Since sharks are at the top of the food chain , they have very high levels of mercury [ 7 ] .
They are also slow to mature and reproduce , and thus overfishing has depleted their populations as well @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , and are now considered to be highly vulnerable to extinction [ 16 ] .
They are also large predatory fish and thus contain high levels of mercury [ 7 ] .
Another predatory fish , mercury is the main concern here .
In fact , the EDF has recommended that women and children avoid swordfish altogether and men consume it no more than once per month [ 17 ] .
Both King Mackerel and Spanish Mackerel have high levels of mercury and should be avoided , especially by women and children [ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ mercury levels and is vulnerable to overfishing [ 7 ] .
It is also often the target for seafood fraud .
The “ grouper ” that is for sale is often actually a cheaper form of fish that is being intentionally mislabeled [ 18 ] .
The Role of Selenium in Mercury Toxicity If you love fish but you are concerned about mercury toxicity , there is some good news for you- many of the fish that people routinely eat are high in selenium , which can play a significant role in preventing @ @ @ @ @ @ @ does not mean that you can eat as many high-mercury fish as you want , but if you do choose to eat some fish that have a higher content of the heavy metal occasionally , eating enough selenium will help to prevent any negative side effects .
The core message here is this : If you ’ re eating high selenium fish that is low to moderately high in mercury , the overall risk is lower .
If you ’ re consuming fish is high in mercury but low in selenium ( i.e @ @ @ @ @ @ @ or to consume very rarely .
To learn more about the role of selenium when it comes to fish , and mercury toxicity , check this article out !
Read : 10 Foods to Support the Removal of Toxic Mercury From Your Body Fish To Eat More Of This does not mean you have to give up fish altogether , but it highlights the importance of reading labels and knowing where your fish is coming from .
Wild-caught Alaskan salmon , Pacific Sardines , and Atlantic mackerel are all high in omega-3s , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and have less of a negative impact on the environment .
Other good choices include Albacore tuna that was caught in the US or Canada , Alaska Cod , Arctic Char , Rainbow Trout , among others .
The EDF Seafood Selector provides a comprehensive list of the best seafood and fish to eat , including where it should come from and how it should be produced .
When you ’ re choosing which foods to eat , it is important not only to consider the impact that those foods will have on @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that they ’ re having on the planet .
It is crucial that we as consumers make responsible choices to ensure that our planet- and all the organisms upon it- continue to thrive for future generations .
Read : I Just Learned That Raw Oysters Are Still Alive When You Eat Them

Fish can be an excellent part of a healthy diet, providing important nutrients like omega-3 fatty acids which can lower your risk for diseases like cardiovascular disease, cancer, Alzheimer’s and dementia, age-related macular degeneration, and rheumatoid arthritis, among others [1]. However, there are some fish you shouldn’t eat.
Unfortunately, due to human industrial activity like coal-fired electricity generation, smelting, and the incineration of waste, large amounts of mercury are ending up in our waterways, and subsequently, the fish that swim in them.
Once this mercury gets into the marine food chain, it “bioaccumulates.” This means that as smaller fish get eaten by gradually larger fish, the concentration of mercury at each level becomes greater [2].
Consuming too much mercury can be dangerous to your health, and lead to mercury poisoning. For this reason, the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and the US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) have issued guidelines regarding how much mercury is safe for humans to ingest, and the non-profit Environmental Defense Fund (EDF), provides suggestions for which fish you shouldn’t eat [2].
14 Fish You Shouldn’t Eat (or eat less of)
1. Atlantic Cod
The problem with Atlantic cod has less to do with your health, and everything to do with the environment and the fish population. Atlantic cod has been fished heavily for a thousand years, and in the late 1990s, the fishery collapsed. Fishing for Atlantic cod has been dramatically reduced since then, but the species has struggled to rebound. Scientists agree that the collapse of the fishery has fundamentally changed the North Atlantic food web, and the species is now considered vulnerable to extinction [3].
2. Atlantic Flatfish (halibut, flounder, and sole)
This is another case of overfishing and general waste. Commercial fisheries have what is referred to as “wasted bycatch”, which is when a fish or other marine species are caught unintentionally while catching other fish.
US fisheries throw about 2 billion lbs of wasted bycatch overboard every year. This is equivalent to about half a billion meals! The California gillnet fishery, which targets halibut, has been identified as one of the worst, and if you’ve eaten halibut in the US it likely came from this operation [4].
3. Caviar
Caviar are the eggs of the Beluga Sturgeon, an ancient fish that can live for one hundred years. Its eggs are highly sought after and can be sold for thousands of dollars a pound. Because of this, this special fish is now highly vulnerable to extinction [5]. The same goes for many other types of Sturgeon as well.
4. Chilean Bass
In terms of the environment, this is another species that has been highly over-fished. In addition to that, its high mercury content poses a health risk to humans [6].
5. Eel
This is one fish you may want to avoid on the sushi menu. Eels are slow to mature and have been overfished in many parts of the world, causing some populations to collapse.
This is problematic because eels play an important role in spreading mussel populations, which act as natural water filters [7]. Additionally, eels absorb and store harmful chemicals and pollutants very easily. This is such a problem that in some areas residents are advised to eat eel no more than once per year [8].
Read: What Really Happens When A House Fly Lands On Your Food
6. Imported Basa, Swai, Tra, Striped Catfish
In many cases, these fish are simply labeled “catfish”, and should be avoided. A 2016 study found that seventy to eighty percent of these fish were contaminated by Vibrio Bacteria, which is what causes most cases of shellfish poisoning [9].
7. Imported Farmed Shrimp
There are a number of pesticides that are used globally in shrimp production. All but one of them are banned in the United States. On top of that, these shrimps have often been treated with large quantities of antibiotics, and so any time you handle these raw shrimp you run the risk of being infected with antibiotic-resistant bacteria [19].
8. Imported King Crab
Around three-quarters of all crab sold in the United States is imported from Russia, where unsustainable fishing practices are very common. Technically, the only crab that was caught in Alaska can be called “Alaskan King Crab.” However, mislabelling is incredibly common, so it is important to know where your crab is coming from. If it says “imported” and “Alaskan” on the label, something is amiss and you should stay away [10].
9. Orange Roughy
These fish can live for several decades and don’t typically reach sexual maturity until they’re at least twenty years old. They are another species that have been overfished, but because of their very slow reproduction cycles, they have an extremely difficult time recovering [11]. Orange Roughy is also known to have high levels of mercury [7].
10. Shark
Since sharks are at the top of the food chain, they have very high levels of mercury [7]. They are also slow to mature and reproduce, and thus overfishing has depleted their populations as well.
11. Atlantic Bluefin Tuna
Bluefin tuna have been severely overfished, and are now considered to be highly vulnerable to extinction [12]. They are also large predatory fish and thus contain high levels of mercury [7].
12. Swordfish
Another predatory fish, mercury is the main concern here. In fact, the EDF has recommended that women and children avoid swordfish altogether and men consume it no more than once per month [13].
13. King Mackerel
Both King Mackerel and Spanish Mackerel have high levels of mercury and should be avoided, especially by women and children [7].
14. Grouper
Grouper has moderately high mercury levels and is vulnerable to overfishing [7]. It is also often the target for seafood fraud. The “grouper” that is for sale is may actually be a cheaper form of fish that is being mislabeled. One study found that up to 87% of seafood like grouper, cod, and snapper may be mislabeled [14].
Read: Should we eat eggs with the blood spot?
A Note on The Role of Selenium in Mercury Toxicity
If you love fish but you are concerned about mercury toxicity, there is some good news for you- many of the fish that people routinely eat are high in selenium, which may play a role in preventing the absorption of excessive mercury [15].
Still, there is a caveat. This does not mean that you can eat as many high-mercury fish as you want. However, if you do choose to eat some fish that have a higher content of the heavy metal occasionally, co-consuming enough selenium may help to negate negative effects.
The core message here is this: If you’re eating high selenium fish that is low to moderately high in mercury, the overall risk is lower. If you’re consuming fish that is high in mercury but low in selenium (i.e. shark), it’s best to avoid or to consume very rarely.
Image Credit: WpCouncil.org via Doug Cook RDN
To learn more about the role of selenium when it comes to fish, and mercury toxicity, check this article out!
Fish To Eat More Of
This does not mean you have to give up fish altogether, but it highlights the importance of reading labels and knowing where your fish is coming from. Wild-caught Alaskan salmon, Pacific Sardines, and Atlantic mackerel are all high in omega-3s, as well as several other nutrients, and have less of a negative impact on the environment.
Other good choices include Albacore tuna that was caught in the US or Canada, Alaska Cod, Arctic Char, Rainbow Trout, among others. The EDF Seafood Selector provides a comprehensive list of the best seafood and fish to eat, including where it should come from and how it should be produced.
The Bottom Line
When you’re choosing which foods to eat, it is important not only to consider the impact that those foods will have on your health but also the impact that they’re having on the planet. It is crucial that we as consumers make responsible choices to ensure that our planet- and all the organisms upon it- continue to thrive for future generations.
Keep Reading: Opinion: Why Lobster Is The Biggest Scam Of The Food World
Sources


theheartysoul--2020-09-02--This Dad Built A Jeep Bed For His Daughter and Now I Want One

Having a cool room to show off to all of your friends was something that many of us always wanted growing up .
This lucky little girl got her wish when her dad built her very own custom-built jeep bed .
Thomas Passmore ’ s little girl clearly loves two things : Pink and jeeps .
So with those two things in mind , he built her a custom-made pink jeep bed to match her already pink-themed room .
The jeep bed comes fully-equipped with large tires , actually functioning high-beams , two doors on either side , and a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ occasionally flashes to the beat of some music .
( 1 ) The bed is raised up off of the ground by the tires , so there is a little ladder for his daughter to climb in and out of it .
( 1 ) If you ’ re inspired by Thomas ’ Jeep Bed creation , you can download a template on Etsy here .
Thomas Passmore isn ’ t the only DIY Dad out there .
Dad ’ s and husbands really use their skills to go above and beyond just @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and the results are truly amazing .
Check out some of these dad DIYs and prepared to be inspired : Advertisement The COVID-19 pandemic meant that high school and college seniors around the world could not have their regular graduation ceremonies as-planned .
After four years of hard work , all Gabrielle Pierce wanted to do was be able to walk across that stage , head held high , and accept her diploma in front of her family .
Not wanting her dream taken away from her , her father Torrence Burson built @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , complete with backdrop , podium , and everything .
Better than a Jeep bed ?
Depends on who you ask .
Many of us look at the gorgeous walk-in closets we see on TV and in the rooms of famous , wealthy people and can only dream of having one like it .
This husband decided that his wife deserved a closet just like that and transformed their attack into the closet of her dreams .
This man ’ s wife mentioned to her husband that she wished she had a small @ @ @ @ @ @ @ chickens to go into when they wished .
This man took that hint and went far beyond what she could have hoped for .
He built her an entire mini town for her chickens to live in .
This coop town comes fully-loaded with : • A colourful plaza with a hotel , cafe , and more Jeep Bed or not , these dads all deserve awards for their creativity , passion , attention to detail , and most importantly , their desire to do anything for their families .
Keep Reading : @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Starts Basic Skills YouTube Channel

This Dad Built A Jeep Bed For His Daughter and Now I Want One
Having a cool room to show off to all of your friends was something that many of us always wanted growing up. This lucky little girl got her wish when her dad built her very own custom-built jeep bed.
A Custom-Built Jeep Bed of Your Dreams
Thomas Passmore’s little girl clearly loves two things: Pink and jeeps. So with those two things in mind, he built her a custom-made pink jeep bed to match her already pink-themed room. The jeep bed comes fully-equipped with large tires, actually functioning high-beams, two doors on either side, and a purple underglow that looks like it even occasionally flashes to the beat of some music. (1)
The bed is raised up off of the ground by the tires, so there is a little ladder for his daughter to climb in and out of it. (1)
If you’re inspired by Thomas’ Jeep Bed creation, you can download a template on Etsy here.
Other Incredible Dad Projects
Thomas Passmore isn’t the only DIY Dad out there. Dad’s and husbands really use their skills to go above and beyond just Jeep Beds for their families sometimes, and the results are truly amazing. Check out some of these dad DIYs and prepared to be inspired:
The Graduation Stage
The COVID-19 pandemic meant that high school and college seniors around the world could not have their regular graduation ceremonies as-planned. After four years of hard work, all Gabrielle Pierce wanted to do was be able to walk across that stage, head held high, and accept her diploma in front of her family.
Not wanting her dream taken away from her, her father Torrence Burson built her a graduation stage in their driveway, complete with backdrop, podium, and everything.
The Dream Closet
Better than a Jeep bed? Depends on who you ask. Many of us look at the gorgeous walk-in closets we see on TV and in the rooms of famous, wealthy people and can only dream of having one like it. This husband decided that his wife deserved a closet just like that and transformed their attack into the closet of her dreams.
Mini ‘Coop Town’
This man’s wife mentioned to her husband that she wished she had a small coop or house for her flock of chickens to go into when they wished. This man took that hint and went far beyond what she could have hoped for. He built her an entire mini town for her chickens to live in.
This coop town comes fully-loaded with:
A beauty salon
A saloon
A watering station
Stables
A blacksmith
A jail
A colourful plaza with a hotel, cafe, and more
Jeep Bed or not, these dads all deserve awards for their creativity, passion, attention to detail, and most importantly, their desire to do anything for their families.
Keep Reading: Dad Who Grew Up Without A Father Starts Basic Skills YouTube Channel


theheartysoul--2020-09-02--Ancient Forestry Technique Produces Lumber Without Cutting Down Trees

You have likely heard the term “ bonsai ” , which is a Japanese term that , when literally translated , means “ planted in a container ” .
It is a horticultural technique that creates miniature versions of regularly-sized trees for ornamental purposes [ 1 ] .
There is , however , another similar technique used in Japan that is much less-commonly known around the world .
Daisugi uses many of the same principles as bonsai , but the results are very different .
Instead of tiny ornamental plants , you get lumber that is stronger , more flexible @ @ @ @ @ @ @ other trees .
Daisugi is a Japanese forestry technique in which specially-planted cedar trees are heavily pruned to produce “ shoots ” that eventually become perfectly union , straight , knot-free lumber [ 2 ] .
This is an ancient method developed in the fourteenth century that was originally used by the people living in the region of Kitayama because there was a shortage of saplings .
The terrain in the region is very mountainous , and the steep slopes make planting and tending to trees very difficult , so arborists used daisugi @ @ @ @ @ @ @ plantations , but to produce denser wood in a much shorter time frame as well .
Harvesting these shoots takes only twenty years ( much quicker than the time it takes to grow a mature tree ) , and one old “ tree stock ” can grow up to one hundred shoots at a time .
The other reason the technique was developed was because of fashion .
In the fourteenth century , a form of very straight , stylized architecture known as sukiya-zukuri was extremely popular , and every prominent samurai or @ @ @ @ @ @ @ way .
There were not enough raw materials available to keep up with demand , so daisugi was developed to produce more lumber in a shorter amount of time [ 2 ] .
Read : Spectacular Cannabis Bonsai Trees And How To Grow Them AdvertisementNot only could this lumber be produce in record-time , but it was also more flexible and durable than regular wood .
Lumber produced in this way is 140 percent as flexible as standard cedar , and 200 percent as dense and strong .
This was especially important for @ @ @ @ @ @ @ typhoons are a common occurrence [ 2 ] .
The other benefit to this method is that it is sustainable .
Instead of clear-cutting massive swaths of forests , only the shoots are cut down .
Since it only takes about twenty years for new shoots to grow , these specialized trees can keep up with the demand for lumber in a way that regular forestry can not , and is much less harmful to the environment .
AdvertisementBy the sixteenth century , demand for lumber dropped off , but there was still @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Because of their intriguing appearance , many people across the country wanted them as ornamental plants in their gardens , and so this trend kept the practice alive .
Twitter user “ The Wrath of Gnon ” describes the beauty that has been left behind by this ancient practice : Read : How Rwanda Became One of the Cleanest Nations on Earth “ The Wrath of Gnon ” ’ s tweets have now been shared thousands of times , with many people marveling at the beauty and ingenuity of the daisugi technique @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to point out that the technique is also used in other parts of the world , such as the UK , but under the name Coppice and Pollarding .
Wrath quickly corrected them , however , admitting that while the technique is similar , it is not exactly the same because daisugi only works with saplings from one specific mutant cedar in a precise location in Kyoto [ 3 ] .
So while we will not be able to use daisugi in North America , it is yet another example of the ingenuity @ @ @ @ @ @ @ centuries- a small country with brilliant , hard-working , and innovative citizens finding creative solutions to problems that many others would never think of .
Keep Reading : China is Turning the Rainforest into Cheap Furniture for the US

You have likely heard the term “bonsai”, which is a Japanese term that, when literally translated, means “planted in a container”. It is a horticultural technique that creates miniature versions of regularly-sized trees for ornamental purposes [1]. There is, however, another similar technique used in Japan that is much less-commonly known around the world. Daisugi uses many of the same principles as bonsai, but the results are very different. Instead of tiny ornamental plants, you get lumber that is stronger, more flexible and reduces the need to cut down other trees.
Daisugi
Daisugi is a Japanese forestry technique in which specially-planted cedar trees are heavily pruned to produce “shoots” that eventually become perfectly union, straight, knot-free lumber [2].
This is an ancient method developed in the fourteenth century that was originally used by the people living in the region of Kitayama because there was a shortage of saplings. The terrain in the region is very mountainous, and the steep slopes make planting and tending to trees very difficult, so arborists used daisugi to not only reduce the number of plantations, but to produce denser wood in a much shorter time frame as well.
Harvesting these shoots takes only twenty years (much quicker than the time it takes to grow a mature tree), and one old “tree stock” can grow up to one hundred shoots at a time.
The shoots are carefully and gently pruned by hand every two years leaving only the top boughs, allowing them to grow straight. Harvesting takes 20 years and old "tree stock" can grow up to a hundred shoots at a time. The technique originated in the 14th century. pic.twitter.com/ZIMXYclAmw — Wrath Of Gnon (@wrathofgnon) April 15, 2020
The other reason the technique was developed was because of fashion. In the fourteenth century, a form of very straight, stylized architecture known as sukiya-zukuri was extremely popular, and every prominent samurai or noble desired a home built in this way. There were not enough raw materials available to keep up with demand, so daisugi was developed to produce more lumber in a shorter amount of time [2].
Read: Spectacular Cannabis Bonsai Trees And How To Grow Them
Daisugi: Sustainable, Durable
Not only could this lumber be produce in record-time, but it was also more flexible and durable than regular wood. Lumber produced in this way is 140 percent as flexible as standard cedar, and 200 percent as dense and strong. This was especially important for homes being built in Japan, where typhoons are a common occurrence [2].
The other benefit to this method is that it is sustainable. Instead of clear-cutting massive swaths of forests, only the shoots are cut down. Since it only takes about twenty years for new shoots to grow, these specialized trees can keep up with the demand for lumber in a way that regular forestry cannot, and is much less harmful to the environment.
The daisugi looks very peculiar, so even when demand for the lumber dropped off in the 16th century demand for them in ornamental gardens kept the forest wardens busy. pic.twitter.com/YxDreHP0mc — Wrath Of Gnon (@wrathofgnon) April 15, 2020
Ornamental Usage
By the sixteenth century, demand for lumber dropped off, but there was still a demand for the peculiar looking trees. Because of their intriguing appearance, many people across the country wanted them as ornamental plants in their gardens, and so this trend kept the practice alive.
Twitter user “The Wrath of Gnon” describes the beauty that has been left behind by this ancient practice:
“Here and there in the forests around Kyoto you will find abandoned giant daisugi (they only produce lumber for 200-300 years before being worn out), still alive, some with trunk diameters of over 15 meters. Out of this world beautiful.” [3]
Sustainable forestry: lumber without cutting down trees. Daisugi is a Japanese forestry technique where specially planted cedar trees are pruned heavily (think of it as giant bonsai) to produce "shoots" that become perfectly uniform, straight and completely knot free lumber. pic.twitter.com/5ULYOmCkLp — Wrath Of Gnon (@wrathofgnon) April 15, 2020
Read: How Rwanda Became One of the Cleanest Nations on Earth
A Technique Unique to Japan
“The Wrath of Gnon”’s tweets have now been shared thousands of times, with many people marveling at the beauty and ingenuity of the daisugi technique. Some fellow twitter users chimed in to point out that the technique is also used in other parts of the world, such as the UK, but under the name Coppice and Pollarding.
Wrath quickly corrected them, however, admitting that while the technique is similar, it is not exactly the same because daisugi only works with saplings from one specific mutant cedar in a precise location in Kyoto [3].
So while we will not be able to use daisugi in North America, it is yet another example of the ingenuity that has come from Japan over the centuries- a small country with brilliant, hard-working, and innovative citizens finding creative solutions to problems that many others would never think of.
Keep Reading: China is Turning the Rainforest into Cheap Furniture for the US


theheartysoul--2020-09-02--Mini Donkeys are the Most Underrated Adorable Animals That You Can Get as Pets

My friend and I have a system .
Since we live on different continents , when one of us in a bad mood , we bomb each other ’ s phones with pictures of cute animals , like bunnies in teacups , snuggling kittens , and puppies as puffy as cotton balls .
That ’ s a short list too as there are so many cute animals in the world that are often overlooked .
I mean , have you ever looked up baby seals or meerkats ?
Well , here ’ s a new adorable creature to ‘ aww @ @ @ @ @ @ @ donkeys come from the breed of Mediterranean donkeys that are smaller than the average sized donkey .
Officially , miniatures are no more than 36 inches tall and weight somewhere between 200–400 pounds .
For comparison , standard donkeys are about 36–48 inches tall and weigh about 400–500 pounds .
A mini donkey can literally be half of its size .
In appearance , they could come in a wide range of colors from grey to brown to tan to black .
There might be light spots on their fur as well .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ same as standard donkeys , aside from their size .
Their build consists of strong legs , thick chests , and hooves that are angled in slightly different directions to help them evenly distribute the weight of heavy loads .
This method of hoofing is called “ cow-hocking.
” Miniature donkeys originated from the islands off of Italy , Sicily , and Sardinia .
They were used for carrying wood , parcel deliveries , and helping with the livestock .
In the 1920s , they were exported to the United States , and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ popular .
They were sold for farm labor but they were also sent into fairs and horse shows .
Today , not many remain in Europe ; they are mostly bred in North America .
[ 1 ] Can You Get Miniature Donkeys as Pets ?
The answer is yes !
Miniature donkeys , also called dwarf donkeys , can make great pets .
They are domesticated , friendly , loyal , and will form bonds with their owners like a dog or cat .
Owners state that their pet mini donkeys are @ @ @ @ @ @ @ can be trained .
Also , their fur is so soft !
AdvertisementThe National Miniature Donkey Association ( NMDA ) encourages people working with those who are elderly , sick , or handicapped to bring in dwarf donkeys .
Their patients are sure to enjoy an affectionate nuzzle or hug from these adorable animals .
[ 2 ] If You ’ re Interested in Buying a Miniature Donkey as a Pet , Here ’ s What You Need to Know As with any pet , you need to ensure you are fully on @ @ @ @ @ @ @ required for the animal ’ s well-being .
This includes training , food , shelter , and veterinary care .
The latter could include deworming every three months , trimming hooves every 3–4 months , and routine care .
Mini donkeys can live for about 25–30 years , so this is a long-term commitment .
[ 3 ] According to John N. Stallone , a professor at the Texas A & M College of Veterinary Medicine & Biomedical Sciences , owners should devote at least one hour per day to the animal .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ day and any grooming you might want to do , such as brushing their coat or cleaning feet , ” Stallone said .
“ Most donkeys love human attention , so you would need more time if you take your donkey for a walk or do other activities , such as training to do obstacle courses or pulling a cart .
Donkeys are very intelligent and learn quickly , whether it is a new trick or a bad habit.
” Mini donkeys should have full access to open , grassy spaces — their @ @ @ @ @ @ @ d like to spend their time , although they won ’ t protest to staying a in a stable while it rains or on a particularly cold night .
They are not good indoor-only pets .
Stallone recommends a three-sided shelter they could rest in .
“ Miniature donkeys should have some pasture to graze on , as the grass intake will help to promote good intestinal motility and to prevent constipation or colic , ” he said .
They like to eat grass and grains , as their teeth are large and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ not meat .
Mini donkeys love treats ( as do we all ) .
They ’ ll eat apples , carrots , oranges , beets , turnips , pears , and even whole bananas with the peels still on .
They also like molasses but that should be kept as an occasional treat because of the high sugar content .
“ It ’ s fun to give them treats to promote friendliness and help with training , but avoid excessive treats because some donkeys will start to nip at fingers , ” Stallone @ @ @ @ @ @ @ !
’ will often stop this , as well as quickly pushing their muzzle away from you with your open hand .
Avoid slapping or hitting the donkey on the head or face , as this will just cause the donkey to become ‘ head shy ’ and fear your hands.
” [ 4 ] Advertisement The weight limit on dwarf donkeys is about 50–100 pounds so kids and pets could ride them , but adults should not .
What ’ s cuter is that these donkeys are very tolerant of wearing silly @ @ @ @ @ @ @ outfits are a hit at fairs , horse shows , and other public events .
Be warned however .
These sweet and gentle animals can be very headstrong and stubborn when they want to be .
There ’ s not much you could do when a 300-pound creature is digging its calves into the earth .
If you ’ re interested in buying a miniature donkey , keep in mind that they can cost from $ 500– $ 2,000 , depending on their age , gender , size , and whether or not @ @ @ @ @ @ @ or IMDR as an official mini donkey .

Mini Donkeys are the Most Underrated Adorable Animals That You Can Get as Pets
My friend and I have a system. Since we live on different continents, when one of us in a bad mood, we bomb each other’s phones with pictures of cute animals, like bunnies in teacups, snuggling kittens, and puppies as puffy as cotton balls. That’s a short list too as there are so many cute animals in the world that are often overlooked. I mean, have you ever looked up baby seals or meerkats? Well, here’s a new adorable creature to ‘aww’ over: miniature donkeys.
What are Miniature Donkeys?
Miniature donkeys come from the breed of Mediterranean donkeys that are smaller than the average sized donkey. Officially, miniatures are no more than 36 inches tall and weight somewhere between 200–400 pounds. For comparison, standard donkeys are about 36–48 inches tall and weigh about 400–500 pounds. A mini donkey can literally be half of its size.
In appearance, they could come in a wide range of colors from grey to brown to tan to black. There might be light spots on their fur as well. Overall, they look almost exactly the same as standard donkeys, aside from their size. Their build consists of strong legs, thick chests, and hooves that are angled in slightly different directions to help them evenly distribute the weight of heavy loads. This method of hoofing is called “cow-hocking.”
Miniature donkeys originated from the islands off of Italy, Sicily, and Sardinia. They were used for carrying wood, parcel deliveries, and helping with the livestock. In the 1920s, they were exported to the United States, and that’s when they became really popular. They were sold for farm labor but they were also sent into fairs and horse shows. Today, not many remain in Europe; they are mostly bred in North America. [1]
Can You Get Miniature Donkeys as Pets?
The answer is yes!
Miniature donkeys, also called dwarf donkeys, can make great pets. They are domesticated, friendly, loyal, and will form bonds with their owners like a dog or cat. Owners state that their pet mini donkeys are sweet, playful, gentle, and can be trained. Also, their fur is so soft!
The National Miniature Donkey Association (NMDA) encourages people working with those who are elderly, sick, or handicapped to bring in dwarf donkeys. Their patients are sure to enjoy an affectionate nuzzle or hug from these adorable animals. [2]
If You’re Interested in Buying a Miniature Donkey as a Pet, Here’s What You Need to Know
Commitment
As with any pet, you need to ensure you are fully on board with investing the time and cost required for the animal’s well-being. This includes training, food, shelter, and veterinary care. The latter could include deworming every three months, trimming hooves every 3–4 months, and routine care. Mini donkeys can live for about 25–30 years, so this is a long-term commitment. [3]
According to John N. Stallone, a professor at the Texas A&M College of Veterinary Medicine & Biomedical Sciences, owners should devote at least one hour per day to the animal.
“This hour includes feeding twice a day and any grooming you might want to do, such as brushing their coat or cleaning feet,” Stallone said. “Most donkeys love human attention, so you would need more time if you take your donkey for a walk or do other activities, such as training to do obstacle courses or pulling a cart. Donkeys are very intelligent and learn quickly, whether it is a new trick or a bad habit.”
Open Space
Mini donkeys should have full access to open, grassy spaces — their natural habitat. This where they’d like to spend their time, although they won’t protest to staying a in a stable while it rains or on a particularly cold night. They are not good indoor-only pets.
Stallone recommends a three-sided shelter they could rest in. “Miniature donkeys should have some pasture to graze on, as the grass intake will help to promote good intestinal motility and to prevent constipation or colic,” he said.
Diet
They like to eat grass and grains, as their teeth are large and flat, fit for chewing plants but not meat. Mini donkeys love treats (as do we all). They’ll eat apples, carrots, oranges, beets, turnips, pears, and even whole bananas with the peels still on. They also like molasses but that should be kept as an occasional treat because of the high sugar content.
“It’s fun to give them treats to promote friendliness and help with training, but avoid excessive treats because some donkeys will start to nip at fingers,” Stallone said. “A loud ‘No!’ will often stop this, as well as quickly pushing their muzzle away from you with your open hand. Avoid slapping or hitting the donkey on the head or face, as this will just cause the donkey to become ‘head shy’ and fear your hands.” [4]
Rides and Outfits
The weight limit on dwarf donkeys is about 50–100 pounds so kids and pets could ride them, but adults should not. What’s cuter is that these donkeys are very tolerant of wearing silly costumes and cute sweaters. Little donkey outfits are a hit at fairs, horse shows, and other public events.
Stubbornness
Be warned however. These sweet and gentle animals can be very headstrong and stubborn when they want to be. There’s not much you could do when a 300-pound creature is digging its calves into the earth.
Price
If you’re interested in buying a miniature donkey, keep in mind that they can cost from $500–$2,000, depending on their age, gender, size, and whether or not they had been registered with the ADMS or IMDR as an official mini donkey.


theheartysoul--2020-09-02--Yellowstone’s Giantess Geyser erupts for first time in 6 years, roars ‘back to life’

A massive geyser , which was known for how often it erupted each year , went mysteriously silent for six years .
However , on Tuesday the Giantess Geyser in Yellowstone National Park finally erupted again after being dormant for six years , shocking and amazing the lucky park-goers .
According to Yellowstone ’ s website , “ infrequent but violent ” eruptions were the defining characteristic of the Giantess Geyser , which used to go off two to six times annually .
For the last six years , however , the geyser has been completely silent .
( 1 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , 2020 , the geyser suddenly came back to life with astonishing power , putting on a show for the visitors who were at the park .
( 1 ) The United States Geological Survey ( USGS ) says that the six-year span since the last eruption is the longest since the 1980s , however , the geyser has experienced long dormant periods before .
( 1 ) So what exactly does a geyser eruption look and feel like ?
From the giantess geyser , they are powerful and rumbling .
Often just @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and area around the geyser will begin to shake because of the underground steam .
It typically shoots a stream 100 to 200 feet straight up into the air and will continue to do this twice hourly for up to 48 hours .
( 1 ) What Causes Geysers to Erupt ?
AdvertisementThough we still don ’ t understand much about these fascinating natural formations , we do have some knowledge as to how their eruptions occur .
Geysers have ‘ side chambers ’ of boiling water underground .
These looping chambers trap @ @ @ @ @ @ @ but some bubbles escape and heat the water column to a boiling point .
( 2 ) When the pressure from the trapped steam gets high enough , it blasts to release the pressure and the whole water column boils right out of the ground .
More than half of the volume is steam , and the eruption only stops when the water cools back down to below the boiling point .
( 2 ) The Giantess Geyser isn ’ t the only impressive geyser you ’ ll find in Yellowstone National Park @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that matter .
Yellowstone does , however , contain about half of all of the geysers on earth thanks to the thousands of hot springs that exist there .
( 5 ) In Yellowstone , you can find : This is the park ’ s most frequently erupting geyser .
Visitors can expect to see it blow at least once every two hours , with streams reaching about 180 feet in the air .
( 5 ) Steamboat is currently the world ’ s tallest active geyser , shooting water more than 300 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ it has erupted 26 times in 2020 , however it is much less frequent than Old Faithful and has gone dormant for several years in the past .
( 4 ) For more on Yellowstone geysers , click here .
Geysers from Around the World Elsewhere around the world , there are some extremely impressive geysers .
These include ( 5 ) : • Lady Knox Geyser , New Zealand ( site workers induce an eruption every day for visitors by dropping soap into the geyser ) • Et Tatio , Chile ( @ @ @ @ @ @ @ world ) If you are ever lucky enough to witness one of these geysers erupt in person , you are guaranteed to have a memory that will last a lifetime .
Keep Reading : 21 Unbelievable Places That Look Like They ’ re From Another Planet

A massive geyser, which was known for how often it erupted each year, went mysteriously silent for six years. However, on Tuesday the Giantess Geyser in Yellowstone National Park finally erupted again after being dormant for six years, shocking and amazing the lucky park-goers.
Yellowstone’s Giantess Geyser Erupts After Six Years
According to Yellowstone’s website, “infrequent but violent” eruptions were the defining characteristic of the Giantess Geyser, which used to go off two to six times annually. For the last six years, however, the geyser has been completely silent. (1)
This past Tuesday, August 25th, 2020, the geyser suddenly came back to life with astonishing power, putting on a show for the visitors who were at the park. (1)
The United States Geological Survey (USGS) says that the six-year span since the last eruption is the longest since the 1980s, however, the geyser has experienced long dormant periods before. (1)
“Why geysers turn off and on is something that is not well understood. They are very fragile systems.” the USGS tweeted. (1)
On Tuesday, August 25, Giantess Geyser roared back to life after a period of more than 6-1/2 years without erupting.
Watch a longer clip of this eruption or watch the Upper Geyser Basin live-stream at https://t.co/S3E7BsRif9.#Yellowstone #NationalParks #Geysers #GiantessGeyser pic.twitter.com/IdK2ydG6V4 — yellowstonenps (@YellowstoneNPS) August 29, 2020
Giantess Geyser: A Typical Eruption
So what exactly does a geyser eruption look and feel like? From the giantess geyser, they are powerful and rumbling.
Often just before the first eruption, the ground and area around the geyser will begin to shake because of the underground steam. It typically shoots a stream 100 to 200 feet straight up into the air and will continue to do this twice hourly for up to 48 hours. (1)
What Causes Geysers to Erupt?
Though we still don’t understand much about these fascinating natural formations, we do have some knowledge as to how their eruptions occur.
Geysers have ‘side chambers’ of boiling water underground. These looping chambers trap the steam from the hot water, but some bubbles escape and heat the water column to a boiling point. (2)
When the pressure from the trapped steam gets high enough, it blasts to release the pressure and the whole water column boils right out of the ground. More than half of the volume is steam, and the eruption only stops when the water cools back down to below the boiling point. (2)
Other Powerful Geysers
The Giantess Geyser isn’t the only impressive geyser you’ll find in Yellowstone National Park, or elsewhere in the world for that matter. Yellowstone does, however, contain about half of all of the geysers on earth thanks to the thousands of hot springs that exist there. (5)
In Yellowstone, you can find:
Old Faithful
This is the park’s most frequently erupting geyser. Visitors can expect to see it blow at least once every two hours, with streams reaching about 180 feet in the air. (5)
Steamboat Geyser
Steamboat is currently the world’s tallest active geyser, shooting water more than 300 feet in the air. So far it has erupted 26 times in 2020, however it is much less frequent than Old Faithful and has gone dormant for several years in the past. (4)
For more on Yellowstone geysers, click here.
Geysers from Around the World
Elsewhere around the world, there are some extremely impressive geysers. These include (5):
Suwa Geyser, Japan
The Andernach Geyser, Germany (the world’s tallest cold water geyser)
Lady Knox Geyser, New Zealand (site workers induce an eruption every day for visitors by dropping soap into the geyser)
The Great Geyser, Iceland
Et Tatio, Chile (the largest field of geysers in the world)
If you are ever lucky enough to witness one of these geysers erupt in person, you are guaranteed to have a memory that will last a lifetime.
Keep Reading: 21 Unbelievable Places That Look Like They’re From Another Planet


theheartysoul--2020-09-02--NASA Is Tracking a Vast, Growing Anomaly in Earth’s Magnetic Field

The South Atlantic Anomaly is one of those pieces of space that are shrouded in mystery , and it has both intrigued and concerned scientists for years .
When it comes to outer space , it seems that the more we learn the less we know .
Despite how far we ’ ve come , and the incredible advancements the scientific community has made over the last several decades , there are still many aspects of space that scientists don ’ t fully understand .
The South Atlantic Anomaly ( SAA ) is a giant region of lower magnetic intensity @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that stretches between South America and Southwest Africa .
NASA describes this phenomenon as a sort of “ dent ” in the Earth ’ s magnetic field , or like a “ pothole in space ” .
The SAA is complex and difficult to understand , and is being actively monitored by NASA scientists .
In order to begin uncovering its mystery , however , it is important to first understand the Earth ’ s magnetic field , and how it ’ s generated .
According to Terry Sabaka , a geophysicist at @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in Greenbelt , Maryland , regions outside the solid earth contribute to the observed magnetic field , but most of it comes from the core .
The forces in the Earth ’ s core together with the tilt of the magnetic axis produce the area of weaker magnetism , allowing charged particles that are trapped in the earth ’ s magnetic field to dip closer to the Earth ’ s surface .
The main source for the magnetic field appears to be a swirling ocean of molten iron , which is located thousands @ @ @ @ @ @ @ surface inside the Earth ’ s outer core .
Here , there is also a vast reservoir of dense rock called the African Large Low Shear Velocity Province .
It rests between the hot liquid iron of the outer core and the stiffer , cooler mantle , and seems to be disturbing the iron , which generates the magnetic field [ 3 ] .
NASA Goddard geophysicist and mathematician Weijia Kuang says that the SAA can also be interpreted as a consequence of the weakening of the dipole field in the region .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ was an irregularity of modern history and that it could be a precursor or trigger to the entire planet ’ s magnetic field flipping , however , a recent study found that this is not the case .
Instead , researchers at the University of Liverpool in the UK have determined that the SAA is a recurrent magnetic phenomenon that has affected earth for millions of years [ 4 ] .
The SAA is on the Move A 2016 study revealed that the South Atlantic Anomaly is actually slowly drifting in a north-westerly @ @ @ @ @ @ @ more interestingly , it appears to be splitting in two .
Since the 1970s , the SAA has been growing and moving west at a speed of approximately twenty kilometers ( twelve miles ) per year .
New readings from the European Space Agency ’ s ( ESA ) Swarm satellites have shown that a second center of minimum intensity has opened up with the SAA during the last five years [ 7 ] .
This observation has led scientists to believe that the entire thing could be splitting up into two separate @ @ @ @ @ @ @ middle of South America , and a new one off the coast of southwest Africa .
How the SAA will develop from here , however , remains unclear .
The Earth ’ s magnetic field acts as a kind of barrier that protects the Earth from solar winds and cosmic radiation .
It also determines the location of the Earth ’ s magnetic poles , and any time its strength is reduced it needs to be monitored closely , since it could have a significant impact on our planet .
Currently , however @ @ @ @ @ @ @ reason to be alarmed .
The most significant effects the SAA is exerting at present are mostly technical malfunctions onboard satellites and spacecraft as they pass through it during their orbit [ 7 ] .
This , however , is cause for concern for NASA scientists , since spacecraft are exposed to charged particles from the sun when they pass through the SAA .
These particles can cause systems onboard satellites to short-circuit and malfunction .
This usually only causes low-level glitches , but there is the risk of significant data loss or @ @ @ @ @ @ @ spacecraft .
For this reason , satellite operators routinely shut down spacecraft systems before they enter the anomaly zone [ 1 ] .
Although scientists have been following the anomaly closely and have made some new discoveries regarding its cause and movement , there are still many large questions that are as of yet unanswered .
Keep Reading : Ancient tree with record of Earth ’ s magnetic field reversal in its rings discovered

The South Atlantic Anomaly is one of those pieces of space that are shrouded in mystery, and it has both intrigued and concerned scientists for years.
When it comes to outer space, it seems that the more we learn the less we know. Despite how far we’ve come, and the incredible advancements the scientific community has made over the last several decades, there are still many aspects of space that scientists don’t fully understand.
The South Atlantic Anomaly
The South Atlantic Anomaly (SAA) is a giant region of lower magnetic intensity in the Earth’s magnetic field that stretches between South America and Southwest Africa. NASA describes this phenomenon as a sort of “dent” in the Earth’s magnetic field, or like a “pothole in space”.
The SAA is complex and difficult to understand and is being actively monitored by NASA scientists. In order to begin uncovering its mystery, however, it is important to first understand the Earth’s magnetic field, and how it’s generated.
According to Terry Sabaka, a geophysicist at NASA’s Goddard Space Flight Center in Greenbelt, Maryland, regions outside the solid earth contribute to the observed magnetic field, but most of it comes from the core.
“The magnetic field is actually a superposition of fields from many current sources,” he explained [2].
The forces in the Earth’s core together with the tilt of the magnetic axis produce the area of weaker magnetism, allowing charged particles that are trapped in the earth’s magnetic field to dip closer to the Earth’s surface.
An Ocean of Molten Iron
The main source for the magnetic field appears to be a swirling ocean of molten iron, which is located thousands of miles below the Earth’s surface inside the Earth’s outer core. Here, there is also a vast reservoir of dense rock called the African Large Low Shear Velocity Province. It rests between the hot liquid iron of the outer core and the stiffer, cooler mantle, and seems to be disturbing the iron, which generates the magnetic field [3].
NASA Goddard geophysicist and mathematician Weijia Kuang says that the SAA can also be interpreted as a consequence of the weakening of the dipole field in the region.
“More specifically, a localised field with reversed polarity grows strongly in the SAA region, thus making the field intensity very weak, weaker than that of the surrounding regions,” he said [2].
Causing the Earth’s Poles to Flip?
Initially, scientists thought that the SAA was an irregularity of modern history and that it could be a precursor or trigger to the entire planet’s magnetic field flipping, however, a recent study found that this is not the case. Instead, researchers at the University of Liverpool in the UK have determined that the SAA is a recurrent magnetic phenomenon that has affected earth for millions of years [4].
“Our study provides the first long term analysis of the magnetic field in this region dating back millions of years,” said lead author of the paper, University of Liverpool PhD student Yael Engbers. “It reveals that the anomaly in the magnetic field in the South Atlantic is not a one-off, similar anomalies existed eight to 11 million years ago.” [5]
The SAA is on the Move
A 2016 study revealed that the South Atlantic Anomaly is actually slowly drifting in a north-westerly direction [6]. Perhaps even more interestingly, it appears to be splitting in two.
Since the 1970s, the SAA has been growing and moving west at a speed of approximately twenty kilometers (twelve miles) per year. New readings from the European Space Agency’s (ESA) Swarm satellites have shown that a second center of minimum intensity has opened up with the SAA during the last five years [7].
This observation has led scientists to believe that the entire thing could be splitting up into two separate cells, with one centered above the middle of South America, and a new one off the coast of southwest Africa.
“The new, eastern minimum of the South Atlantic Anomaly has appeared over the last decade and in recent years is developing vigorously,” says geophysicist Jürgen Matzka from the German Research Centre for Geosciences. “The challenge now is to understand the processes in Earth’s core driving these changes.” [7]
How the SAA will develop from here, however, remains unclear.
Why NASA is Concerned
The Earth’s magnetic field acts as a kind of barrier that protects the Earth from solar winds and cosmic radiation. It also determines the location of the Earth’s magnetic poles, and any time its strength is reduced it needs to be monitored closely since it could have a significant impact on our planet.
Currently, however, the ESA says there is no reason to be alarmed. The most significant effects the SAA is exerting at present are mostly technical malfunctions onboard satellites and spacecraft as they pass through it during their orbit [7].
This, however, is cause for concern for NASA scientists, since spacecraft are exposed to charged particles from the sun when they pass through the SAA. These particles can cause systems onboard satellites to short-circuit and malfunction.
This usually only causes low-level glitches, but there is the risk of significant data loss or permanent damage to key components to the spacecraft. For this reason, satellite operators routinely shut down spacecraft systems before they enter the anomaly zone [1].
Although scientists have been following the anomaly closely and have made some new discoveries regarding its cause and movement, there are still many large questions that are as of yet unanswered.
“Even though the SAA is slow-moving, it is going through some change in morphology, so it’s also important that we keep observing it by having continued missions,” says Sabaka. “Because that’s what helps us make models and predictions.” [1]
Keep Reading: SpaceX is Launching a Satellite That Will Display Billboard Ads From Space
Sources


theheartysoul--2020-09-02--‘Flying car’ gets off ground, with a person aboard

Do you remember the 1960s cartoon series the Jetsons ?
The show followed George Jetson , his wife Jane , and their two kids Judy and Elroy through their futuristic lives where everyone had robot housemaids and drove around in flying cars .
While this fictional depiction of a futuristic world still hasn ’ t quite come to fruition , one aspect of the show might be happening sooner than we think : flying cars .
For the first time , a Japanese company has successfully tested a manned flying car , and this is only the beginning .
On @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Inc. conducted their first public demonstration of their flying car , the SD-03 .
It was done at the Toyota Test Field , which is one of the largest in the country and where the company has its development base [ 1 ] .
The car took flight in the early evening with a pilot at the helm , and circled the test field for about four minutes .
A computer-assisted control system helped ensure flight stability and safety while staff at the field monitored flight conditions and aircraft performance at all times @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the company , the SD-03 was designed to be the world ’ s smallest electric vertical take-off and landing ( eVOTL ) model , and measures two meters high by four meters wide by four meters long- about the size of two parked cars .
The car has eight motors in four locations as a means of ensuring safety in emergency situations , addressing compliance standards , and alleviating potential regulatory concerns [ 2 ] .
AdvertisementDesign Director Takumi Yamamot explained that the inspiration in designing a new , unexplored genre of transportation @ @ @ @ @ @ @ The exterior of the car was painted white , to represent white birds and floating clouds in the sky .
“ SkyDrive ’ s flying car has been designed to be a coupe embodying dreams and exuding charisma , such that it will be welcomed into people ’ s lives and used naturally , ” read the company ’ s statement .
“ The company hopes that its aircraft will become people ’ s partner in the sky rather than merely a commodity and it will continue working to design a safe sky @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the sky.
” [ 2 ] Company CEO Tomohiro Fukuzawa expressed in his own statement the company ’ s desire to make flying car travel and accessible and convenient means of transportation .
“ We are extremely excited to have achieved Japan ’ s first-ever manned flight of a flying car in the two years since we founded SkyDrive in 2018 with the goal of commercializing such aircraft , ” he said .
“ We aim to take our social experiment to the next level in 2023 and to that end we will @ @ @ @ @ @ @ business development.
” [ 2 ] Nobuo Kishi , CTO , explained that the SD-03 is the culmination of Sky Drive ’ s achievements in technical verification , and that they will continue to develop these technologies for the future .
Because of the success of this first flight , the car will likely be tested outside of the Toyota Test Field by the end of this year .
The company ’ s goal is to launch the flying car in 2023 , however a price for the vehicle has yet to be @ @ @ @ @ @ @ batteries could disrupt energy as we know it

Do you remember the 1960s cartoon series the Jetsons? The show followed George Jetson, his wife Jane, and their two kids Judy and Elroy through their futuristic lives where everyone had robot housemaids and drove around in flying cars. While this fictional depiction of a futuristic world still hasn’t quite come to fruition, one aspect of the show might be happening sooner than we think: flying cars.
For the first time, a Japanese company has successfully tested a manned flying car, and this is only the beginning.
A Flying Car
On August 25, Japanese company Sky Drive Inc. conducted their first public demonstration of their flying car, the SD-03. It was done at the Toyota Test Field, which is one of the largest in the country and where the company has its development base [1].
The car took flight in the early evening with a pilot at the helm, and circled the test field for about four minutes. A computer-assisted control system helped ensure flight stability and safety while staff at the field monitored flight conditions and aircraft performance at all times.
According to a press release from the company, the SD-03 was designed to be the world’s smallest electric vertical take-off and landing (eVOTL) model, and measures two meters high by four meters wide by four meters long- about the size of two parked cars.
The car has eight motors in four locations as a means of ensuring safety in emergency situations, addressing compliance standards, and alleviating potential regulatory concerns [2].
Design Director Takumi Yamamot explained that the inspiration in designing a new, unexplored genre of transportation was the keyword “progressive”.
“We wanted this vehicle to be futuristic, charismatic and desirable for all future customers, while fully incorporating the high technology of SkyDrive,” he said [1].
The exterior of the car was painted white, to represent white birds and floating clouds in the sky.
“SkyDrive’s flying car has been designed to be a coupe embodying dreams and exuding charisma, such that it will be welcomed into people’s lives and used naturally,” read the company’s statement. “The company hopes that its aircraft will become people’s partner in the sky rather than merely a commodity and it will continue working to design a safe sky for the future as a partner in the sky.” [2]
The Future of Flying Car Travel
Company CEO Tomohiro Fukuzawa expressed in his own statement the company’s desire to make flying car travel and accessible and convenient means of transportation.
“We are extremely excited to have achieved Japan’s first-ever manned flight of a flying car in the two years since we founded SkyDrive in 2018 with the goal of commercializing such aircraft,” he said. “We aim to take our social experiment to the next level in 2023 and to that end we will be accelerating our technological development and our business development.” [2]
Nobuo Kishi, CTO, explained that the SD-03 is the culmination of Sky Drive’s achievements in technical verification, and that they will continue to develop these technologies for the future.
“We have been working on the design of electric propulsion systems, flight control systems, aircraft structures, testing, manufacturing, and introducing monitoring equipment for aircraft conditions during flight testing step by step, and with a considerable sense of speed,” he said [2].
Because of the success of this first flight, the car will likely be tested outside of the Toyota Test Field by the end of this year. The company’s goal is to launch the flying car in 2023, however a price for the vehicle has yet to be announced.
Keep Reading: Nano-diamond self-charging batteries could disrupt energy as we know it


theheartysoul--2020-09-02--Man Builds a Tiny Home for a Homeless Woman, Starts a Nonprofit to Help Others

Many people turn a blind eye to the homeless .
They may pass the same individuals on the corner on the way to work every morning .
Sometimes they ’ ll hand them a few coins or a bit of food , but other times , they pretend those individuals aren ’ t even there .
Elvis Summers saw a 60-year-old homeless woman called Smokie almost every day .
But he didn ’ t turn a blind eye .
Instead , he built her a home .
“ She was sleeping in the dirt… ” Irene “ Smokie ” McGee @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to where Elvis lived .
Often , she knocked on his door to ask for recyclables .
These little interactions bloomed a friendship between them .
Although people in the neighborhood were generally kind to her , they seemed to stop caring come nightfall .
Elvis assumed she had a box or kind of protection to sleep in but she didn ’ t .
She was sleeping in the dirt every night since her husband died in 2004 .
She didn ’ t have enough money to keep her home .
AdvertisementAdvertisement Read @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Mats for the Homeless One morning in 2015 , Elvis read a news article about a man in Oakland who builds little houses out of leftover materials .
Inspired , Elvis procrastinated paying a few bills in order to buy the hardware and lumber for Smokie ’ s new shelter .
It cost about $ 500 .
After five days of hard labor , the shelter was complete , and Smokie was able to move into a home for the first time in ten years .
He created a time-lapse video of the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ included sturdy wheels for easy transportation , a wide window , two locks on the door , and a home sweet home sign that Smokie hung herself .
[ 1 ] In the video , he explained that as he built , people driving by asked how much he was charging for rent .
One man in particular said , “ I just see profit man.
” In the captions of the video , Elvis writes , “ A mother is sleeping in the dirt , and all some people can think of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Open During Lockdowns to House Homeless Locals , And They ’ re Repaying the Favor With Odd Jobs The beginning of The Tiny House Project , a nonprofit helping homeless people This was the first video among many on his YouTube channel , The Tiny House Project , where he builds homes and advocates for homeless people in Los Angeles , California .
With Smokie ’ s home being his first posted video , she was the inspiration behind all of his good work that followed .
Sadly , Smokie passed away in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Her inspiring Summers has helped many more homeless people in LA .
Hopefully , the Tiny House Project nonprofit organization will create ripples of inspiration to those who hear of its cause .
[ 4 ] Summers admits that a tiny home is a temporary fix , but it ’ s a hopeful first step .
Perhaps learning about the stories of people living on the streets can inspire others to be proactive .
For them , a roof over their head can be extraordinarily helpful .
The thing that most people @ @ @ @ @ @ @ make the world of a difference .
Advertisement On the Tiny House Project Organization ’ s website , they emphasize that many homeless people are in a life and death situation without the proper resources needed to survive .
They write , “ Once a person loses a stable place to live and becomes ‘ homeless ’ , society has adopted a policy of judgment , cruelty , ex-communication , and prejudice towards them , which pushes a person down even further and psychologically leaves them in ruins.
” Check out their website @ @ @ @ @ @ @ or donating to the Tiny House Project .
Keep Reading : A homeless Detroit man bought an abandoned house for $ 1,500 and spent 10 years renovating it for his wife .
Here ’ s how he did it — and what it looks like now

Many people turn a blind eye to the homeless. They may pass the same individuals on the corner on the way to work every morning. Sometimes they’ll hand them a few coins or a bit of food, but other times, they pretend those individuals aren’t even there.
Elvis Summers saw a 60-year-old homeless woman called Smokie almost every day. But he didn’t turn a blind eye. Instead, he built her a home.
“She was sleeping in the dirt…”
Irene “Smokie” McGee had been sleeping on the ground close to where Elvis lived. Often, she knocked on his door to ask for recyclables. These little interactions bloomed a friendship between them.
Although people in the neighborhood were generally kind to her, they seemed to stop caring come nightfall. Elvis assumed she had a box or kind of protection to sleep in but she didn’t. She was sleeping in the dirt every night since her husband died in 2004. She didn’t have enough money to keep her home.
“I started asking more questions about her to see what her story was,” said Summers. “I learned she didn’t have anything, not even a cardboard box. She was literally sleeping in the dirt and I just wanted to make her a place where she could feel comfortable and at least get a good night’s sleep.”
Building a tiny home for Smokie
One morning in 2015, Elvis read a news article about a man in Oakland who builds little houses out of leftover materials. Inspired, Elvis procrastinated paying a few bills in order to buy the hardware and lumber for Smokie’s new shelter. It cost about $500.
After five days of hard labor, the shelter was complete, and Smokie was able to move into a home for the first time in ten years.
“I had nowhere to really build it, so I just built it in the street outside of my apartment,” he told Good News Network. “The local LAPD cops have been super cool, and have told me they support it—as long as we move it to a different spot every 72 hours.”
He created a time-lapse video of the construction of the home. The features included sturdy wheels for easy transportation, a wide window, two locks on the door, and a home sweet home sign that Smokie hung herself. [1]
“I feel marvelous,” she said to ABC News. “You can’t even explain how I feel. I’m on my way to a different life. I want to get my own place and all of that. He’s my guardian angel.”
“He’s one in a million.” [2]
In the video, he explained that as he built, people driving by asked how much he was charging for rent. One man in particular said, “I just see profit man.” In the captions of the video, Elvis writes, “A mother is sleeping in the dirt, and all some people can think of is profit…”
Read: Hotel Stays Open During Lockdowns to House Homeless Locals, And They’re Repaying the Favor With Odd Jobs
The beginning of The Tiny House Project, a nonprofit helping homeless people
This was the first video among many on his YouTube channel, The Tiny House Project, where he builds homes and advocates for homeless people in Los Angeles, California. With Smokie’s home being his first posted video, she was the inspiration behind all of his good work that followed.
“I’ve met so many homeless people, good people,” Elvis said in an email. “Since I built Smokie’s, I’ve had several people ask me to make them a tiny home and it’s turned into much more than just the one house I wanted to build.” [3]
Sadly, Smokie passed away in November 2016, but her legacy continues. Her inspiring Summers has helped many more homeless people in LA. Hopefully, the Tiny House Project nonprofit organization will create ripples of inspiration to those who hear of its cause. [4]
Helping the homeless population
Summers admits that a tiny home is a temporary fix, but it’s a hopeful first step. Perhaps learning about the stories of people living on the streets can inspire others to be proactive. For them, a roof over their head can be extraordinarily helpful. The thing that most people take for granted, shelter, can make the world of a difference.
“I just wanted to do something nice for Smokie,” he said. “That was just the start and the end of my plan. I had no idea this was going to explode. The goal is to find some land vacant land to not only build more but to temporary place them so these people can build themselves back up and reintegrate into society.”
On the Tiny House Project Organization’s website, they emphasize that many homeless people are in a life and death situation without the proper resources needed to survive. They write, “Once a person loses a stable place to live and becomes ‘homeless’, society has adopted a policy of judgment, cruelty, ex-communication, and prejudice towards them, which pushes a person down even further and psychologically leaves them in ruins.”
Check out their website if you’re interested in volunteering or donating to the Tiny House Project.
Keep Reading: A homeless Detroit man bought an abandoned house for $1,500 and spent 10 years renovating it for his wife. Here’s how he did it — and what it looks like now


theheartysoul--2020-09-02--Have You Seen This? Guy deals with kid playing in his driveway in the best way possible

What would you do if there was a little kid playing in your driveway every night without asking ?
This YouTuber had the best response to kids playing in his driveway , posting one of the best feel-good videos of the year .
Every night at the same time , YouTuber Canyon Chasers received an alert from his driveway security camera that there was someone in his driveway .
He watched the footage and quickly realized that it was the same little boy in every video .
( 1 ) The boy , his parents , and their two dogs @ @ @ @ @ @ @ past Canyon Chasers ’ house .
The boy was always on his bicycle , and upon reaching his house , would go for a quick rip around his driveway before continuing on his way .
( 1 ) Canyon Chasers decided that a plane driveway wasn ’ t good enough for the little kid , so he drew a race track with chalk on the driveway for him to try out .
In the first video , you can tell the boy is a little uncertain but decides to give the track a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ hits the first turn , you can tell he loves it , and so he keeps coming back every night to practice the course again .
( 1 ) Chalk , of course , washes away in the rain , so after each rainfall Canyon Chasers draws a new course , making them different and more challenging each time .
As he gets better at drawing them , the little boy gets better at riding them .
( 1 ) In one of the clips , you can see the boy and his @ @ @ @ @ @ @ AdvertisementThis little guy isn ’ t the only one getting enjoyment out of Canyon Chaser ’ s race tracks .
Other passersby – both children and adults – are using them , including one woman who took her baby buggy around the course .
( 1 ) Canyon Chasers isn ’ t the only one trying to make life a little bit brighter for others during such a difficult time .
A kid in Vancouver drew a massive hopscotch course down his street for everyone to enjoy .
The course was so long @ @ @ @ @ @ @ stop partway through to give their legs a break .
AdvertisementA brother and sister in Columbus , Ohio played a porch concert for their elderly neighbor who had to quarantine alone .
How about the neighborhoods in Colorado , New Hampshire , New Jersey , and Indianapolis for kids and adults in their neighborhood who beat cancer ?
2020 has been a tough year for many of us and videos like this remind us all that there is still plenty of good out in the world .
Thanks , Canyon Chasers , and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ their day to put a smile on other people ’ s faces .
Keep Reading : This Dad Built A Jeep Bed For His Daughter and Now I Want One

Have You Seen This? Guy deals with kid playing in his driveway in the best way possible
What would you do if there was a little kid playing in your driveway every night without asking? This YouTuber had the best response to kids playing in his driveway, posting one of the best feel-good videos of the year.
Driveway Racetrack
Every night at the same time, YouTuber Canyon Chasers received an alert from his driveway security camera that there was someone in his driveway. He watched the footage and quickly realized that it was the same little boy in every video. (1)
The boy, his parents, and their two dogs would go for a walk each night past Canyon Chasers’ house. The boy was always on his bicycle, and upon reaching his house, would go for a quick rip around his driveway before continuing on his way. (1)
Canyon Chasers decided that a plane driveway wasn’t good enough for the little kid, so he drew a race track with chalk on the driveway for him to try out. In the first video, you can tell the boy is a little uncertain but decides to give the track a go anyways. By the time he hits the first turn, you can tell he loves it, and so he keeps coming back every night to practice the course again. (1)
Rain? No Problem.
Chalk, of course, washes away in the rain, so after each rainfall Canyon Chasers draws a new course, making them different and more challenging each time. As he gets better at drawing them, the little boy gets better at riding them. (1)
In one of the clips, you can see the boy and his parents happily waving to the camera.
This little guy isn’t the only one getting enjoyment out of Canyon Chaser’s race tracks. Other passersby – both children and adults – are using them, including one woman who took her baby buggy around the course. (1)
Other Neighborhood Heros
Canyon Chasers isn’t the only one trying to make life a little bit brighter for others during such a difficult time.
A kid in Vancouver drew a massive hopscotch course down his street for everyone to enjoy. The course was so long that some residents said they had to stop partway through to give their legs a break.
A brother and sister in Columbus, Ohio played a porch concert for their elderly neighbor who had to quarantine alone.
How about the neighborhoods in Colorado, New Hampshire, New Jersey, and Indianapolis for kids and adults in their neighborhood who beat cancer?
2020 has been a tough year for many of us and videos like this remind us all that there is still plenty of good out in the world. Thanks, Canyon Chasers, and everyone else who takes time out of their day to put a smile on other people’s faces.
Keep Reading: This Dad Built A Jeep Bed For His Daughter and Now I Want One
https://www.ksl.com/article/50011527