Thanks to Eagle50AE, we have the third archive for thread 2.
http://www.pixiesites.com/Granny/thread2pt3.zip
The other archives can be found at:
http://www.pixiesites.com/Granny/thread1pt1.zip
http://www.pixiesites.com/Granny/thread1pt2.zip
http://www.pixiesites.com/Granny/thread2pt1.zip
http://www.pixiesites.com/Granny/thread2pt2.zip
<<<<<<<<
My thanks to all of you who have worked on making this possible.
Thanks granny and Eagle. having these files around just makes me feel more ready. I just need to decide if a hard copy (carrying around a box or two of heavy paper!) is in order.
Marina Kalashnikova’s Warning to the West
Global Analysis ^ | July 17, 2009 | Jeffrey R. Nyquist
Posted on Wednesday, July 29, 2009 10:13:21 AM by spycatcher
http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2303702/posts
Acknowledging the Deception: Meet Victor Kalashnikov: former KGB officer
http://geopolitical.us/ ^ | 07.24.2009 | J. R. Nyquist
Posted on Friday, July 24, 2009 10:31:25 AM by Kabud
http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2300252/posts
[If you missed these 2 threads, take time to read them...granny]
SHOPPING
by Al Batt
I went shopping with my lovely bride. Well, I really didn’t go shopping with her. I went to a mall with her.
The mall was like a burlap bag to me. I didn’t want to be in it. My job is to choose what kind of day I am going to have—unless I have to go shopping. Shopping is an accomplice to my discomfort.
She went shopping and I went to the geezer bench. The geezer bench is where many nonshopping husbands find themselves in a mall. The husbands take different roads to the same place—the geezer bench. We sit while our better halves search for sales offering one item for half the price of two. Very often, the men are holding their wives’ purses as the women do something other than shop.
“They can have my wife’s purse when they pry it from my cold, dead hands,” I muttered bitterly.
We at the geezer bench find comfort in numbers. We herd together to combat the uneasiness we feel in a place far from our natural habitat. We hum the theme from “Mission Impossible.”
We went from prom night to geezer bench in the blink of an eye.
We gathered at the bench to rest our weary legs and to share commonalities. We discussed important things while we sat. We conversed about the high-definition weather occurring outside. “Thou shalt talk about the weather” could be the Eleventh Commandment. We wondered why women don’t find great joy in watching the Three Stooges. We asked why our eyebrows had suddenly gotten minds of their own and gone wild. We agreed that is isn’t much fun to visit ancient ruins when they are younger than we are.
We didn’t share these comments with our wives. Proverbs guides us thusly, “He that troubleth his own house shall inherit the wind.”
We find it safer to say things that make a bride’s eyes roll. Things like, “Last night I dreamed I ate a ten-pound marshmallow and when I woke up my pillow was gone.”
I followed my wife around a couple of stores. I whimpered quietly. I am a married man, so I have a single check in my wallet. Back in the days when I could dress myself, I used to carry an entire checkbook, but now I am down to one check. If you see a man pull the only check he has out of his billfold, he’s a married man. Gertrude Stein said, “Money is always there, but the pockets change.”
I stopped to look at a display of reading glasses. It turned out to be a display of watchbands. I should wear my eyeglasses when I’m looking at things that I think are eyeglasses.
I stopped at a home furnishings store and planted myself in a chair. I watched and listened to parents dealing with misbehaving children in the expensive, breakable stuff aisle. Parents are amazing creatures. A parent is someone who, in a public place, can yell in a whisper. The clerks left me alone. They could tell that I wasn’t buying anything and was there for the single purpose of seeing what the cost was of the things I was not buying.
My wife moved on to a shoe store. I moved back to the geezer bench. I dodged the bullet of shopping for shoes with my wife. Good times.
I sat alone at the geezer bench as all the other geezers had been called home by their cell phones. I had no idea where my wife was. I must have looked unhappy as an acquaintance who I had not seen for some time stopped by and asked, “Al, you look so sad. What’s wrong?”
I replied, “I lost my wife.”
“Oh, no,” said my visitor, her face contorted into one showing bereavement. “I hadn’t heard. She was so young. I am so sorry for your loss.”
I responded, “That’s OK. It’s no big deal. It’s a big mall. She has a lot of places to hide, but I’ll find her.”
©Al Batt 2009
Hartland, MN
snoeowl@aol.com
Send Al an e-mail and let him know what you thought of his story!
Al lives on a farm in Minnesota with his wife, Gail. Al is a writer, a newspaper columnist, a radio personality, a speaker and a storyteller.
http://www.cdc.gov/h1n1flu/vaccination/statelocal/
Novel H1N1 Vaccination Guidance for State, Local, Tribal and Territorial Health Officials
On this Page
* General Planning Information
* Large Scale Vaccination Clinic Planning
* Vaccine Storage & Handling
General Planning Information
H1N1 vaccination planning Q&A July 23
CDC Recommendations for State and Local Planning for a 2009 Novel H1N1 Influenza Program July 8
Large Scale Vaccination Clinic Planning
Guidelines for Setting Up Clinics
Tools and Models to Estimate Staffing
Vaccine Storage and Handling
General Information
H1N1 vaccine will need to be maintained at 2-8ºC.
For more information see:
* CDC’s Vaccine Storage and Handling Toolkit
* U.S. Army Medical Materiel Agency: Cold Chain Management Processes and Procedures for all Medical Temperature Sensitive Products
* Cold chain management briefing
Steam Dietary Supplement
Audience: Consumers, pharmacists
Nutracoastal Trading LLC and FDA notified healthcare professionals and consumers of a nationwide recall of the company’s dietary supplement product sold under the name Steam. Lab analysis by FDA found that the product contains sulfoaildenafil, an analog of sildenafil. Sildenafil is an active ingredient of an FDA-approved drug for erectile dysfunction (ED), making Steam an unapproved drug. The undeclared ingredient may interact with nitrates found in some prescription drugs such as nitroglycerin and may lower blood pressure to dangerous levels. Additionally, the product may cause side effects, such as headaches and flushing. The recalled product was distributed in white plastic bottles to retail stores nationwide. Customers who have this product in their possession should stop using it immediately and contact their physician if they have experienced any problems that may be related to taking this product.
Any adverse events that may be related to the use of this product should be reported to the FDA’s MedWatch Adverse Event Reporting program online, by phone [1-800-332-1088], or by returning the postage-paid FDA Form 3500 by mail [to MedWatch, 5600 Fishers Lane, Rockville, MD 20852-9787] or fax [1-800-FDA-0178].
Read the complete MedWatch Safety summary including a link to the firm press release and photo of product, at:
You are encouraged to report all serious adverse events and product quality problems to FDA MedWatch at www.fda.gov/medwatch/report.htm
http://www.fema.gov/news/newsrelease.fema?id=49179
When Wildfires Rage: Prepare, Stay Informed And Evacuate If Directed
Release Date: July 29, 2009
Release Number: R10-09-071
» 2009 Region X News Releases
SEATTLE, Wash. — Sustained record-breaking temperatures have raised wildfire hazards throughout the Pacific Northwest. With wildfires burning in Alaska, Idaho, Oregon and Washington state, FEMA Acting Regional Administrator Dennis Hunsinger encourages at-risk residents to prepare for the worst, stay informed on local conditions and evacuate if instructed to by fire or emergency management officials.
“Fires can start and spread quickly, and it is essential that people living on wooded lots or wildland/urban interface areas take action now to protect their homes and properties,” said Hunsinger. “The time to discuss wildfire warnings and evacuation strategies with your local forestry and emergency management officials is before wildfires rage. Stay in the loop, follow developments, and evacuate if instructed to.”
FEMA recommends that residents take specific action before an evacuation is necessary, clearing flammable materials from around the home, keeping roofs and gutters clear of pine needles and debris and ensuring that house numbers are visible and driveways allow access to firefighting vehicles.
Another important step that FEMA recommends is preparing an evacuation kit. Items should be put in a container that can be easily loaded into a vehicle for a quick departure. Items to include:
* Flashlight
* Battery-powered radio with additional batteries
* First aid kit
* Medicines, prescriptions and eye glasses
* Water (at least one gallon per person and enough for three days for each person in the household)
* Change of clothing
* Sleeping bags and pillows
* Cash and credit cards
It is also smart to keep important personal documents quickly available should you need to evacuate. Consider collecting your driver s license, passport and other identification, birth and marriage certificates, Social Security card, insurance policies, tax records, wills, deed or lease and stocks and bonds. Also, know where your main turn-off switches are for electricity, water and gas.
FEMA also recommends that family members discuss how to contact one another if the wildfire comes near when family members are separated. Discuss evacuation routes and identify relatives or friends outside the immediate area that can be contacted. Finally, make sure your pets have collars and identification tags and take your pets with you if you need to evacuate. While some shelters won t accept pets, an increasing number of communities are organizing pet shelters when large evacuations are necessary. Check with your local Humane Society, animal shelter or veterinarian.
For more information on protecting your family and your home from wildfires, go to www.fema.gov, or www.ready.gov.
FEMA’s mission is to support our citizens and first responders to ensure that as a nation we work together to build, sustain, and improve our capability to prepare for, protect against, respond to, recover from, and mitigate all hazards.
Last Modified: Wednesday, 29-Jul-2009 17:00:03
Weekly Harvest Newsletter
Sustainable Agriculture News Briefs - July 29, 2009
Weekly sustainable agriculture news and resources gleaned from the Internet by NCAT staff for the ATTRA - National Sustainable Agriculture Information Service Web site. The Weekly Harvest Newsletter is also available online.
Share The Harvest: Please forward this newsletter to friends and colleagues who might be interested in the latest sustainable agriculture news, funding opportunities, and events.
News & Resources
* On-Farm Processing Guide Now Available
* Leopold Center Releases Research Results
* New Publications Posted on Organic Ecology Site
* Researchers Study Cost of Organic Pork Production
* Massachusetts Organic Food Guide Available
* NRCS Seeks Comments on Conservation Standards
Funding Opportunities
* Youth Garden Grant
* National Farmworker Jobs Program
* South Dakota Specialty Crop Block Grant
Coming Events
* American Community Gardening Association Conference
* Mississippi Biofuels Conference
* Cover Crop Field Day
News & Resources
On-Farm Processing Guide Now Available
http://www.kerrcenter.com/whats-new.htm
Farm Made: A Guide to On-Farm Processing for Organic Producers (http://www.kerrcenter.com/publications/FarmMadeReport09.pdf)v(PDF/1.1MB) is a new publication that has valuable information for those who want to process organic ingredients into value-added organic products, on the farm. It uses four example enterprises: Sorghum Syrup, Packaged Fresh Salad Greens, Jams, Jellies, and Spreads, and Table Eggs. The guide is published by Kerr Center, distributed by Kerr Center and ATTRA (800-346-9140), with funding from the Organic Farming Research Foundation.
Leopold Center Releases Research Results
http://www.leopold.iastate.edu/news/newsreleases/2009/072409_results.html
The key findings and lessons learned from 20 recent Iowa-based research projects funded by the Leopold Center for Sustainable Agriculture are now available on the Web. New one-page project synopses of the research results are posted at that site, along with the traditional long summaries for each recently completed project.
New Publications Posted on Organic Ecology Site
http://organicecology.umn.edu/
New articles and photos are now posted on the University of Minnesota’s Organic Ecology website. Food Legumes for Organic Systems: Lentils (http://swroc.cfans.umn.edu/organic/legumes.pdf) reports on a project investigating the viability of lentils as an alternative crop for organic systems in Minnesota. The Effects of Winter Rye and Hairy Vetch Cover Crop Mixtures on Organic, No-Till Vegetable Production in MN (http://swroc.cfans.umn.edu/organic/notillveg.pdf) is a project to test the effects of winter annual cover crops hairy vetch, winter rye, and a mixture of both on four different organically grown vegetable crops in a cool, northern climate. Perennial Sunflower and Perennial Flax Breeding Program to Diversify Organic Systems (http://swroc.cfans.umn.edu/organic/sunflowerflax.pdf) describes a project to perennialize sunflower and flax through crosses with related species or direct improvement of related perennial species.
Researchers Study Cost of Organic Pork Production
Researchers at Iowa State University have released results of an organic pork production study. Cost of Organic Pork Production (http://www.ipic.iastate.edu/reports/01swinereports/asl-1784B.pdf) (PDF/19KB) reports on a study of two different production systems. It includes the projected costs for two organic pork production systems—a seasonal system and a continuous production system.
Related ATTRA Publication: Considerations in Organic Hog Production
http://attra.ncat.org/attra-pub/PDF/omhog.pdf
Massachusetts Organic Food Guide Available
http://www.nofamass.org/programs/ofg/index.php
For the past twenty-one years the NOFA/Mass Organic Food Guide has been connecting consumers to farmers and stores selling local organic produce. The 2009-2010 Guide is available for download. The Guide has lists of organic and sustainable farms in Massachusetts, along with an interactive map.
Related ATTRA Publication: Local Food Directories
http://attra.ncat.org/attra-pub/local_food/index.php
NRCS Seeks Comments on Conservation Standards
http://www.nrcs.usda.gov/news/releases/2009/comment_period_practice_standards_07.22.2009.html
The Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) is seeking public comment on its conservation practice standards to help improve the Nation’s delivery of conservation programs. The public comment period is open until August 11. “A public review of conservation standards, which is written into the 2008 Farm Bill, is critical to ensuring that conservation programs are available, adequate, and working for the Nation’s producers and landowners,” said Dave White, NRCS Chief. All comments will be reviewed and considered for incorporation into final rules directing delivery of conservation programs.
> More Breaking News (http://attra.ncat.org/news/)
Funding Opportunities
Youth Garden Grant
http://assoc.garden.org/grants/
National Gardening Association awards Youth Garden Grants to schools and community organizations with child-centered garden programs. In evaluating grant applications, priority will be given to programs that emphasize one or more of these elements:
~ educational focus and/or curricular ties (if applicant is a formal education program)
~ nutrition or plant-to-food connections
~ environmental awareness/education
~ entrepreneurship
~ social aspects of gardening such as leadership development, team building, community support, or service-learning.
Proposals are due November 2, 2009.
National Farmworker Jobs Program
http://www.grants.gov/search/search.do?mode=VIEW&oppId=48730
Announcement of a Program Year (PY) 2009 grant competition for the Arkansas, Hawaii, Indiana, Maine, and Nebraska service delivery areas for operating the National Farmworker Jobs Program (NFJP). The NFJP is designed to serve economically disadvantaged persons who primarily depend on employment in agricultural labor performed within the United States, including Puerto Rico, and who experience chronic unemployment or underemployment. Qualifying participants are typically those persons employed on a seasonal or part-time basis in the unskilled and semi-skilled manual labor occupations in crop and animal production. Through training and other workforce development services, the program is intended to assist eligible migrants and seasonal farmworkers and their families to prepare for jobs likely to provide stable, year-round employment both within and outside agriculture.
Proposals are due September 1, 2009.
South Dakota Specialty Crop Block Grant
http://www.dakotaflavor.com/news/index.htm
The South Dakota Department of Agriculture (SDDA) is pleased to announce the availability of grants for projects that enhance the competitiveness of specialty crops. As defined for this program, specialty crops include fruits, dried fruits, tree nuts, vegetables, turf grass sod and seed, and nursery crops (including floriculture). Projects can include specialty crop and organic research, best management practices, distribution efficiency, and more.
Proposals are due August 7, 2009.
> More Funding Opportunities (http://attra.ncat.org/funding/)
Coming Events
American Community Gardening Association Conference
http://www.communitygarden.org/learn/training/annual-conference/index.php
August 6-9, 2009
Columbus, Ohio
Over 3 and a half days, there will be over 40 engaging workshops, thematic tours — by bicycle and vans to Columbus’ diverse community gardens and other green sites, a welcome reception, keynote speakers, a film festival, banquet featuring locally raised food, networking, silent auction, and more.
Mississippi Biofuels Conference
http://www.biofuelsconference.msstate.edu/
August 6-7, 2009
Jackson, Mississippi
Experts in biofuels will provide information on the costs and availability of feedstocks as well as the challenges that need to be overcome to sustainably convert these feedstocks into biofuels. They will discuss the rate of progress in the biofuels industry and how integration of the agriculture, transportation and chemical sectors can help relieve petroleum dependence.
Cover Crop Field Day
http://www.wiu.edu/newsrelease.sphp?release_id=7414
August 7, 2009
Macomb, Illinois
Cover crop innovation will be the theme and focus of another installment of the Allison Organic Farm Field Day from noon-4 p.m. Friday, August 7. Part of Western Illinois University’s School of Agriculture’s Organic Agriculture Research program, the venue for the event is WIU’s Allison Organic Farm and neighboring Kane Farm in southwestern Warren County.
> More Events (http://attra.ncat.org/calendar/)
New & Updated Publications
Organic System Plans: Field and Row Crops and Pasture and Range Systems
http://attra.ncat.org/calendar/new_pubs.php/2009/07/08/organic_system_plans_field_and_row_crops
Biodiesel: Do-it-yourself Production Basics
http://attra.ncat.org/calendar/new_pubs.php/2009/07/08/biodiesel_do_it_yourself_production_basi
Potatoes: Organic Production and Marketing
http://attra.ncat.org/calendar/new_pubs.php/2009/07/08/potatoes_organic_production_and_marketin
Question of the Week
What are some resources for hydroponic greenhouse production and economic information?
http://attra.ncat.org/calendar/question.php/2009/07/27/what_are_some_resources_for_hydroponic_g
Website of the Week
Agroecology and Sustainable Agriculture Program Web site
http://attra.org/wow/
Ask a Sustainable Agriculture Expert
Submit questions to our professional staff online
http://attra.ncat.org/ask.php
ATTRA Spanish Newsletter
Subscribe to Cosecha Mensual (http://attra.ncat.org/espanol/boletin.php)
(Monthly Harvest), ATTRA’s Spanish-language e-newsletter
ATTRA on the Radio
This week’s Sustainable Agriculture Spotlight will focus on the importance of sheep and goats as sources of milk, meat, and fiber for millions of people around the world.
http://www.modavox.com/voiceamerica/vepisode.aspx?aid=40125
Subscribe to the Weekly Harvest
(http://visitor.roving.com/optin.jsp?m=1011223551022&ea=)
Comments? Questions? Go to http://www.attra.ncat.org/management/contact.html.
Weekly Harvest and ATTRAnews Archives Available Online
(http://attra.ncat.org/newsletter/archives.html)
Digital versions of recent Weekly Harvest and ATTRAnews newsletters are available online. ATTRAnews is the newsletter of ATTRA - National Sustainable Agriculture Information Service.
(http://attra.ncat.org/)
ATTRA - National Sustainable Agriculture Information Service is managed by the National Center for Appropriate Technology (NCAT) and is funded under a grant from the United States Department of Agriculture’s Rural Business-Cooperative Service (http://www.rurdev.usda.gov/rbs/index.html). Visit the NCAT Web site (http://www.ncat.org/sarc_current.php) for more information on our sustainable agriculture projects.
Copyright 2009 NCAT
Thoughts become words
Words become Actions
Actions become character
Character is everything
~ Author Unknown
Shared by: Suzie G.
Do you have a favorite quote you want to share? E-mail us:
newsletter@pioneerthinking.com
The original page can be found on-line at http://www.pioneerthinking.com/gfgh_spinachpatties.html
White Bean and Spinach Patties - Makes 6 servings
* 1 can (15-oz.) cannellini or great northern beans, drained and rinsed
* 3/4 cup bread crumbs (more if needed, for desired consistency)
* 10-oz. package frozen chopped spinach, well drained with all excess water squeezed out with a dish towel, if possible
* 1 egg lightly beaten
* 1 small onion minced
* 1 1/2 tsp. dried rosemary, crushed
* 1/2 tsp. garlic powder
* 1/2 tsp. onion powder
* Salt and fresh ground pepper to taste
* Light oil for sautéing such as canola oil or light olive oil
* Warm pita bread for serving
Mash beans well in a mixing bowl. Add bread crumbs, then remaining ingredients, except oil, and stir thoroughly until mixed and mixture sticks together well. If the mixture is too wet, add some more bread crumbs a little at a time. (If time to refrigerate, form patties and chill.)
Heat just enough oil to coat the bottom of a large skillet. When sizzling hot, drop the pre-chilled patties or bean mix in ¼ cup portions and flatten lightly to 3 to 4-inch rounds. Cook on both sides over medium heat until nicely browned.
Transfer cooked burgers to plate lined with paper towels and repeat until all burgers are cooked.
Serve at once with warm pita bread and your favorite toppings.
Per serving (not including pita): 160 calories, 4 g total fat (1 g saturated fat), 24 g carbohydrate, 9 g protein, 4 g dietary fiber, 320 mg sodium.
The original page can be found on-line at http://www.pioneerthinking.com/gfgh_herbedrice.html
Herbed Rice with Mushrooms and Wilted Spinach - Makes 5 servings.
2 cups water
1 tsp. butter
1 tsp. low-sodium chicken or vegetable bouillon granules
1 cup uncooked long grain rice, preferably brown
2 Tbsp. low-sodium soy sauce
1/2 tsp. onion powder
1/4 tsp. dried oregano
1/4 tsp. dried parsley
1/4 tsp. dried thyme
1 Tbsp. extra virgin olive oil
1/2cup cremini mushrooms, wiped clean and cut into quarters (baby bella mushrooms may be substituted)
1/4 cup white onions, diced
1 cup fresh baby spinach Salt and pepper to taste
Combine water, butter, and bouillon in a large saucepan. Bring to a boil.
Add rice, soy sauce, onion powder and herbs.
In a separate pan, heat olive oil over medium-high heat. Sauté onions for 5 minutes, and then add mushrooms and sauté together until golden. Then add spinach and lower temperature to low and cook until spinach wilts. Season with salt and pepper. Set aside.
Reduce heat over rice mixture. Cover and simmer for about 15 minutes or until liquid is absorbed and rice is tender.
Once rice is cooked, fluff with a fork and gently toss in the sautéed vegetables.
Per serving: 180 calories, 5 g total fat (1 g saturated fat), 30 g carbohydrate, 4 g protein, 2 g dietary fiber, 225 mg sodium.
The original page can be found on-line at http://www.pioneerthinking.com/sd_pomegranatechicken.html
Pomegranate-Glazed Chicken Breast with Cherry Brown Rice Pilaf - Makes 4 servings.
2 cups or 1 bottle (16-oz.) pomegranate juice
1 tsp. garlic powder
Cooking spray
1/4 cup thinly sliced shallots
1 Tbsp. canola oil
3/4 cup long-grain brown rice
1 cup fat-free, reduced-sodium chicken broth
1 ¼ cup cold water, divided
1/4 cup chopped dried sweet cherries
1/4 cup chopped scallion, green part only
3 Tbsp. chopped walnuts
1/4 tsp. ground cinnamon
Salt and ground black pepper, to taste
2 skinless chicken breasts (12-oz. each) with ribs
For glaze, boil pomegranate juice and garlic powder in medium saucepan over medium-high heat until reduced to 1/2 cup and slightly syrupy, about 30 to 40 minutes. Set aside to cool to lukewarm.
Preheat oven to 375 degrees F. Coat 8-inch square baking dish with cooking spray and set aside.
For rice, in medium saucepan, heat oil over medium-high heat. Sauté shallots until limp, 4 minutes. Stir in rice. Add chicken broth and 1 cup cold water. Cover, bring to boil, reduce heat and simmer until rice is tender, about 45 minutes. Let sit, covered, for 10 minutes. Mix in cherries, scallions, walnuts and cinnamon. Season to taste with salt and pepper.
Meanwhile, place chicken breasts in baking dish, rib side down. Coat chicken with glaze, using 2 tablespoons, plus salt and pepper. Pour in 1/4 cup cold water. Bake chicken until an instant-read thermometer reads 165 degrees. or it no longer looks pink at the center of the thickest point, about 45 minutes, brushing it with additional glaze every 10 minutes and pouring on any remaining glaze after the last brushing. Set baked chicken aside for 10 minutes.
To serve, remove chicken from bones and cut it diagonally into thin slices. Divide rice among four dinner plates and top each serving with one-fourth of chicken. Pour 2 or 3 tablespoons of the pan juices over the chicken and serve.
Per serving: 470 calories, 15 g total fat ( 2 g saturated fat), 54 g carbohydrate, 33 g protein, 2 g dietary fiber, 230 mg sodium.
The original page can be found on-line at http://www.pioneerthinking.com/gfgh_zucchini.html
Sauteed Zucchini and Potatoes - Makes 4 servings
1 red onion, chopped
3 cloves garlic, finely chopped
2 Tbsp. fresh parsley, minced
1 tsp. dried oregano
3 Tbsp. olive oil
3 medium zucchini, thinly sliced
2 small potatoes, peeled and thinly sliced
Salt and pepper, to taste
2 fresh tomatoes (1 cup of canned, drained, may be substituted)
Parmesan cheese, grated, to taste
Fresh parsley, chopped, for garnish
Sauté onion, garlic, parsley and oregano in skillet with oil over high heat. Make sure to caramelize the onions and garlic, being careful not to burn them.
Add zucchini and potatoes and reduce heat to medium. Stir occasionally and cook for about 15 minutes. Season to taste with salt and pepper.
Add tomatoes, cover, and simmer slowly for about 15 minutes more. The zucchini and potatoes will become soft and brown.
Serve with grated Parmesan cheese and fresh parsley.
Per serving: 210 calories, 11 g total fat ( 2 g saturated fat), 27 g carbohydrate, 4 g protein, 4 g dietary fiber, 25 mg sodium.
The original page can be found on-line at http://www.pioneerthinking.com/gfgh_buckwheat.html
Buckwheat with Eggplant and Pepper - Makes 4 servings. (6 cups)
1 small eggplant (less than a pound)
1 red bell pepper, cored and cut in half vertically
1 small red onion, chopped
2 tsp. olive oil
1 cup buckwheat (a.k.a. roasted whole-grain kasha)
2 cloves garlic, minced
2 cups low sodium chicken stock
1 bay leaf
Juice and pulp of 1 lemon
2 tsp. unsalted butter
1 tsp. fresh parsley
1 tsp. fresh thyme
¼ cup minced fresh basil
Cut eggplant in half vertically, then blanch in boiling water until tender, about 10 minutes.
When eggplant is ready, set it cut side down on baking sheet, along with pepper halves. Broil until charred, about 6 to 7 minutes, then put vegetables into brown paper bag. Fold to seal and set aside.
In large skillet, heat oil over medium heat. Add onion and buckwheat together, sauté until golden, about 10 minutes. Remove from heat and set aside. Add garlic, stock, and bay leaf. Cover and simmer until all the liquid is absorbed, about 7 to 8 minutes.
Add lemon juice and pulp, butter, parsley, thyme, and basil to buckwheat and stir well.
Remove pepper and eggplant from the bag and use your fingers to remove the charred skins. Chop vegetables, add them and onions to buckwheat and stir well. Remove bay leaf, then place the mixture in a serving dish and serve warm or at room temperature as an appetizer or side dish.
Per serving: 250 calories, 6g total fat ( 2 g saturated fat), 40 g carbohydrate, 9 g protein, 9 g dietary fiber, 45 mg sodium.
The original page can be found on-line at http://www.pioneerthinking.com/sd_guacamole.html
Green Pea Guacamole - Makes 8 servings.
1/2 cup frozen baby green peas
1 medium ripe avocado
2 Tbsp. finely chopped red onion
2 Tbsp. chopped cilantro
2 tsp. fresh lime juice
Pinch of cayenne pepper
Salt and ground black pepper, to taste
2 plum tomatoes, seeded and finely chopped
Baked yellow or blue corn chips
In small saucepan, cook peas with 1/2 cup water, covered, until soft, 5-6 minutes. Drain well, spread peas on a double layer of paper towels and blot dry. Place peas in mixing bowl and mash with fork while still warm until peas are mushy.
Add avocado and mash until guacamole has the texture you like. Mix in onion, cilantro, lime juice and cayenne. Season guacamole with salt and pepper to taste. At this point, guacamole can be covered with plastic wrap pressed onto the surface, and refrigerated up to 4 hours.
Just before serving, sprinkle tomatoes over guacamole. Accompany with tortilla chips.
Per serving: 100 calories, 7 g total fat (1 g saturated fat), 8 g carbohydrate, 2 g protein, 5 g dietary fiber, 5 mg sodium.
The original page can be found on-line at http://www.pioneerthinking.com/sd_fruitcrunch.html
Whole Wheat and Dried Fruit Crunch - Makes 8 servings of 3/4 cup each.
1 large egg white, at room temperature
2 Tbsp. plus 2 tsp. cane or white sugar, divided
1/2 tsp. salt
2/3 cup sliced almonds
3 cups whole-grain breakfast flakes, such as seven grain, spelt or kamut
1/3 cup raisins
1/3 cup dried cranberries
2 Tbsp. raw sunflower seeds
In small bowl, whisk egg white with 2 tablespoons of sugar, and salt, until blended. Set aside.
Place rack in center of oven. Preheat oven to 325 degrees F. Cover baking sheet with foil.
Spread almonds in even layer. Roast 4 minutes, stir, and continue roasting until golden, 4 minutes longer. Transfer nuts to plate and cool to room temperature. Leave foil on baking sheet and coat with cooking spray, then set aside.
In large mixing bowl, combine toasted almonds, cereal, raisins, cranberries and sunflower seeds. Add egg white mixture. Using fork, mix until all flakes are coated and look moist, 1 minute. Spread Crunch mixture on prepared baking sheet in even 8-inch by 10-inch layer. Push in any stray flakes, fruit or nuts at edges. Sprinkle remaining 2 teaspoons sugar over Crunch.
Bake Crunch for 25 minutes. Cool completely on baking sheet. Lift Crunch from baking sheet in chunks and bits, peeling away foil. Some will break off into separate flakes. In airtight container, Whole-Wheat and Dried Fruit Crunch will keep at room temperature for 2 days, longer in dry weather.
Per serving: 165 calories, 5 g total fat (0.4 g saturated fat), 27 g carbohydrate, 5 g protein, 3.3 g dietary fiber, 198 mg sodium.
The original page can be found on-line at http://www.pioneerthinking.com/kz_bathsalts.html
Make Your Own Aromatherapy Bath Salts in Ten Minutes or Less
by Kyley Zimmerman
Aromatherapy bath salts are one of the quickest, easiest goodies to make for the bath - and one of the most healing. With just a few simple ingredients you can make your own aromatherapy bath salts to ease your aching back, calm your frazzled nerves or relax yourself for a deep, restful sleep.
We all need down time, and we all need to have fun. Life is so busy these days that it can be hard to carve out the time. Making your own aromatherapy bath salts is a great way to give yourself a break.
First, you give yourself some ‘fun’ time by making your scented bath salts - mixing, stirring, smelling... and, most especially, experimenting. Don’t be afraid to blend together a few of your favorite essential oils to create your own custom scent. Play! The creative process is half the fun.
Second, you actually have to lie in the bath for a while (here’s your down-time) to use your aromatherapy bath salts. Give yourself candles, a glass of wine or tea, soothing music - all those good, stress-draining, nerve-calming accessories. Lock the door and slide into warm, scented bliss - your own hand made, master crafted aromatherapy bath salts, created just for you!
Aromatherapy Bath Salts Quick Trick
If you honestly don’t have time to make bath salts but you still want some aromatic down-time in the tub, try this instant ‘cheat’. Add 1 to 2 cups of Epsom Salt to your hot running bathwater. Pour a tablespoon of vegetable oil (any type will do) into a small glass. Add 10 drops of your favorite essential oil. Adjust the water temperature and slide into the tub. Pour in the essential oil mixture and swish it around a bit. Lie back and relax.
10 Minute Aromatherapy Bath Salt Recipe
3 cups Epsom Salt
1/2 cup Baking Soda
15 drops of your favorite Essential Oil (or one of the blends below)
Optional: 10 drops of your choice of food coloring
Measure salt and baking soda into a large glass, ceramic or stainless steel bowl (not plastic - it will absorb the essential oils.)
[Three minutes]
Stir together the salt and baking soda using a metal spoon (a wooden spoon will absorb the essential oils.)
[One minute]
Drop in the essential oils and food coloring, placing each drop in its own little spot on top of the salt.
[Two minutes]
Stir until thoroughly mixed.
[One minute, maybe two]
Pour your essential oil bath salt mixture in a dark glass or PET plastic jar. Click on the following link to learn why you should use dark glass. http://www.easy-aromatherapy-recipes.com/storing-essential-oils.html
[One minute]
That’s it! Nine minutes (plus one extra for spills or finding your glasses.) Quick, easy, painless!
It’s best to let your aromatherapy bath salts cure at least 24 hours before using them so the salt can really absorb the aroma.
Use about one cup of salts per bath. This aromatherapy bath salt recipe makes enough for three baths.
Essential Oil Bath Salt Blends
Cheer Up! Essential Oil Bath Salt Blend
# 7 drops Bergamot essential oil
# 7 drops Sweet Orange essential oil
# 1 drop Rose Geranium essential oil
Super Sedative Essential Oil Bath Salt Blend
# 8 drops Sandalwood essential oil
# 4 drops Lavender essential oil
# 3 drops Cedar essential oil
Pain Relief Essential Oil Bath Salt Blend
* 10 drops Lavender essential oil
* 3 drops Chamomile essential oil
* 2 drops Marjoram essential oil
Making your own aromatherapy bath salts is so easy and quick that almost anyone can do it. It’s a great activity to do with your children or grandchildren (just make sure an adult handles the essential oils.) Family time and play time all in one!
Plus, aromatherapy bath salts make great gifts - why not make up a big batch and share the love. We all have friends and relatives who could use a friendly jar of aromatherapy bath salts. Just remember to save some for yourself!
Disclaimer: This information is for educational purposes only. It is not intended to treat, prevent, diagnose, or cure any condition.
The Author:
Kyley Zimmerman works from home and focuses on making her family life happy, healthy and eco-friendly.
She shares her love of making natural bath, body and home products at http://www.easy-aromatherapy-recipes.com/ Check it out!
Article Source: http://www.articlesbase.com
The original page can be found on-line at http://www.pioneerthinking.com/ss_prosperity.html
Plants, Herbs, and Roots for Prosperity
By: Sam Stevens
Plants of all kinds (including trees), herbs and roots have been used for centuries to draw money to a person or bring prosperity to a home.
There are several ways to use a plant in this manner:
You can carry some of the substance on you.
This can be as easy as putting a tiny bit of the herb in a tiny plastic bag and put in your pocket. An easy way is to put a pinch of the herb into a locket.
Sew a sachet or pouch.
You can buy ready made sachets or pouches that you can use for this purpose, but you can also sew a small one using an appropriately colored material. Green and yellow are popular colors associated with prosperity and money one. These sachets are then tucked under the bed or somewhere in the home, worn on a string around the neck, put in a purse or wallet or concealed somewhere in the home. Some people simply fill a potpourri jar with the appropriate herbs and leave it in a prominent place in the house.
The simplest “Earth, Water, Air, Fire” Ritual is to boil the herb for a while in the water.
The Herbs are the earth, the water is in the pot, the air is the steam and the fire element is the stove. Occasionally stir the herb in the water while thinking of your magical intention. Strain the plant material from the liquid and sprinkle it around or outside the home.
Use them as Incense.
Some plants are hypnotics so I don’t really recommend this unless you are certain that the herb is not toxic once set alight. Traditionally though, herbs are set alight on charcoal burners and the smoke allowed to waft through the house.
Here are some of the more popular herbs used to draw prosperity and money. Most are available in your garden or from stores, but there are occult shops and apothecaries that carry herbs in jars:
Alfalfa – Known traditionally as the “good luck” herb I recommend tucking a sprig of this in your purse or in a locket. When combined with other money drawing herbs in a sachet it is thought to reinforce the other substance’s powers.
Allspice – Can be carried on the person or burned as incense or sprinkled in the four corners of the house. It is thought to attract business luck or success.
Bayberry – Bayberry can be bought commercially as a candle –“A bayberry candle burned to the socket – brings luck to the home and puts money in the pocket.” It can also be bought as incense.
Basil – Soaking basil leaves in water for three days and then sprinkling the water at your business premises is thought to attract financial success. The leaves can also be carried with you.
Bay Leaves – Bay leaves increase intuition and are good if you are looking for a promotion or a job. Tuck some under your mattress or boil them and sprinkle the water around your home. Hallucinogenic so I do not recommend you burn these.
Chamomile – Washing your hands in chamomile tea is thought to bring gamblers luck. Drinking the tea is thought to bring luck and prosperity.
Cloves – Cloves can be burned on charcoal, tucked in a sachet or put in your purse to draw money. An ancient money and protection ritual is to stick an orange with the heads of cloves stuck on pins and hang it on a ribbon in the kitchen so your cupboards are never bare.
Cinnamon: A very handy kitchen spice that can be used “in a pinch” to bring quick money, it can be bought as incense or burned on charcoal or sprinkled in a cash register or wallet to bring business.
Citronella: The leaves are thought to be good for attracting business and also smell lovely in a potpourri. Citronella is, however, toxic to birds – so avoid burning it in the house if you have feathered friends in your menagerie.
Five-Finger Grass (also known as Cinquefoil): This lemony grass can be burned, hid in a potpourri or carried on your person. It is the standard ingredient in most money drawing incenses.
Grains of Paradise: These little round seeds are carried in the purse or wallet or tucked in a sachet under the pillow to bring luck and guidance in career or money matters.
Honeysuckle: The live and dried flowers are used to attract luck business and prosperity.
Irish Moss: This is seaweed that can be bought in Caribbean stores. It is traditionally used to make a sweet drink. It is also carried in sachets to bring money to the bearer.
Juniper Berries: Associated with Jupiter, the berries of the juniper tree are said to attract luck, good fortune and business success.
Mint: All the mints (spearmint, peppermint) are used to attract good spirits and speed good fortune to the bearer.
Patchouli: Added to prosperity herb mixes to reinforce the manifestation power of your wishes. Can be bought as an incense, it has a commanding component to it.
Strawberry Leaves: Carried on the person and used to draw fortunate circumstances into a person’s life.
Squill Root: If you can find this, it is said to be one of the most powerful roots used to draw money to the bearer.
Tonka Beans: Tonkas are large dried beans that protect against poverty and that are just considered plain lucky. Place a bean in your purse, near your computer or under your phone – anywhere where you need luck in business. Avoid burning these.
The Author
Sam Steven’s metaphysical articles have been published in many high-standing newspapers and she has published several books. You can meet Sam Stevens at http://www.psychicrealm.com where she works as a professional psychic. You can also read more of her articles at http://www.newagenotebook.com where she is the staff writer. Currently she is studying technology’s impact
http://www.pioneerthinking.com/readersgardentips.html
Readers Gardening Secrets Pg 1
Growing Food Tips
Stop wind from damaging your tomatoes and peppers by planting them as deep as the first leaves.
After you plant strawberries for the first year, pick off the blooms to make the plant healthy and make better, and bigger strawberries.
Water your tomatoes with 1 tablespoon of epsom salts to a gallon of water.
Water your plants with a little milk, mix crushed egg shells into the soil, water plants moderately but regularly to avoid getting blossom end rot in tomatoes. - Dianne Barber, Ohio USA
When growing green peppers, put large rocks next to each plant, the sun will warm the rocks and draw heat to the pepper plants, pepper plants like heat, and they seem to grow much better.
Water tomatoes from the bottom, they don’t like getting their leaves wet.
How To Get Rid Of Ants By: Sher McLaughlin
Hello All,
If you want to get rid of ants..
Spread raw grits on the ground (not instant grits, tho).
Then, when the ants eat the grits & drink water...
They die.
I don’t know if it works for fire ants or not, however, it does work with regular ants tho.
Ants By: Pat L
You probably already know this one....dry yeast works also.
Herbal Shower For Plants By: Tani P
Water all your house plants with herbal tea. Use the tea after your done with your on cup and sprinkle it in your plants...Have a little left in your cup? Pour it on all house plants.
Snails & Slugs By: NJE316
After trying everything to kill snails in sub tropical south florida i have found a free, effective preventative for my bulbs and flowers. USED COFFEE GROUNDS sprinkled around the base of attacked plants seems to be working in wet and dry???
A Drunk Happy Dead Slug By: Regenia P
I’ve heard that a jar lid filled with beer sitting out for slugs to enjoy will promote drunk happy dead slugs.
How To Get Rid Of Slugs By: Tom Robinson
Hi, I am a 14 yo boy and I have tried everything to get rid of slugs, the best way I have found is to lay some cabbage leaves down on the ground of your garden (this will act as a home for slugs), and after 3 or 4 days you go and get all the slugs from under the leaves. Do this a few times till you have a fair wod of slugs collected in a jar, then blend the slugs up in a blender with enough water to make the mixture so you can spray it back around your plants.
This WILL work very well, the slugs will never go near the slug mixture.
Deter Ants By: S. Pavlovits
My young son and I discovered that ants do not like to cross chalk lines. To deter ants from entering our apartment building we drew a 1” thick chalk barrier across the patio. Also, we thought maybe the reason ants didn’t like crossing chalk was that it was “sharp” to their tiny bodies-—it is just ground up minerals.
We thought talc might have the same effect. We tried baby powder. The ants never came back. May have been a combination of the talc and the fragrance may have disguised their trail/food source.
http://www.pioneerthinking.com/readersgardentips1.html
Readers Gardening Secrets Pg 2
How To Get Rid Of Slugs! - BY MARK S
I am living here in Maidstone, England and battle every summer with slugs in the garden, BUT I have found the remedy to all of your pesky problems with slugs whether it is large or small.
There are countless remedies on the market which range from Nematodes to beer to harmful poisons and concoctions that I would not trust alongside my herb garden that is used for cooking and eating.
I stumbled upon this sure fire remedy one day purely by chance and it has been the saviour of my garden. It closely resembles the attractive properties of beer but at an incredible rate without harmful poisons or expensive nematodes....what is it? If you use beer, you will attract a few, but you have to keep replenishing the beer everyday to keep it fresh and attract the slugs.
Take a trip down to your local bakery and tell the butcher that you want to purchase some of his bakers yeast, or you can find it in your local grocery store if they carry it. You have to have fresh bakers yeast, it comes in a block and looks like white putty...dry yeast will not work.
Take the block of yeast and cut off a chunk, mix it in warm water, add salt, and set it on your back patio or near your garden. If you think about the beer remedy, you will discover that the slugs are not attracted to the beer, but the smell of the yeast in the beer.
I discovered this remedy one day after baking fresh bread with fresh brewers yeast and then decided to leave a piece of it out for the birds. I left it for about an hour and before I knew what had happened, there were hundreds of slugs making a bee line dash for the bread....EUREKA! It’s the yeast I said! I then went out and picked up each one with a scoop and put them all in a jar of salt water and that was that.
Be prepared...if you use this remedy, you will have to keep checking it every hour cause if there is a slug within a hundred yards of your garden, you will attract it.
Safe Slug Removal - BY BILL
I just finished reading your article about slug control and thought I’d pass this tidbit along.
I’d like to suggest that a generous sprinkling of fresh (unbrewed) coffee grounds has, for the past two years, allowed me complete control of grubs.
The first year I had tried ferrous phosphate and achieved partial control. However, a few weeks later, the problem returned. I did not want to continuously add this chemical to my soil because I did not want to have a build up of it. So, on a hunch, I tried the coffee grounds and got control that lasted the balance of the season. This spring, I waited for the first signs of trouble and re-applied the coffee grounds.
I have not seen any slug damage or trails since.
This builds on research conducted by the University of Hawaii into the effect of caffeine on amphibians.
Readers Gardening
Secrets Pg 3
Tips From My Garden - BY CHRISTINE HK.
Try this sometime. If you have an infestation of moth larvae in your lazy susan or cupboards, try laying down mint leaves or even rue. For some reason, they don’t like it. The same goes for outside, if you have an ant/bug crawling problem, the rue deters them.
I tried an experiment once and mixing the mint and rue together (by grinding them up) and made a paste. This I put around my roses base and it seemed to keep away the crawling creatures. Now all I have to do is figure out how to get the flying ones off.
Ant Deterrent - BY HAJEK
Our home was infested with ants. I tried everything, including ant traps. The most effective thing was, once I figured out where they were coming in, was lavender oil. They HATE it!! I put a few drops in the cracks I suspected they were coming in, and they NEVER returned. SO every spring, before the weather starts to warm up, I will be dropping lots of lavender oil around my kitchen
.
Sharing My Gardening Tip - BY RUDY H.
Organic soil enhancers produce more and higher quality fruits and veggies. Chemical fertilizers toxify the plants and they will begin to show it. An organic feritlizer that has its origin in the sea, as fish extract and sea kelp promote organisims that the plant’s roots system thrives in. The chemicals are toxic to the foilage, whereas liquid organic fertilizer feed the plants through it’s foilage. This organic soil enhancer is called AGgrand and can be diluted and sprayed on the plant or on the soil without fear of burning. Try doing this on your with chemical fertilizers and you can have a funeral for your plants.
Ant Bites - BY ANGELA
When I lived in Phoenix, AZ a few years ago an old Indian man told me the best remedy for fire ant bites is meat tenderizer (plain) with baking soda, you put equal amounts and a little bit of water to make a paste with it. It draws out the venom and helps with the itching. I had gotten bit by many of them while I was pregnant with my son. I itched for 2 weeks, met that man and within a day the swelling and itching was down. I also put bandaids over it to keep the pasty mixture on me.
Hope this helps some of you, Angela
Gnats Will Not Bite - BY JAC
The farmers in my area (Cape May, New Jersey) always go into the fields with LISTERINE (out of the bottle) rubbed all over their skin and hair. Believe it or not, the gnats and mosquitos will not bite you. An added bonus is that when put into the hair (I put it on just after washing my hair so it will touch my scalp) your hair will be nice and shiny.
The medicinal odor fades away leaving a film on the body and safeguards you against their tortuous bites.
I love your column. I found it by accident and now check it out quite often. Thanks, JAC
Annoying Itchy Mossie Bites etc - BY LESLEY
Hi there,I see many remedies for itchy insect bites ie: mossies, I personally use under arm roll on deodorant, just roll onto bite and almost instantly the itch disappears, repeat on return of itch.
Love your site, keep up the great work, from Lesley of Western Australia.
Old Time Try To Kill Slugs - BY VICKI M.
My grandfather showed me how to kill slugs when I was a little girl. All you have to do is put salt on them or around the base of a plant. Putting salt on the slug will cause it to shrivel up and die. Putting the salt around a plant or the whole edge of where plants are will keep the slugs out plus kill them off. Hope this helps people get rid of their slug problems!!
Black Ants - BY KIM W.
Hi, I found that if I left some fresh garlic cloves broken-up on a paper towel, on the kitchen counter, right by where I’d see the ant’s coming down our kitchen wall, they seemed to disappear and I haven’t seen any since.
Slugs and Beer - BY MARGARET C.
If you do have slugs, pour some beer into an aluminium pie pan and set in the sun. The slug will crawl into it but can’t crawl out. Just throw away the pie pan. If you gotta go, I could think of worse ways. (And no, it doesn’t have to be any particular brand or style of beer.)
Keep Mosquitos Away - BY MANDA L.
Tired of that stinky bug spray used to keep mosquitoes away? Simply slip a dryer sheet in your pocket. Those pesky things can’t stand the smell so they won’t come near you!!
Readers Gardening Secrets Pg 4
Garden Protector
By Cynthia P.
An organic solution to keep cats and dogs out of the garden.
Ingredients:
2 tablespoons cayenne pepper
2 tablespoons tabasco sauce or 1 ½ tablespoons dry mustard powder
1 tablespoon plain white flour
1 medium cooking onion chopped finely
1 clove garlic chopped finely
2 teaspoons liquid dish soap
1 ½ quart warm water
Directions:
Mix together the dry ingredients, then add the chopped onion and garlic, stir well. Slowly add in the soap, then the water until all ingredients are thoroughly blended. Place garden mixture in a container or spray bottle and let the mixture settle, when ready to use give it a good shake or stir if its in a container. Spray or pour the repellent around the plants directly on the soil or at the base of bushes. Re-spray plant area every 2 weeks or after major rainfall.
Tips for Plants
Jewek Hallissoule
Keep the water after you boil eggs, it’s good to water your plants with it! It has a lot of minerals in it.
Grow extra large and juicy tomatoes. Before planting add one tablespoon of Epsom salt in the hole.
Homemade Insecticide: Spray plants with your old dishwater. The soap kills of the bugs.
Sprinkle crushed up eggs shell around flower plants and roses to keep slugs and bugs away.
Clean the leaves of your plant with a cotton ball dipped in milk. Makes it shiny.
Natural Weed Eliminator Formula
By Cynthia P.
A simple way to get rid of weeds that grow along pathways, patio stones or sidewalks easily is by spraying them with undiluted white vinegar.
Make sure you protect any nearby plants that you want to keep! Spray vinegar directly onto the leaves and around the base of the weeds. You might have to respray stubborn weeds the next day. Good luck!
Lavender Summer Rose Potpourri
By Jennifer P.
My favorite family recipe is our summer potpourri that fills the air with its unique aroma. I like to use pink rose petals in my own mix, but any color will due. Mix and match flowers and spices to make it your own.
2 cups dried pink rose petals and leaves
1 cup dried lavender flowers
8 drops sandalwood essential oil
3 dried whole bay leaves
10 whole cloves
1 tablespoon ground cinnamon
1 tablespoon orris root powder (acts as a fixative)
Mix the dried flowers, bay leaves, cloves and cinnamon in a bowl then place mix in an airtight container
for 5 days. Stir once a day. On the fifth day, add the sandalwood essential oil and the orris root. Cover for another 4 weeks. Stir once daily.
The original page can be found on-line at http://www.pioneerthinking.com/paperl.html
Paper Bag Lunches
Do you run out of ideas for snacks for your children’s lunches or perhaps your own? Here is a list of snacks for hunger or thirst.
Thirst
Apple Juice Kiwis Plums
Apples Mangos Raspberries
Blackberries Melons Strawberries
Blueberries Milk-plain or chocolate Tangerines
Cantaloupe Nectarines Tomato Juice
Cherries* Orange Juice Tropical Fruit Juice
Cherry Tomatoes* Oranges Vegetable Juice
Cucumber Papaya Water
Grapefruit Peaches Watermelon
Grapefruit Juice Pears Yoghurt Beverages
Grapes* Pineapple
Hunger
Apple Sauce Apricots Bagel
Banana Bread and Buns Bread Sticks
Cereal Cheese Cottage Cheese
Crackers Egg Roll Eggs-Hard Cooked or Deviled
Hummus Ice Cream/Ice Milk Milk Pudding
Muffins-whole grain Nuts and seeds* Peanut Butter
Pita Bread Pizza Popcorn*
Sandwich-
Cheese;Egg Salad; Ham;Peanut Butter; Salmon; Tuna.
Vegetables-
Raw: Anise; Broccoli Pieces; Carrots*; Cauliflower Pieces; Celery; Kohlrabi; Peppers; Radishes; Rutabaga/ Turnip strips; Snowpeas; Zucchini
Yoghurt
* Nuts; Seeds: Popcorn; Some raw fruits such as grapes; Some raw vegetables especially carrots are good snacks but may cause choking in children under age three. Always supervise young children when they are eating.
Healthy Snack Ideas
* Snack size yoghurts, milk puddings and fruit cups....don’t forget a spoon
* Milk and milk shakes in a drinking box....keep some cold and ready to go
* Any fruit ...grapes, orange wedges, cantaloupe slices, canned pineapple spears or chunks
* Vegetable sticks mixed with chunks of cheese
* Celery sticks filled with soft cheese or peanut butter; add a few crackers
* Crackers...bag them yourself or buy small portion packs
* Cheese
* Peanut butter and crackers
* Snack pack cheese and crackers or peanut butter and crackers
* Handful of wholegrain cereal......add a few grapes or small chunks of cheese
* Whole grain muffin
* Sandwich with a few slices of fruit
* Cold pizza slices
* Half bagel with cheese or peanut butter
* Popcorn or nuts for older children
Snack Lists made by Nutrition Communications, The Ontario Milk Marketing Board
The original page can be found on-line at http://www.pioneerthinking.com/gardentips.html
Gardening Tips & Techniques
-Seal Plants — Gardeners use white glue for sealing the ends of pruned stems and branches against insects and excessive moisture loss.
-When doing your fall flower planting (if you order from a company that sends you the roots and/or bulbs in labeled bags) put rocks in the bags and leave them where you planted them so next spring you’ll remember where and what you planted last fall!
-When storing bulbs for the winter sprinkle them with medicated baby powder and store them in old onion sacks.
-Prevent soil from leaking out of a potted plant. Place a pair of pantyhose in the bottom of plant pots to provide drainage.
-A birth control pill dissolved in one quart of water will help ferns grow faster and stronger.
-Use all those fall leaves! Shred them and put them in your flower and vegetable garden for extra nutrients in the soil and protection from the cold winter!
-If you want moss to grow on your rocks ...paint plain yogurt on the surface. Make sure you repeat the process after any rain.
-Garden Tool Carrier - One great tip is use an old golf bag to store your garden tools in, it can carry both your long handled and short handled garden tools. Makes gardening so much easier since you don’t need to run back and forth for your tools.
-Weed after a rainfall. Weeds pull easier. If you need to weed and it hasn’t rained, water your garden first.
-A great way to maintain moisture to the soil, as well as reducing weeds is to lay down several layers of newspaper sheets between the rows and plants. At the end of the season this mulch can be turned into the soil. Make sure the print is vegetable oil ink.
-To get rid of weeds that come up between patio cracks and gravel, just sprinkle salt.
-To prevent dirt from getting under your fingers while gardening, scratch a bar of soap before starting to work. When you are finished, the soap will wash out from under your nails and your nails won’t have those telltale dark stains under them!
-Use an inexpensive plastic kids pool filled a few inches with water to keep your potted plants in when on vacation.
-Cut the bottom of empty plastic cola bottles (any size) to use to start seedling. They are the perfect size and you will also be recycling.
-Rinsed out milk cartons are excellent containers for kitchen scraps waiting to go out to the compost.
-When starting new plants from cuttings, if you will put a little sugar in the water, it seems to help the cuttings get roots a little faster!
-If an unsuspecting frost came upon your garden while you were sleeping and the plants were not protected, get to the garden before the sun shines on the plants and spray the foliage with the garden hose.
-You can make a tumbling composter using a plastic garbage can with a sturdily attached lid. Just poke holes in the sides for aeration, and roll the can to mix the compost.
-Besides regular water, once a month dissolve an Aspirin in a cup of tea and feed to plants.
-Herbs for the winter: Cut 4-5 inches of stem from your favorite herbs, tie in a bunch and hang upside down to dry in a cool place. Its beautiful, smells great and its economical as well!
Indoor Gardening Tips
- Water your hanging plants with ice cubes and you won’t have water spilling out the bottom!
- African Violets- Water them with chamomile tea.....will make them bloom profusely.
- Amaryllis-To keep the flowers blooming, remove the pollen bearing anthers with tweezers before they begin to drop.
- Cactus- To get a cactus to bloom, water sparingly - once a month or so, and leave outside in a dry sunny spot as late as possible in the fall. Bring indoors when nights are cooler. This will stimulate blooming for the following spring.
- When you change your aquarium water, don’t just dump the water down the drain - - use it for watering your indoor plants - - it’s loaded with nutrition your plants will love!
The original page can be found on-line at http://www.pioneerthinking.com/lg_garden.html
10 Free Gardening Products
By Linda Gray
One of the pleasurable spin-offs in organic gardening is finding alternative ways of coming up with the same, if not better, end result.....
Household throwaways can be valuable to the alternate enthusiast. Here are ten recyclable ideas to make gardening a little less hard on the pocket!
1. Hedge clippings: Instead of burning or direct composting, beg, borrow or even buy, if the quantity justifies the price, an electric garden muncher.
Branches up to an inch in diameter are posted into a slot and the machine munches them up into small chips. Spread these chips thickly around shrubs or fruit trees to help keep moisture in, and control the temperature of the soil.
2. Food Waste: All food waste must be composted. Composting is becoming quite an art form, and special composting bins can be bought, or very simply made.
There are many different theories and each gardener will find his or her preferred way. Keeping the compost fairly warm is the overall key to a good result. Or, if you’re in no hurry, simply keep adding to a heap, and dig out the bottom when required. Sieve before using and the compost will be ready for planting small plants and even seeds.
3. Old carpets, large damaged cardboard boxes; and similar materials can be laid over the vegetable plot in autumn to help prevent those early spring weeds appearing. Spread over a whole patch and weigh down with stones or logs. Lift off on a sunny day in early spring a few days before digging..
4. Paint trays: Keep old roller painting trays and similar containers for seed trays. Punch a few holes in the bottom for drainage. Add a little fine gravel before filling with seed compost. Seed trays shouldn’t be deeper than 15cm.
5. Yoghurt pots: All plastic yoghurt or dessert pots can be washed and saved for re-potting seedlings. Make a hole in the bottom of each and add a little fine gravel before filling with compost or soil..
6. Glass jars: Glass jars with sealable lids are excellent for storing seeds, beans and peas for planting next year. (Safe from mice as well) After washing the jars, dry in the oven to remove all traces of moisture before storing your seeds. Collect dark glass jars, or wrap paper round clear jars to prevent seeds being damaged by light.
7. Ice Lolly sticks: Make perfect row markers in your seed trays or greenhouse beds. The wooden ones won’t last for ever but you can at least write on them with pen, pencil or crayons!
8. Wire coat hangers: Make mini-cloches with discarded or broken wire coat hangers. Pull into a square shape. Place the hook in the soil and push down gently until the natural bend in the wire rests on top of the soil. Place another a short distance away in your seed bed to create two ends of a cloche. Now throw over a sheet of plastic and hold down with logs or stones.
Note: this will work only when creating very small cloches.
9. Clear plastic: Keep any clear plastic containers that could be placed upside down over a plant. Cut a mineral water bottle in half to make two handy individual cloches. Large sheets of clear plastic from packaged household items are fine for throwing over mini coat hanger cloches.
10. Aluminium bottle tops: Keep aluminium tops from milk or juice bottles, and also coloured foil around beer or wine bottles. Thread together to make bird scarer. Simply thread with thick cotton and hang on your fruit bushes before the birds find the new fruits.
Look out for other tools for the garden from kitchen throwaways such as: old kitchen spoons and forks for transplanting tiny plants in the greenhouse. Leaky buckets for harvesting small quantities of potatoes, carrots etc; light wooden boxes for harvesting salads through the summer, and transporting pots etc;
Keep an eye on that rubbish bag and turn today’s throwaways into tomorrow’s tools!
The Author
Linda Gray is a freelance writer and, with her partner, has spent ten years renovating an acre of neglected woodland. With a growing family to feed ‘off the land’, frugal gardening has become second nature! Drop in at http://www.flower-and-garden-tips.com for pots of gardening inspiration!
source:ArticleCity.com
Posted: July 27, 2005
The original page can be found on-line at http://www.pioneerthinking.com/tv-organictoolkit.html
Five Must-Have Ingredients for the Organic Gardener’s Toolkit
By: Arzeena Hamir
For any gardener who still hasn’t been convinced about the need to garden organically, here are some statistics that may help change your mind. In March of 2001, the American Cancer Society published a report linking the use of the herbicide glyphosate (commonly sold as Round-up) with a 27% increased likelihood of contracting Non-Hodgkins Lymphoma. John Hopkins University also revealed that home gardeners use almost 10 times more pesticide per acre than the average farmer and that diseases caused by environmental illness, exposure to chemicals etc., is now the number one cause of death in the U.S.
With the EPA’s recent phasing out of common pesticides such as Dursban and Diazinon, we are now realizing that many of the chemicals that we thought were “safe” were never actually tested to see what their affect on children, women, and the elderly could be. The time has come to reassess our dependence on pesticides. For anyone contemplating the switch to organic gardening, here are a few ingredients that should be in every gardener’s toolkit:
1. Garlic
Many cultures around the world have used garlic as a natural antibiotic and antifungal remedy. When garlic is combined with mineral oil and soap, it becomes a very effective pest control product. However, when it is sprayed, it is not a selective insecticide. It can be used to control cabbageworm, leafhoppers, squash bugs, whitefly, but will also affect beneficial insects so be careful where and when you apply this product.
Recipe: Allow 3 ounces of finely chopped garlic to soak in 2 teaspoons of mineral oil for 24 hours. Add 1 pint of water and ¼ ounce of liquid dish soap. Stir well and strain into a glass jar for storage. This is your concentrate.
To use: Combine 1-2 tablespoons of concentrate in 1 pint of water to make the spray. Do be careful not to make the solution too strong. While garlic is safe for humans, when combined with oil & soap, the mixture can cause leaf injury on sensitive plants. Always test the lower leaves of plants first to make sure they aren’t affected.
2. Milk
Fungal diseases can be a serious problem for gardeners, especially in the heat of the summer. Powdery mildew and black spot seem to be the most common diseases that cause gardeners to reach for the spray bottle. Now, instead of reaching for a chemical fungicide, gardeners can open the fridge for an excellent fungal control - milk!
In 1999, a Brazilian scientist found that milk helped control powdery mildew on cucumbers just as effectively as a synthetic fungicide. Since the study was published, the news has traveled around the world and encouraged gardeners and farmers alike to try milk as a fungal control for a variety of diseases. So far, there has been success reported on the use of milk to control powdery mildew on a variety of different plants. In addition, it has also been found to be an affective control of black spot on roses.
Any type of milk can be used from full milk to skim to powder. However, the low fat milks have less of a chance of giving off any odour. The recipe calls for milk to be mixed with water at a ratio of 1 part milk to 9 parts water and applied every 5-7 days for 3 applications.
The original page can be found on-line at http://www.pioneerthinking.com/tv-organictoolkit2.html
Five Must-Have Ingredients for the Organic Gardener’s Toolkit - pg2
By Arzeena Hamir
3. Beer
Slugs are attracted to chemicals given off by the fermentation process. The most popular bait has been beer. However, not all beers are created equal. In 1987, a study at Colorado State University Entomology Professor Whitney found that Kingsbury Malt Beverage, Michelob, and Budweiser attracted slugs far better than other brands.
Whatever the type of beer you use, you can create your own slug trap. Use cottage cheese, margarine, or similar size plastic containers. Put between 1/2 and 2 inches of beer in each container and place the containers around your garden, especially around plants prone to slug damage. Never, sink the containers with their rims flush with the soil level or you run the risk of drowning ground beetles, important slug controllers. The rims should be 1” above the soil’s surface. You will probably need to empty the container of drowned slugs every other night. The range of slug traps is only a few feet so you need to supply a few traps throughout your garden.
4. Floating row cover
The easiest method of pest control is to prevent damage in the first place. Using a physical barrier like a floating row cover will prevent insect pests from reaching your plants and chewing them or laying their eggs on them. I find floating row covers a must when growing carrots to prevent carrot rust fly damage and when draped over my broccoli, I prevent imported cabbageworm from defoliating my plants.
Floating row cover is a fabric made of spun polypropelene fibres. The fabric itself is very lightweight and will sit on top of your plants without causing any damage. The fabric allows both light and water to penetrate it but prevents even the smallest insects like flea beetles from getting to your plants.
The fabric is sold at most garden centers under many names like Reemay, Agrofabric and Agribon and comes in a variety of different weights. The lighter weight fabrics are best for use during the summer. The heavier fabrics do hold in some heat and are best used in the early spring or late fall. The added bonus is that they can also help extend the gardening season by a few weeks!
5. Newspaper/Cardboard
Weeds are some of the hardest pests to control organically without resorting to physically pulling each one out. If your weeds are coming up in small clusters, it is easy to deal with them by pouring boiling water over them. However, if you’ve got a large area, the best way to control them is to smother them, also known as sheet mulching.
I prefer to use either newspaper or cardboard to smother my weeds instead of plastic. Both newspaper and cardboard degrade naturally and will, over time, add carbon into my soil, helping provide organic material. In addition, most newspapers are now printed with soy-based inks, which will also degrade in the garden.
If you decide to use newspaper, make sure you place it at least 4-6 sheets thick over your weeds. One layer of cardboard is usually sufficient to get the same effect. It takes at least a month to kill most weeds so I find the best way to use this method is to place the newspaper or cardboard over the weeds in the fall. Come springtime, the weeds are dead, the mulch has degraded, and I’ve got wonderful soil to work with.
For anyone who is concerned about the aesthetics of newspaper or cardboard, you can also cover the mulch with grass clippings, compost or bark mulch for a nicer look. Make sure whatever you use is free of weed seeds.
The Author
Arzeena Hamir is an agronomist and garden writer for Organic Living Newsletter. Subscribe to this free e-newsletter at http://www.tvorganics.com
Posted: 2003
The original page can be found on-line at http://www.pioneerthinking.com/kg_strawbale.html
Straw Bale Culture Technique
By Kirk Gordon
Growing plants in straw bales is not a common practice. Straw bale culture is a form of soilless cultivation or hydroponics. The technique is quite effective at growing healthy plants and can grow tomatoes, peppers or even cucumbers to list a few. Root vegetables like turnips or carrots are not ideal for straw culture. Certain herbs like cilantro, basil and parsley should do well when grown this way.
In general, plants grown in straw bales appear to require less water than when grown in soil. Another benefit to using straw bale culture is the garden bed will turn into compost offering some additional nutrients to your vegetables and herbs. The constantly composing environment warms up to provide gentle heat to the roots of plants and for your greenhouse. After some preparation and processing the compost will also begin to generate Co2 which will help to boost your plant’s growth rate.
Instructions:
Wheat straw bales are a good choice for cultivating plants. You should try to remove any weeds that may sprout, then follow the instructions below to get started growing your vegetable crops “Straw Culture” style.
Construct Garden Area
The straws should be tied and in a vertical position. Build a (plastic) barrier/fence around your garden area to hold the bales in place. If you do build a barrier around your garden, make sure the bales are packed in well. The barrier should be made of plastic or other synthetic material and not consist of wood or other biodegradable substance.
Place a sheet of plastic on the bottom of your grow area to help the straw retain moisture. Tightly pack in the tied straw bales until the entire area of your garden is filled in. Soak the entire garden with water and place another sheet of plastic on top. Each bale will require approximately 1-gallon of water daily. For example, if you used 10 bales, you will need 10-gallons of water. Place another sheet of plastic on top of the bales after watering. The plastic should remain on between feedings until the processing period is over.
Preparing Bale (Processing)
The straw bale will require 3-4 weeks of processing before it is ready to grow plants. After the 3-4 weeks processing time, the bale will begin to decompose and form compost. This is when you will add fertilizers and top with a dressing of bagged compost or manure about 4 inches high. Do not use soil.
Adding Fertilizer:
Once you’ve topped with compost/manure it’s time to add the fertilizer. Spread the dry (soluble) fertilizer over the surface of the bales and then water according to manufacturers directions. After you add fertilizer, the rate of bacterial action in the decomposing straw will increase, raising the bed’s internal heat. Cover with plastic and let it sit for an additional week. After a week, the bales should be cool enough to start planting your seeds - just drop em’ in to sprout.
The Author
Article courtesy of HydroponicSearch.com - The Hydroponics Search Engine.
Posted: August 30, 2005
The original page can be found on-line at http://www.pioneerthinking.com/dd_scenttrees.html
Gardening Using Trees and Shrubs with Scent in Mind
Trees and shrubs can have many different forms, for example many conifers are conical, pyramidal, or powerfully vertical. Some are prostrate and spreading. To some degree these are scented and everyone is familiar with the scent of pine, but it is only if you rub or brush against the tree, which can be a prickly experience! Weeping trees have a very attractive romantic form and scented varieties include weeping Cercidiphyllum (Katsura Tree) Pendulum, which is quite spectacular. It has thrilling color in the fall and is scented like caramel. Also the weeping Silver Lime is an attractive choice for scented gardening. A shrub that looks like a small tree is Buddleja Alternifolia, and it has lovely flowers with the scent of honey in early summer.
Trees can affect the character of a garden and all gardens, however small, should have at least one. They make such a strong outline against the background and the sky. A number of conifers have scented needles, such as juniper and cypresses. Some of them have slender columnar forms which are used in gardening to create a formal or contemporary feel. The more spreading, horizontal conifers like Cedar of Lebanon, (scented of blackcurrant in summer weather), Blue Atlas Cedar or Scots Pine, create a less formal look for a gardening design, but still have a distinct aura of grandeur about them.
Primarily we tend to choose trees and shrubs as gardening subjects because they fit architecturally into a given space. Scent is often the last criterion we would use to select a large feature such as this. Trees and shrubs are such significant gardening features that eventual size and the shade cast may be of more importance than scent. Shade is desirable to some degree, but if trees and shrubs are so big and planted on the southern side of a garden they may cast everything into gloom! Scented blossoms may be considered a bonus in gardening terms once the other considerations have been met.
For low, formal hedging you really can’t beat the neatness of Box. It is not as fast growing as privet. If your idea of gardening is about clipped topiary, Box is ideal for designs such as Box Balls or Pyramids on the simpler level up to Elephant, Peacock and Teddy Bear shapes for the more experienced topiarist. Low box hedging can bring a formal look to your gardening, even if other areas are less so: it can bring the garden “into line” so to speak, by creating straight lines of dense green. Of course you can make a curved hedge from it too. One of its less attractive features is its smell, but that is a matter of personal taste. For me it smells too strongly of cat’s urine! I experience this pungent odour every time I walk by it, but many people learn to live with or even love it simply by associating it with happy summer days pottering around gardening. If you really can’t handle the smell then consider using Lonicera Nitida instead. This shrubby honeysuckle has sweet, fruity cream-colored flowers.
Trees and shrubs can of course be used to make a windbreak screen. In order to create the still, sheltered microclimate in which other scented plants can thrive, this may be essential, depending on the situation of your plot. Trees and shrubs can make better windbreaks than walls, as they don’t offer the wind a “full stop” barrier which the wind can then leap over and cause problems due to eddying on the other side. If your region is reasonably mild for gardening, Eucalyptus can grow very fast to create an instant hedge or tree in a selected spot. They have beautifully minty-scented foliage, flowers with the scent of honey, and are fast growers. They can be hard pruned if you don’t mind a modicum of gardening, especially if you don’t want them to grow so big and if you want to keep the prettier, juvenile blue leaves coming back year on year.
A number of gardening writers seem to ignore trees and shrubs when they write about scented gardening; perhaps small and pretty annuals spring to mind or of course roses. In fact a huge amount of scent can be generated from gardening with trees and shrubs. Trees and shrubs can give such a variety of powerful scents that it is a shame that most of us don’t have the space to use more of them in our gardens. The architectural effect of trees and shrubs is undeniable.
The Author:
Dianne Davies is a keen gardener who likes to share her knowledge. She runs her own half acre garden in Norfolk as well as websites which include - http://www.gardening-world.com & http://www.gardening-notebook.blogspot.com
Source: ArticleTrader.com
Posted: July 12, 2006