December 16th, 2012 by R.J. Ruppenthal
The house is filled with the earthy smell of mushrooms cooking. It's not a welcome-to-winter soup simmering or a ragout thickening; I'm baking a little mushroom footstool in the oven.
That's not all that's baking in that house, you may be thinking…
Read more: http://www.sfgate.com/homeandgarden/article/Philip-Ross-crafts-furniture-from-mycelium-4116989.php#page-1
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October 28th, 2012 by R.J. Ruppenthal
Roasted Squash Soup
This recipe makes some delicious squash soup, which is a healthy way to keep yourself warm as the evenings turn cool. If you like a creamy, herby, or spicy soup, there are some flavor variations included below. I recommend using a sweet, dense-fleshed winter squash such as butternut, buttercup, or kabocha. Alternatively, you [...]
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July 27th, 2012 by R.J. Ruppenthal
In one of the poorest countries on the planet a renewable energy service company is installing one thousand solar home systems - a day. Not in its capital or busy urban centers, but where 80 percent of the population lives - in rural Bangladesh. The company, Grameen Shakti, literally translates as [...]
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July 19th, 2012 by R.J. Ruppenthal
In our home garden, we just picked carrots this week. From one raised bed, my kids unearthed an armload of long orange firecrackers. Picking carrots, potatoes, and root/tuber vegetables is such a satisfying harvest. There is something special about bringing up buried treasure: you're never quite sure what is hidden until [...]
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April 20th, 2012 by R.J. Ruppenthal
The U.S. government is attempting to cut the jobs of 1,000 poultry inspectors to save $85 million per year. The new plan is to have the poultry industry "self inspect" themselves (after all, the same concept worked well with Wall Street, right?). One poultry industry inspector will now be responsible for "inspecting" the dizzying number [...]
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January 21st, 2012 by R.J. Ruppenthal
Dairy Farmer Spoils Cows with Waterbeds…Apparently, the cows are happier because their joints feel better, and make better quality milk. Who knew? Follow link below for a local news article and video clip.
Link: http://www.fox8.com/news/petplace/wjw-dairy-farmer-spoils-cows-with-waterbeds-txt,0,2493141.story
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December 2nd, 2011 by R.J. Ruppenthal
We have been enjoying homegrown acorn squash that's sweeter than anything in the store. It grew in a bed which was prepared using the junk from our chicken coop, so I felt even more satisfaction that it was sustainably produced. Also coming from that same raised bed were corn, yacon, and all the green beans [...]
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November 21st, 2011 by R.J. Ruppenthal
The Occupy Wall Street movement is about addressing inequality. I am a strong supporter of taking back our country from those who have sucked away so much of its capital. Though my local Occupy movements have become somewhat fractured and the message is becoming more muddled, I have been impressed with the organization overall. Frankly, [...]
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November 19th, 2011 by R.J. Ruppenthal
By Jonathan Larsen and Ken Olshansky, MSNBC TV
A well-known Washington lobbying firm with links to the financial industry has proposed an $850,000 plan to take on Occupy Wall Street and politicians who might express sympathy for the protests, according to a memo obtained by the MSNBC program “Up w/ Chris Hayes.”
The proposal was written on [...]
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September 28th, 2011 by R.J. Ruppenthal
Last month, I received a letter from my homeowner's insurance company, notifying me that my policy would not be renewed. The reason? My policy was terminated because I keep chickens in my backyard. Per the letter I received from these cluckers, "chickens make the risk unacceptable." Never mind that, a week earlier, one town away, [...]
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