Clear water in your pond. No more pea soup...!

A clear Pond.

Most of you have seen it before I guess: a fishpond that looks like green soup.... The filters can't handle the fine small particles that pass your system  like there were no filter at all, and often people see no other way then to add all kinds of Pond cleaners which not just get rid of your floating green algae, but also affects your filter system and her eating organism.You should refresh at least 10% of your water/weekly. Check on your salt level (1g/ltr). Through the years your Koi grew bigger and for sure they're producing more 'pollution'...and of course the number of fish you got...!! The quality of the food you use might be a factor as well.

When you don't have an extra pump, you can use a net and fill it with pool wool/cotton and place it in the water stream.

My favorite however is a bucket with a dozen holes in it, also filled with some wool/lava rock or anything that absorbs small particles. The pump has a capacity of 6000 l/h so the holes have to be at least 1" or 2 cm. The more holes the better. It also depends on the polluted water and the kind of wool your use on how often you have to check on  the holes for being clogged up.

I use two kinds of wool, the white one is the finest while the green has a more open structure to catch the bigger particles. Fold a layer of the white cotton and cover the holes, next: make a ball of the green cotton and fix the water outlet with a stone or something in the middle of this ball.

When the water reaches a higher level in the bucket, switch off pump and rinse/renew the wool.

 If all of this doesn't work and the water is still greenish after this kind of filtering, there's only one option left: you need a (bigger) UV filter  .  I use a 30 Watt ProClear on a 3500l/hr water pump, which should be enough for Ponds up to 20.000 ltr. It's switched off during winter season and operational from around May when the need is there...

 Within 3 days there'll be a significant change of water quality already, it will be crystal clear within a week....!
Remove filamentous algae longer than 10" by hand/stick rather than the use of additives which kill all of it....don't remove shorter algae.

Cannabis and Crohn's dissease.

  In very basic terms, people with Crohn’s disease have a defective barrier to their gut, which allows bacteria to leak into the intestinal tissue and set up an inflammatory response. It seems then that the answer to the problems posed by this illness is to restore integrity to the gut barrier.

Researchers found that plant-derived cannabinoids – that is, weed, encouraged tighter bonds between the cells that form that gut barrier, therefore making it less leaky.
While it has been known for a long time that cannabis is a powerful anti-inflammatory, the discovery that it actually reintegrates the intestinal lining is a new one.
 
Cannabis is a great alternative and complimentary treatment for patients with Crohn’s disease.  It has shown to eliminate nausea, reduce abdominal cramping and also increase patients appetites.  It can also reduce the amount of loose stools patients suffer from during the day.  The great thing is that it is very well tolerated and has minimal side effects.  it is not toxic to any of the major organ systems and if vaporized (vs smoked) it does not affect a patients lungs.  It is certainly worth trying for patients who suffer with this terribly debilitating disease.

Chemicals found in cannabis could prove an effective treatment for the inflammatory bowel diseases Ulcerative Colitis and Crohn's Disease, say scientists. Laboratory tests have shown that two compounds found in the cannabis plant - the cannabimoids  THC and cannabidiol - interact with the body's system that controls gut function. Crohn's Dissease and Colitis, which affect about one in every 250 people in Northern Europe, are caused by both genetic and environmental factors. The researchers believe that a genetic susceptibility coupled with other triggers, such as diet, stress or bacterial imbalance, leads to a defective immune response.

Dr Karen Wright, Peel Trust Lecturer in Biomedicine at Lancaster University: .."The lining of the intestines provides a barrier against the contents of the gut but in people with Chrohn's, this barrier leaks and bacteria can escape into the intestinal tissue leading to an inappropriate immune response.  If we could find a way to restore barrier integrity in patients we may be able to curb the inflammatory immune response that causes these chronic conditions."
 "What is also encouraging is that while THC has psychoactive properties and is responsible for the 'high' people experience when using cannabis, cannabidiol, which has also proved effective in restoring membrane integrity, does not possess such properties."



Cannabis-using Crohn's patients not only report significant relief of their symptoms, they are also able to reduce the amount of immunosuppressive medications that have been a mainstay of conventional treatment. Imuran, methotrexate, 6 MP, and Remicade (an anti-TNF drug) are greatly reduced. Asacol and Pentasa brands of Mesalamine, an anti-inflammatory medication with immuno-modulating properties is also reduced in many cases. Steroids are noted to be reduced and often eliminated.

Some of the patients' responses include these telling remarks:

  "A terrific reliever of Crohn's symptoms."
  "A more easily controlled medication than offered by pills."
  "Alcohol has been a big problem for me that I don't have with cannabis."
  "Only positive effects, no negative effects."
  " Best appetite stimulant, very good calming effect."
  "Cannabis provides relief without knocking me out or other bad side effects that I had with steroids."
  "I've committed myself to this form of therapy, and my quality of life has improved by leaps and bounds."
  "I've struggled for years with opiate addiction from chronic pancreatitis —cannabis lets me control my pain without being a slave to opiates."
  "Marinol bothered my stomach —I don't get sick, constipated, or vomit with cannabis."



 http://www.news-medical.net/news/20091217/Cannabis-for-Ulcerative-Colitis-and-Crohns-Disease-treatment.aspx

A diet with Broccoli and Bananas is not a bad advice either, the use of Kurkuma/Turmeric is a MUST, while it's important to eat fruits BEFORE the meals...!

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Sulphur/Sulfur and health. E220.

Sulphur dioxide

E220

Preservative.

Sulphur dioxide reacts with a wide range of substances found in food, including various essential vitamins, minerals, enzymes and essential fatty acids. Adverse reactions: bronchial problems particularly in those prone to asthma, hypotension (low blood pressure), flushing tingling sensations or anaphylactic shock. International Labour Organization says to avoid E220 if you suffer from conjunctivitis, bronchitis, emphysema, bronchial asthma, or cardiovascular disease.

 

Grapes and sulfur, Smell before you eat...

  Health effects of Sulfur.

  Sulfur is mainly found in nature in the form of sulphide. In several processes  sulfur compounds are released to the environment, where they cause damage to both animals and humans. These harmful sulfur compounds are formed in nature during  all kinds of reactions. These reactions are undesirable because they producean  unpleasant odor and  are often highly toxic. Generally, sulfur compounds have the following effects on human health:

- Neurological effects and behavioral changes  

- Disturbance of blood circulation 

- Heart damage 

- Diseases of the eyes and sight problems

- Reproductive failure 

- Damage to immune systems 

- Stomach and digestive disorders 

- Damage to liver and kidney functions 

- Hearing defects 

- Disturbance of the hormonal metabolism 

- Dermatological effects 

- Suffocation , pulmonary embolism

- Internal nervous system.

Sulfur in the air can be found in various forms. When sulfur in gaseous state is absorbed by inhalation, it can cause eye -and throat irritation. Sulfur is extensively used in industry as pesticides,  in animals sulfur causes malfunction of the hypothalamus and particularly affects the nervous system and brains. Laboratory experiments with animals have shown that sulfur also seriously damages the blood vessels in the brains, heart and kidneys.These tests show that some sorts of sulfur cause fetal damage and birth defects. Sulfur Poisoning may occur to babies when mothers breastfed their children .

 Sulfur is widely used to fight mildew on vegetables and fruits. It was this week I smelled and tasted sulfur on my grapes, even after rinsing with water it was still there.

Use your nose....

Powdery mildew and milk to fight it...!

Until today that is, there has been no cure to powdery mildew.. 

Meeldauw, Mildew.. click  to enlarge.

Wagner Bettiol, a scientist in Brazil found that using milk will actually control this powdery mildew. Yes, normal milk will actually control powdery mildew and contains a natural foliar fertilizer, boosting the plant's immune system in the process. Bettiol found that a mixture of at least 10% milk mixed with 90% water will significantly reduce the severity of powdery mildew when sprayed weekly on the plant. Scientists are still baffled as to why this powdery mildew is actually cured from just using milk. Some believe it might just be to the fact that most milk contains natural salts and amino acids that acts like a natural germicide. New Zealand also found out about this new cure and has started to see changes on the grapes that are used for wine production.

It is amazing that this simple natural ingredient will cure powdery mildew when chemical sprays were not as effective. It is great to hear that there is a natural cure, especially since the produce is grown to eat and drink. Organic gardeners such as me are thrilled! Basically, any kind of milk can be used, even skim milk. It is a green cure and inexpensive, how could that be any better!
You will need to apply natural fungicides to plants infected with powdery mildew every five days or so to keep the mildew under control. Removing dead or infected leaves, and watering plants at the roots rather than from overhead, will help stop the mildew from spreading.You will need to apply natural fungicides to plants infected with powdery mildew every five days or so to keep the mildew under control. Removing dead or infected leaves, and watering plants at the roots rather than from overhead, will help stop the mildew from spreading.

In his experiments with zucchini plants, Bettiol found that a weekly spray of milk at a concentration of at least 10% (1 part milk to 9 parts water) significantly reduced the severity of powdery mildew infection on the plants by 90%. While some gardeners may be tempted to increase the concentration of milk for more control, Bettiol found that once concentrations rose above 30%, an innoccuous fungus began to grow on the plants. How does milk control powdery mildew?

Scientist aren't 100% sure how milk works to control this disease. It seems that milk is a natural germicide. In addition, it contains several naturally occurring salts and amino acids that are taken up by the plant. From previous experiments using sodium bicarbonate, potassium phosphate, and other salts, researchers have found that the disease is sensitive to these salts. It is possible then, that milk boosts the plant's immune system to prevent the disease.

Other ingredients to make y're own spray:  hot peppers, garlic, onions, soap.  
 

 Clean everything around the place, it easely spreads again.....!!!!

Host in program: 'Worst Driver of Holland' got hit by participant...!!

Ruben Nicolai, the Dutch host in the program 'The Very Worst Driver of The Netherlands' got hit by a car when the driver got confused and planked the gass instead of the brake... couldn't curve the corner and  rammed a parked car which catapulted against the reporters vehicle.

Ruben bit the dust and KO'd, had to spent the night in a hospital but was released the next morning. A soundman needed 1st aid as well... It's all on tape and will be braodcasted in july. The takes will continue, though everyone agrees the winner is known already....

All participants have a drivers licence already but were enrolled by friends or relatieves to join the program, due to their lousy behaviour on the road. Proved to be....!!!

No doubt this shot will be the highlight of the show.. ( crash at 30 sec. slowmo at 2.30 )

Ruben no longer KO but OK.

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