How Permaculture Can Change Your Life
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| photo courtesy of nosha.Permaculture can change your life very easily through an awareness of simple living and utilizing the resources of the earth in the most efficient and effective way while having the smallest impact as possible on our planet.
It allows one to become connected to all of the earth’s elements – the same stuff from which we are made of. In that sense of connectedness we become whole and feel a renewed strength and purpose towards our purpose and responsibility as human beings. It brings a fresh new perspective and rejuvenates are mind body and spirit. So what is permaculture? Below is a brief description but first here is a beautiful musical video describing and outlining the principles of permaculture. Enjoy. |
| Permaculture often comprises specific design principles that develop eco-friendly communities. The principles and ethics form the basis of permaculture but need not be complex. If you are unsure of the principles listen to the video below.Basically permaculture initiates an awareness and clear plan of action to divert human efforts towards creating a healthy, cooperative and sustainable future.
A holistic and sustainable vision that can change your life The word ‘permaculture’ combines the best of sustainable agricultural practices with human culture. It involves connecting with nature at a deeper level, using the earth’s natural resources so as to build a better future. Often, we don’t even take responsibility for increasing higher temperatures and carbon footprints. Taking responsibility for our actions in a positive way is what permaculture is all about. By observing how the bounties of Nature can be harnessed, permaculture becomes a way of life conducive to healthy holistic living. It helps us to do things better, be it farming, gardening , preparing food or even planting trees in parks. Only renewable resources are used when applying the principles of permaculture. This paves the way for sustainable initiatives such as soil conservation, eco-buildings, planting of food crops that are perennial, seed saving and much more. Permaculture is described as a philosophy of using land in a planned way. This is because it takes advantage of natural energy patterns. In a nutshell, it involves a thorough, in-depth and holistic approach to the implementation of these simple design principles. The purpose is to build strong, healthy and natural human communities that will build a happy and healthy world. Permaculture is a method of production with vast possibilities and opportunities. Anyone can experience sustainable living methodologies of permaculture. These can be adapted in homes, farms, schools, parks and even cities. It aims at creating a sustainable development at both the micro level and macro level. At a micro level, it involves the following: At a macro level, permaculture aims to do the following: 1. Foster mutually beneficial relationships between agriculture and human culture and changing them together for a greater purpose. Note: On May1, 2011 it was national permaculture day in Australia, hence the video below I am sharing here with you all. We should adopt this type of day world-wide to create consciousness across the planet Open homes, gardens and farms, films, educational workshops, and a wide range of other activities provide an opportunity for the public to see positive permaculture projects in action and speak personally to the people living it and experience the movement first hand. |
Is A Container Home For You?
Note: At the end of this post I have included a very interesting video about the history of container homes.
Today container housing is a popular concept in around the world. Container houses are very simple to build, easy to maintain and cheaper than contemporary concrete houses. These kind of houses can serve a niche segment of people who like living sustainably and are open to a variety housing types with an artistic mind-set. They are indeed works of art seen from a different perspective with many benefits.
Container housing has several advantages that keep it apart from contemporary housing. First of all, a container housing has already been created by the manufacturers – a typical container is taken out of the transportation service after two or three years and can then be purchased for a reasonable cost.
Shipping containers are built out of steel to withstand the harsh sea air. They are extremely durable and often made from corrugated steel with tubular steel frames, which makes the structure strong to withstand any severe climatic conditions.
The flooring often consists of 1/2 inch, marine-grade plywood. The welds are water-resistant and the strength of the containers allow for stacking to create interesting architectural designs.
Another benefit is that no foundation is required for the container, saving additional costs. These houses are also easily transportable and can be placed almost anywhere on your land.
There are many other benefits of shipping container homes and green architecture designs using the containers. Many of the advantages include the sustainable integration and functioning of the home such as solar powered windows and heating, gray water usage, rain water usage and even the ability to grow a sustainable garden on top of your home.
The greatest advantage is that shipping containers are relatively inexpensive (as little as $900 for a used container) and they can be prefabricated and designed to create your own dream home for a fraction of the price of a conventional home having the same amenities and square footage.
Shipping container homes are truly a unique housing type and one of the best options for people who want to live sustainably and make a difference by having a more positive impact on our planet.
With eco-friendly homes growing in popularity across the planet, more and more people are turning to container homes for green alternatives in new home construction. There are countless numbers of empty, unused shipping containers around the world just sitting on the shipping docks and taking up space.
It’s too expensive for a country to ship empty containers back to the their origin in most cases and so it’s easier and cheaper to buy new containers from Asia. The result is an extremely high surplus of empty shipping containers that are just waiting to become someone’s home or office. You can easily design, buy or build your shipping container home.
As for myself, when I acquire some land I will definitely consider the container home as my first option for new construction. I have been researching some companies that design and help with the building and construction of container homes and there seems to be an abundant of companies around the world that provide this service. It all depends on what you want as a consumer. If you are interested, do your research and find out which company is most suited for you.
Personally I would start with something small like an eco pod – this is a Canadian company which is great place to start for myself and other fellow Canadians. If you know of any other companies that you would recommend here in North America , please send me a tweet and let me know. Thanks.
10 Essentials For Being Green And Saving Money
At a time when the world faces global warming and man-made disasters that are damaging our ecosystems, people like you and I are seriously looking for ways to have a less negative impact on our planet.
Being “more green” or becoming more sustainable involves making conscious choices about how we live and developing habits that are more eco-friendly.
As we gain more wisdom about green living we are able to make these choices which not only benefit the planet but also ourselves because it allows us to simplify, enjoy life and save money.
With that said, it’s very easy to make some simple changes right now. When I am asked what are the most important things you can do immediately to be more sustainable, I always give these as my top ten. Here they are:
1. Lower your winter heating by one or two degree. Dress a bit warmer. You will reduce power use and still feel comfortable. If you don’t have a programmable thermostat, make sure you turn down the heat when you are leaving your home and it is vacant.
2. In the summer lower your air-conditioning or replace it with a fan. Fan’s use a lot less energy that A/C units and will save you more dollars. It may take a few days or weeks to get comfortable, but your body will eventually adjust.
3. Set your washer to wash clothes in cold water. Most cleaning detergents do not need hot water, and heating the water is what consumes a majority of the energy in your home.
4. Don’t use the dryer to dry your clothes unless it extremely necessary. Hang dry and air dry as much as you can. Use a drying rack to hang your clothes.
5. Use compact fluorescent light CFL or LED bulbs. They use ten percent of the electricity a standard bulb desires and they last ten times longer. Personally I would change all your light bulbs and start saving some energy and dollars immediately.
6. Reduce your water use. Check all taps for leaks and fix any you find. Take shorter showers, less bathes, and consider getting a new eco-friendly toilet that uses less than two gallons of water per flush.
7. Walk more. Especially for short trips that don’t require a vehicle. Use a cycle for moderate trips, and public transit for longer ones. Simply put, gas is expensive and it pollutes the atmosphere.
8. When you have to drive, keep your speed under 30 miles an hours (urban driving). Your auto’s engine will be running most efficient at lower speeds, burning the minimum quantity of gas. Minimize fast acceleration and breaking.
9. Eat less meat. The production of meat is accountable for using massive amounts energy which causes the most environmental harm than any other type of food production. Buying less meat saves you more dollars because other healthier foods are cheaper.
10. Take a staycation. Instead of traveling to a far of place for a short time, visit somewhere closer to your home. Extraordinary amounts of energy are used for fueling planes, trains and automobiles.
There are many other ways to go green and save dollars. Simplifying and adopting a minimalist attitude is a great way to start. Better then reusing and recycling is reducing.
To learn more ways to become sustainable, check out one of my more popular articles - Top 55 eco-friendly tips you need to know to save energy, money and sustain our planet.
Are You Or Your Family Being Exposed To Volatile Organic Compounds (VOCs)?
Volatile Organic Compounds (VOCs) are toxic gases that are released into the air by using certain products. The harmful compounds in the VOC category range from formaldehyde to cleaning products to pesticides.
VOCs are common in many building materials such as plywood, particleboard, glues, foam insulation and paints.
Other sources of VOCs include the burning of fuels such as gas, kerosene, wood and tobacco products. They can also come from personal care products (perfume and hair spray), drapes, textiles, dry cleaning fluids, varnishes, hobby supplies, and copying and printing machines.
Concentrations of volatile organic compounds are often higher in indoor air than outdoor air, thus it is important to consider what products you use indoors and seek measures to prevent exposure to them.
What are the health concerns caused by volatile organic compounds?
First of all they include a variety of chemicals that can cause eye, nose and throat irritation, headache, nausea, dizziness, and skin conditions. Higher concentrations can severely irritate the lungs and damage your liver, kidney, or central nervous system.
How can exposure to volatile organic compounds be avoided?
The best way to avoid them is to use materials and products that do not give off VOCs. Here are some examples.
Use natural cleaning products.
Do not allow smoking in or near the house.
Use soy or beeswax candles. Other candles are often toxic.
Hang your fresh dry cleaned clothing in a well-ventilated area until it is properly dried out.
Use non-toxic art supplies, glues and paints.
Check and inquire about using building products that give of less VOCs than others. It may be difficult to find but try to select products that are suitable for indoor use.
Allow gases from new furnishings and building materials to be given off in storage for a few weeks before you bring them into your home. You can increase the ventilation by opening windows and doors for a few days after bringing new materials into your home.
Roll out new carpets and allow them to air out in storage before installation.
Use wall paints that are free of or low in VOCs.
After any home renovation, ensure proper ventilation. Use fans and open windows and doors as much as possible for at least several days.
Use air cleaners to help improve ventilation and reduce levels of pollutants in indoor air. Note: No air cleaners will remove all pollutants from indoor air.
According to the EPA, volatile organic compounds are considered one of the top 5 hazards to human health. Paints and finishes are among the leading causes.
Remember this. Paints and finishes release low level toxic emissions into the air for years after application. The source of these toxins comes from a variety of volatile organic compounds which, until recently, were essential to the performance of the paint.
With new environmental regulations and consumer demand there are now more and more toxic free products and low-VOC or zero-VOC paints and finishes.
Painting contractors receive increased requests for eco-friendly paints and major paint manufacturing companies are stocking up on these environment friendly paints. Check out this article that reveals some of the best eco-friendly paints you can use.
Green paints that contribute to a sustainable environment are developed while conserving precious natural resources – using less energy consumption, and less pollution producing processes. Allergies or sensitivities to these paints are a lot less and are the safest for you and the planet.
Be conscious of what products you buy and use because after all it’s you who decides your health and the health of our precious earth.
Photo courtesy of Thomas Hawk
The Magic Of Minimalism And Being Free
Today I have a wonderful Interview from Joshua Becker of Becoming Minimalist. Joshua has influenced thousands of people and inspires each and everyone of us to live more consciously.
Like myself, Joshua has a full-time job that he loves and blogs purely for enjoyment and to help others live life to their fullest.
I titled this post The Magic Of Minimalism And Being Free because when you apply some of the wisdom Joshua offers you create more space to be free and do the things you really love and are passionate about. So here are some things we talked about. Enjoy.
1. Can you give me a brief description about what your blog is about and your other creative projects such as your book?
Becoming Minimalist is a blog designed to inspire others to live more life by owning less stuff.
It began as just an on-line journal of the progress we were making as we transitioned from a typical suburban family to a minimalist life. But as it grew, it quickly became a place where people were finding inspiration and encouragement to define their lives in greater ways than by the things they owned.
We have written two e-books. Simplify is the book that tells our story and offers the 7 most important principles we learned during the process. It is part-personal story, part-practical help, and continues to receive great reviews all over the Internet.
Inside-Out Simplicity is a book that goes beyond the external fixes to our complicated lives and begins to look at the very heart of a simplified life. In many ways, it was the book I always wanted to write. Because as you can probably imagine, topics such as contentment, generosity, and forgiveness go far deeper than a simple call to remove unnecessary possessions.
2. There is a lot of talk lately about simplifying and “minimalism”. What does being a minimalist mean to you and how does being one give you the freedom to pursue more things that you love.
I’m glad there is more talk these days about minimalism. For many, it is rooted in the world economic downturn. But for me, it was rooted in discontent with the path of my life.
I had become discontented with the amount of money, time, and energy that was being directed to the stuff in my life rather than the relationships.
Minimalism became the intentional promotion of the things I most valued and the removal of everything that distracted me from it. It is a very personal journey based on the things that are most important to me.
3. How does simplifying and maintaining an optimal state of health relate to each other? How does having or doing less reflect the state of your well-being?
Well, there are a number of specific relationships between those two topics. Let me just choose one. Embracing minimalism became a very emotional process for us. It caused us to journey inward far more than we realized.
For example, we dropped off countless boxes of household things at our local Goodwill. And each time, we would ask ourselves, “Why did we buy all this stuff in the first place?”
Those questions forced us to evaluate our heart and motives. Were we buying things just to impress others or satisfy some area of discontent in our lives? And if so, how were we going to fix that?
It forced us to find a new sense of emotional health in our lives. By the way, it was that journey that led to the writing of our second book, Inside-Out Simplicity.
4. Can you give us 5 tips or strategies you use to simplify and maintain a minimalist lifestyle?
1. Start small. Pick one room, closet, or drawer and just get started by removing anything that is not absolutely essential to your life.
2. Read minimalist blogs for more inspiration and less instruction. Your journey to minimalism is a personal one. And must be defined uniquely by you and you alone.
3. Share your story with others. You will be encouraged by their response which is typically, “Yeah, I know what you mean. I have too much stuff in my life too!” And your story will encourage them to find simplicity too.
4. Recognize the culture of consumption that we swim in everyday. Recognizing it is the first step in overcoming it.
5. Learn the art of compromise. If your life is intertwined with another (spouse, kids, etc), compromise is a word that must be learned swiftly and often.
5. How are you and your blog “Becoming Minimalist” making a difference towards our planet, people and the environment?
Minimalism is a way of life that benefits the minimalist by providing more time, energy, and money to pursue the things they love. And it benefits the planet by consuming less and discarding less. It really is the best of both worlds.
6. Where do you see yourself and your efforts in the future?
That’s a great question that I’m getting asked a lot lately. Unfortunately, I don’t have an answer. Becoming Minimalist is a part-time hobby for me. I have a full-time job that I love and adds significant meaning to my life – far more meaning than a paycheck.
For that reason, I have no intention of giving it up – it will always be my first priority. But I love the blog and inspiring others to live more by owning less. My only goal at this point is to continue writing content that improves peoples’ lives. And we’ll see where it leads.
7. What is the one most important thing you would suggest for leading a happy, balanced and fulfilled life?
In order to live a happy, balanced, and fulfilled life, you have to look outside yourself and the things that you own. Possessions will never accomplish that for you – that has been proven over and over again throughout history.
That type of life fulfillment has to be found elsewhere – in our closest relationships, in our spiritual relationships, and in every relationship that is about to occur in our lives. Value them. Pursue them. And find fulfillment in them.
If you enjoyed this interview check out his blog and his books on Becoming Minimalist. 
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