Feeding the roots

The Rhinoceros Beetles are a problem all over the world because these beautiful beetles attack the coconut trees. They have already devastated entire coconut cultures in Spain, Mallorca, Hawaii and Asia. No solution was found so far for fighting them.

At Jiwa Damai we are trying several approaches in order to strengthen the coconut trees. After thoroughly cleaning the leaves, a deep trench is made to uncover the feeder roots of the trees. We use our best compost for the roots and  afterwards we cover it with earth. The following day we water the trench with our compost tea.

feeding the roots with best compost

We also tried to place bamboo sticks about 30 cm upright into the grounds. We fill them with compost and water them with our compost tea.

margret pdc through the heart

During the Permaculture Design Course Through the Heart we discuss with our students different ways of taking care of the plants and supporting their growth.  Join us in October to find out more!

PDC Through the Heart. Compost

One of the basic things we learn in permaculture is to be self-sustainable. Therefore, finding out how to make a compost is a must. This way one can reduce waste and create a nutritional soil for plants.

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The compost is created layering carbon, our dried leaves, nitrogen, green grass and ash and fruit scraps several times. It has to be turned every two days. Take care, it develops a great heat! On the 18th day the compost is done and exudes a pleasant soil like odor, ready to be used.

Compost at Jiwa Damai

Join us on the October 2015, Permaculture Design Course Through the Heart in order to learn by doing!

PDC Through the Heart.Coconut Hugging

Sometimes plants need more than healthy earth. At Jiwa Damai we also try alternative methods of taking care of the coconut trees which are attacked by the Rhinoceros Beetles, among other strategies, like feeding the roots and cleaning the leaves.

For instance, as science has already proven that water is influenced by emotions, by words or by thoughts, we try to help our coconut trees by hugging them. We send them our support thoughts and we ask them if there is something they might need. We also ask the Rhinoceros Beetles to retreat because they are harming the trees.

Coconut hugging

We are preparing a new Permaculture Design Course Through the Heart in October. Join us at Jiwa Damai!

Nata and the scholarship from Lagu Damai Bali

Nata I Ketut is smiling. He is always smiling but he was smiling even more when we told him about an interview for the Jiwa Damai blog. “We want people to meet you”, we told him! His eyes were big and full of light. “Ya?, he said. But which people?”.“Friends of Jiwa Damai who are reading our newsletter, our blog, our Facebook page”, we replied. He was not really sure why we were asking him all these questions but he wanted to help. The way he always does around Jiwa Damai. Nata received a scholarship from Lagu Damai Bali foundation in order to pursue his interest in studying law at Universitas Warmadewa. He is also coming for two hours a week at Jiwa Damai to learn about permaculture and to help our gardener and volunteers.

lagu damai bali foundation student

The discussion was a mix of English and Bahasa Indonesia. We started by asking him about his studies.

“I am studying civil law at Universitas Warmadewa in Bali. I started three years ago and I still have three years to go. I am really interested in the land law because I want to help the poor people of the village to organize better the community.

My dream was to study law and Lagu Damai Bali helped me to pursue it. It is a challenge (he really used the Indonesian word tantangan) but I think I can help other people by learning it and this motivates me”.

We also asked him about his work at Jiwa Damai.

“I like the way we are taking care of the plants at Jiwa Damai. I am still learning a lot about permaculture. I like the green of the leaves, the green of the trees, the green of the garden, it makes me happy.

In Bahasa Indonesia we say: “menanam banyak tanaman membuat keindahan didalam diri saya” which means, “creating a green space brings beauty inside my soul”.

At Jiwa Damai we are taking care both of our land, of our garden, of our plants and of our people and we do this whole-heartedly and we get all this love back. Come and feel it for yourself!

This month we are celebrating 13 years of activity through the heart at Lagu Damai Bali Foundation. Have you seen our video?

Moringa. Powerful natural medicine

Some studies conclude even that the Moringa leaves are a potential solution as natural anti cancer nutrient. Further investigation is, however, necessary to confirm for its use in the cases of clinical anticancer activity. Other studies have also showed that the Moringa leave extract have a positive effect on treating human breast cancer.

The Moringa leaf is believed in fact to contain twice the protein of yogurt, four times the calcium of milk, three times the potassium of bananas, four times the vitamin A of carrots, and seven times the vitamin C of oranges.

These nutrients can contribute to improvements in:

• eyesight
• overall growth and cognitive development
• immune system development
• the body’s healing process
• stronger bones and teeth
• nervous system development
• heart health
• muscle development and use
• blood pressure regulation

Moriinga leaves

The seedpods, flowers, seeds, oil, roots, leaves, and dried leaf powder can be used in different ways for consumption.

Moringa can grow several feet in a short timeframe and this is due mostly to the effects of Zeatin, a plant hormones that induces cell division, growth, and delay aging of cells. Zeatin is also linked to anti-aging or the slowing down of aging processes in the human body therefore being through the consumption of the Moringa a more natural way to support skin health by regenerating new skin cells.

At Jiwa Damaiwe offer the Moringa leaves. Have a look at our products here.

Or read more about the powerful benefits of Moringa here and here.

Moringa. The Miracle Tree

Much of the Moringa plant is edible by humans or by farm animals. The leaves are rich in protein, vitamin A, vitamin B, vitamin C, and minerals according to recent studies.  A 100-g portion of fresh Moringa leaves has 9.3 g protein, 434 mg calcium, 404 mg potassium, 738 mg vitamin A, and 164 mg vitamin C.

Moringa oleifera has all essential amino acids, beneficial fats and omega oils. Moringa is rich in calcium, iron and many other minerals, as well as a variety of vitamins, antioxidant and anti-inflammatory substances in big quantities but very few calories attached to it.

Moringa The Tree of Life

Also, the Moringa extract, thanks to it’s high antioxidant activity can be a potent cancer cell anti-proliferation. This has been shown by recent medical research, indicating the potential medical value of the Moringa in treatments of cancer  as chemotherapy and chemoprevention.

At Jiwa Damai we offer the Moringa leaves. Have a look at our products here.

The origin of Moringa

The name Moringa is derived from murungai, the Tamil/ Muringa Malayalam word for drumstick. In Africa is also known as Kpashima or Argentinga, in South America and Caribbean as Liberdad or Mawonga and in Asia as Saisam or Mulungai. Most commonly is known as Moringa Oleifera.

The Moringa tree is native to the tropical and subtropical parts of Africa and Asia and is the sole genus in the flowering plant family Moringaceae.

moringa

Adaptation: Moringa grows in tropical and subtropical regions, from cuttings or from seed, the ones coming from the local trees having a better chance of propagating. The Moringa plants can be grown as a monoculture, multi-cropping or as hedgerow in farm. It is suitable for urban garden in warm climates due to having distinctive flower colors, white and yellow. The plant can produce leaves and flowers for consumption in short time, from eight to twelve months. The seeds have no dormancy periods and can be planted as soon as they are mature.

At Jiwa Damai we offer the Moringa leaves. Have a look at our products here.

Jackfruits at Jiwa Damai

Meet Guillermo, our volunteer and his baby Jackfruit! Not much of a baby in fact, but a huge and delicious Jackfruit, which in Bahasa Indonesia is called Nanka!

We are happy be able to offer dried Jackfruits at Jiwa Damai. Have a look at ourproductsor come and visit to find out more.

Jiwa Damai Volunteer

PDC Through the Heart, Indigenous Mirco Organisms

During the Permaculture Design Course Through the Heart in February 2015 we were happy to teach our students about a very useful local method of creating indigenous micro organisms – IMO.

Using a bamboo cut in half, you have to put boiled rice to fill it. After closing, it is buried in the earth and left there for 3 days to develop a healthy fungus. Then it is mixed with molasses and water to grow more IMO. Why is IMO important? Because it adds microbes to the soil in order to render it more fertile. Find out more here or here.

making imo

Also, don’t miss our photos on Jiwa Damai Facebookpage!

PDC Through the Heart Oct 2015

We find that planning ahead is never a bad idea. Hence we invite you to our Permaculture Design Course Through the Heart, in October 2015, at Jiwa Damai.

Experiencing Permaculture through the heart presents a unique opportunity to combine the theoretical Permaculture design method with “hands-on” experience, complementing active physical engagement with the soil with an inner attitude of appreciation and loving alignment with the earth.

This program is the first of its kind, working with the psychological framework of the mind, theoretical Permaculture principles, design and planning, planting, harvesting - all in alignment with the heart. It grounds the intellectual Permaculture approach through allowing a direct connection with the heart, a loving approach to ones Self, the other and the earth with its life-giving Flora and Fauna, to unfold.

Permaculture_course-version_web

The 3 module design course content follows the standards, topics, and number of hours laid out by Bill Mollison , the founder of Permaculture. You will receive a Certificate of Completion as a Permaculture designer (72+ hrs). The course is complimented by a daily early morning yoga session and an evening heart meditation.

Module 1 Thur 01 - Wed 07 Oct 2015

Modules 1-3 Thur 01 - Wed 21 Oct 2015

Find out more about application procedurehere. Or if you feel better talking to us, send an email at info [@] jiwadamai [.] net.