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Welcome to the August 2008 edition of our
monthly newsletter.
The
first week and a bit of the month has seen the cleansing winds of
August
sweeping in
and although the weather was really warming up nicely again during the
day, the evenings and early mornings still had a very nippy feel to
it. This week saw a cold front dampen our spirits for early spring
planting, but the weather seems to be hinting at a lovely warm Spring -
just be careful of those last unexpected frosts if you are in an area
prone to frost damage!
At least there is evidence everywhere that Spring is
around the corner - all my fruit trees have recently started budding
and everywhere you go, you can smell the heady aroma of Jasmine in full
bloom. There's also a bit of an extra vitality in the air and an eagerness,
almost breathlessly waiting to explode.
I simply love this time of year and have already spent much more time
with my hands in the soil than on the keyboard (hence the late newsletter ...!)
Thank
you again to everyone for your feedback on the newsletters and for your
participation. I'm happy to say that the environment piece
that I
introduced last month has gotten incredible response and that a bit of
eco-conscious talk will go into every newsletter from now on. ~ Be (and
live and talk about) the change you want to see in the world!
The
quizz got a couple of goes again, but not nearly as much as the first
time round - come on, it is fun, it is easy, costs you nothing and you
could win a very cool prize! I definitely want to see more entries this
month!
For this edition we'll chat a bit about saving water as part of
our Eco section and we'll also focus on Jasmine that is now
flowering most beautifully in anticipation of Spring.
Remember to book for the herb talks that are scheduled for later this
month and also to go have a look at www.herbsonline.co.za
for the list of herb plants that is available for order (from 22 August 2008)
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STEVIA
THE NEW TOY FOR COKE & PEPSI
Says BrandRepublic
"Stevia, a South American plant used to create natural sugar
substitutes, is set to be the next major battleground for Coca-Cola and
Pepsi, with both brands launching their own natural sweeteners using
the non-calorific herb.
Both are hoping to capitalise on growing
concern over food additives, preservatives, and artificial sweeteners
often found in diet drinks, such as aspartame."
 Stevia ( Stevia rebaudiana)
reports that the National Botanical Research Institute of India "says
it has invented a herbal tonic to treat Alzheimer's disease, which
leads to gradual loss of memory in the aged." and that "encouraged by
the satisfactory results when the herbal formulation was tested on
rats, the institute has filed for a US patent."
HERBS FOR NEW COCA
COLA DRINKS
"Coca-Cola, the world’s leading soft drink company, is looking to
create
the next big thing at their research centre in Beijing. Analysts are
predicting that the project, which involves creating beverages with
Chinese herbal medicine, could be as vital to the company’s future as
the iconic mix of coca leaves and kola nuts has been to its past." says
Aus Food News
PEECH
HOTEL IS ECO GRAND!
According to The Star Weekend Hot Spot "Last
week the Peech added several new suites to its facilities, with a
tree-hugging, planet-saving, feel-good difference. The Peech has
decided to take eco-friendly to a whole
new level through its “Eco Peech” initiatives, which are showcased in
the new suites. "
SPICES
FOR HIGH BLOOD SUGAR
ScienceDaily
(Aug. 7, 2008) — "Herbs and spices are rich in antioxidants, and a new
University of Georgia study suggests they are also potent inhibitors of
tissue damage and inflammation caused by high levels of blood sugar "
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Last month we had a quick look behind the mantra of Reduce-Reuse-Recycle
and how to make these a part of our daily lives in our bid to help
reverse climate change and live more ecologically conscious. This
month, in line with World Water Week, that runs from
17 August to 23 August, we'll look at ways to save water in our homes
and in our gardens.
WATER WIZE!
Every
living thing needs water - no plant, animal or human being can survive
without it and although 70% of the Earth's surface is covered in water,
less than 3% is fresh water that can be used by humans.
What
is water conservation?
According to Wikipedia, "Water conservation
refers to reducing use of fresh water, through technological or social
methods."
Why
conserve water?
It is hard to believe, but the water around today is the same water
that was around billions of years ago, forever recycling.
So
if the water "is always there", why do we need to conserve?
"*
Sustainability - To ensure availability for future generations, the
withdrawal of fresh water from an ecosystem should not exceed its
natural replacement rate.
* Energy conservation - Water
pumping, delivery, and wastewater treatment facilities consume a
significant amount of energy.
* Habitat conservation - Minimizing
human water use helps to preserve fresh water habitats for local
wildlife and migrating waterfowl, as well as reducing the need to build
new dams and other water diversion infrastructure."
~Wikipedia
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