Monday, 29 August 2011

Coffee grounds

We are landscaping! Yay! finally almost finished. It feels good!
I had heard that coffee grounds are great for the garden so I did some research and found these interesting tidbits about coffee grounds in gardens.

~Coffee Grounds are full of nutrients that acidic plants love! Especially fruits and Vegetables.
~It repels cats from using your garden as their own personal litterbox!
~Earthworms love coffee! Caffeinated worms get the job done faster! hehehe, kidding. but seriously, worms love coffee grounds so the more compost the more worms you will attract.
~use it for slug control. Slugs don't enjoy coffee but they Love to munch on your garden plants so keep them out.

Starbucks has had a program in place for years. They give it away for free! That's right, free. My hubby is so proud of me. (lol)
If they dont have any in the bin at the front of the store, just ask. They'll get you some. It also helps to know someone "on the inside" ;)




I can hardly wait to get some more for my strawberry hanging baskets too!
I forgot to do my strawberry plants! Oh well, guess i'll just have to make a trip to Starbucks today! Oh darn...

I feel so Deceived!!

Since becoming Vegan I pay MUCH more attention to the ingredients listings on food. I am absolutely disgusted by what I have learned. All these years I thought I wasn't eating beef or pork but apparently, I was so!

Chewing Gum



Glycerin, a main ingredient in chewing gum is derrived from fat. usually animal fat but it can be made from vegetable fat. if a product has glycerin in it it will almost always be made from animal fat, unless it specifically says it doesn't.

Stearic Acid


Fat from cows, sheep, etc. (could be dogs and cats from shelters). Most often refers to a fatty substance taken from the stomachs of pigs. Can be harsh, irritating. Used in cosmetics, soaps, lubricants, candles, hairsprays, conditioners, deodorants, creams. Alternatives: can be found in many vegetable fats (ie. coconut).

Lanolin

Lanolin Alcohols (Sterol, Triterpene Alcohol, Aliphatic Alcohol). Wool Fat. Laneth-5, -10, etc. Lanogene. Lanosterol. Isopropyl Lanolate. A product of the oil glands of sheep, extracted from their wool. In many skin care products and cosmetics and in medicines. Some cosmetic companies won't use it because it commonly causes allergic contact skin rashes, and also they consider it to be a cheap filler. Vegetable sources are thought to be better moisturizers; lanolin is too greasy, waterproof and sealing - skin can't breathe.

Gross, I had no clue!


Jello, Marshmallows, vitamins, gummy candy, etc
So upsetting...
Gelatin Sometimes Gel. Protein obtained by boiling skin, tendons, ligaments or bones with water, from cattle and hogs. Used in shampoos, face masks, other cosmetics. Used as a thickener for fruit gelatins and puddings (Jello-brand desserts). In candies, marshmallows, cakes, ice cream, yogurts. On photographic film as a coating and in vitamins as capsules. Sometimes used to assist in "clearing" wines. Alternatives: algae and seaweed (carrageen/ Irish Moss, algin, agar-agar, kelp), Gelozone, used in jellies, plastics, medicines, pectin from fruit, dextrins, locust bean gum and cotton gum. Marshmallows were originally made from the root of the marshmallow plant unfortunately advanced manufacturing processes and improved texturing agents eliminated the need for the gooey root juice altogether.

Shellac (gum, candy)




You know that shiny coating on candies like skittles? Or the sprinkles on cupcakes and ice cream sundaes? Well, they get that glaze from the secretions of the female lac beetle. Also known as shellac, its also commonly used as wood varnish!

It's never ending! we have No idea what is in our food! How do these people get away with this deception? I know I am boycotting these products. Ewwwww.