tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2793183120514988666.comments2013-09-29T15:56:29.077-07:00Green GF GardenRachelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11902061660201429765noreply@blogger.comBlogger47125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2793183120514988666.post-63609330454215625892013-09-29T15:56:29.077-07:002013-09-29T15:56:29.077-07:00I sure hope it does, too.I sure hope it does, too.Rachelhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11902061660201429765noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2793183120514988666.post-16986043279279248882013-09-29T15:49:08.714-07:002013-09-29T15:49:08.714-07:00Hopefully that does the job.Hopefully that does the job.Matthewhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05353772210979488113noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2793183120514988666.post-21878140447026549032013-04-19T09:40:17.393-07:002013-04-19T09:40:17.393-07:00On 4/19/13 I replied back to Danielle Miller at th...On 4/19/13 I replied back to Danielle Miller at the EPA:<br />---<br />Ms. Miller,<br /><br />Thank you for your prompt response. I appreciate hearing all the things the EPA is doing to address this problem. There are a number of specific instances that I would like the EPA to consider. Currently I do not see how stronger labeling will help these possibilities. They are:<br />1) I am involved with an organic community garden at a county park. The county park is a multi-use park, including hikers, bicyclists and horseback riders. The rangers of the park clean up the horse leavings from the trail and have developed an environmentally friendly approach to this waste - they compost it on site and use it on the park grounds and offer it for use to the organic gardeners. What a wonderful resource! Except it isn't! The manures from various horses recreating in the park could easily be contaminated, so this compost could kill the plants we are all hoping will benefit from the compost. Even if the herbicides are properly labeled, will the food products made from the crops be labeled? Will the manure on the trail be labeled?<br />2) I used to stop at a local stable to get horse manure to compost at home. I can't do this anymore. So what had been a resource is now a toxic waste product.<br />3) I've search for other manure sources to compost but most animals (e.g. chickens, rabbits) that I've found locally are bedded in straw or fed hay that could be contaminated. Again, more toxic waste and less of a good resource. Don't we already have enough trouble with animal waste from feedlots and such? Why add to the burden in this way?<br />4) In the past, I've re-used the compost from a mushroom farm when they are done with it - they leave it piled in an enormous pile about 2 stories high and larger than a warehouse. This compost they make using, among other things, stable leavings of straw and manure from the local racetrack. Again, this source is no longer safe. More toxic waste is being generated rather than keeping the food chain free of these herbicides and therefore useful to farmers and gardeners.<br /><br />Sincerely,Rachelhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11902061660201429765noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2793183120514988666.post-56887399950850767052013-04-19T09:38:54.367-07:002013-04-19T09:38:54.367-07:004/19/13 I received this email response from Miller...4/19/13 I received this email response from Miller.Danielle@epa.gov at the EPA:<br /><br />Thank you for writing to express concerns to the Environmental Protection Agency about herbicide residues in compost. I apologize for the delay in responding.<br /><br />The EPA is working with pesticide registrants, the U.S. Composting Council and other stakeholders to address concerns about persistent herbicides finding their way into mulch or compost. We are also looking into the potential for contaminated compost to damage or kill non-target plants. We have been pursuing several different paths to investigate and address these concerns.<br /><br />First, the agency has been working with state agencies to help determine the cause of compost contamination, where it has been detected, and to develop the best methods for detecting and analyzing residues in compost.<br /><br />We are also working to strengthen product labeling for these herbicides. We have added stronger advisory language and additional use precautions and restrictions on grazing, haying and using plant residues or manure. In addition, the agency has been working with the registrants to build a stewardship program involving education and training. The program will involve tracing the source of contamination, holding parties responsible and educating them on the correct use of the products. The agency will continue to evaluate all of the information that it receives to determine whether additional mitigation is necessary on these types of chemicals.<br /><br />Another path the EPA is using to address compost concerns is a workgroup to discuss designs for developing standardized testing for pesticides that could persist in composted material. The workgroup consists of representatives from the U.S. Compost Council, the California Recycling Council and the State Federal Insecticide, Fungicide, and Rodenticide Act Issues Research and Evaluation Group. SFIREG is a network of state officials interested in federal/state "co-regulation" of pesticides under the Federal Insecticide, Fungicide, and Rodenticide Act.<br /><br />Finally, the agency’s ongoing Registration Review program is designed to address concerns that arise for pesticide products that are already registered. Under the Registration Review program, the agency periodically reviews registered pesticides to make sure they meet the statutory standard for registration; that is, each pesticide can still perform its intended function without posing unreasonable risks to human health or the environment. The EPA will consider the issues associated with contaminated compost and manure as we assess and develop decisions for these herbicides. We encourage interested members of the public to participate in this open, transparent process. For information about the registration review status of particular herbicides of interest, please see the Schedule for Beginning Registration Review, 2012-2015 or look up the chemical’s regulatory status on EPA’s Chemical Search.<br /><br />I hope you find this information useful. Please write us again if you have additional questions.<br /><br /> <br /><br />Danielle Miller<br />Communication Services Branch<br />Field and External Affairs Division<br />Office of Pesticide Programs<br />U.S. Environmental Protection Agency Rachelhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11902061660201429765noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2793183120514988666.post-51415903970801511952010-08-15T12:50:42.745-07:002010-08-15T12:50:42.745-07:00Jessica - Thanks for the comments. I've defin...Jessica - Thanks for the comments. I've definitely had to let go of perfectionism. <br /><br />You actually move the furniture when you vacuum!? Good grief! You are a better person than I!Rachelhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11902061660201429765noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2793183120514988666.post-91445347986305246872010-08-15T12:11:12.420-07:002010-08-15T12:11:12.420-07:00BTW, I actually do move the furniture when I vacuu...BTW, I actually do move the furniture when I vacuum. But I'm a slight perfectionist. (Still trying to practice what I preach, in terms of not beating myself up over compromises...) ;)Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05738935826660370653noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2793183120514988666.post-74594716095581184362010-08-15T12:09:32.212-07:002010-08-15T12:09:32.212-07:00Rachel, I find I ask myself the same questions day...Rachel, I find I ask myself the same questions day in and day out. While there are, as we've been repeating, no quick and easy answers, the consensual objective seems to be BALANCE. We can't be perfect, at least not all the time. Trying to be, especially in the society we live in, can be enough to drive us insane. But we can do what we can, and when we have to make compromises, try not to beat ourselves up over it too much.Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05738935826660370653noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2793183120514988666.post-14809491834324875912010-05-27T22:09:15.461-07:002010-05-27T22:09:15.461-07:00Thanks so much for the comment, Julie. Good food ...Thanks so much for the comment, Julie. Good food for thought.<br /><br />Part of the canner search example, involves the thrill of the hunt and the satisfaction in something done the "slow" way. But of course, if we do everything the "slow" way we won't get much done. Balance, I suppose. Like your nutrition goals and occasional happy meals. Another example that is common in my home is having great fresh product available that we frequently don't use as much as I'd wish at busy weekday breakfasts. Instead frozen berries get pulled from the freezer and served to the kids. Fast nutrition. If I'm really good it is something that I bought in season locally and froze. If I'm not good, it is was packaged in Timbuktu and shipped with gallons of petroleum all around the globe in freezer compartments. And I console myself that at least they are real berries.<br /><br />Does anyone really move the furniture when they vacuum on a regular basis? And by that I mean, more than once a decade? My compromise is: if I happen to be moving the furniture, I try to vacuum.Rachelhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11902061660201429765noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2793183120514988666.post-39822252225740734082010-05-25T17:31:51.628-07:002010-05-25T17:31:51.628-07:00I've been thinking all day about what you post...I've been thinking all day about what you posted. I don't have any answers, but some comments. At work, people's lives literally depend on me, so I try to be perfect. For everything else, I try to be "good enough". As in, my housecleaning, such as it is, is good enough, but not perfect. It's not even my best. I don't even move the furniture when I vaccuum! Hah! And my kids...they watch TV! Dan and I try to keep them nourished with healthy food, but Aaron gets occasional happy meals. If we keep all our projects in a scope we can realistically accomplish, it all stays a little saner. I think if browsing Craigslist and such for the canner was a pleasurable activity, then great. But if the goal was to get canning, and you spent a year waiting for a used one to pop up on your radar, well, it may not have been worth it. <br /><br />When we decided to have one parent stay home, we made a major commitment to slowing down,which has paid off, but we often get lost in the details. Hang in there!<br /><br />Julieepiphytehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02537391041089579744noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2793183120514988666.post-69359302635612032522010-05-04T21:47:36.057-07:002010-05-04T21:47:36.057-07:00It is called Frank Konyn Dairy. It is near the Wi...It is called Frank Konyn Dairy. It is near the Wild Animal Park, just a little east of the emus.Rachelhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11902061660201429765noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2793183120514988666.post-19505881387657485272010-05-03T11:48:22.273-07:002010-05-03T11:48:22.273-07:00What dairy did you go to?What dairy did you go to?Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2793183120514988666.post-59392304720618003092010-04-30T22:42:34.184-07:002010-04-30T22:42:34.184-07:00Thanks for the first-hand testimony!Thanks for the first-hand testimony!Rachelhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11902061660201429765noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2793183120514988666.post-65241945896534586862010-04-30T22:35:56.860-07:002010-04-30T22:35:56.860-07:00As I recall, I've had some luck with volunteer...As I recall, I've had some luck with volunteer squash. I think you should leave them and report back on what you get. It if is a scary cucalope, I'll be the guinea pig and try it! Ha! <br /><br />I wonder what type of tomatoes your volunteers turn out to be. I seem to have more volunteer cherry tomatoes than any other type. No idea why. I can't wait to EAT Mr. Stripy.Rachelhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11902061660201429765noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2793183120514988666.post-78804384730082823352010-04-30T20:23:47.209-07:002010-04-30T20:23:47.209-07:00I did that with my kids when they were young about...I did that with my kids when they were young about 30 years ago. But we stuck toothpicks in them and rested the potatoes with the toothpicks on the glass filled with water. They grew like crazy. Also did it with my Brownie group. <br />Ute in Canadafluffyceliachttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07711163818728538782noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2793183120514988666.post-10244184232557933922010-04-30T09:11:01.725-07:002010-04-30T09:11:01.725-07:00I got a Mr. Stripy start also and it's doing g...I got a Mr. Stripy start also and it's doing great :) My compost pile - the one formerly in my holey trashcan that I dumped out - is spouting TONS of tomatoes! I'm going to let them get bigger and then move them. I also have a bunch of cucumber? or melons? sprouting too, but I've heard those "hybridize" and I might get something like a cucalope :) Doesn't sound good so I guess I'll toss those. I've read that the squashes/melons don't transplant well because they send out a very long taproot and it's hard to pull it up w/out stressing it out.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2793183120514988666.post-10344323762250841752010-04-27T21:31:34.327-07:002010-04-27T21:31:34.327-07:00Do you have that pumpkin curry soup recipe?
I end...Do you have that pumpkin curry soup recipe?<br /><br />I ended up cooking a meatloaf in mine. I cut them in half, scooped out the seeds, put the meatloaf inside and baked them. I'd say it was ok - not a WOW - but good enough.Rachelhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11902061660201429765noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2793183120514988666.post-90495870141775342192010-04-27T21:29:43.999-07:002010-04-27T21:29:43.999-07:00I put some radishes in for the winter, harvested t...I put some radishes in for the winter, harvested those, and need to plant more. I wish I had more time!Rachelhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11902061660201429765noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2793183120514988666.post-6439727870532328122010-04-26T09:49:17.456-07:002010-04-26T09:49:17.456-07:00we cook with our jack o lantern pumpkins every yea...we cook with our jack o lantern pumpkins every year. I bake them, save and freeze the yummy pumpkin guts and then use them to make pumpkin curry soup and GF pumpkin cookies etc.<br />nini2033a@yahoo.comUnknownhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10939796542202206247noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2793183120514988666.post-37249858602150851962010-04-26T09:43:21.555-07:002010-04-26T09:43:21.555-07:00I am jelous about the citrus and carrots. We are i...I am jelous about the citrus and carrots. We are in WA and I have just started the baby transplants. I mean, we started from seed a couple months ago but they are just now big enough to put in the garden and still see...<br />My first harvest should be radishes in about 2 weeks. Then probably nothing for another month at least.<br />nini2033a@yahoo.comUnknownhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10939796542202206247noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2793183120514988666.post-83923496952836442972010-02-19T20:29:09.325-08:002010-02-19T20:29:09.325-08:00Great suggestion.Great suggestion.Matthewhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05353772210979488113noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2793183120514988666.post-30272464411757789052010-02-06T21:16:58.795-08:002010-02-06T21:16:58.795-08:00I love my vitamix, it is my best friend. But my u...I love my vitamix, it is my best friend. But my use is quite different from yours. My 6 year old daughter is alive and well because of the hard work of my vitamix. See she is tube fed(and has been for years) and does not tolerate enteral formulas, they make her violently ill. I decided that if she was fed by mouth, I would be feeding her fresh, whole foods so why not do that through her tube. The only blender that really works well for this sort of application is a vitamix. I blend the same healthy food I am cooking for my family into a slim fast consistency to put in my daughter's feeding tube. She is thriving and I feel wonderful about providing her with near perfect nutrition.Jennyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00002366375525403501noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2793183120514988666.post-52113438219979373752010-01-25T21:21:46.662-08:002010-01-25T21:21:46.662-08:00Good tips, Marie. Thanks!Good tips, Marie. Thanks!Rachelhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11902061660201429765noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2793183120514988666.post-89691596914852071992010-01-25T20:57:19.323-08:002010-01-25T20:57:19.323-08:00I recently tried making pesto with spinach and tha...I recently tried making pesto with spinach and that was actually quite good also. I almost always use almonds instead of pine nuts because of the huge price difference (and again it still comes out fine).<br />-MarieTodd Ruthhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14988689156719278727noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2793183120514988666.post-70595910365342345132010-01-23T18:49:12.945-08:002010-01-23T18:49:12.945-08:00And it is even cheaper to grow! I gave mine a maj...And it is even cheaper to grow! I gave mine a major haircut last night and got about 6 cups worth of leaves out of it!Rachelhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11902061660201429765noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2793183120514988666.post-58048440542744909632010-01-23T18:48:14.677-08:002010-01-23T18:48:14.677-08:00I'm sure she does. :)I'm sure she does. :)Rachelhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11902061660201429765noreply@blogger.com