(PBS) "The Botany of Desire" is an eye opening exploration of the human-plant relationship. Featuring author Michael Pollan and based on his best-selling book, this special takes viewers on a fantastical ride exploring the human and plant worlds -- from the plants' point of view. The program shows how four familiar American favorites evolved to satisfy our yearnings for intoxication (altered consciousness), control, sweetness, and beauty:
- our favorite weed, marijuana (for medicine)
- our favorite vegetable, the potato (for chips)
- our favorite fruit, the apple (for pie), and
- our favorite flower, the tulip (for tiptoeing).
"Veggin'out" is so in
Tips for starting a vegetable garden
Vegetable and herb gardening is in and studies indicate it will continue to grow in popularity. If you're not growing your own yet it's time to start. Why? The reasons are as varied as the people who garden. Some do it to save money. Others want to ensure their food is chemical-free, and as safe as possible. Still others grow their own vegetables because fresher is just better. Many do it because gardening is good for you and some because it’s still fun to play in the dirt. More
Mr. Natural
Outdoorsman has made life of exploring urban wilderness
Justin Chapman (PasadenaWeekly.com)
Christopher Nyerges has lived the life he’s written so passionately about in numerous books, magazines, and newspapers -- that of a philosopher outdoorsman traversing an increasingly urbanized wilderness, a man able to survive off the land in any given situation. “In a survival situation, you’re either prepared or you’re not... And most people are wholly unprepared. That being said, I look at failure, which most people try to avoid, as a good thing. Failure from the standpoint of character-building means that you have your weaknesses exposed, and if you’re smart, you then do something about it.” More