One man’s plan to let wolves roam free in the Highlands

Exposing the Big Game

The ‘custodian’ of the Alladale estate wants to turn it into a fenced-off wildlife reserve
Eurasian grey wolves at the Highland Wildlife Park, Kingussie, Scotland.
 Eurasian grey wolves at the Highland Wildlife Park, Kingussie, Scotland.
Photograph: Alamy

The echoes of Scotland’s predator prince faded into silence three centuries ago. The wolf was once lord of these Sutherland slopes and the forest floors beneath and now a voice in the wilderness is calling him home.

Paul Lister acquired the Alladale estate, 50 miles north of Inverness, in 2003 and immediately set about creating a wilderness reserve according to his perception of what these wild and beautiful places ought to look like. He can’t imagine them without the packs of wolves that once roamed free here.

But his views are considered eccentric by ramblers and conservationists, who view them as a rich man’s caprice, centring their objections on his plans to fence off the vast reserve.

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Sunday funnies

bluebird of bitterness

Two baseball lovers, George and Fred, had been friends all their lives. As children they’d played in Little League together, as teenagers they’d been on their high school team, as grown men they’d played in their church league, and as retirees they spent their summers watching baseball games together on TV or at the park.

When both men were very old, Fred began to feel his life slipping away from him. One day George asked Fred a favor.

“Sure, old pal,” said Fred.

“Fred,” said George, “when you get to heaven, you have to let me know if they have baseball there.”

“George, I promise you, if there’s any way I can do what you’re asking, I will.”

Fred died soon afterward. After the funeral, George went home and sat down in an armchair, and soon he fell asleep. He was awakened by a blinding light, and heard a voice calling his name.

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Keep Mosquitoes Away This Summer With DIY Bug-Repelling Mason Jars

healthspiritbody.com

MOSQUITOS!

Nearly everyone loves summer, but few appreciate the influx of insects that come with seasonally warm temperatures – especially the pesky mosquitoes. Not only are they a nuisance, but their bites can result in itching, swelling, redness, and in extremely rare cases, diseases as serious as the Zika virus.

Getting Rid Of Mosquitoes

If you’ve been optimistically hoping that your six-legged, bloodsucking friends will have succumbed to extinction over the winter, think again. Mosquitos have been around since the Jurassic period and will likely remain long after we’re gone.

Luckily, there are several options available to help us combat the pesky insects and keep them from ruining our outdoor summer activities. The most common being a wide range of over the counter repellents that can be sprayed directly on the skin or clothes. While the sprays are generally effective, most contain a chemical known as DEET which has been shown to cause health problems ranging in severity from mild skin irritations to nervous system interference.

mosquito spray

For this reason, it is recommended that when possible, you should avoid these products and opt for natural bug sprays.
Natural Insect Repellents
Citronella essential oil

This oil is extracted from lemongrass and repels mosquitoes and other flying insects with its potent scent.
Lemon eucalyptus essential oil

Numerous studies have shown that when extracted from the leaves of the lemon eucalyptus tree this oil acts as a highly effective mosquito repellent.
Citrus fruits

Similarly, studies have proven that the peels of citrus fruits are beneficial for repelling mosquitoes when placed around the perimeter of a space.

 

Natural-Bug-Repellent-mason-jar

natural-bug-repellent-mason-jar-768x4031442113708.jpg
Homemade Bug-Repelling Mason Jar Recipe

When combined together, essential oils and citrus fruits make a very effective mosquito repellent. Here’s what you will need:

2 mason jars

One lemon, sliced

One lime, sliced

10 drops of lemon eucalyptus essential oil

10 drops of citronella essential oil

4 rosemary sprigs

Floating disc candles

Instructions:

Add even amounts of lemon and lime slices to each jar.
Add 2 sprigs of rosemary to each.
Fill the jar with ¾ water and add 10 drops of the essential oils to a specific jar (do not mix).
Activate the recipe by lighting a candle.

These bug-repelling jars will make a great addition to your outdoor spaces this summer. Give this recipe a try and you’ll be amazed by the health conscious results!

https://www.healthspiritbody.com/bug-repelling-mason-jar/

Stevia Kills Lyme Disease Pathogen Better Than Antibiotics, Study Confirms

healthspiritbody.com

With summer upon us the risk of encountering ticks, the pesky critters responsible for the spread of Lyme disease is on the rise.

Lyme disease is an insidious and complicated disease to treat, both for the allopathic medical world and alternative medical practitioners, due to its rapid shape-shifting abilities.

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), roughly 300,000 people have diagnosed with Lyme disease each year in the United States alone. While ticks exist in half of all US counties, Lyme disease cases are concentrated in the Northeast and upper Midwest, with 14 states accounting for over 96% of cases reported to CDC.

The CDC says that while 80-90% of reported cases are considered resolved with the treatment of antibiotics, 10-20% of patients go on to develop the chronic form, which is a persistent and sometimes devastating illness that can harm any organ of the body, including the brain and the nervous system.

The culprit behind Lyme disease is Borrelia burgdorferi, a bacterial infection proven to respond most effectively to antibiotics doxycycline and amoxicillin.

However, Borrelia burgdorferi can exist in morphological forms, including spirochetes, spheroplast (or L-form), round bodies, and biofilms. When conditions are considered unfavourable for the bacteria, it has the ability to morph into the dormant round body, then hide in a biofilm form. When conditions are favourable, however, it can shift back to its spirochete form.

While conventional antibiotics can treat some forms of the disease, they’re not effective in treating ALL forms, often times failing to produce a long-term cure.

But, new research suggests a long-term treatment may be just around the corner.

A recent study published in the European Journal of Microbiology and Immunology revealed that stevia, a sweetener, and sugar substitute, has been found to terminate late state or chronic Lyme disease.

The study, conducted by researchers from the Department of Biology and Environmental Science at the University of New Haven in West Haven, Connecticut, found that stevia whole leaf extract, as an individual agent, was an effective treatment against all known morphological forms of B. burgdorferi.

For the study, researchers examined the antimicrobial effect of four stevia leaf extracts in comparison to individual antibiotics (doxycycline, cefoperazone, daptomycin), as well as a combination of the three.

Lab tests revealed that while one extract was more potent than the others, likely due to its growing conditions and the agricultural practices utilized, all extracts were effective in treating all forms of the bacteria.

In fact, the stevia extract was proven to work against even the most antibiotic-resistant of the bacteria, known as the biofilm. The individual antibiotics, on the other hand, actually increased the biofilm.

While researchers acknowledge that the results need more investigation and clinical trials to corroborate the finding, they’re hoping these results indicate we’re one step closer to finding an effective treatment for even the most persistent forms of Lyme disease.

https://www.healthspiritbody.com/lyme-disease-treatment/

Astronomer: Tens of Thousands of Black Holes Exist in Our Galaxy’s Center

Watts Up With That?

From Columbia University and the “that’s heavy” department:

New Study Suggests Tens of Thousands of Black Holes Exist in Milky Way’s Center

A Columbia University-led team of astrophysicists has discovered a dozen black holes gathered around Sagittarius A* (Sgr A*), the supermassive black hole in the center of the Milky Way Galaxy. The finding is the first to support a decades-old prediction, opening up myriad opportunities to better understand the universe.

“Everything you’d ever want to learn about the way big black holes interact with little black holes, you can learn by studying this distribution,” said Columbia Astrophysicist Chuck Hailey, co-director of the Columbia Astrophysics Lab and lead author on the study. “The Milky Way is really the only galaxy we have where we can study how supermassive black holes interact with little ones because we simply can’t see their interactions in other galaxies. In a sense, this is…

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Best Vegan Lasagna Recipe – How to Make Easy Vegan Lasagna

1520007625-resized-lasagna
By Lena Abraham and  Ethan Calabrese

Vegan Lasagna”

A lasagna you can feel good about
Ingredients Yields: 10 – 12
For the lasagna
1 box lasagna noodles
1 (14-oz) package firm tofu, drained
kosher salt
Freshly ground black pepper
1 tbsp. olive oil
1 large onion, chopped
3 garlic cloves, minced
2 tsp. dried oregano, divided
1 (8-oz) package baby bella mushrooms, sliced
2 (10-oz) packages frozen spinach, thawed and drained of excess liquid
For the white sauce
1/4 c. olive oil
1/4 c. all-purpose flour
2 1/2 c. almond milk (or other non-dairy milk)
2 tbsp. nutritional yeast
1/2 tsp. garlic powder
kosher salt
Freshly ground black pepper
2 c. marinara
3 tomatoes, thinly sliced
1/4 c. thinly sliced basil, for garnish
Directions
Prep Time: 0:15
Total Time: 1:45

Preheat oven to 350º. Bring a large pot of salted boiling water to a boil and cook lasagna noodles until al dente. Drain.
Wrap tofu in a clean kitchen cloth or paper towels and place on a large plate. Place a pan or heavy plate on top of tofu in order to press out as much liquid as possible. Let sit for at least 30 minutes. When drained, crumble with two forks and season with salt and pepper. Set aside.
In a large skillet over medium heat, heat oil. Add onion and garlic and season with salt, pepper, and 1 tsp oregano. Add mushrooms and cook until softened, 3 to 4 minutes. Stir in thawed and drained spinach until completely combined. Remove from heat and set aside vegetables.
Wipe out skillet and return to medium heat to make white sauce: Add olive oil and heat until shimmering but not smoking. Add flour and whisk to combine. Cook until lightly golden and nutty, 1 to 2 minutes. Whisk in nut milk until smooth. Stir in nutritional yeast and garlic powder and season with salt and pepper. Bring to a simmer and let cook until thickened, 8 to 10 minutes.
Build lasagna: In a large baking dish, spoon 1/4 c marinara into an even layer, then add a layer of noodles. Top with an even layer of vegetable mixture, tofu, marinara, and white sauce. Repeat until all ingredients are used, ending in marinara. Add a single layer of tomato rounds and season with salt, pepper and remaining oregano.
Bake 35 to 40 minutes, until tomatoes are cooked and lasagna is heated through. Remove from oven and let cool slightly. Garnish with basil and serve.

https://www.delish.com/cooking/recipe-ideas/recipes/a58469/best-vegan-lasagna-recipe/

Petition: Demand an End to the U.S. Military Housing Dog Breed Ban!

by: Laura G
target: Residential Communities Initiative

15,471 SUPPORTERS
16,000 GOAL

The movie “Sgt. Stubby: An American Hero” tells the tale of the most decorated war dog in U.S. history. Thanks to his ability to sniff out mustard gas and hear the whine of artillery shells before his fellow human soldiers could, Stubby saved countless lives during World War I. He was the only military dog ever promoted to sergeant.

It’s hard to believe, but today, this hero would likely be turned away from military housing on U.S. Army (and Marine Corps and Air Force) bases. Why? Because Stubby could be considered a pit bull mix, one of several “dangerous” breeds (Staffordshire bull terriers, bull mastiffs, Rhodesian ridgebacks and Doberman pinschers are some of the others) banned from the housing.

After military housing was privatized in 1996, the Residential Communities Initiative (RCI) Privatization Program consortium, consisting of six private companies, was created to develop consistent housing policies. Sadly, those policies included a dog breed ban.

Breed bans and breed-specific legislation (BSL) are unfair because they single out certain types of dogs. There is no evidence that they’ve increased public safety where they’ve been enacted. They are opposed by almost every major animal welfare organization.

Members of the military who are bravely serving our country shouldn’t have to make the terrible decision of either giving up their beloved dogs or moving to off-base housing. Please sign and share this petition urging the Residential Communities Initiative to drop its unfair breed ban.

https://www.thepetitionsite.com/905/424/527/demand-an-end-to-the-u.s.-military-housing-dog-breed-ban/

Petition: Ask President Trump and VA Secretary Shulkin to Re-Possess the Mare Island Naval Cemetery · Change.org

https://www.change.org/p/president-donald-trump-ask-president-trump-and-va-secretary-shulkin-to-re-possess-the-mare-island-naval-cemetery

Nestor Aliga started this petition to President Donald Trump and 5 others.

We respectfully request the Executive Branch, President Donald Trump and Secretary of Veterans Affairs Dr. David J. Shulkin, to honor the military service of our Nation’s Veterans by re-possessing / assuming ownership of the Mare Island Naval Cemetery by Fiscal Year 2020.

The Mare Island Naval Cemetery (MINC) is a national shrine but its deplorable condition is a shocking disgrace to the honorable service, uncommon valor, and selfless sacrifice of our courageous Veterans buried there and, even worse, to the dignity our great Nation.

After Mare Island Naval Shipyard’s closure in 1996 (due to BRAC 1993), the federal government left MINC behind and did not provide any funding to first restore it to honorable conditions (i.e., no National Shrine contract to repair the gravesites) nor for its immense need for ongoing maintenance.

The mission of the Veterans Affairs National Cemetery Administration (VA NCA) is to provide a dignified burial and lasting memorial for Veterans and their eligible family members and to maintain our Veterans’ cemeteries as national shrines.

The MINC is a national shrine as it has about 1,000 graves including Veterans who served since the War of 1812. Designated as a National Historic Landmark, it is the final resting place for three Congressional Medal of Honor recipients, James Cooney, William Halford, and Alexander Parker. Also buried there is Anna Arnold Key, the daughter of Francis Scott Key who wrote our National Anthem, The Star Spangled Banner.

To preemptively fulfill part of the VA NCA’s Urban Initiative, the City of Vallejo is also offering to hand-over additional land adjacent to the cemetery which will increase the burial options for our local Veterans and their eligible family members.

We respectfully ask you to please sign this petition and send a message to the Executive Branch to please re-possess / assume ownership of the Mare Island Naval Cemetery by Fiscal Year 2020.

Here are background information:

http://www.timesheraldonline.com/business/20170421/retired-navy-captain-takes-on-quest-for-mare-island-cemetery-restoration

http://www.timesheraldonline.com/general-news/20170703/relative-of-young-brit-killed-in-us-service-buried-on-mare-island-hopes-maintenance-efforts-succeed

http://www.timesheraldonline.com/general-news/20170724/possible-movement-in-effort-to-save-mare-island-cemetery

http://www.timesheraldonline.com/opinion/20170726/ralph-parrott-captain-supply-corps-us-navy-retired-cemetery-a-disgrace

http://www.timesheraldonline.com/general-news/20170809/ralph-parrott-making-progress-in-highlighting-mare-island-cemetery-problems

http://www.timesheraldonline.com/general-news/20170911/dozens-of-volunteers-clean-up-mare-island-cemetery-for-911-day-of-service

http://www.timesheraldonline.com/general-news/20180109/possible-solution-to-mare-island-cemetery-situation-in-sight

“Spring Season – Simon’s Cat