Ciclovida: organización que promueve el uso de la bicicleta

Ciclovida surge con el firme propósito de ayudar a los demás. Promover y apoyar políticas de movilidad urbana.

Porque la bicicleta es el transporte que contribuye a lograr una ciudad limpia, a reducir la contaminación, a descomprimir el tránsito vehicular.

Promovemos algo mas que andar en bicicleta, investigamos, asesoramos, diseñamos e implementamos acciones para lograr cambios culturales que integren la bicicleta como un medio de transporte más.

Nuestra aspiración armar es mecanismos y proyectos desde el poder civil que permitan desarrollar políticas publicas enfocadas en la transformación de comportamientos en la cultura ciudadana.

Ciclovida es un espacio de reflexión e intercambio sobre como movernos mejor, ser punto de encuentro para aquellos que utilizan sus bicicletas para trasladarse todos los días a centros de estudio o trabajo en la ciudad, o usen las bicis para recreación o deporte.

En Ciclovida queremos que la gente recupere la sensación de libertad, que establezca una relación directa y vívida con el paisaje cotidiano…es decir, reconquistar la “escala humana” de la ciudad.

(Material de Gustavo Izús, por Ciclovida)

Parabéns a Bonga Mbilo! Congratulations to the little organization that could!

Got some great news from the little organization that could. If you remember, we had been trying to get some funding because they basically run on zero budget (if NGOs in developed countries saw how much is done by NGOs in developing countries without any budget...). Anyhow, I received this message from one of the directors of the organization.

“Minhas saudações e da equipe Bonga Mbilo, espero que onde estiveres, estejas bem de saude e sucesso no trabalho. Nós, deste lado, so saudade de uma amiga que sempre torceu por nos. Neste momento queremos partilhar um dos melhores momentos da nossa associção que acaba de vencer um concurso do banco mundial sobre lamas fecais e outro projeto de HIV sida.”

Congratulations to them! 

Access to water and sanitation is key and changes the lives of people in a dramatic way, more on that here.

Slow down: thoughts on stress & the glorification of busy

Just sharing excerpts and related thoughts on slowing down...

“Big cars, shiny jewelry, expensive clothes, McMansions – [are] all designed to establish our status and all tied to our drive for reproductive success.  Stress is just the latest in this long list.  Being stressed shows the world just how in demand we are, how important we must be, how busy we are gathering resources for our tribe.  Trouble is, stress is killing us.” Stress is preventing “from maximizing our happiness and optimizing our life satisfaction,” writes Andrew Shatte from meQuilibrium.

"These humans really don't get it: slow is sexy"

But, where is all this stress coming from? Tim Kreider explains it in terms of the glorification of busy. Busy is “the default response when you ask anyone how they’re doing,” “a boast disguised as a complaint.” But it is a self-imposed busyness: “work and obligations [people have] taken on voluntarily, classes and activities they’ve 'encouraged' their kids to participate in. They’re busy because of their own ambition or drive or anxiety, because they’re addicted to busyness and dread what they might have to face in its absence.” Worth reading the whole article on the Opinion Pages of the New York Time.

Someone who knows how to take it easy

Perhaps it's time for bit of reflection and trying to slow down? I know I need to remind myself all the time to do just that. Time for some meditation.

Yoga on the go: making space and time in your head

A mat, a laptop, internet, and
yoga on the go! (c) OSJ

As a nomad, I've found it difficult to give myself the time and space to practice yoga. I recognize it's more of an issue of not being able to keep with habits while on the road (everything changes all the time! you don't know how tomorrow will look like!) than actually finding a physical space or some free minutes.

I got inspired by my friend Julia, who always makes a priority to create the time for her Qigong. I remember her telling me how she went a nearby park to practice.

Far from any yoga class, but thanks to internet and an My Yoga Online service provider, I decided to take advantage of the lovely settings and mellow Fall weather, plopped my mat on the patio, and had a literal sun salutation yoga session.

You can see the yoga class  here:

ROCK as ONE

You can check previous attempts to do yoga while on the road or, actually, on the sea.  

Concurso de fotografia para jovens

A Embaixada dos EUA anunciou o Concurso de Fotografia subordinado ao tema “A Minha Visão de Moçambique livre do SIDA”. 

Para participar, basta ter menos de 25 anos de idade até 16 de Abril de 2013, e não ser fotógrafo professional. As submissões serão aceites até 16 de Abril de 2013.  Veja aqui para mais detalhes.

Tambem podem-se ver a informação na pagina do Facebook da Embaixada.

 

 

What to do with a broken leg: paint and picnic

View from the hammock (cc) Fadi

Having to spend 2 months with your leg up breeds some frustration, but also creativity.

After taking pictures from every possible angle, Fadi took on pencil and paper (well, pen and iPad) and started drawing away. I usually don't care much for gadgets, but I had to agree that the iPad was oh, so much more useful than balancing canvas, brushes, watercolors, and water. With the leg up. While on a hammock. Tech-stuff do have their advantages.
 

Obviously we haven't been able to go anywhere that much and as the beautiful, sunny days begin to shorten and get colder, we decided to make the most of the end of the summer and the garden around: picnic time!

Enjoying colorful veggies and rice (cc) OSJ

Just that little change of perspective gave us time to enjoy the little lively things around the garden we normally don't notice: sculptural lichen and wild flowers.
 

But there's so much iPad painting and by-the-side-of-the-house picnicking one can do. Luckily, it was time to get off the cast.

Wild flowers loving the rain (cc) OSJ

Desintoxicate: faltan 13 días para la Hora de la Tierra

Para algunos de nosotros, el aumento de productos sintéticos alrededor nuestro genera problemas. La acumulación de sustancias a las que naturalmente no habríamos estado expuestos está generando un número creciente de personas con alergias o sensibilidades.
(For the English version click here).
  
Corinne es una de esas personas y la autora de un blog donde vuelca todo lo que ha aprendido en su lucha para recuperar al salud. La entrevisté para saber más acerca de cómo hacer, aun si no tienes una alergia o sensibilidad específica, pero te gustaría usar productos de limpieza más saludables dentro de su casa.

Sustitutos fáciles y baratos para la limpieza:
limón, vinagre y bicarbonato de sodio (cc)

P: ¿Por dónde se puede empezar? Estoy pensando en padres que trabajan, con tres niños pequeños, muy ocupados y sin tiempo para nada.
 
R: Yo sugeriría conseguir un poco de vinagre blanco y bicarbonato de sodio, son baratos y fáciles de conseguir. Puedes usarlos sobre diferentes superficies, juntos o separados. El bicarbonato de sodio ayuda a fregar las superficies y funciona especialmente bien con una esponja que tenga un lado más rugoso.

P: ¿Qué pasa con las cosas que son difíciles de limpiar, como manchas en el inodoro y moho?

R: Poner el vinagre o el jugo de limón sobre la mancha durante 30 minutos o más antes de fregar. Dejar en remojo durante un tiempo con medio paquete de bicarbonato de sodio también puede funcionar también. Hay que frotar bien. Si eso no funciona, traten con bórax. El peróxido de hidrógeno (que se encuentra en la farmacia, la solución al 3% o menos) forma una excelente pasta de bicarbonato de soda que tiene cualidades blanqueadoras y puede deshacerse de las manchas, incluyendo el moho.

Limpieza fácil con vinagre (cc)

P: ¿Cuáles son los productos más tóxicos?

R: En mi experiencia, los que contengan lejía o amoníaco (que se puede sustituir fácilmente con peróxido de hidrógeno) y los aerosoles que contienen fragancias fuertes. Las fragancias se compone de una serie de productos químicos altamente tóxicos. Los suavizantes son altamente tóxicos ¡y no son necesarios!

P: ¿Cuáles son los productos más fáciles de sustituir?

R: Los limpiadores convencionales de ventana son muy tóxicos e innecesarios. Una solución mitad vinagre y mitad agua en una botella de spray funciona igual de bien. Después repasas con papel de periódico. O puedes usar agua y un paño de microfibra. 

Un aerosol de uso múltiple también es fácil de reemplazar con una combinación de los productos que he mencionado antes. El jabón de manos puede ser fácilmente reemplazado con una barra natural como la glicerina.
 
P: Algunas personas prefieren que sus productos de limpieza tengan un olor agradable. ¿Qué me recomiendan?
 
R: Pueden agregar aceites esenciales de limón o comprar una solución perfumada con aceites esenciales, natural y no tóxica, pero ya hecha.
 
P: ¿Todavía compras algunos productos?
 
R: Compro jabón para el lavaplatos y el lavarropas, pero elijo jabones naturales biodegradables. Pero también pueden hacerlos ustedes mismos.

Ya vieron: vinagre blanco, bicarbonato de soda, limón, bórax, jabón de glicerina y están prontos. Para obtener más consejos, información u otros detalles, visiten My Chemical Free House (en inglés).

Alternative cleaning products for your house

Some days ago I wrote about a new blog where you can find reliable info on how to get rid of synthetic products in your home. You know, the chemicals that are not a good idea if you have allergies or sensitivities. (Aquí tienes una versión en español)

Easy and cheap substitutes
for cleaning products:
lemon, vinegar, and baking soda (cc)

The writer of the blog has become an expert on what to avoid, so I thought I could find out bit more where and how to start if you've no specific allergy or sensitivity that you know of, but would like healthier  cleaning products for your home.

Q: Where would you start? I'm thinking busy working parent with three small children and no time for anything.

A: I would suggest getting some white vinegar and baking soda, cheap and easy to get a hold of, and trying them out on different surfaces. Try them together or apart. Baking soda helps to scrub surfaces, and works especially well with a sponge that has a scrubbing side. Try them in the washroom, toilet, counters, bathtub and floors.

Q: What about things that are hard to clean, like toilet stains and grout with mold?

A: Let vinegar or half a cup of lemon juice sit in the toilet for 30 minutes or more before scrubbing. Half a package of baking soda left to soak for a while can work too. Scrub well. If that doesn't work try borax. Hydrogen peroxide (found at the pharmacy, the 3% or less solution) and baking soda form a great paste that has some bleaching qualities and can get rid of stains on laminate, and tile grout, including mould.

Q: Which products are most toxic?

A: In my experience, those containing bleach or ammonia (which are easily replaced with hydrogen peroxide), and airborne sprays that contain strong fragrances. Fragrances are made up of a host of highly toxic chemicals. Regular fabric softener and dryer sheets are highly toxic as well, and not necessary!

Easy cleaning with vinegar (cc)

Q: Which products are easier to replace?

A: Conventional window cleaners are so toxic and so unnecessary. A solution of 1 part vinegar and 1 part water in a spray bottle works equally well. Wipe with newspaper. Or, water and a microfiber cloth works just as well.

An all purpose spray is also easy to replace with a combination of the products I've mentioned before.

Hand soap can easily be replaced with a natural bar like glycerin.

Q: Some people prefer their cleaning products to have a nice smell. What would you recommend? 

A: You could add lemon or essential oils or buy a ready-made natural, non-toxic spray solution scented with essential oils. 

Q: Do you still buy some products?

A: I still buy dish washing soap and laundry soap. I choose natural biodegradable ones. You could make them yourself however.


You heard it: white vinegar, baking soda, lemon, borax, glycerin soap and you're good to go. For more tips, information or other details, visit her website.

Where to get information about how to get rid of synthetic products in your home

Ok, that's a very long and boring title for very exciting news. A friend of mine has started a blog about freeing your home from synthetic products that are not good for you. 

I've already written about some related issues, like adobe houses and how to make them starting from some playful brick-making. And I've been meaning to write about some other related topics, like cleaning products, but never got around to do it. So, all this research she has been doing on those products comes in very handy. But I better let her tell you a bit more about it:

"I am launching my blog 'My Chemical-Free House' which helps guide you through the building, renovation or re-decorating of a VOC-free, chemical-free house.
I wanted to put this together as a guide, especially for those who are chemically sensitive or have Chronic Fatigue Syndrome. However, it will be useful for anyone wishing to create a healthier environment.

I have done months of research to compile this information for the creation of my own chemical-free house that is going up soon in BC [British Columbia, Canada], and I hope that it can help others with environmental sensitivities to improve their symptoms. It has definitely helped me a lot so far to reduce indoor toxins.

It hasn't been easy to sift through all the information to find out what is really chemical-free and what is simply 'green-washing', that's why I wanted to compile the information and present it in a way that is user-friendly. With each aspect I have also sourced the most affordable options." 

The first line of defense against toxic products is information and knowledge. And having someone impartial doing the research for you, makes your life easier. You can check Corinne's blog here. 

A couple of points about cars and traffic...

First, we need to recognize we are all part of the problem:

 

Second, we have to stop nonsensical behavior:

And then, we just have to switch to smarter, kinder behaviors... (more on that later)

Wasn't that easy?

Walking on Sunshine

[To be read while listening to the music of this video]

What can you do in Hull? Well, given that Hull is on a long, thin peninsula surrounded by ocean there's probably more seaside per sq.meter of town than most towns in the world. And it was sunny. What to do? Walking on sunshine, of course! Saturday happened to be the Endless Summer Festival. That meant there was music and food and people walking to go with the sun and the walking. What a perfect lazy day.

 Loved Michelle's idea of drawing a sketch - sometimes a much better memento than a photo. We stopped at this restaurant for dessert and coffee. Lovely view of the marina, on the protected side of the town.

Miles and miles of white sand beaches to walk on. Open to the North Atlantic.

Have to train kids on all things boaty since they're young.

Hull is all about the sea.

Wharfs, boats, marinas, seafood, kayaks, ships, docks, lobster traps, buoys ... - the sea everywhere.

Yoga on the go: reality check

I bow to you, mighty sea. (c) OSJ

The northern Atlantic is known for its bad temper and rough waters, infamous for making sick even the most experienced sailors. I had to soon leave the standing tree poses for other with a lower center of gravity. Child pose practiced with your head overboard comes also very handy when you have to constantly puke. For all of you with romantic notions of life on a boat: beware!

Extreme yoga: Yoga on the boat

Probando el equilibrio entre viento y olas.

Lack of exercise on the boat is a concern. At every possible opportunity we go to shore to stretch our legs. And everybody except me gets to do some rowing and swimming as well (I suck at rowing and it's too cold for me to swim). So, I've decided to incorporate "ultimate yoga" on the exercise menu of the week.

I'll be posting a "yoga pose of the week" (check more yoga on the boat here), I hope. See how that works out.


* Update: It didn't work out at all! I'm a master procrastinator when it comes to exercise, and with million activities while on the road, exercise is the first thing to 'be forgotten'. It seems I'm not the only one procrastinating. The key is to go back to it as soon as you can... and I keep trying.

** Eventually I managed to get things back in track. Apparently, the switch to make it happen is in your head.