Page 190 – Green Prophet

5 Ways To Use Air-Conditioner Water

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September 2, 2019

*Air conditioners pull water from the air, literally. It’s distilled so not great to drink, but useful in other ways.*

If you run an air conditioner, you have a source of water, as a result of dehumidification in the AC. Considered grey water, the condensation dripping from the a/c drain hose is free of chlorine, fluoride, salt and chemicals found in tap or pool water. This condensate is a hidden boon that has many household uses. It’s not good to drink though.

Condensate from air conditioners or A/C is essentially distilled water, and is low in mineral content, but it may contain bacteria. Air conditioning cwater can amplify Legionella bacteria and other airborne bacteria, and it has been shown to be the source of outbreaks in hospitals, motels, and cruise ships. So think twice about drinking it. But it doesn’t mean it should go to waste.

In hot, humid areas, an air conditioner can produce 18 gallons (68 liters) of water a day – although in arid areas the gain is much more modest, maybe only one liter daily. But most often it goes to waste, dripping down the side of buildings and evaporating away.

A/C drip water isn’t safe for drinking, as you can’t determine how pure it is when it leaves the A/C unit. Being basically distilled water, it lacks the essential calcium, magnesium, and potassium obtained from ordinary water sources. If filtered and sterilized, it could theoretically serve for emergencies, but wouldn’t supply the minerals humans need. But you can still use it. Why not?

Gather the condensate in a bucket or even a barrel, if you have one.

Air conditioner water can be used for:

Washing windows and tiled floors. A/C condensate is also the logical choice for outdoor chores like washing patio floors and garden paving, your car, and garden furniture.
Flushing toilets.
Washing clothes, especially delicate hand-washables.
Steam ironing. No need to buy distilled water for your iron; you can get it free.
And plants like it. Whether you have a few potted plants on a sunny windowsill or an entire vegetable garden, go ahead and water your plants with a/c condensate. We have several of our units dripping right into the garden.

Sort of like getting water out of thin air.

Using A/C condensate, you’ll save money on your water bills and conserve earth’s dwindling water resources. Pretty green of you, I’d say. Want more tips for a healthy, sustainable home? Read these 5 reasons why you need to air our your house.

More sources for creating fresh water:

Drone Aircraft Takes Water from Atmosphere for Irrigation

Abu Dhabi’s Costly Desalination Plants Prompt Waste Water Treatment Plans

How CBD Can Enhance Your Fitness Regimen

Health

Bhok Thompson

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September 2, 2019

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Constant reliance on over-the-counter pain relievers comes with a price. People that are embracing a healthy lifestyle often want supplements with little or no side effects. CBD is no longer on the WADA (World Anti-Doping Agency) prohibited list since last year.

It’s loaded with several medicinal benefits and can be applied topically, ingested or inhaled. CBD is not meant for a specific type of athlete and you can use it regardless of your fitness goals. The good thing is that you won’t get high whether you use CBD pre or post-workout.

Here are some of the benefits of introducing CBD into your fitness routine.

Controls appetite

Food preservatives, poor diet, and unhealthy habits tend to lead to eating disorders or obesity. Nausea is an issue that is frequently encountered by endurance athletes. A drop of CBD oil Canada can help you to reduce nausea.

Because Cannabidiol acts as CBI blocker, it will promote metabolic balance and prevent the over secretion of ghrelin.

Relieves pain

You can rely on CBD instead of pain killers to relieve pains, especially chronic ones. It doesn’t pose any risk even if you’re preparing for a competition. This is because it won’t have any adverse effects on your performance.

CBD can lower muscle tension and lacks psychoactive properties, unlike coffee. There is no need to worry about getting addicted and it’s not toxic. Injuries and sprains can be inevitable at times. CBD will come in handy so that discomfort won’t interfere with your workout routine.

Higher energy levels

Although caffeine can increase your energy levels, the effect is usually short-lived. CBD understands your body needs and will adapt whether you need to remain calm at night or stay alert during the day.

However, you may have to reduce your nightly dosage if you’re struggling to stay asleep. The bottom line is to use it moderately. Chewing CBD gummies can produce a relaxing effect if you’re often anxious before workouts.

Reduces stress

Many factors are contributing to the high-stress levels faced by individuals worldwide. It’s not surprising that some people are replacing their prescription medications with CBD. It can combat stress by helping you to concentrate on your workouts and other daily activities.

There are no harmful side effects or the high feeling that comes with recreational drugs.

Improves sleep

A significant percentage of people are battling with sleep problems. Sound sleep helps to speed up the recovery process and maintain sound health. It’s also important to get around 6-8hrs of sleep if you want to build your muscle or lose weight.

Most people that use CBD have attested to the fact that it makes them feel relaxed, thereby altering their sleeping patterns.

Fights inflammation

One of the top benefits of CBD can be found in its anti-inflammatory properties. Athletes experience inflammation frequently and recovery may take time. This can prevent you from maintaining consistency in your fitness training.

CBD has been proven to produce faster and lasting results than other options. It will also enhance your immune function.

Vertical Cemeteries are a Modern Catacomb in Jerusalem

Miriam Kresh

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September 1, 2019

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Vertical Cemeteries are a Modern Catacomb in Jerusalem

Israel is running out of cemetery space. The problem becomes more urgent in crowded city spaces like Jerusalem and Tel Aviv where dense burial is now being practiced. Vertical cemeteries, which are outdoor mausoleums built on concrete tiers, are functioning in Jerusalem, near Haifa and Petah Tikvah, but while they’re more land-economical than field burials, they won’t provide space for burials forever. The solution, taken from ancient Jewish burial customs, is a huge underground necropolis.

The subterranean graveyard, located under Jerusalem’s Har HaMenuchot (Mount of Those Who Are Resting) cemetery, is a project of the private Rolzur company and Jerusalem’s Kehillat Yerushalyim burial society.

*Jerusalem’s cemeteries are so crowded that the acropolis model is coming back into style. This time with air conditioning.*

No government funds have been allotted for this enormous, needful construction; the burial society is paying for it over ten years. Income for this comes from sales of graves to living people in their preferred locations, for interment of bodies flown in from abroad specially, and to non-Jerusalemites (the government gives free burials only to Israel citizens in graveyards near where they lived.) In other words, if Aunt Edna in Ra’anana wishes to be buried next to Grandma in Jerusalem, she or the family pays privately for the grave.

Watch video about the modern catacomb:

The site has taken three years to build and is expected to house 23,000 graves. The tunnels run over a mile (1.5 kilometers) long. The entire site takes up 25,000 square meters.

The walls are pierced with four levels of empty square spaces for interments. More conventional-looking median floor spaces lie between the walls to accommodate graves. Elevators will carry visitors up and down the proposed 14 burial levels. Walkways accommodate visitors on foot and in wheelchairs, and shuttle carts will be available.

https://www.greenprophet.com/2015/03/organic-burial-pods-grow-live-trees-from-dead-people/

Central air conditioning assures visitors of a steady 23° C – 78° F temperature. Light fixtures designed by the German artist Yvelle Gabriel illuminate the intersections, while closer to the graves themselves, other fixtures provide light for visitors to identify the graves and read from prayer books.

Massive shafts and tunnels under the Holy City of Jerusalem

The first completed stage of the necropolis will begin accepting burials in October of this year, with room for 8000 graves. Other sections will open as they are finished, over the next seven years. There’s plenty of room to expand underground; the Har HaMenuchot necropolis so far takes up only 5% of the subterranean area available for the future.

The catacomb will be air conditioned for the comfort of the living.

Underground cemeteries have been known since at least the second century BCE. Cave burial sites have been found in Beit Shearim (near Haifa, and acknowledged as UNESCO heritage sites) and around Jerusalem. The Jerusalem Jewish burial society anticipates that all sectors of Israeli Jewish society will find the underground necropolis acceptable. Hananya Shahor, executive director , said that Orthodox rabbis they consulted declared it “100% acceptable according to Jewish tradition.”

The best eco-friendly construction products

Design

Karin Kloosterman

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August 29, 2019

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The best eco-friendly construction products

Home improvement is very important as it can make your home look attractive as well as increase the value of your home. Commercial railings are designed to be used in commercial real estate, such as motels, apartment buildings or wherever there is a balcony that requires a security barrier. Commercial railing focuses on the strict requirements of safety. Here are some of the best eco-friendly home improvement or home construction products you should use

Non-toxic carpet

You cannot think of a carpet as a measure of energy efficiency. But it has another advantage in addition to making the toes comfortable and reduces noise. Non-toxic carpets can also be beneficial to maintain the air temperature; cooler in the summer season and warmer in the winter season. If you are thinking of changing your flooring, sign up for a non-toxic carpet. Adding non-toxic carpet on your home improvement list, your lungs will be glad for choosing the eco-friendly option for home improvement.

Lumber options

Lumber options may seem confusing. Avoid old wood products or tropical hardwoods that are rare. Look for managed and certified forests, reclaimed or recycled wood or vehicles such as medium density fiberboard for cabinets and doors. The rapid growth of bamboo is one of the first things architects have to do to make floors beautiful and durable.

Polymer or rubber roofing

Recycled products occupy the market faster the aluminum cans during a sporting event. Look for polymer and rubber roofing that mimic the board to decrease weight and maintain. On the countertop, 75% recycled glass is blended with concrete for durable surfaces, showers, floors, and walls.

Reclaimed wood

Reclaimed wood can be used for the construction of walls, support beams or roof construction. Many green businesses specialize in building materials for old homes about to be demolished or rip to pieces. Instead of filling the landfills, reclaimed wood can be used in new construction.

Straw bales

Straw bales typically weigh between 23 and 41 kg and a 2,000 square foot home requires about 300 medium-sized straw bales to build. Although few authorities account for the construction of straw bales in local authorities, building code and cope with the construction on a case-by-case basis.

Artificial grass

The centerpiece of this patio is the luxurious green grass. The best part is totally free maintenance. Environmental artificial grass does not need water and stays green for years.

Bamboo butcher block

Formaldehyde-free bamboo is ideal for kitchens as it is safe for food and does not release harmful toxins. Bamboo grows quickly and matures in just four years. Harvesting is done by hand in tightly managed forests, which minimizes any negative impact on the environment.

Low emission windows

Low emission windows maintain the heat inside the house in winter and outside in summer. Low windows usually cost between $ 60 and $ 110 each. This is 10 to 15% higher than the transparent glass storm windows, but it certainly has advantages: it can halve the flow of heat through the glass, which will reduce heating costs.

Using these eco-friendly home improvement products can benefit you in many ways.

Organic Panna Cotta Recipe

Food

Miriam Kresh

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August 28, 2019

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If you’re looking for a light, fresh, summery dessert that takes only minutes of active cooking time, go no further. Panna cotta fits the need for an impressive sweet ending to any meal. No one needs to know how easy it is to make. Buy all organic and fresh to make it the sweetest treat ever.

Like our malabi and geranium cream recipes, Panna Cotta satisfies the desire for a cool, creamy, light confection, especially after a hearty meal when cake seems too heavy an offering. Surround the delicate pudding with sliced peaches or plums or figs. It’s summer, let’s celebrate.

Organic, Vanilla Panna Cotta

4 Servings

Ingredients:

1/4 cup cold milk

2-1/4 teaspoons powdered gelatin (7 grams)

2 cups – 480 ml. heavy cream

1/4 cup white sugar

1 vanilla bean or 1 teaspoon vanilla extract

Pour the cold milk into a bowl. Sprinkle the gelatin evenly over the surface of the milk. Don’t let clumps form. Allow 10 minutes for the gelatin (fish, pork or vegan) to soften. Don’t use pork gelatin if you are keeping kosher or halal.

Split the vanilla bean in half the long way.

Pour the cream and sugar into a saucepan. Scrape the vanilla seeds into the cream mixture and add the vanilla bean. Bring the mixture to a boil over medium heat, stirring.

Remove the cream from the heat when the sugar dissolves. Remove the vanilla bean.

Stir the gelatin in and whisk until it dissolves. The cream should be smooth. If the gelatin hasn’t dissolved, return the saucepan to low heat and stir until it does. Remove from the heat before the cream boils.

Pour the cream into 4 ramekins. Chill for 4 hours to set the panna cotta.

Serve from the ramekins, topped with fruit puree or berries; or turn each onto a serving plate to garnish with sliced fresh fruit. If the puddings stick, dip the bottoms in hot water for a few seconds and slip a knife blade between the panna cotta and the ramekin to help release it.

The recipe can be doubled or even tripled without further adjustment.

5 Important Reasons To Air Your House Out

Health

Miriam Kresh

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August 27, 2019

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5 Important Reasons To Air Your House Out

windows of apartment in Beirut, Lebanon — *It’s essential to ventilate the inside environment before switching the heat or the A/C on.*

If you work from home with the windows closed or spend many hours in a poorly ventilated office every day, you might find yourself getting sleepy, thirsty, and tired early on. You pour yourself another cup of coffee, hoping caffeine will pump up the energy levels so you can focus better. You might resolve to improve your sleeping habits, eat more healthily, learn to de-stress through meditation… but the simple act of opening the windows might be the only thing you need.

When fresh air flows through the house (or office), it sweeps out stale, used air, gases, odors, and dust. Oxygen flows in with fresh air, and as it’s known, higher levels of oxygen keep people awake and focused. Casinos, for example, have known this for years. They pump oxygen into the gaming rooms to keep gamblers high on the excitement for longer.

Letting fresh air in reduces accumulated condensation in the home. This helps to avoid wood rot and mold in your closets and under your bed. Mold likes warm, dark, moist conditions and can grow comfortably even during the summer. If your area has high humidity, it’s worth leaving your closet doors open for half an hour every day, longer if possible. My mother used to open her closet doors before she went to bed and slept with them open.

Consider using the old-fashioned method of keeping mattresses fresh by standing them up in the bedroom with the windows open. Your clothes, linens and beds will be the sweeter for it. And moving linens and bedding around discourages dust mites.

Prudent housekeepers have always known the value of fresh air and sun. I have folkloric memories of years when I lived in a Jerusalem apartment, observing head-kerchiefed Bukharan housewives pushing blankets and pillows out on the windowsills to air out, every day unless it rained. On Fridays they would fold their colorful rugs over the low walls around the building and have at them with bamboo rug beaters, freeing them from dust and exposing them to the cleansing sunshine. Nowadays we rely on washers, dryers, and vacuum cleaners, but letting the sun and air into your rooms is always good therapy for the house.

Save money on electricity when you ventilate. We automatically assume that the house will be unbearably hot from early morning on, or too cold to start the day, but most days there’s a temperature interval of grace between night and the time we start the day.

Open all the windows and doors inside the house as early as you can. You might have even several hours before you feel the need to turn the a/c on and close everything up again. Remember, you pay for every hour of a/c.

Ventilating keeps you healthier. According to the American Lung Association, air pollution exists indoors too. People with compromised immune systems, lung diseases, asthma and allergies are at higher risk of getting sick when their indoor environment isn’t clean, and that includes good air quality. Nobody likes walking into a stuffy room. That’s our instinctive reaction to polluted air that’s not only unpleasant to breathe but dangerous to our health.

So ventilate to reduce indoor air pollution. Open the kitchen window when you’re cooking, to expel fumes, gases, moisture and airborne particles in the home. Ventilate the bathroom, particularly after a shower. Install exhaust fans in both kitchen and bathrooms.

Fumes from cooking and heating fuel must be vented to the outside. Use a fan to expel fumes. In the same way, make sure the exhaust from the dryer vents outdoors. And if you have a hobby that requires paints or chemicals, keep the room well ventilated with a fan in the window to help expel air pollutants.

When should you ventilate? Unless there’s a sandstorm or a raging blizzard outdoors, open windows every day. Choose hours when the outdoor temperature is tolerable. Early morning is usually the best time. Now in the summer, open bedroom windows before you sleep, with due consideration to security.

How should you ventilate? The simplest way to ensure a healthy flow of air in the house is to open all windows and doors for a while, allowing a draft. You will probably not want to open the front door for security reasons. Exhaust fans in rooms where moisture and fumes accumulate are efficient air cleaners – and as we wrote earlier, some house plants “scrub” the air too.

UNESCO Embraces Gaming as Popular Pastime Enters Fascinating New Chapter

Cities

Bhok Thompson

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August 27, 2019

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refugee athletes

The gaming world is really in an intriguing place at the moment. Streaming technology looks set to transform how players access video game titles in the very near future, while both augmented and virtual reality are bringing a new perspective on what gameplay can ultimately mean.

Furthermore, with mobile gaming becoming increasingly sophisticated and growing at a huge rate, it seems like there are more talking points than ever before when it comes to the industry.

A core part of culture

UNESCO’s move to embrace gaming is a fascinating one and undoubtedly a development which marks an interesting new chapter in general for the pastime.

Gaming, from its most basic forms to today’s advanced tech-driven industry, has been a core part of culture and heritage for centuries, with many games still being played today having intriguing historical roots. For example, board games like chess, backgammon, and checkers are believed to have originated thousands of years ago.

Furthermore, dice games are understood to have been played regularly by the Ancient Romans, while playing cards are a concept which is thought to have begun in China many centuries ago. Incredibly, even a game like bingo has a long history, as it is thought to have first emerged in Italy in the 1500s.

Put simply, in these times of mobile and video gaming, it is easy to forget that relaxing by playing a game or two is something that runs to the very core of societies across the world and remains a way in which communities interact with one another – online or otherwise.

Power and popularity

Nowadays, people simply have so many options available at the touch of a button, and this has led to many brands actively competing to retain consumer attention.

Considering just how massive gaming is at the moment, it is perhaps unsurprising to see that an organization like the UN is looking to tap into the industry’s power and popularity in order to promote peaceful and sustainable initiatives. VentureBeat recently reported on how the UNESCO Mahatma Gandhi Institute of Education for Peace and Sustainable Development has been using games to entertain and also educate young people on global issues.

The body’s titles include World Rescue, which is a video game that sees players meet young people from across the world and help them solve major issues like disease, drought, and pollution within their respective communities. Another game is Cantor’s World, which introduces gamers to policy choices and how they have an impact on short-term results and long-term sustainability.

A new way to engage

Considering just how vital gaming is to us as individuals and as a society, it makes sense that the UN would look to use it to engage people and educate them on important global and sustainability issues.

While it is hard to see their games having an impact on mainstream entertainment culture like the classics above, the games aim to at least get young people thinking more about some of the fundamental issues that our planet is facing, today and in the years ahead.

The unique travel experiences in Naples

Travel

Bhok Thompson

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August 26, 2019

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naples fishing boats, naples coast — *You’d be surprised how much the Middle East has influenced Italy from Sicily to Naples “feel” Eastern culture in every breath at the sea*

Located in the Campania area of southern Italy is the city of Naples, 2 hours away from Rome. Being a metropolitan area, it is an important transportation hub of southern Italy. The city itself sits on the northern edge of one of Europe’s most beautiful bay, the Gulf of Naples. Getting to Naples by plane is easy because it has an airport called Aeropuerto Cappadocino. The airport operates regular flights from Italy, Europe and parts of the world.

Number of train lines

Travel by train to and around Naples is well-traveled as it traverses a large number of train lines through the city. The train and bus station met Piazza Garibaldi at the eastern tip of Naples. If you want to travel to the nearby islands, a ferry will take you there for a minimal fee.

From Molo Beverillo in Naples, ferries can take you to the beautiful islands of Capri, Prosida, Asiachia as well as Sardinia.

The Island of Capri

Capri is one of the notable islands you must visit. It is famous worldwide for its amazing wild beauty island, clear water, and amazingly cool weather. The island has luxurious hotels and retreats that attract tourists from all over the world.

The food they offer here is one of the best Mediterranean dishes you can imagine. You can visit Capri by launching a regular boat from Beverly Dock in Napoli.

Traffic problems in Naples

In order to enjoy the city of Naples, it is best that you drive around because there are occasional traffic problems in Naples. On the go you’ll enjoy more landscapes, especially the centuries-old monuments in the city. The monument you must see is a 15th-century Egyptian statue of Nile, located on the corner of Piazzetta Nello and the oldest Spire in San Jinaro, in San Niger.

While staying in the city you can choose from a variety of hotels and hostels. Choosing a hotel to stay in Naples can be difficult at first, so it’s best to plan ahead and research hotels online. Hostels are lower in rates than hotels.

At Hostels, you can rent a bed or a bunk bed in a variety of hostels. These hotels have a shared living room, kitchen and lounge. The rooms in the hostel are different from all men, all women or codes. Although private rooms are becoming more common, Eating in Naples is a wonderful experience. The city has many restaurants that offer a great variety of Mediterranean cuisine.

Restaurants in Naples

Some of these restaurants are well-known for dining as they specialize in pizza, wine and other, Joining a tour around Naples is also a way to explore the city. There are many tour operators in Naples and the fees vary. Whichever tour you choose, you will surely enjoy the many views overlooking the Amalfi Coast to Pompeii in the Nifles.

Naples adventure-ing

If you go a little farther south to enjoy a lot of tourist travel, many of the ancient secrets in Italy are firmly rooted. One of these gems is the city of Naples, while it is a famous city, it is often missed travel in the country – but it really should not be! If you visit there you can enjoy the life and that experience will be long lasting for you, it is really mesmerizing and enjoying too much for you. There are lots of things in the Nepal you can do and nowhere any place having such qualities.

Naples is believed to be one of the oldest, permanently inhabited cities in the world. With being the largest historical center anywhere in Europe, you will have no problem finding a lot to do, see and eat. After a long stay in one of the arts and education centers in the country (and in Europe), you can spend many days exploring museums and galleries. When it comes to dining, you won’t be disappointed – Naples is the traditional pizza house! Pop into one of the many pizza shops and sample the famous Margarita – a city specialty.

How To React When You Are In A Car Accident

Transportation

Bhok Thompson

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August 23, 2019

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How To React When You Are In A Car Accident

Image describing self-driving and what to do if you are in an accident — *You might be more aware by driving an electric or self-driving car, but that doesn’t put you above the law. What to do if you get in an accident!*

Whether it is a small fender bender of a back road or a head-on interstate collision, a car accident can leave you feeling a bit scattered, nervous, and scared. Heck, you might not even be able to collect your thoughts after the event. This is especially true if you are injured. Regardless of the situation, not acting in the right manner or taking the right precautions could come back to haunt you later on down the road. When you combine this with the fact that accidents are totally random, you can be looking at a truly ugly situation. This is why it is always best to brush up on your post-accident procedures. Don’t wait for the situation to happen before you take action. Be prepared and ready to take action before the situation happens because it will pay off big time.

Composing Yourself

When you are involved in an accident it can be really hard to compose yourself. Most people don’t really know how they are going to react in a situation until they are put in. And, this is the case with car wrecks most of the time. Whatever the situation is, you want to make sure that you take the time to properly assess the entirety of the situation before making it worse. After the accident, take a minute to catch your breath, soak in what just happened, put your car in park, make sure it isn’t running anymore, and compose yourself before getting out to deal with the situation head-on.

Understand that you can do little on your own and need help from professionals to protect your rights and handle the situation correctly. It’s essential to receive legal help after Uber crash because these experts will know how to navigate the complexities of dealing with rideshare companies and insurance providers. They can guide you on the necessary steps to take and what documentation you need to gather. Having legal support can also ease your stress while you focus on recovering from the incident.

Moving To A Safe Area

You will probably hear time and time again to never move the vehicles when you are in an accident. Unfortunately, this isn’t true at all. You always want to make sure you get the vehicles off the road, so as not to cause any damage to the other passing vehicles. Depending on the severity of the accident, you might not even be able to move the vehicles. If this is the case then you want to at least flash on the warning lights to alert drivers of the dangers that lurk ahead. Any good car accident law firm will tell you that this will help prevent further claims.

Check On Others Involved

Once everything is safely out of the way, you will want to make sure you check on the other passengers or individuals involved in the accident. It doesn’t even hurt to check on any nearby pedestrians if you are able. Making sure that no one needs emergency medical attention could be key to saving a life.

Accidents can have severe emotional and physical consequences for everyone involved. When they happen due to someone’s reckless driving, the aftermath can feel even more frustrating and unjust. In these moments, staying calm and collecting as much information as possible can make a big difference. It’s also important to speak with authorities and medical personnel clearly, so everyone’s condition and account is properly documented.

Call The Police

Whether you are dealing with an attorney or an insurance claim agent, a police report will be integral. Once everything is cleared off the road and people are out of harm’s way, you will want to contact the police to conduct this report. Just make sure that you do not go as far to admit fault or blame others because this can later be used against you. Always cooperate to the fullest, while trying to avoid admitting anything until you speak with your attorney.

How to Spruce Up Your Backyard

Bhok Thompson

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August 20, 2019

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If you haven’t been taking care of your backyard for a while, you might think it’s gone too wild and lose hope, but with a few simple tips you can transform it into a little piece of heaven and add a bit of elegance and character to it. Here are a few ideas to point you in the right direction:

Plant flowers

One of the most beautiful, natural ways to transform your backyard is by adding flowers to it. Before spring comes along, you can start planting different kind of flowers along your backyard. You can choose to plant daffodils and tulips and differentiate between certain areas by colors, spruce up your exteriors with long blooming perennials or even plant pots of flowers along the borders. That way the flowers will not only make your yard look good on the eyes, but also add a cheerful vibe to it.

Water the grass correctly

Unlike popular belief, grass should not be watered frequently, but deeply. Instead of watering the garden every day for a short period of time, it is better to water it once a week, or 2-3 times a week if the weather is hot for a period of at least 30 minutes. That way, when the soil is watered deeply, it allows the shallow roots to grow and reach the deep soil nutrients making it grow healthier and faster.

Add a hammock

Adding an extra touch of personalization to your garden will start to shape its character, making it a place you could go to escape the outside world. Relax in your hammock and embrace the flowers and greenery surrounding you. Bring a book along or just lay there gazing at the stars and enjoy the quiet.

Build a treehouse

If you’ve got kids, there’s nothing they’ll enjoy more than having their very own space to call their own. A treehouse can feel like heaven as it acts like a getaway surrounded by nature. This is where they can play music, read or just chill with their friends and play games. And the best thing is, it adds a whole lot of beauty and character to your yard, too. Doesn’t that sound like a win-win situation?

Light it up

Adding a source of light always makes any place feel more welcoming. You can opt for adding lights along the pathway, around the borders or even hanging up strings of light to add that special effect and make your backyard so much more appealing. It will also be ideal for barbeques or any parties you decide to have as it is just the right amount of light for people to be comfortable, without it being too bright. Whichever light source you decide to go for, it will definitely add a sparkling touch to your backyard.

Turning your yard into a stunning place where you can just forget about your worries and immerse in its beauty is not as difficult as you might think. With these tips and a bit of effort, you can spruce it up and transform it into becoming your absolute favorite spot.

4 Tips for Creating a Sustainable, Green Business Model

Business

Bhok Thompson

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August 20, 2019

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Dictaphone Group Beirut — *Doesn’t matter how “green” your business is if you don’t know how to make money.*

Any business owner that wants to create a company that is both sustainable and green should be commended. After all, running the odd green initiative is good enough for most entrepreneurs. Yet, as one might guess, building or even maintaining a green business is a difficult task. With that in mind, today we’re going to share four tips professionals can use to form a sustainable, green business model. From reducing your carbon footprint to improving internal efficiency, we’ve got you covered here:

#1 Crunch the Numbers

Green or not, the first step toward establishing a sustainable business model is to crunch the numbers. Determine your company’s budget, assets, costs, investments, and available capital. This way you’ll be able to determine how much money you can realistically put toward green, sustainable efforts. If your company isn’t founded on solid financial standing, it won’t be around long enough to make much of a difference for anyone.

#2 Find the Right Location

Where you decide to set up your office could have a big effect on your company’s ability to follow through on sustainable practices. For instance, some states or cities may allow you to more readily access solar or wind power for use ato your office. Before you spend money on an office location, make sure the building itself is also fit for your purposes.

#3 Embrace New Technology

New technologies can be valuable resources for business leaders looking to adopt a greener, more sustainable approach. Anything from a POS system for pharmacies or a digital chat feature can help your business run more smoothly and efficiently. Remember, sustainability depends on constant innovation and progress –– so don’t be afraid to integrate new tech products at your company.

#4 Hire Capable, Dedicated Professionals

Perhaps the best way to guarantee that your company sticks to a sustainable path is to hire employees who share your vision for your business –– and the world at large. Proactive professionals who are willing to go the extra mile and even start green projects like recycling programs on their own are invaluable to forward-thinking businesses. Take time to ensure that everyone you hire is a good fit for your plans moving forward. Otherwise, you could find it difficult to implement your sustainable business model.

Conclusion

Making a commitment to a greener, more environmentally conscious business strategy is not easy. However, it can provide a wide variety of benefits and new opportunities for leaders who choose to take up this mantle.

Ashkelon’s Sand Sculpture Festival Brings International Artists To Its Beaches

Miriam Kresh

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August 18, 2019

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Ashkelon’s Sand Sculpture Festival Brings International Artists To Its Beaches

The port town of Ashkelon has been known for its strategic importance throughout history, and indeed since pre-history. You read of Ashkelon as archaeologists excavate neolithic artifacts and stroll through time as its story unfolds. It’s a town that’s known the Canaanites, who established an international market there; by the sea people who came to trade and schlepped up the hill with their loaded donkeys, and by many who stopped at a roadside shrine on the way to pray to a silver calf god, for good fortune.

Battles between the Crusaders and the Fatimids. The Greeks came, the Romans, the Byzantines, the Ottomans, the British, and the Israelis. Whew – so much history.

On a lighter note, did you know that “scallion” and “shallot” are words derived from the Latin Ascalonia, which was how the Romans named the town? In the Ashkelon National Park today, there’s a vegetable plot where they’re growing shallots retrogressively, hoping to culture them back to the original vegetable once again.

But enough of history and shallots and all that heavy stuff. It’s time to play on the beach, and Ashkelon has some beautiful beaches. Today, and until the 23rd of this month (August 2019), the Bar Kochba beach boasts 15 enormous sculptures created from fairy tales and sand.

It’s Israel’s first sand sculpture festival. Artists devoted to the ephemeral art have arrived from Holland, Spain, Russia, the USA, the Czech Republic, and other countries, to make elaborate fairy tale images that the wind and the encroaching sea will eventually destroy.

Sand sculptures need a special, gritty sand whose grains hold together. Over 1000 tons of this sand were used to sculpt the figures of Snow White, Gulliver in the land of the Lilliputians (which required 380 tons of sand and stands two meters high and nine meters long), Aladinn’s genie, and other characters beloved by children the world over.

The Ashkelon Sand Sculpture Festival takes place until August 23 on the Bar Kochba beach. Hours for viewing the sculptures are from 10:00-22:00. From 18:00, there are festive activities and shows on the promenade. Events are free.

Photo of Sleeping Beauty via Ashkelon municipality website.

Photos of Gulliver and Moana and Maui by Shlomo Ben El and Yonah Almog.

Israeli Startup SG Tech Manufactures Clean Energy From Cow Patties

Miriam Kresh

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August 18, 2019

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Israeli Startup SG Tech Manufactures Clean Energy From Cow Patties

Although enlightened people are turning to more sustainable sources of protein (like our vegewarian recipes), it’s not likely that the human hunger for meat and milk will ever go away. While dairy and meat industries continue expanding to meet market demands, the manure of cows, sheep, pigs, goats and camels continues raising the levels of land and water pollution.

Livestock gases significantly raise greenhouse gas levels that contribute to global warming. Some efforts have been made to reduce cattle gases by putting herbs that reduce flatulence in their feed – no great success.

And what of that by-product, manure? Most often, it gets dumped into local waterways or shoveled into piles and left to decompose. Statistics show that in the US alone, livestock produces over a billion tons of waste every year.

Livestock manure has traditionally been used as fuel. Some companies have extracted biogas from it, but as the amounts of waste increase globally, so does the need for a more efficient treatment system. Sustainable Green Technologies (SG Tech) is an Israeli start-up that addresses the issue with an out-of-the-box attitude and a promising new technology.

Daniel Madar, a reusable energy specialist working with SG Tech says,

“You can take cow manure and use the material as fertilizer without any prior treatment, but when you turn the material into biogas, you get two or three products out of one raw material. When you take the manure and treat it, you solve the problem of smell and contamination, and then you get energy plus fertilizer.”

The drawback of biogas production up till now has been that it’s time-consuming and creates an unusable side-product, digestate. That’s the water that remains after treating waste, containing high levels of nutrients and salt. It’s not irrigation-safe. What to do with it? Pouring it into the sewage system could overload water-treatment facilities to the point of collapse, Madar forecasts. And purifying digestate too expensive to consider.

Spraying digestate onto fields only harms them. “It can be used as a fertilizer because it has a lot of nutrients in it. However, it is too concentrated, and the result is that this digestate seeps into water aquifers, pollutes them and causes salinization of the fields,” Madar explains.

Reuven Eitan, IP and PR manager at SG Tech adds: “SG Tech is producing biogas and obtaining 20% more of the methane concentration; thus producing 20% more energy.” SG Tech methods, claims the company, provide a solution that produces “…clean energy, clean water, and nutrient-rich organic compost.”

There’s no denying that biogas also affects the environment. But compare these figures:

The amount of waste that livestock animals produce in the US could potentially create 108.8 billion kilowatt-hours of energy. Greenhouse gases produce could rise to 69.6 million metric tons.

Obtaining the same amount of electricity from coal would produce 109.3 million metric tons of greenhouse gases.

Clearly, biogas is a more reliable and efficient source of fuel than coal, with fewer gases produced. SG Tech also claims that the amount of digestate produced by their system is minuscule compared to that created by current waste treatment.

In 2015, Israel’s agriculture produced 2.26 million metric tons of gases; 2.8% of all greenhouse gases.

Realistically, the world can’t rely only on livestock waste for fuel needs. Madar estimates that in Israel, and likely in other countries, biogas from waste would account for 7% of energy produced.

“It’s not really a replacement for coal or natural gas or petroleum. However, if we use this waste to produce energy, we can reduce the cost of getting rid of this waste, and we can turn it into something more green and more sustainable,” he says. He adds that this new technology is the only one that can handle the waste treatment of cow sheds that hold up to 2,000 cows. Medium-sized dairies could fuel themselves using it.

The SG Tech system has already been tested in several dairies. There are now plans to install it in 10 medium-sized cowsheds in Israel and across the world by the end of 2020.

::Via ZAVIT, Science and Environment News Agency.

Khirret, A Vanishing Iraqi Sweet Made from Cattails

Ancient
Food

Miriam Kresh

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August 14, 2019

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Khirret, A Vanishing Iraqi Sweet Made from Cattails

A rare sweet pollen based candy pulled out from the marshes of ancient Iraq.

Khirret, an old-fashioned sweet made in southern Iraq, is concocted from male cattail reed pollen. It’s intriguing as an historical relict, but not so much for its taste. People who still remember the flavor and texture of khirret agree that it tasted faintly-sweet and felt like chalk in the mouth. Best known in Iraqi culinary history, it might be one of those foods best left to history altogether.

Cattail reeds are a useful plant that has helped sustain indigenous people wherever it grows, around the globe. Native Americans have many uses for all of its parts.Traces of cattail tubers have been found in crumbs of Neolithic bread found in Jordan. Those long-ago people wasted nothing they found nutritious.

And Iraqi tradition, according to food historian Nawal Nassralah, knew the value of khirret well:

Khirret as medicine

“Khirret is a nutritious food high in protein, and its medicinal benefits are believed to be many. People eat it to relieve indigestion. It is said to be good for the colon and respiratory tract. It is used to cleanse the urinary system and stop diarrhea. The raw pollen is put on wounds to heal them. It is also popular among women during the early stages of pregnancy. Moreover, it come in very handy for bee-keepers, who use it to feed their bees.”

An Indian blogger at sindhirasoi.com also has memories of khirret, which she knows as bhuri. As she recalls, eating it was less than pleasant. She describes the flavor as fermented-floral. But her parents encouraged the family to eat it, presumably because it was cheap and nutritious. It has almost disappeared in her culture as well.

Recipe for khirret

To make khirret, you first need to row out to where the reeds grow in a marsh and gather cattail reeds plump with bright yellow pollen. Back on dry land, you strip the pollen off the stalks with your hands, sieve the collected material to separate any insects, and set it out to dry in the sun. A video below shows how it’s done.

Mixed with sugar, the pollen is then steamed inside a cloth until solid, traditionally over a boiling pot whose edges are sealed with mud. There must be a point in which the experienced khirret cook knows it’s ready, but that’s information no one has provided. Someone wants to take on the challenge?

It’s then broken up into irregular chunks and is ready to eat.

pollen-male-cattail reed — *Male cattail full of pollen*

What brought Nasrallah’s attention to khirret was a memoir of life in Bagdad in the 1920s by the scholar Abbas Baghdadi. He recollects khirret as being a street food manufactured only by Jewish vendors. He says that the Jews of Bagdad ate it especially at the festival of Purim, which occurs in March/April – just when the male cattail reeds are loaded with pollen and ready for processing.

I asked food historian and chef Moshe Basson, 69 years-old and himself a descendant of Iraqi Jews, if he had memories of eating khirret. He doesn’t recall eating it, although he knew what it was from hearing of it at home: perhaps his parents mentioned it at around Purim.

There’s no folklore or connection with Biblical stories about the candy that Basson is aware of. Presumably it was simply a seasonal treat whose golden color was appropriate to the general air of festivity at the time. He does recall that his childhood Purim treats included a coconut candy that was also bright yellow; maybe a reference to the khirret tradition left behind.

Iraqi Jews abandoned khirret when they left Iraq for Israel. There’s very little marshland in Israel, and that located in two nature reserves. They took to agricultural work and small businesses, and so the tradition in Israel has died away.

Khirret is still made in southern Iraq and other parts of the Middle East, but it’s appreciated for its rarity, rather than a sweet that stands in competition with commercial candies. But as for its medicinal value? Worth exploring more.

Photos of khirret and reed with pollen from Nawal Nasrallah’s blog, In My Iraqi Kitchen.

Surprising Reasons Why Cities Need More Shade

Miriam Kresh

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August 9, 2019

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Surprising Reasons Why Cities Need More Shade

Walking outdoors under the summer sun can be a trial. The sun beats down, everyone’s hot and thirsty, and people’s tempers are noticeably shorter. It’s harder to exercise outdoors, and no wonder: it’s projected that by 2050 daily temperatures will rise by 2-3 degrees Centigrade.

We instinctively feel that shade reduces temperature, and research has also discovered that shade in cities can reduce the thermal load by as much as 50%. You’d think that cities should provide more shade-making structures like pergolas, and plant more leafy sidewalk trees to keep people comfortable.

But there’s more to shade than that.

A recent Israeli report funded jointly by the Ministry of Housing and Construction and the Ministry of Health suggests that when people know there will be shade on their way, they’re more likely to walk or ride their bikes, and less likely to drive. Maybe they don’t think of it as exercise, but it is.

The larger the numbers of people exercising, the deeper the statistical drop of ailments like cardiovascular disease and strokes, type 2 diabetes, colon cancer, breast cancer, and obesity in the population. As is well known, regular physical exercise also strengthens immunities and relieves stress and depression.

desert, design, Ohad Lustgarten, Israel, Shade and Shelter

Dr. Aviad Hadar, one of the initiators of the report, says,

“Over the past decade, dozens of research papers, articles, and policy documents have been published, demonstrating how the lack of shade in Israel’s public spaces harms public health. There even have been urban design exhibitions aiming to raise awareness of this specific problem.

“It’s important to understand that the presence of shade in urban areas has a crucial impact, either consciously or subconsciously, on the decision to leave the car at home and instead use less or non-polluting alternatives, especially in city centers that suffer from heavy air pollution due to car traffic.”

Let’s consider the global rise of skin cancer, a disease often triggered by sunburn and frequent exposure to the sun. According to the World Cancer Research Fund, 300,000 new cases of melanoma, the most common skin cancer, were reported in 2018.

In Israel, 1,674 patients were diagnosed with melanoma in 2015. 185 died of it. I myself recall with sorrow the death from skin cancer of a friend in my Jerusalem neighborhood; a mother of six. Having access to shade from childhood on can be a factor in preventing such sad outcomes.

How about cleaner air? Trees and bushes planted on sidewalks and road medians absorb and disperse air pollution. We’ve written how houseplants keep the air clean in your home, but on a major scale, making cities greener with shady trees also reduces the amounts of invisible particulates that we absorb with every breath.

But trees for shade are a long-range project; they need years to grow into their maximal shade coverage. Placing artificial structures like pergolas, extensive awnings over shop fronts, and long roofs where crowds come and to, like at Tel Aviv’s HaHagana train station, would be more efficient and timely.

Prof. Nir Becker and Or Neviot are the researchers at the Tel Hai Academic College who wrote the Israeli report on shade. They say that apart from health benefits, shade could have an indirect but powerful effect on the national budget.

An example is a school where $80,000 USD was invested in shading a 200-square-meter outdoor area. Encouraged to play outdoors, 30% of the kids became more physically active at school, with a marked improvement in their health. Annual health benefits for each child cost was about $25 USD, a total of $about $25,000 for the entire school. In less than three years, the initial investment in shade will be recouped and money saved.

Not enough recognition is given to shade’s potential financial benefits. Dr. Amiel Vasl, deputy director of the Ministry of Construction and Housing’s policy department and one of the initiators of the report, says professional publications all say shade is a good thing, and that Israel need lots of it, but there are too many less than useful guidelines. He adds,

“These reports do not examine the potential economic benefits of shade. No one talks about how much money shade could actually save.”

The researchers made cost-benefit analyses of increased urban shade. Comparing the calculated costs to the potential savings obtained, they concluded that shade, which helps reduce disease and mortality, could contribute significantly to the national budget in savings.

“In Israel, a large part of medical treatment is covered by the state. So if a population is healthier due to shade, the country saves money,” says Becker.

Vasl adds that not only children, but adults and especially elderly people, need shady encouragement to walk outdoors.

“The greatest economic benefit comes from making adults walk. It’s a target audience that we ignored until now, and a vital use of shade that needs to be focused on,” he says.

Israel’s savings from shade, the report concludes, could amount to thousands of shekels per capita every year.

So there it is. Shade not only makes Israeli summers more pleasant, it helps keep the population healthy by increasing the desire to exercise outdoors. Shady trees reduce air pollution. Shade could save the country plenty money. Now let’s encourage city planners to get moving on making more shade.

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