Moringa (Moringa oleifera)  tree, also known as Horseradish-tree, Ben-oil tree, Drumstick-tree is native to northern India.  Today it is also known as “The Miracle Tree” since it has many beneficial uses.  Some of it’s benefits include fighting malnutrion to making biofuel.

The organization called Trees for Life International grows them to help fight hunger and malnutrition. They have been growing Moringa trees in India as well as Guatemala, Cambodia, Nepal, Costa Rica, Haiti, Indonesia, Brazil, Mexico, Ethiopia, Nicaragua and El Salvador.  Tree for Life sounds like a great organization. 

Moringa leaves can be eaten many ways. Photo from The Moringa Arava.

Here is what they listed under nutritional benefits:
• Vitamin A, which acts as a shield against eye disease, skin disease, heart ailments, diarrhea, and many other diseases.
• Vitamin C, fighting a host of illnesses including colds and flu.
• Calcium, which builds strong bones and teeth, and helps prevent osteoporosis.
• Potassium, essential for the functioning of the brain and nerves.
• Proteins, the basic building blocks of all our body cells.

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I have tried to switch from green tea to white tea before, but I could never stick to it. Well, I decided since the weather is getting cooler, it’s time to try white tea again.

I found organic Peony white tea by Prince of Peace online at Vitacost.  I think it was about $5 per box of 100 individual wrapped tea bags.  This much tea should last me for a few months.

This particular tea was OK, but not something I can drink too often.  I’ts not bitter, but taste rather flat and very herbal.  I guess that’s why Peony root tea has been used as herbal remedies for ailments.

I would probably just drink this Peony white tea a few times a week. This is mainly since young white tea leaves has approximately 3 times more antioxidant than green tea. There is also less caffeine in white tea, compare to green or black tea.

I also got the Peony white tea since I think Peonies have such pretty blooms.  Red Peony photo from Wikipedia.

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Sometimes I think I have too many books and not enough space for them.  So every year I try to get rid of some, but then I get newer ones.  Someday I may just go digital, it would save trees and save me space too.

The local used bookshop that I usually go to trade books are OK.  You don’t get much money from it, but you get store credits toward other used books. The prices aren’t so good, it’s about 30% off new books.  And I haven’t been able to find what I wanted there either.

I guess I could donate them to charity shops, but then I’m not so sure if someone would actually want the books.  It would be nice if someone had actually wanted my books, then I would know it went to a good place.  Just sentimental about certain things sometimes.

In the meantime, I just found out about BookMooch.  It’s a community for exchanging used books.  BookMooch lets you give away books you no longer need in exchange for books you really want.  Sounds like a good idea!

Just visit BookMooch for more info.

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Sometimes there seem to be more charities out there then we knew existed. There are charities for children and abandoned animals. Even one for fruit trees, at least for growing more fruit trees. The Fruit Tree Planting Foundation from San Diego, Ca is one charity that is dedicated to planting fruitful trees and plants to benefit the environment around the world. I think this is a great idea as it helps teach people to be empowered by growing their own food and also sustain the environment too. The charity’s primary mission is to plant and help others plant a collective total of 18 billion organic fruit trees. These programs are aimed at enriching the environment, providing nutritious food sources for wild and rescued animals. And to improve human health by bringing delicious, fresh, locally grown raw fruits and vegetables in their area.

Papaya tree planted in Kenya. Photo from FTPFoundation.

The charity has already planted trees in many locations throught the U.S., Africa, and India. My favorite part of the project is “Orchards for Animals” which provide rescued animals sanctuaries with fruit trees for shade, shelter, and healthy diets. As the trees mature, animals can then eat the fruits and forage for more. During times of extreme heat or precipitation, the animals can seek shade and shelter under the trees. Fruit trees allow for the most natural diet available to animals, plucked fresh off the tree with no chemicals or pesticides. One of the Farm Sanctuary is located in Orland, California. They planted 50 fruit trees. The trees will provide shade and foraging opportunities for rescued animals.

Another sample of other neat things provided by the program took place in Florida.

Fruit Tree Workshop & Giveaway in Fort Lauderdale, Florida

“In November of 2008, FTPF partnered with the Fort Lauderdale Parks & Recreation Department, in a program made possible by Absolut, to implement a a free fruit tree give-away at three city parks and delivered a unique interactive workshop to teach fruit tree enthusiasts about proper planting and care. The program resulted in 671 fruit trees—including mangos, avocados, carambolas, grapefruits, oranges, and tangelos—being distributed to city residents. The effort trained nearly 100 workshop participants on how to plant trees and help restore an area that has lost countless trees in recent years due to hurricane damage—while fighting global warming and providing healthy nutrition at the same time.” Wow! What a great idea. I wish I lived in Florida with a huge backyard. Read the rest of this entry »

Arpil Cornell,the person and the store named after her, is originally from Canada. She has lived a third of her life overseas and traveled the world for more than 30 years. Her design inspirations combine locations like Paris, India, Portugal, Hong Kong and British Columbia. As stated by April, “I get much of my inspiration and style from observing how other people are living and what they are feeling in cities and towns around the globe.” I really like that she uses ideas from flowers, leaves and birds as a recurring motif in all elements of her merchandise and designs.

There are actually quite a few April Cornell shops in the U.S. Her shop has a very romantic and girlie theme, imagine lots of floral curtains and British tea. There are some pretty dresses from her line, but they are a bit too romantic for me. But what I do like are the little girl cloth dolls. They look very crafty and has a nostalgic feel to them.

The dark hair cutie is Vicky and her cat Micky. A little story about them, “Micky and I like to curl up together and read a book. I tell Micky stories and he purrs and purrs and purrs. I think Micky likes my stories.” She has a crazy head of black yarn for hair and her dress looks nice.  Retails from $18 - $24. Read the rest of this entry »