John Walter

Peoplle with apple cedar rust issues:  Check into resistant varieties such as Liberty, Enterprise, and Freedom.  Good performers as well.

I try to fast from food (water is okay) for at least 3 days per month.  I find that after 3 days there are no hunger pangs or desire to eat.  So, basically, the first 3 days are full of temptation.  After the 3 are past, I find fasting is really very easy as long as I keep busy.  The longest I have ever gone is 40 days (more just to see if I could do it).
Intermittent fasting is supposed to be really more beneficial to the body, with 16 hours being optimal.  It is much easier to do as well since not eating after 8 or 9 PM plus 8 hours of sleep will comprise much of that time.

I pretty much grew up in Texas, and Rhubarb does NOT like Texas, so I had never eaten any until I was in my 30's.  I had a coworker "yankee" transplant gardener friend that just loved rhubarb and was bound and determined to grow it in the Dallas area.  We came up with the idea of dumping the excess or spoiled ice from her ice-maker on her rhubarb patch throughout the winter.  It worked.  She had fresh rhubarb for years and years.  

My "go-to" for organic control is Diatomaceous Earth. We always have it around for the animals and even us humans so ...  You can just add some (1/2-1 cup per gallon of water) into your soap solutions that others have suggested, or you can dust the plants with it (I have a Dustin-Mizer that I use) for larger applications.

Kathrin Bateman's post about passionflower becoming invasive.  Good point.  Tennessee (and I would imagine most states) has a list of what plants are considered "invasive species".  It's a good idea to check that list to make sure you're not contributing to an already existing problem.  I know how much I loved honeysuckle as a kid, but it is a royal pain here in middle TN.  And I am often finding other plants that I generally like and/or would consider planting that are on our list, so I opt not to plant.

I don't see how you could have a RMH in an apartment.  Is there a way to have one without a "chimney"?
That and the "mass" are my 2 biggest problems.  Are there any lighter weight heat retention materials that could be used instead of heavy masses.  My RMH would have to be on a wood subfloor above a full basement.

I am not as far north; down in middle Tennessee.  
Some of my favorite trees that I have planted in my wet areas:

Dawn Redwood
Bald Cypress
Black Gum
Sweet Bay Magnolia
River Birch
Overcup Oak
Willow Oak
Pear Trees
Juneberry (amalanchier)
Red Buckeye

Shrubs:
Black Lace Elderberry
Sweetspire
Redtwig Dogwood
Spicebush

Great Pyrenees are pretty cheap here in Tennessee; maybe $150 for a pup, sometimes free.  See if you can't find some sort of local sales network.

I have a friend that uses it for treating his migraines.  It works well.