Today was a fun day on the local food scene. I ran over to Maplewood Produce and picked up some tomatoes, cherries, peaches, and blueberries. Then we went to Otterbein Acres Sheep Dairy for some Romano and Cheddar cheese.
Otterbein Acres is small farm in the rolling hills west of Shippensburg that raises both sheep and cows. The farm is near Newburg on Otterbein Church Rd, although I didn't see a road sign. There are a few other small businesses immediately before the dairy, and the dairy is on your right if you're coming from Newburg Rd. They are also very close to the PA Turnpike. Here's a map to the farm: Map of 10071 Otterbein Church Rd Newburg, PA 17240-9630, US
Their cheese is naturally aged and is not pastuerized. The Romano is aged at least 5 months and the cheddar at least 2 months. When I stopped in today, they allowed me to taste the cheeses before I bought any. They are exceptional; head and shoulders above anything you can get at your local grocery store.
You can either go directly to their farm or go to Carlisle's Old Pomfret Farmers' Market to get their cheeses (every Saturday 8am-12pm from May through October 27). http://www.downtowncarlisle.com/FarmersMarket/tabid/61/Default.aspx
If you are in the D.C. area, they also sell their cheese at the Rockville Farmers' Market. http://www.rockvillemd.gov/events/farmers.htm. In addition to cheese, I believe they also sell lamb and poultry when requested in advance.
Otterbein Acres Sheep Dairy
10071 Otterbein Church Rd
Newburg, PA 17240
717-423-6689
Monday, July 16, 2007
Sunday, July 15, 2007
Action: Get Out and Get Some Exercise
What does exercise have to do with the environment or social justice, you ask?
In my opinion, exercise has a lot to do with these issues – in particular, our desire and ability to have a positive impact on the world. There’s a story in Chinese martial arts folklore. A Buddhist monk by the name of Boddhidharma traveled from India to China sometime around the 6th century. When he arrived at Shaolin temple he found that the monks there weren’t able to endure the hours of prayer, meditation, and study that he prescribed. After some time in contemplation, Boddhidharma devised exercises to improve the health and strength of the monks. According to legend, these exercises were the foundation of what later became Shaolin Kung Fu and many other styles of martial arts.
The idea is simple. Our bodies are the vessels that contain our minds and spirits and have a profound effect on how we experience life and the world around us. Ultimately, we hope that we can rise above the limitations of our physical existence. Until that happens, what we do, what we eat and drink, and how we care for ourselves has a great impact on our minds, emotions, spirits, and ability to do the things that are important to us.
Numerous studies have demonstrated the benefits of regular exercise. Exercise can prevent or help reduce the severity of AIDS/HIV, arthritis, some types of cancer, depression, diabetes, heart disease, high blood pressure, obesity, and osteoporosis to name a few. Exercise makes our bodies and minds stronger, more flexible, and more agile. It also boosts our energy, reduces stress, and helps us live longer.
If you don’t know where to start, nearly any physical activity could be considered exercise depending on how you approach it. Gardening, walking, riding bicycle, running, lifting weights, hiking, yoga, tai chi, pilates, dancing, softball, soccer, basketball, fishing… The list could be endless. My point is that there is something out there for everyone and for every level of physical ability.
If you still don’t see the connection between exercise and social and environmental issues, here are my top 6 connections:
6. Group exercise classes foster a greater sense of community and encourage participants to form relationships with others in the class.
5. Outdoors activities like hiking, gardening, fishing, and hunting develop a greater awareness of nature.
4. Once we start exercising, we naturally begin to look for more ways to be healthy such as turning off the television and eating more fresh fruits, vegetables, organic, and local foods.
3. Exercise breaks the inertia of a sedentary lifestyle.
2. Exercise makes us happy (caused by endorphins released during exercise). Happy people promote peace.
1. Exercise energizes us to lead more active, more fulfilling lives.
Can anyone find some more connections, so that we can make it an even 10?
Links:
My martial arts (tai chi aka taijiquan) instructor. His school is in Harrisburg, PA. He is one of the best instructors in the country and trained me to my 2002 National title followed by two more years as one of the top competitors in the U.S. http://www.dowellness.com/ Here's a map:Map of 2233 Paxton Church Rd Harrisburg, PA 17110-9646, US The center also offers pilates, yoga, children's fitness classes, and massage.
A site by the American Academy of Family Physicians with lots of information about physical activity: http://familydoctor.org/online/famdocen/home/healthy/physical.html
In my opinion, exercise has a lot to do with these issues – in particular, our desire and ability to have a positive impact on the world. There’s a story in Chinese martial arts folklore. A Buddhist monk by the name of Boddhidharma traveled from India to China sometime around the 6th century. When he arrived at Shaolin temple he found that the monks there weren’t able to endure the hours of prayer, meditation, and study that he prescribed. After some time in contemplation, Boddhidharma devised exercises to improve the health and strength of the monks. According to legend, these exercises were the foundation of what later became Shaolin Kung Fu and many other styles of martial arts.
The idea is simple. Our bodies are the vessels that contain our minds and spirits and have a profound effect on how we experience life and the world around us. Ultimately, we hope that we can rise above the limitations of our physical existence. Until that happens, what we do, what we eat and drink, and how we care for ourselves has a great impact on our minds, emotions, spirits, and ability to do the things that are important to us.
Numerous studies have demonstrated the benefits of regular exercise. Exercise can prevent or help reduce the severity of AIDS/HIV, arthritis, some types of cancer, depression, diabetes, heart disease, high blood pressure, obesity, and osteoporosis to name a few. Exercise makes our bodies and minds stronger, more flexible, and more agile. It also boosts our energy, reduces stress, and helps us live longer.
If you don’t know where to start, nearly any physical activity could be considered exercise depending on how you approach it. Gardening, walking, riding bicycle, running, lifting weights, hiking, yoga, tai chi, pilates, dancing, softball, soccer, basketball, fishing… The list could be endless. My point is that there is something out there for everyone and for every level of physical ability.
If you still don’t see the connection between exercise and social and environmental issues, here are my top 6 connections:
6. Group exercise classes foster a greater sense of community and encourage participants to form relationships with others in the class.
5. Outdoors activities like hiking, gardening, fishing, and hunting develop a greater awareness of nature.
4. Once we start exercising, we naturally begin to look for more ways to be healthy such as turning off the television and eating more fresh fruits, vegetables, organic, and local foods.
3. Exercise breaks the inertia of a sedentary lifestyle.
2. Exercise makes us happy (caused by endorphins released during exercise). Happy people promote peace.
1. Exercise energizes us to lead more active, more fulfilling lives.
Can anyone find some more connections, so that we can make it an even 10?
Links:
My martial arts (tai chi aka taijiquan) instructor. His school is in Harrisburg, PA. He is one of the best instructors in the country and trained me to my 2002 National title followed by two more years as one of the top competitors in the U.S. http://www.dowellness.com/ Here's a map:Map of 2233 Paxton Church Rd Harrisburg, PA 17110-9646, US The center also offers pilates, yoga, children's fitness classes, and massage.
A site by the American Academy of Family Physicians with lots of information about physical activity: http://familydoctor.org/online/famdocen/home/healthy/physical.html
Wednesday, July 11, 2007
Local Government
In the spirit of my earlier post about making democracy work for the people, here are links to the websites of Cumberland and Franklin Counties. On their sites you can find the names and contact information of your elected officials, dates and times of public meetings, and links to municipal and township websites.
http://www.ccpa.net/cumberland/site/default.asp
http://www.co.franklin.pa.us/franklin/site/default.asp
I also highly recommend checking out the website of the Community Environmental Legal Defense Fund and the Daniel Pennock Democracy School. Even though their emphasis is on environmental issues, they have a lot to offer in regard to making government work for the people. Definitely check out their video about the democracy school on youtube, and, if you do a search on youtube, you'll find some additional footage of their democracy school.
http://www.celdf.org/
http://www.ccpa.net/cumberland/site/default.asp
http://www.co.franklin.pa.us/franklin/site/default.asp
I also highly recommend checking out the website of the Community Environmental Legal Defense Fund and the Daniel Pennock Democracy School. Even though their emphasis is on environmental issues, they have a lot to offer in regard to making government work for the people. Definitely check out their video about the democracy school on youtube, and, if you do a search on youtube, you'll find some additional footage of their democracy school.
http://www.celdf.org/
Monday, July 9, 2007
Shoe Repair Shop in Shippensburg
Instead of throwing out your old shoes how about repairing them?
Rob’s Shoe Repair 717-496-3406 is open Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Thursdays, 6-9 p.m., and Saturdays from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. The shop is in a remodeled garage at the rear of the owner's Victorian home at the intersection of Walnut Bottom Road and Strohm Road.
Map of Walnut Bottom Rd & Strohm Rd Shippensburg, PA 17257, US
Here's a link to the article in the Shippensburg Sentinel: http://www.cumberlink.com/articles/2007/07/09/shipp_news/news18.txt
Rob’s Shoe Repair 717-496-3406 is open Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Thursdays, 6-9 p.m., and Saturdays from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. The shop is in a remodeled garage at the rear of the owner's Victorian home at the intersection of Walnut Bottom Road and Strohm Road.
Map of Walnut Bottom Rd & Strohm Rd Shippensburg, PA 17257, US
Here's a link to the article in the Shippensburg Sentinel: http://www.cumberlink.com/articles/2007/07/09/shipp_news/news18.txt
Action: Make Democracy Work
Write, e-mail, and call your elected officials about issues you care about. Let them know you are aware of the decisions they make. Democracy only works when we all speak up.
Many of our problems today were created or at least helped along by our silence. Successful democracy requires all of us to be involved.
Most social justice and environmental organizations have letter writing campaigns on a regular basis. Take advantage of these opportunities to add your voice to the voices of others.
Here's a government website that will help you find out who your elected officials are and how to contact them: http://www.usa.gov/Contact/Elected.shtml
"The price good men pay for indifference to public affairs is to be ruled by evil men." Plato
Many of our problems today were created or at least helped along by our silence. Successful democracy requires all of us to be involved.
Most social justice and environmental organizations have letter writing campaigns on a regular basis. Take advantage of these opportunities to add your voice to the voices of others.
Here's a government website that will help you find out who your elected officials are and how to contact them: http://www.usa.gov/Contact/Elected.shtml
"The price good men pay for indifference to public affairs is to be ruled by evil men." Plato
My Favorite Sun Tea
Always looking for ways to have a smaller eco-footprint*, I've taken to making sun tea. No energy required to heat the water other than the free energy of the sun.
You can easily create your own flavors with the vast variety of teas and infusions out there. My favorite is 2 or 3 bags of Lipton tea and 1 bag of Earl Grey to a half gallon of water. Place your tea bags in a glass container filled with water. Put in the sunlight to brew for at least 2 hours. Sweeten to taste.
*Eco-footprint: short for Ecological footprint, an illustration that compares our impact on the environment to a footprint.
You can easily create your own flavors with the vast variety of teas and infusions out there. My favorite is 2 or 3 bags of Lipton tea and 1 bag of Earl Grey to a half gallon of water. Place your tea bags in a glass container filled with water. Put in the sunlight to brew for at least 2 hours. Sweeten to taste.
*Eco-footprint: short for Ecological footprint, an illustration that compares our impact on the environment to a footprint.
Saturday, July 7, 2007
Action: Replace Standard Lightbulbs with Compact Flourescents
According to the government's Energy Star website Compact Flourescent Lightbulbs (CFLs) last 10 times longer and use 75% less energy.
They are initially more expensive, but will save between $30 and $45 in electricity over their lifetime.
When a CFL burns out (depending on use that should about 7 years later) they should be disposed of properly because they contain a very small amount of mercury. From the Energy Star website: "CFLs contain a very small amount of mercury sealed within the glass tubing – an average of 5 milligrams, which is roughly equivalent to an amount that would cover the tip of a ball-point pen. No mercury is released when the bulbs are intact or in use. By comparison, older thermometers contain about 500 milligrams of mercury. It would take 100 CFLs to equal that amount."
Because CFLs are so much more energy efficient they result in overall less pollution. Much of our household electricity comes from coal-fired power plants, one of the dirtiest forms of energy production, and burning coal emits mercury into the environment.
Check out http://www.earth911.org/ for proper disposal options. There are local and national companies that will handle the lightbulbs correctly.
Here are a few resources for more information:
http://www.energystar.gov/index.cfm?c=cfls.pr_cfls
http://www.ncgreenpower.org/media/newsletters/2005/newsletter_fall2005_page6.html
http://michaelbluejay.com/electricity/lighting.html One of my favorite sites on energy efficiency.
"Whenever you see darkness, there is extraordinary opportunity for the light to burn brighter." -- Bono
They are initially more expensive, but will save between $30 and $45 in electricity over their lifetime.
When a CFL burns out (depending on use that should about 7 years later) they should be disposed of properly because they contain a very small amount of mercury. From the Energy Star website: "CFLs contain a very small amount of mercury sealed within the glass tubing – an average of 5 milligrams, which is roughly equivalent to an amount that would cover the tip of a ball-point pen. No mercury is released when the bulbs are intact or in use. By comparison, older thermometers contain about 500 milligrams of mercury. It would take 100 CFLs to equal that amount."
Because CFLs are so much more energy efficient they result in overall less pollution. Much of our household electricity comes from coal-fired power plants, one of the dirtiest forms of energy production, and burning coal emits mercury into the environment.
Check out http://www.earth911.org/ for proper disposal options. There are local and national companies that will handle the lightbulbs correctly.
Here are a few resources for more information:
http://www.energystar.gov/index.cfm?c=cfls.pr_cfls
http://www.ncgreenpower.org/media/newsletters/2005/newsletter_fall2005_page6.html
http://michaelbluejay.com/electricity/lighting.html One of my favorite sites on energy efficiency.
"Whenever you see darkness, there is extraordinary opportunity for the light to burn brighter." -- Bono
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