Ask MetaFilter questions tagged with Natural

Alternatives to Alternative Cat Litter

PhoBWanKenobi — Sat, 12 Dec 2009 17:09:38 -0800

Are there any decent alternatives to Feline Pine that my kitty will actually use? Sammy Katz and I have been happy users of Feline Pine for almost three years now. I made the switch because he's a notorious litter-tracker and I was looking for something that was environmentally friendly. He had no problems with the initial switch and, though he mostly goes outside (he's indoor-outdoor; we've had trouble completely transitioning him to the inside because we live in a small studio, but we've gotten him down to only going out for about thirty minutes in the morning), he used it happily when he had to.

Until a few weeks ago, when he abruptly started spraying around the house if we wouldn't get up early enough to let him out. We had a vet check him out (everything is fine), and got a Feliway diffuser, which has put an end to the spraying. But he still won't use his box. It's been raining for the past two days, and he just held everything in--for over thirty hours! I had Mr. WanKenobi pick up some different litter from the supermarket, to see if that helped. He got some Tidy Cat and as soon as we filled it, Sammy ran to the box and immediately peed.

So I guess he's not happy with the Feline Pine.

But I hate normal cat litter--I hate the smell, the environmental unsoundness, and the way he kicks it all over the place. I know there are a lot of natural cat litters: have any feline-pine resistant-kitty owners had success with other brands like World's Best or Swheat Scoop (and, possibly stupid question, but Mr. WanKenobi has celiac's disease--would having a pan of Swheat Schoop in our tiny apartment be a bad idea in light of that?), and how are they in terms of tracking and odor control?

Natural Dry Scalp 'killer' shampoo.

Anonymous — Thu, 15 Oct 2009 12:41:56 -0800

I'm currently suffering from a moderate bout of dry scalp (not dandruff). Could someone recommend a natural shampoo, free of SLS's, etc, that will combat dry scalp?

What can you see in satellite photos?

k. — Wed, 30 Sep 2009 22:33:01 -0800

Satellite photos: what interesting features can be seen or measured in them (or other aerial photos), and where can I get a supply of images? Examples I have already seen, from some crude Google-searching:
Roads
Buildings
Degree of development (urban/suburban/rural)
Oil spills (apparently these are usually hard to see)
Blooms of algae (cyanobacteria) in the Baltic Sea
Damage to buildings from earthquakes

More would be appreciated--the more specific, the better. These will be used in a computer vision system, so I'd especially like to know where I can find a supply of images containing whatever feature I'm looking for (including the above)--easy for buildings or roads, but hard for rare events like oil spills. Natural disasters seem interesting, if there are pictures available.

I would also consider some other kind of non-photographic data as well, if it could be combined with maps or photos. Don't worry whether you think it's suitable; any idea you have will help!

Natural Language Processing, relative basis for search.

kuatto — Sat, 08 Aug 2009 16:05:43 -0800

Natural Language Processing (NLP) Filter. I'm looking for a method (or category of methods) to judge the relevancy of a small unit of text, 100-200 chars, against similar units of text. I have a large set of these textual units, I'm trying to discover the "relatedness" of my query unit (an item drawn from that set) to any other unit in the set, but judged relatively to the set as a whole.

In other words, I'm not looking for just an ordered list of rankings of my query applied to every document in the set. Rather an ordered list of rankings of my query applied to every document in the set then normalized by the magnitude of my query applied to the set as a whole (perhaps via some averaging function.)

Do traditional search engines (open source, like lucene or xapian) do this already?

What I mean by relatedness is that we are talking about the same things by some, arbitrary, empirical measure. In other words, there is no supervised or unsupervised learning, just some off-the-shelf measure of 'relatedness'.

Sensational scenic Shenandoah short-sabbatical suggestions

DetonatedManiac — Sat, 16 May 2009 09:54:00 -0800

Travel Filter: Planning trip from NC to Appomattox and Shenandoah Valley VA for Memorial Day weekend. Looking for off the beaten path, cultural or natural destinations and any other "must see" recommendations on food, lodging or attractions Family is doing a road trip to Shenandoah VA from NC. The only set destinations are Appomattox Court House National Historic Park and Shenandoah National Park for the nature trails (and maybe some battlefields around there).

We will probably set off from Roanoke VA Saturday morning after a late Friday night drive from NC, Appomattox most of Saturday, Shenandoah Sunday and Monday morning, arrive home Monday evening.

The plan is pretty loose, there are lots of little gaps there for a great local restaurant or interesting town or whatever attraction or little gem you can think of.

3 main things I am looking for are:

1) amazing things not many people know about (trails, museums, battlefields, mines, restaurants, beautiful drives, you name it)
2) good indoor destinations in the Shenandoah area in case the weather does not cooperate.
3) good trail recommendations in Shenandoah.

Our goal is to keep to rural/scenic driving and natural and historic oriented destinations (but any ideas welcome). We will probably stay well west of Richmond, but as long as we can hit Appomattox for most of a day and Shenandoah on another full day anything is possible.

We have done the "big" attractions in Virginia - Monticello, Williamsburg, Natural Bridge, and want to avoid them only because we don't really want to fight a big crowd. Otherwise those type of things are perfect.

Thanks in advance for the help!

Safe lubricants?

zeek321 — Tue, 24 Mar 2009 03:13:45 -0800

Natural, safe lubricant? NSFW It seems like the latest trend in lubricants (whether for anal sex or otherwise) is to minimize the number of chemical-sounding ingredients (yes, I know everything is a "chemical") and then add one really nasty preservative. I really don't like the idea of certain things drying out on skin and sitting inside moist, mucous-membrane lined orifices for hours. Case in point, though not to single out this brand:

http://store.babeland.com/safe-sex-lubes/sliquid-sassy-anal-lube

Polyquat whatever, fine, but this:

http://www.cosmeticsdatabase.com/ingredient.php?ingred06=702196&nothanks=1

Seriously? I'm not sure I care that it's the last ingredient and probably an infinitesimal amount.

I've tried:
http://www.yesyesyes.org/
http://www.fireflyorganics.com/

These meet my safety criteria, but, not surprisingly, they don't have the consistency of the more synthetic lubes. What I really want is an astroglide made of sunbeams and rainbows.

So, is there anyone out there as paranoid as me that has found a water-based lube that's reasonable in terms of both safety and performance for vaginal intercourse and anal sex?

What herbs or vitamins or food makes more blood flow to the brain?

lynnie-the-pooh — Wed, 18 Mar 2009 07:31:23 -0800

What herbs or vitamins or food will make more blood flow into my brain? I am looking for any herb, vitamin, food, or anything else that will help make more blood flow to my brain. I know exercise is great for that as well. Any ideas from you would be great, but I'm not looking for any pill or anything a doctor would prescibe. I'm interested in something more natural and that I can do on my own. Thank you so much!!

Lynnie-the-Pooh

If I can't change my environment I must change myself.

dino terror — Sat, 31 Jan 2009 17:16:06 -0800

If you were once susceptible to mold and other air quality issues but have since strengthened your immunity how did you do it? I take allergy shots which are noted to be not that great for mold, I take antihistamines when I feel like I am really being hit hard but they seem to have little effect, and apparently nasal corticosteroids are another one that can help which I have started taking recently anyway for a separate matter.
I noticed that I started working out a few years back and I stopped catching colds on a bi-yearly basis. I directly attribute the exercise to strengthening my immune system against virus catching. Anything for allergen resistance?

Refill compressed natural gas tanks? Santa Cruz

Ekidnagrrl17 — Fri, 23 Jan 2009 21:59:28 -0800

Where can I refill compressed natural gas tanks? My partner and I are tying to find a place which allows civilians to refill compressed natural gas tanks in the Santa Cruz area.

Are there natural disasters in the deep ocean?

Flunkie — Sat, 30 Aug 2008 16:59:18 -0800

Are there natural disasters in the deep ocean? Up here, we've got hurricanes, and earthquakes, and tsunamis, and tornados, and mudslides, and wild fires, and volcanos, and you name it.

And I assume that some of these things have significant effects near the surface of the ocean, or near the ocean floor.

But what about the deep ocean, far from both the surface and the floor? Are there any significant natural disasters of the same scale, striking suddenly and leaving vast swaths of fish with many dead and the rest wondering "what the hell was that"?

To be clear up front, I'm talking about natural disasters, not disasters clearly caused by human activity (such as dead zones due to pollution or strip trawling).

Disaster Lit Suggestions?

tk — Tue, 10 Jun 2008 15:34:40 -0800

Can you recommend any great fiction or poetry about natural disasters? You'd think this would be easy... I'm looking for great YA literature appropriate for 7th graders, on the topic natural disasters. This is what I've come up with so far:
The Wizard of Oz
Out of the Dust (Karen Hesse)
The Cay, Theodore Taylor

Anyone fondly recall a great YA book about natural disaster survival, especially one that is really exciting? We don't want anything that is too young and babyish though. The book/story/poem needs to be fictional--there are of course many memoirs and nonfiction books that I'm already aware of.

Thanks for any ideas. Bonus points for anything that has won awards or is by a famous author.

Is natural gas conversion a slam dunk?

portabella — Mon, 26 May 2008 10:21:38 -0800

Other than the cost of switching, is it pretty reasonable to convert from oil to natural gas? I own my home, and am unlikely to move.

Seeking original Microsoft Natural Keyboard (the first ever)

4midori — Mon, 28 Jan 2008 23:53:30 -0800

Where can I find an original Microsoft Natural Ergonomic Keyboard? I use the original, PS/2 model, beige color. To me, the original is the best and most natural to use.

Anything else (Pro, Elite, 4000, Multimedia) has some annoying aspects, like tiny arrow keys, or weird spacing of certain letters).

I've tried ebay, google, amazon, craigslist, etc. No luck.

While I'd prefer a working model, for this project I would consider a busted one too.

Too much rain, need sun and fun

strangeleftydoublethink — Thu, 27 Dec 2007 14:01:07 -0800

Mid-February one-week vacation in the southwest U.S. Daughter will be turning five and we want to focus on awe-inspiring natural areas (accessible to non-hiking inclined girl) and sunshine. Ideas? We hope to fly in to a city where we will not have to drive too far to get to natural areas. If possible, would like to hit a ghost town for fun (or a Western set).

Natural fabrics?

fjardt — Thu, 22 Nov 2007 23:31:21 -0800

What are the best natural clothing materials, and where can i buy them (possibly already made into clothing)? Well, basically i seek certain qualities in the fabrics:
- natural; i tend to stay away from plasticy feeling fabrics, but only because they seem unnatural to me. Let's say i'm looking for the organic foods version of fabric, not the overprocessed, chemicals added, packaged, and so on.. Maybe, though, there are some that are fine. Do they biodegrade and not create a lot of waste in the manufacture process? I want to be conscious thereto, as well.
- still practical for the purpose; breathable for hot weather, durable for work, warm and protective for the cold

So far i could only think of cotton and hemp. I am beginning to modify and make my own clothing, so it is fine if i can find these materials alone, but stores that sell reasonably priced hemp or pure cotton clothing would be grand. Of course, thereabout might it be utopic to think.

Why is my house using so much gas?

perpetualstroll — Thu, 18 Oct 2007 15:01:29 -0800

Why is my natural gas bill insane this month? Last month, it appears that my household used an average of 11 cubic meters of natural gas per day versus the 2 that was the average last year for the same month. Needless to say, the gas bill was a bit higher than I expected.

The average monthly temperature has been about the same, but the only variable that has changed is that instead of having the fan on "auto" I've set it to "on" for the last few months to more evenly distribute the air throughout the house. Would that account for the much higher gas bill?

On occasion, my roommates leave the windows open with the heat on, how much would that account for?

And yes, I did just get a really bad pimple before a date.

Elmo Oxygen — Wed, 10 Oct 2007 13:34:14 -0800

Looking for an all-natural, skin-friendly acne treatment. I'm almost thirty, but I still get pimples! Yuck!

I don't have a particularly severe case or anything, but they are definitely annoying, and my complexion is less then clear. Plus, I sometimes get them in terrible places, like the famous "cyclops eye" middle-of-the-forehead pimple, or the much-dreaded "rudolph" nose-tip pimple.

I'd like to get rid of these little buggers, but I'd like to use a nice, non-invasive, natural remedy that doesn't do mean things to my body.

How does natural selection account for male pattern balding?

airguitar — Thu, 16 Aug 2007 20:28:50 -0800

How does natural selection account for male pattern balding?

Help my mom fight off the mosquitos with a pleasant smell.

Mavri — Fri, 20 Jul 2007 08:10:53 -0800

Can anyone recommend a non-chemical lotion mosquito repellent? My mom likes to garden in the muggy Texas heat. She loved Off Botanicals because it didn't smell like nasty chemicals and was a lotion. And it worked. Off no longer makes it. Can anyone recommend a replacement? Bonus if it would be available in a small town.

:) -> :D

Ambrosia Voyeur — Mon, 09 Jul 2007 13:57:08 -0800

Can I correct my smile posture? Should I? Can I? How?

When I smile a big smile naturally, my cheeks smush my eyes into little squinty slits and my teeth remain close together, sometimes my mouth is even closed, so I look all chin and cheeks, and sort of sleepy and smug.

Starting with really pose-appropriate pictures (weddings, work) I've practiced and perfected my photograph smile, but I don't like the fact that the way I look happiest and prettiest is a put-on. Can practice change this open-eyed, dropped-lip smile into my natural reaction to pleasure?

Who would want old natural science archives?

Tullyogallaghan — Mon, 02 Jul 2007 17:40:16 -0800

Who would want old natural science archives? I'm a librarian who is doing volunteer work for a big natural science museum. They have dumped their old printed journals, surveys, etc. in a warehouse and I've been sitting on a stool sorting through it, recording what is there. So far, the first 13 boxes have contained old bird watching journals (some very charming); many Dept of the Interior Geological Surveys from all over the world (1876 - 1996), many academic journals, some from Harvard from the late 1800's, etc. The main problem is that a lot of the journals et al were "removed" before they were stored (by a local state university among others) and, as a result, there are not many complete annual sets.

My task is to record the collection in a spreadsheet and try to sell off as much as possible as its taking up space in the warehouse and is expensive to store. Would anyone actually want to buy any of this stuff? They are keeping items locally relevant and everything printed before 1900.

If I can't find buyers I'm supposed to find out if anyone would want it for free and will agree to pay the shipping costs.

Thank you

Water Water Everywhere... and all on sale this week.

aristan — Sun, 17 Jun 2007 20:59:01 -0800

I'm buying Groceries... for a grocery store. I'm now buying for the grocery department of the largest store in our (rather small) chain and I'm at a loss as to what to fill the store with! So Mefi Vegans & Organic Foodies... What organic, all natural, or "alternative" foods, snacks, drinks, & cleaning supplies could you not live without? Do you know of any blogs that cover or review natural & organic packaged foods? So basically I've been given control of the grocery department of the largest store that makes the most money and is also in the highest income neighborhood. These customer's have got money burning in their pockets & I want to give them some variety.

The previous manager had a problem getting the store filled so just created multiple facings. Way too many that is... 24 facings of the same brand & size of unbleached paper towels?

I tried using my resources and downloading plans from our main supplier... but they can't deal with the space we have. Let's put it this way... They have never had anyone ask for more than 12 feet of water That's 4 sections of shelving, usually multiplied by 5 shelves in a section... so 60 total feet of shelf space. I have 32 feet devoted to water. That's 160 feet of shelving. Needless to say, I carry every variety of water they have & all that 4 other distributors carry.

So I turn to my friends here at MeFi. Please turn me on to new brands of packaged foods & drinks. What are you favorite all natural cleaners? I need ideas, people! (Bonus points if they're vegan or gluten free!) Sorry, storebrands need not apply. Despite what my distributors think, I can't carry Whole Foods 365 brand.

Do you know any blogs that can help? I used to Candy Blog when I was the candy buyer, would love something like that for other foods.

And if anyone can tell me why in the world I have 32 feet of water, I'd be greatful

whats the easiest way to print on a leaf?

kanemano — Mon, 21 May 2007 16:22:53 -0800

I need to recreate a birthday invitation that was done about 30 years ago, consisting of silk screened letters done on a large leaf, Is there a better, cheaper, more manageable way to accomplish this now? I need about 200 pieces done.

Natural remedy or tonic for lungs?

mintchip — Sun, 13 May 2007 22:03:56 -0800

Natural remedy or tonic for lungs? I've noticed that I don't breathe as deeply or fully as I used to. I suspect I've developed a mild case of adult asthma, as my lungs often feel somewhat constricted, especially when I'm exposed to household chemicals or pollution such as car exhust.

I'm going to get this checked out at my next physical. Although I'm not overly concerned, I'm wondering if there might be some sort of natural remedy or tonic (herbal or otherwise) that can be used to help clear the lungs and improve breathing.

Is humanity still evolving?

azriel2257 — Sun, 15 Apr 2007 12:58:13 -0800

Is health care technology impeding our species' ability to evolve and adapt? I've heard debates that the human species has stopped evolving because our evolving health care technology has stopped the process of natural selection. This would, in theory, make humanity less able to adapt to change (ie an ice age), and weaken our gene pool.
Another idea that I have heard expressed on this topic is that genetic engineering (a future possibility) will reverse this stagnation.
I would like to find out more information on this topic so any suggestions on papers/websites to read, or any opinions would be great. I've already read the thread at http://ask.metafilter.com/40631/Swim-Walk-Fly.

Thanks!