Tuesday September 30th, 2008
In this issue:
Consumer Tip of the Week
How to Survive the Market Meltdown
from Organic Bytes #145
9/24/2008
Headlines are ablaze with news of an impending global financial catastrophe.
While the U.S. federal government, which is already in the throes
of the largest national deficit in history, piles nearly a trillion
additional tax-payer dollars at the flood walls of Wall Street to
avoid certain collapse, the U.S. dollar teeters on the threshold of
one of the greatest inflationary periods in history.
Nothing destroys investments or savings like inflation. So how is
the every day organic consumer supposed to respond to this? Hopefully,
the recent bailouts although so far severely misguided, in terms of
giving Wall Street speculators a blank check give consumers a little
more time to prepare. Here are some quick tips:
1. Food: As noted in previous issues of Organic Bytes, it's a good
time to learn how to grow and preserve your own food ,and cook healthy
organic meals from scratch. Peak oil and inflation will cause food
prices, especially processed food and meat, to go through the roof.
The sooner you relearn the cooking, canning, and gardening skills
of your grandparents, the sooner you'll have stability on your food
shelf.
2. Finances: If you have notable amounts of cash in a savings account,
consider paying down debt, investing in "green' survival-oriented
products, or purchasing real assets. The value of the dollar is plummeting,
so a $10k bank account doesn't mean as much if the dollar is worth
half that
3. Home: There's no better time than the present to look for ways
to make your home more energy efficient. Energy costs are going to
escalate. The energy use in the average American home can be cut in
half with some fairly simple conservation measures.
4. Transportation: What do you drive? Resale value of fuel efficient
cars is increasing as fuel prices go up. If you drive, consider trading
your current car for a used fuel efficient vehicle. You'll likely
be able to sell it for more than you purchased it for, if you buy
it used and in decent condition (for our urban readers, we don't need
to tell you how far bicycles and mass transportation can take you).
5. Lifestyle: Redefine what you consider to be "desirable".
Instead of the newest flat-screen television, start doing some research
into items like pressure cookers, homesteading books, electricity
backup devices, etc. Refine your diet, eat less (or no) meat and animal
products, and eat more whole grains, beans, and vegetables.
6. Politics: Call Congress now and urge your representatives to require
those who profited from three decades of reckless finance to be required
to pay for the bailout. Call 202-224-3121.
Please forward this publication to family and friends, place it on
websites, print it, duplicate it and post it freely.
Knowledge is power!
ORGANIC BYTES is a publication of:
ORGANIC CONSUMERS ASSOCIATION
6771 South Silver Hill Drive, Finland, MN 55603
Phone: 218-226-4164 - Fax: 218-353-7652
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Upcoming Events
Sat 11:45am.
Meet at Central Park West and 72nd St
Call (914) 835-2153 at least 24 hours ahead to reserve a place.
Subway: A, C, B, D to 72nd St
http://www.wildmanstevebrill.com
Prices Tickets: Suggested donation $15, children under 12 $10
Description: We hope we never have to forage for food in Central
Park, but if we do, we want Wildman Steve Brill as our guide. On this
tour, the veteran naturalist points out mustard greens, wood sorrel,
wild ginger, wine-cap stropharias and other edible flora that naturally
grow in Gotham’s big backyard, and teaches participants how
to prepare them in a variety of recipes.
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Recipes
Asian Pear, Fresh Date, and Pomegranate Salad
Each fruit delights the tongue: a crisp juicy pear, crunchy young
dates with hints of honey, and pomegranate seeds that burst in the
mouth, sweet at first and then tart. A dressing of pomegranate juice,
honey, ginger, and cinnamon ties them together.
If you don't have access to fresh dates, you can omit them or substitute
an apple. Serves 4
1 pomegranate
1 teaspoon honey
1 teaspoon grated ginger
1/8 teaspoon ground cinnamon
16 fresh dates
1 Asian pear
1 teaspoon lemon juice
De-seed the pomegranate* and place seeds in a large bowl. Take 1/4
cup of the pomegranate seeds to make juice. Press the seeds through
a strainer over a small bowl. Discard the pulp. Add the honey, ginger,
and cinnamon to the pomegranate juice and combine. Set dressing aside.
Cut each date, lengthwise or crosswise, into 4-6 pieces. Slicing
them crosswise creates nice little discs, but it requires a slightly
steadier hand than cutting lengthwise. Discard the date seeds and
add the dates to the bowl with the pomegranate seeds.
Slice the pear into bite-size pieces and toss with lemon juice. Add
to the bowl with the pomegranate seeds and dates. Pour dressing over
the fruit and gently toss to combine.
Serve immediately.
*For step-by-step instructions, see How
to Cut and De-Seed a Pomegranate at Simply Recipes.
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