Vegetable Crisis?

Today I was reading an article in THE TIMES whilst waiting for my other half to choose some new spectacles (he never did get any, by the way...too fussy!). The article stated that because of the long, drawn-out hot weather we are having, this is now starting to have a big impact on the vegetable crops being grown across Europe. There's a large probability that prices will rise because crop yields may be down by as much as 40% on some crops (e.g. potatoes, courgettes etc). Some crops are growing so quickly there is not enough time to harvest them, and then replant. So e.g. up to a third of a pea crop is being left as animal feed.

The Polish Parliament even took an early recess this week so politicians could go and pray for rain. But the flip side of this hot weather is that long, heavy downpours could soon follow. This in itself could water-log the crops currently growing....either making them un-harvestable, or causing a 'second flower'. For example, if this happens with the potato crop, a new potato will grow but the original potato will then become full of water, and inedible.

Frozen chips will most definitely rise in price and there will be a shortage of sprouts this Christmas, according to the article.

So, is this the start of a set of food crises that Europe, and indeed the World, may begin to face - this year, and in years to come (more severely?) And all as a result of Global Warming?

At an everyday level, the impact of this on the haves and havenots in society could be:

Well, I guess the haves will be able to afford higher-priced vegetables.
The havenots however, will not be able to afford fresh vegetables so easily - causing further detriment to the generally crap standard of diet of those from poor socio-economic backgrounds.

So let's all pray for/visualise drizzle, more regular temperatures, reversal of the climate crap we've all created, and Governments and businesses to truly wake up and take some positive action and hard decisions.

An Inconvenient Truth

Here's a trailer of a film that's coming out in the future. I don't know too much about it, but if the trailer is anything to go by, it should be pretty impressive. It appears to have a strong American slant, but hey, the Americans have a lot to learn about the environment, so perhaps they need something on this scale which speaks directly to them.

There's a fantastic online digital radio station which I have discovered. It is called 'Passion for the Planet'. You can find the link on the right hand side of my blog.

It's really good - plays lots of western music, plus intersperses this with some funky 'world' music. There's not much talk either....it's mostly music, hardly any adverts and any you hear are very unobtrusive and not annoying.

They also take an alternative look at things going on in the world. I only discovered this site a few days ago and they've had an interview with author/actress Lucinda Clare, and discussions on meditation, angels and yoga etc.

Keeping to my green theme, as per my blog name 'GreenAbby'...here's some interesting information about that under-rated but widely-used salad ingredient: lettuce.

• Lettuce is known to have a calming effect.
• It was taken by Ancient Egyptians as a sedative and cough medicine, and was eaten after meals to induce sleep.
• Wrapping a painful joint in lettuce leaves can ease inflammation. Lettuce applied to the affected part of the body is thought to help in the healing of wounds by protecting against infection and stimulating cell growth.
• Lettuce tea can promote milk production in new mothers. it can also counteract scurvy, and is used for gastric spasms, fevers and skin problems such as rashes, warts and acne.
• Lettuce aids digestion, and promotes liver health.
• Lettuce is one of the best vegetable sources of iron. It is also rich in vitamins K, E, C and the B vitamin biotin. This one is particularly good for eczema

To make an infusion of lettuce tea:

1. pour a cup of boiling water onto 1-2 teaspoons of lettuce leaves
2. let it steep for 10-15 minutes.
3. drink 3 times a day.

So there's my green information for the day!

Here's a picture of me closeup....can you see my eyes?
When I was having my contact lenses fitted yesterday, the optician lady informed me that I had very small, superficial scratches at the bottom of my lenses on both eyes. Apparently this is a result of not blinking properly. I also have some blocked glands (she gave the a long name; I cannot remember it) behind my lower eyelashes. So my instructions for sorting all of this out are as follows:
- Practice proper blinking
- Place a hot compress/flannel over my eyes for 3-5 minutes
- Massage under my lower eyelids for 1 minute
- Splash with cold water afterwards, to close the pores
- I need to do this 4-5 times per week

Today I had some contact lenses fitted...daily disposable ones. It took me ages to fit the damn things in my eyes, especially my left eye!

But I got there in the end, which is the main thing. I have a trial month's supply, so we shall see how I get on with them.

This afternoon I talked to people about the NHS Knowledge & Skills Framework (KSF) on my Trust's induction programme. I have never done this talk before. It was a bit nerve-wracking, hoping no one would ask me any difficult questions (because I am certainly no expert!), but I got through it. We shall see how their evaluations measure up...and whether I should be consigned to the training dustbin!

The need for a proper understanding of the world's looming environmental crisis is essential. Even if everyone thinks they know it all, I certainly dont proclaim to. Science was never my strongest subject at school. But I think it's important to get a grasp of the issues which really matter, and affect both our short and long-term future.

So I am going to back-to-basics for my own benefit and anyone else who wants to learn, and revise/refresh on this important topic. If we don't implicitly understand the fundamentals, then how are we supposed to really know why recycling, reducing energy consumption etc. is so important? Whilst I think most people know these things are good to do, I dont think people always know WHY. We are not armed with enough knowledge and wisdom to effect deep and lasting reform in our own lives. Simultaneously, multinational corporations, listless governments and our media-saturated culture advise us that shopping, celebrity, shopping, voyeuristic TV viewing and a bit more shopping - are the answers to success, prosperity and freedom. And it's easier and perhaps more fun to attend to these areas of life. But dont these ultimately take us away from ourselves, our core, our true potential, and our appreciation of what really matters in life.

Whilst there are merits to shopping, and things to be learned from the Alpha members of society, none of the great things listed above will be quite so enjoyable or achievable if the environment is heading the way that so many reputable scientists are suggesting.

The term 'Greenhouse Gases' is bandied about a lot. But why are these gases a problem? What do they actually DO to raise the temperature of the earth, and thereby affect the precious ecosystem which we are all a part of?

I think the BBC website has created a really simple and effective way to explain this. Click on the link on the right hand side.

I went for my run today. Feel much better for it as well. Just need to keep it up, and try to run a little bit more each time.

This is me! Looking rather sultry (that's what a friend of mine said anyway!) and hot before embarking on my 5km run around Hampstead Heath in aid of Cancer Research UK a few weeks ago.

Sometimes you just need to have days when you do absolutely NOTHING! Today has been one of those days - it has been ages since I had one of those. And well deserved as well, I think.

Since I completed the Hampstead Heath run my running has gone off the boil a bit. But tomorrow I intend to get back into the swing of things. Because it's been good for my physical and mental health, to go running....regularly.

Today was an interesting day......one year on from the 7th July bomb attacks in London.

I was close by to the bus bomb at the time....and I knew two people who were killed as well in the tube.....Because I work so closely to Russell Square it affected many people that I know.

Last night I started feeling a bit scared about the prospect of travelling on the bus, but this morning I felt fine. However I was generally more cautious and wary that I have been for many months. Last Friday was the first time since the bombings that I went on the Piccadilly line, and the train went from Russell Square to Kings Cross. That was very sobering and I felt quite emotional because as we left Russell Square it hit me - the fact that two people I knew had been killed on the track that I was now passing over. Very strange.

But hey, tomorrow is another day and we must all give thanks for the miracle and gift that is life, screwed up as it can be at times.....

I have been inspired to create my own blog after my sister-in-law/brother and mother have led the way.

So then, here you can find out about some of the interesting things I have been up to, and thoughts I occasionally have.

I hope it's not too boring, and that someone finds it interesting. If not, then it's a fun record for me.

I am not sure it will be quite as impressive or pretty as my Sister-in-Law's!!! She has lots of bella photos on there. Check out her site.