Chickens in the Backyard

No, the title isn't a metaphor for the glory days gone by, or for short, funny stories that will uplift you. I'm talking about real, honest to goodness chickens. And why would there be chickens in the backyard? Well for the eggs of course!
A new idea thats been brought about in the green world is that of keeping your own chickens, even in a slightly urban setting. I don't think its responsible to have them in your apartment building, but that is up to you.
Basically the idea is that with a little work, you get organic (mostly free!) eggs, and eventually chicken meat. Chickens don't require too much space (they'll never fly away). Besides feeding, the occasional cleaning and protection from your neighbours cat, the work can be minimal. And they're just so fun to watch, heads bobbing when they walk. They also provide a sort of pest control, since they eat mosquitoes and other bugs that would annoy you.
Now there are difficulties in raising chickens, such as you can't just leave for a week (much like any pet), you do need to collect the eggs unless you want rotten eggs sitting around, and there are bird flus and predators that come around, but if you want to guarantee fresh, organic eggs to eat there is no better way than that.

Here is a great site to get more info on raising chickens in your backyard: The City Chicken




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Product Spotlight: Sway Stool

From Branch Sustainable Living comes a envrionmentally friendly, ergonomic designed stool, called the Sway Stool (because it sways!). Perfect for office work, or just to peacefully sit and think.

From the site:

The central column of the stool, located directly under the spine of the user, is flexible, solid cork while the rest is perforated. The result is a seat that flexes and pivots under the weight of the user, responding to the slightest body movement. The user's muscles remain slightly engaged to maintain balance, improving posture and circulation. Many have reported this to be a perfect seat for working at a desk or computer, enabling the user to move and rock while working and thinking. Because cork is 100% waterproof and impervious to rot and mold growth, this piece functions as well outdoors as it does in.

Check out more product specs here: Sway Stool




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Business: Starting Green

With 'Green' as the big word in business these days, businesses are not only starting to supply greener products, but now they must be envrironmentally friendly in their practices as well. Customers are getting smarter in the ways that they deal with big businesses. The internet provides access to product reports, company info and more at the click of a button, and now companies can't just say they are going green, they must act on it.

If you're considering starting a green business, here are a few links and ideas to help you get a foothold in a growing market.

Choose Your Market
'Green' products are no longer limited to food, energy saving or cosmetics. There are new products in every line imaginable, from insulation to books to sports equipment. To begin, you must figure out what part of the market you want to dive into. Here are a couple links that list green companies in various markets:

• GreenPeople.org
  
• Global Sources
  

Green All The Way
The best way to promote your green products is to live the life yourself. If your company doesn't live up to its claims, then customers won't believe your products. Imagine walking into a 'green' shop to find its owner driving a gas-eating SUV or the light bulbs are energy consuming, super bright, short lived, well you know where i'm going here. Your company must live it up green. And with new products coming out all the time it wouldn't be that pricey to start off.
Check out this www.green-business.ca for some more info.

And lastly, there is an amazing site that provides daily links and info on being green. I mean this site is just what you need for a green business. Its just awesome. Are you getting where I'm going with this? No? Well let me spell it out for you.
Eternal Coil. Yes, THIS website! Wow was that hard or what?

Green business are starting to bloom. And there is always room for more!

Creative Ads: WWF

I don't know if this is creative or just strangely disturbing...
Titled: "Help us protect mother nature.
Find out how you can work with us at www.panda.org/pt"

Bamboo Bikes and More

Sporting goods is one of the newest eco-friendly trends to hit the markets. If green cars and houses can do it, why not sports and fitness!

When you paddle out (into the waves) and you see Styrofoam cups, plastic bags, cigarettes, what enters your mind is what you’re buying and ... what you’re riding in the ocean,” says Travis Wilkerson, membership director for the Surf Industry Manufacturers Association, a trade association for the suppliers of surfing products, including several that sell surfboards made of materials selected for their eco-friendly composition.
[Source: journalgazette.net]

Calfee Design, a high end bike designer started building bikes out of bamboo over 10 years ago, when owner Craig Calfee noticed that bamboo was as strong as the carbon fiber he had been using. Bamboo also is reported to absorb vibrations better than metal or the carbon fiber.
This sounds like a great new idea, using one of earth's more hardy products.
See the website for the full story.