“Well, the updates continue to be slow to come and sparse on detail but that’s because we are still working away. I had hoped we’d be in by now, with only floors and ceiling to complete before we could start moving stuff over. Who knew floors and ceiling would be so challenging in round(ish) rooms? We were going to go with a natural feel to the floors, a lime finish, but changed our minds at last minute. Partly for the convenience of cleaning and in part for the extra buffer from the cold we decided on a dark laminate flooring (I know, I know- not very ‘natural’ but gorgeous) and it turns out I suck at cutting laminate floor boards, much as I love the power tools.
green building
Growing Moringa, the World’s Most Nutritious Tree
As we reported in a previous blog post about the Healthiest Foods in the World, moringa leaves are amazingly nutrient dense: 7 times the vitamin C of oranges, 4 times the vitamin A of carrots, 4 times the calcium of milk, 3 times the potassium of bananas, 3 times the iron of spinach, and 2 times the protein of yogurt. In addition, moringa has minerals, 46 antioxidants, significant amounts of beta-carotene and all the essential amino acids. Aid agencies consider moringa a vital tool in the fight against malnutrition around the world. Maybe that’s why some call it the Tree of Life or Miracle Tree.
Vertical Versus Horizontal CEB Presses
“Vertical Block Press Pros
– Uniform block dimensions in wall sizes
– Simple adaptive mold changes
– Able to produce interlocking block
– Fewer block imperfections
– Produce quality block
– Produce uniformly dense block
Petition North Carolina Building Codes Council
Alter NC building codes to exempt structures at Turtle Island Preserve
“Dear Friends of Turtle Island Preserve,
Turtle Island Preserve is in danger. Please read this letter, and, if you feel moved to do so, carefully follow the suggestions for support provided at the end.
Recently, local county government authorities have targeted Turtle Island Preserve, attacking our way of life, and forcing our educational camp to close to visitors.
New, Clean Energy Source: Living Plants
“On November 23, a researcher from Wageningen University in the Netherlands, Marjolein Helder, presented her Ph.D. research on a method to generate clean, renewable electricity from natural interactions between the soil and growing plants.
Ecological Friendly Building at the Shores of the Indian Ocean
“Takaungu Robinson House is an example of sustainable architecture that helps to preserve a pristine coral environment and indigenous coastal rainforest of Kenya for future generations.