Earthy Updates

I haven't written about my little wormy friends in a while now. Seems appropriate time for a quick update! I've moved the worm bucket outdoors at Captain Obvious' suggestion (worms creep her right out) and I've moved them to a shaded area in the car port away from sun. I have to admit, with my summer schedule in full swing, I have less and less time to regularly monitor the bin. So, I end up periodically going in there. They're not thriving, let me tell you. But, they're not dead either. Some baby worms are being born but I'm not "swimming" in the wormies.

I have been loosely monitoring what I put in there and seeing what's eaten quickly and what sticks around for a while. Here are some things I've noticed about my worm bin:

1. Peels are eaten at a much slower rate. And it makes sense since skins are meant to protect the fruit/plant from the outside
2. Root vegetables are not the favourite food of worms
3. Worms love leafy vegetables
4. There is no such thing as having too much newspaper bedding because they'll happily go through it quickly for you
5. If it's too damp, add dry shredded news paper and close the top--the moisture is absorbed by the dry paper
6. Regular feeding is preferred but you can easily overdo it if you're not careful
7. Daily feeding isn' really necessary and if you have a pile every few days, that's really ok
8. Chop up what you have--especially if it's fibrey. The worms seem to have a better time when things are in smaller pieces

Possibly things people already know but I'm still learning about what's acceptable to put in there and what isn't so it's all still new to me! At least I didn't kill them this time so I'm in good shape. I'll need to check in about egg shells because I was putting them in whole but I read that worms need some "grit" to help them digest their food and that egg shells are really only good if they are added in a fine powder. Who has the time for that?! I've done it before but it's rather time consuming.

My next major goal with this project is to increase the population of worms so that I can dig my hands in and pull out actual worm castings and worms. Right now, I'm still getting recognizable pieces.

Spring's Sprung!

How was your weekend? Did you get the chance to head out, today? I live in Toronto and Sunday's weather was a great introduction to our long-awaited spring! It finally felt like I could bring out my spring jacket and shed my Canada Goose parka. And, with this much improved weather, it's only natural for me to start thinking about the garden and all it's glorious garden-y goodness.

The past 2 years I've had 4 boxes to work with on the south side of the backyard and we've been growing kale, swiss chard, chinese chives, tomatoes and carrots. Some vegetables have been more successful than others but I did some research about rotating the different crops and based on the veggies I planted, the next best thing to plant into the soil are beans and peas.

Beans and peas can be planted directly into the ground but since the ground's not ready, I started some of the other seedlings that I plan on putting out there this season:

Seedlings warm and cozy in the mini green-house

My make-shift seedling box :)

I feel like vegetable gardening should cost minimally or there isn't really a point... It doesn't make sense to pay more for a tomato that you grew in the garden than picking one up from the grocery store, right? I'm all about local and sustainable but like anyone else, I've got a budget and I make compromises. Seedlings typically cost $1-5 and a packet of seeds costs around $2 with several dozens of seeds. You do the math. So, needless to say, I didn't feel like paying for coconut coir pots and thought to make the seedling pots with toilet paper rolls and a round tofu container. I prepared potting soil and filled the half toilet paper rolls and then planted as usual with a good misting over the top. Now, just wait.

Geothermal Bathing, the Last Stop

Our last destination while in Iceland is the famous Blue Lagoon. I would say that nearly all tourists manage to fit this visit into their schedule at some point. While it is wisest (both time-wise and budget-wise) to fit this visit into your arrival day or your departure day, it isn't always possible. But, one should note that the Blue Lagoon is located closer to the Keflavik Airport than the capital of Reykjavik.

The clinic/spa is well reputed for its skin healing properties for psoriasis and eczema. They do a fabulous job marketing the healing properties of the lagoon's waters and the fine while silica mud--which patrons spread over their faces and bodies with vigor. And while the walls and the backdrop of lava fields is primal and stunning simultaneously, it's almost unbelievable that this whole location is man-made and actually the run-off from the nearly geothermal heating station. You can even see the station while lounging in the lagoon.

Check out the geothermal plant in the background!

The water is a strange opaque white--probably from the silica sands and is very warm. Well, I suppose it would have to be, in order to beckon people to get into their swim trunks and go running out into a giant pool during the middle of the winter while temperatures are still below zero degrees centigrade. I live in Canada--the land of ice and snow--I would know. Despite this, people get ready and take the plunge.

You drive through rolling barren lava fields and arrive at what seems like a shack with a simple sign and a winding pathway into the lava fields. You get this almost magical feeling when you arrive; with the planked path itself winding into the lava field as if you're being transported to a fantastical place. Just when you think the path will never end, you arrive at the entrance to the Blue Lagoon and are greeted by attractive, well-groomed uniformed hosts who help you get settled about where to go and what to do.

Now, being a North American, I have no real concept of a bathing house and only have shame for my body and thoughts of chlorine odoured change rooms. They have many change rooms segregated for the genders and their locker system is efficient and quick. You are handed a plastic bracelet that is your key for your bill and your locker. There is no need for coins, wallets or any real money while you're there. You pick a locker after checking what's available (green) on a monitor and head over. Then you pretty much get naked and head to the communal showers with your towel in tow. It is mandatory to take a full washing shower and rub down all those grimy corners before getting into your bathing suit and heading out into the cold.

You're looking at the entrance/exit from the change rooms to the lagoon

The showers offer showering gel (doubles as shampoo) and conditioner. My advice for females especially: take a good wash and envelop your hair in conditioner because you will regret it if you don't. Though, it might not matter if you decide to take a float in the lagoon. Before exiting to the lagoon, it's advisable not to think and just take a deep breath and spot somewhere you'll hang/stuff your towel. Then, don't hesitate and KEEP GOING until you are submerged into the warm lagoon waters.

Once you're comfortable and have your bearings again, seek out the wood boxes which house the fine white silica sands that the lagoon is famed for. Grab a little and rub it over your face and your shoulders; now relax and revel in the fact that people pay nearly $100 CDN for a single tube of this stuff from the gift shop.

There are life guards dressed like they're going out for an Arctic Expedition

If you plan early and have the money, I would suggest to try one of their floating massages! I didn't get the chance to do that but if I return, I am certainly going to do so! Imagine lying down in the water and floating there while being massaged. It sounds heavenly and dreamy, to me. In which case, you should probably plan to spend a day here. Otherwise a few hours in the lagoon are sufficient to take in the experience.

I didn't mention that the water in this lagoon doesn't have any chemical additives like our pools back in Canada. The water is purely geothermal sea water that is being pumped up from the depths of the earth and is cycled out every 40 hours or so. That said, my hair doesn't smell like a public swimming pool but it sure does feel like it's turned to unmanageable straw.... even days later. The only remedy? loads and loads of conditioner for the next few days and not leaving it down for work.

New Family Additions

I love playing in the dirt.

Last year, I started a raised garden with my brother; we have 4 boxes situated on our south side of the property. While it's not a lot for a hard core gardener, it was a good start for us when we decided to undertake the task of growing some of our own food.

I've had gardens in the past. My parents supported our first garden attempt in a corner where the morning sun was warm and wonderful. We grew beans, peas, eggplant, tomatoes and a futile attempt at lettuce. It was an enjoyable project when I was younger but as life goes, things come up and that went on hold.

When my brother and I decided to undertake the garden, we visited the Home Show and met some garden guys who specialized in a) duck poop tri-mix and b) a new discovery: worm castings. I always knew that worms are good for your garden since they aerate and eat the dead stuff but I didn't realize that their poop is even better. In fact, people do a special kind of composting called vermicomposting. This got me thinking that I could do this at home; afterall, worm food is practically free. So, I bought a pound of red worms to help me with the home composting since we have a lot of kitchen scraps.

My mom wasn't too keen on the idea at first so I was surprised when she told me she added stuff this evening. I've had some trouble keeping pets that are not of a mammalian background so this will prove to be an interesting and challenging endeavour.

**Intermission**

I hope you're not upset. I'm inserting a brief intermission to post about my weekend. We'll come back to Machu Picchu and the remainder of Peru in a few.

Soooo what's so exciting that I decided to interrupt my awesome Peruvian train of though? While Amber spent her weekend itching for answers, I was in Dwight, ON.

Nope, there's not a single pixel that has been post processed--that's the real deal. Of all the vacations I take, I look forward to and enjoy this one the most.

The past two years, we've stayed at Oxtongue Lake Cottages in 4-people cottages. This location is great because it's steps away from the park's west entrance and you're right off hwy 60. And, if you've got pets, this place is pet friendly.

This year, we mixed things up and stayed at Bondi Village. Though Bondi is a bit further from the park's entrance, the resort includes a farm area! How excited was I when I saw someone giving English riding lessons ~100m away!!! They also keep chickens here and in the summer, have fresh vegetables. This is my idea of getting away!

I went with members of my dragon boat team and we enjoyed hiking and just being still with nature. I saw a porcupine and deer and admit, being a city slicker makes all these critters neat. Han and I got really excited when we got to retrieve eggs for Nancy--while she was probably a-ok with us doing the work. Look at Han: what a chick magnet.

On Saturday, some of us head out to complete 2 short trails and get fresh air.

I have to take it easy this year because last year, following this trip, I got so sick that I was pretty certain I wouldn't make it. To this day, nobody's been able to tell me exactly what happened since the docs all said it wasn't viral or bacterial; seems like my "body just had a reaction". To what? Nobody knows... *dun dun dun*

When you stand there looking at the forest, it appears to be a cohesive piece of art... firey reds, oranges and yellows all painting a landscape of Ontario. But, when you're walking through the forest, it strikes you that each individual leaf contributes to the picture that you see--kind of like a living Monet.

Littered through the trails, there is a blanket thick with autumn leaves.

The most invigorating experience of the weekend was not hiking or even arriving at the lookout point on the Track and Tower trail. It was the peace I felt while standing on the edge of the dock in the dark with nothing but the stars and (full) moon shining on me basking in the silence of nature.

Source with Integrity

This is just one of the mottos that Loblaw has decided to make part of their "responsibility". It's about time, I say. I've always said that people should be making better choices for themselves, their health, their children's health and the health of the planet. But let's face it, we're all busy people and many of us are just trying to keep afloat with what we have and what we are provided. Which means that most of us don't have the time to go sourcing out healthy foods for ourselves and doing the proper research. I don't have kids, nor am I married and I still live at home so a lot is done for me.

I see though, that people make the weekly/daily run to the local grocers as the means just to complete one more tasks on their huge list of things to accomplish. If they had to think any more about where to find it and travel across town for that sustainable naturally raised chicken, it just wouldn't happen. And at the end of the day, feeding their families in the immediate is much more important.

So, it comes down to accessibility and availability. I hate to say it but big box stores are where most people flock to. Gone is the days of your local grocer whom you know the name of and you actually have a relationship with. You get in, you get what you need and you get the heck out of there. You might not even know where your food is from!

I'm glad to read that Loblaw is going to be sourcing responsibly only, thereby removing the alternative of cheap and damaging goods.

They have 3 key targets for this year:

• Source 100% of all beef and pork from Canada and 30% of produce from Canadian growers 
• Source 100% of the seafood sold in our stores from sustainable sources by year-end 2013
• Source palm oil contained in all control brand products from sustainable sources by year-end 2015

With the following priorities:

• Source close to home to support local, regional and national Canadian producers/growers and to give our customers fresh, wholesome food
• Source ethically from Canadian and international vendors who share our values and uphold high standards of quality, integrity and social responsibility
• Work to ensure the health and vitality of our food sources, including oceans

(http://www.loblaw.ca/English/responsibility/source-with-integrity/default.aspx)

I think this is a start in the right direction and hope they continue to move this way. They have more to improve upon but I still think this is moving towards the right way. At least we're getting local and buying from/supporting our own country men and women.

(Next topic/theme: Loblaw's overview of the Corporate Social Responsibility Report)