PIN IT NOW - PIN IT OFTEN!!!
Go to: pinterest.com/handswithseeds

Yahoo...Hands with Seeds is PinInIt!

Just dove into the wonderful world of Pinterest!

Find me @ www.pinterest.com/handswithseeds

and make sure you 'Pin It' when you read one of our postings!

Love Happy Customers!

Hey girl - Having a good day over here - Melaleuca rocks my world!

Using my products and getting creative with them. Keeping Tub & Tile in the kitchen - cleaned all the black spots off the stove parts the other day... Hubby is amazed, too! Sol-U-Mel makes it easy to keep and reuse good jars... Cleaned the carpeted entry stairs with Sol-U-Mel and a rubber scrub brush - looks better than when we pay to have them done.

My happiest moment in the morning is smelling the delicious smell of the Affinia facial scrub. To me it smells like a real watermelon... not that icky fake watermelon scent. Makes me smile. Love it! And my skin looks and feels great.

Hubby loves Renew - he is painter and in the winter his hands get really dry from washing them so much. He is using the lotion and the hand wash and it's great! I am using Renew on my feet every night and when I remember in the morning before I put my socks on. Pretty feet! Happy Happy Happy!

Love, Pat 

PS Laundry products are amazing - combining products to get great results - have only used cold water since I started and it's remarkable!

www.mymakegreengogreen.com

The Battle of Breast Cancer

I recently ran across this Blog, and after viewing and reading it, I had to share it with you. Please go to: mywifesfightwithbreastcancer.com

Embrace the dignity of a gruesome battle: fought with passion - lost in love.
hugs, linda

www.mymakegreengogreen.com

18 Year Old Stove Like New with Tub & Tile!

I love to cook! Chef and managed the kitchen in our restaurant in the Lake of the Ozarks, back in the day. Although I am organized...I make a mess! Sooo... here is a pic of my 18 year old stove. After making pizza from scratch last nite, this morning I need to get about 6 months of baked on crud out of the oven... so, instead of using BIG TIME toxic oven cleaner, or running my self clean at a gizzillion degrees for 3 hours and using a ton of electricity...I simply sprayed diluted Tub & Tile from Melaleuca on all the grease and burnt crud, waited about 5 minutes and then used a green pad and a sponge to wipe it all out! TA DA...

Tub & Tile costs me $5.68 for the small green bottle concentrate, WHICH MAKES SIX Spray bottles of cleaner! The power of 20 lemons and T36 C5 Melaleuca Oil at its best! Imagine what it will do on your gross shower! And this is only one of over 375 safe, nontoxic products made by Americans, factory direct coop shopping! Call me @ 608.314.4004...would love to share the goodness.

Changing Stores - Changes Everything. hugs, linda
www.mymakegreengogreen.com 

Melaleuca Gives 4 Steps to Clean the Environment

www.mymakegreengogreen.com

Dancing Babies... this is the greatest!

www.mymakegreengogreen.com

HOW TO CARE FOR WOODEN CUTTING BOARDS

Written by Genesis Davies  

Wooden cutting boards are a great addition to any kitchen. They are sturdy and beautiful, often lovely enough to be left out on display. However, we've all heard about the dangers of wood. When you cut food on the board, the knife creates grooves that can breed harmful bacteria and the wood itself can absorb juices from food, which will stain and cause more bacteria to grow. So, how can you prevent these problems and keep your wooden cutting board clean and safe?

Seal your board. You can wipe the cutting board down with mineral oil with a drop or two of T36C5 Melaleuca Oil every week or so, applying it with a soft cloth and leaving it to dry. This will help prevent moisture from foods from soaking into the wood and the C36C5 will kill the bacteria naturally. This should be done before cutting fish or chicken on the board, as well and don't let anything damp or wet sit for long on the cutting board.

Vary your cutting. If you always cut in the same spot on your wooding cutting board, you will wear it out faster. To prevent this, make sure you use different areas of the board to chop vegetables. You should also flip it from time to time to makes sure that it wears evenly on both sides.

Clean it thoroughly. Harsh chemicals aren't a good idea on wood, you can wash your block with a natural disinfecting spray, like Melaleuca Tough & Tender or Sol-U-Guard. It's a good idea to use a metal scraper to scrape the moisture from the surface after each cleaning, which will let it dry faster. Never, ever use steel wool to scrub the cutting board, a sturdy washcloth or scrub brush will do nicely.

Don't soak your board. If you feel the wood needs a more thorough disinfection, you can wipe on Sol-U-Mel and leave it for five minutes before rinsing thoroughly. However, don't soaking your board because the wood will swell up and crack and the joints will split. It's the fastest way to destroy your board.

Your wooden cutting board is a great kitchen tool, but you do need to treat it with care if you want it to last. Most cutting boards are good for years and years if you are careful with them. Make sure you never let your cutting board get too wet and keep it clean and you will be using it for a long time to come. 

Interested in more info on the products recommended in this article? Contact Linda @ linda@handswithseeds.com

www.mymakegreengogreen.com  

OK...one more video...this is so wonderful. Life is all about the JOY!

www.mymakegreengogreen.com 

Do you know a person who is an Equestrian?

I am one...and this says it all!  Enjoy....
www.mymakegreengogreen.com  

APPS TO GET YOUR KIDS INTO THE GARDEN

by Meg Sperring
With the arrival of summer, you want to get your kids outdoors, but all they do is play, talk, and listen on their electronic devices—indoors. Get them into the fresh air with apps that lead them into the garden.

There are a number of gardening apps and outdoor apps for children. The first thing to do is to channel their curiosity with game apps and story apps, and then download further apps that will help them to practically apply what they have learned.

Roo's Fabulous Edible Garden. A free game app that will spark your kids' interest in growing fruit and vegetables, with the side benefit of learning how yummy this produce is to eat. The game takes them through preparing the ground and planting their own virtual garden, harvesting their crop, and finally cooking their produce. During the growing season, they weed their plot, remove harmful insects and learn about the good ones, and water their plants. Suitable for Grades 1 to 3 and up, this gardening app is compatible with iPhone, iPad, and iPod touch (iOS 3.0 or later), and was developed by UNC-TV.

Green RADventures of Nico. A fun story app that teaches kids about growing plants that you can eat. Your children will plant seeds, learn about growing processes of plants, and sing along with the Green Minstrel. Suitable for children ages 4 to 12, this app is compatible with iPhone, iPad, and iPod touch (iOS 4.2 or later).

Star Walk, Star Chart, or Night Sky (compatible with iOS and Android) are other great apps that will get your kids into the garden. These outdoor apps allow kids to explore the night sky above them, and are easy to use. Your children will have access to fascinating information about the celestial bodies that they see, and the apps enable them to move back in time to view the sky of years ago. Apps like these make kids aware of the infinite potential of nature, and help them to understand how the rhythms of the natural world control the activities in it.

Plants and Plants Pro. This reasonably priced gardening app helps kids organize and schedule their gardening activities and to tag plants that need individual care. An icon alert lets them know when they need to water or fertilize their plants. The app gives information about various plants, and kids can add plants to the library whenever they want. Suitable for ages 8 to 99. The app was developed by Tuparev Technologies, and is compatible with iPhone, iPad, and iPod touch (iOS 4.2 or later). Upgrades to the app are free.

Audubon Wildflowers, SMM Wildflowers, or Wildflowers of Central Texas all provide information about wildflowers. Choose an app that covers your area, and you can download them onto iOS and Android devices. Take the kids on a walk, identify the flowers that you see, and then source them from your local plant nursery. Indigenous plants thrive in gardens, and are easy for youngsters to grow because they're in their correct climate zone.

Gardening apps and outdoor apps are great for encouraging your children to get outside and enjoy themselves. Once they're in the garden, they can continue to use their apps and will realize that they've found a fun and interesting place to be. Why don't you join them?
www.mymakegreengogreen.com  

Better then ever...Boomers!

Just created this great video postcard...
check it out @ www.handswithseedsboomer.info

 Let me know what you think! ~linda    

Astronaut Chris Hadfield's Space Oddity poignant, says David Bowie

DAVID Bowie has given Commander Chris Hadfield the thumbs up for the astronaut's zero gravity version of Space Oddity.
The five-minute video posted by NASA drew a salute from Bowie's official Facebook page: "It's possibly the most poignant version of the song ever created." In a high-flying, perfectly pitched first, the Canadian astronaut on the International Space Station is bowing out of orbit with a musical video of his own custom version of David Bowie's 1969 classic.

It's believed to be the first music video made in space, according to NASA.
Commander Hadfield's personalised rendition of Space Oddity was posted on YouTube yesterday, one day before his departure from the orbiting lab. He's wrapping up a five-month mission that began last December. His return aboard a Russian Soyuz capsule, along with American Thomas Marshburn and Russian Roman Romanenko, was set for sometime within the next 24 hours in Kazakhstan.

www.mymakegreengogreen.com  

Sue Conant shares her fav Melaleuca Product Stories...

Sue lives in Madison, WI and has been shopping the Melaleuca Store, factory direct for over a year & a half. We caught her bragging about her experiences at our Hands with Seeds Wine & Wellness Gathering on Friday, May 10, 2013, in Stoughton. (and yes, I videotaped Sue sideways...like dah!  But it only makes it more interesting!) Want to learn more?  Call Linda @608.314.4004

www.mymakegreengogreen.com 

 

PREPARING YOUR LAWN FOR SUMMER

by Tish Holt
Spring is here and many of us are getting our homes and gardens ready for the season. And on the to-do list is getting your winter lawn into shape for the warmer months ahead.
When approaching the care of your lawn it is important to remember that the goal is not to create a weed-free, emerald green carpet but to have an attractive, naturally sustainable environment that sets off your home. There are natural methods for preserving and/or creating a healthy lawn and now is a great time to begin preparing. Here are some introductory tips to get you started.

• Early signs of life from your dormant lawn.
• Potential problem areas (areas that have fostered crabgrass, weeds, etc. in the past).
• Healthy, rich soil for new grass growth.
• Re-emergence of friendly insects (such as ladybugs, earthworms, bees, butterflies, etc.) around your yard.

• Choose grass to plant that is best suited for your area. There are quite a few varieties that fit a wide range of environments. Look for grasses that resist drought, disease, needs little fertilizer or mowing and are able to handle foot traffic.
• Lawn Alternatives. Some climates are poorly suited for turf grass. Other groundcover (such as native meadow grasses) could also be considered in hard-to-maintain areas.
• When mowing, leave the grass clippings where they are scattered. Grass clippings provide needed nitrogen for new grass growth, reduce water evaporation and keep the soil temperatures cooler.
• Mow often but keep the lawn taller during the spring season (between two to four inches depending on the kind of grass). This allows the roots to deepen which helps the grass fight diseases, withstand droughts and compete against weeds.
• Plant Earthworms. They are great aerators for your soil.
• Composting. This is a great aerator/soil loosener for compacted soil.
• Avoid pesticides. They may provide short-term results but are detrimental to the health of your lawn, your family, your pets and other living things in your yard. Pesticide runoff also contributes to pollution in streams and groundwater.
• Natural Fertilizers. If you wish to use fertilizers to provide nutrients for your grass consider using natural, slow-release products such as grass clippings, compost, manures (dehydrated cow manure, dried poultry manure), fish emulsion, cottonseed meal and mixed organic fertilizers.
• Avoid chemical and/or synthetic fertilizers. They promote compacted soil, shallow roots, fungus growth, and are toxic to the soil in the long-run.
• Test your soil. Kits are available at many local garden centers and there are services that offer to test your soil for you as well. This only needs to be done every 3 – 5 years to check the pH (acidity and alkalinity) and fertility needs of your soil - but if you are a beginner to natural or chemical-free lawn maintenance, testing is advisable.
• Do not over-water your lawn. Your soil should be moist, but not wet. Excessive watering encourages harmful plant fungus and if your lawn has been improperly treated with chemicals, over-watering can contribute to runoff of those chemicals.

www.mymakegreengogreen.com

A great post by Dylan Ratigan who has dropped out of his national media job to work at

Archi's Acres

"Wind extinguishes a candle and energizes a fire." 

The first line in "Antifragile" by Nassim Nicholas Taleb.

There is something about a book you read on a trip that stays with you. Probably because you are mentally and physically in flux, shifting, and the passages anchor you to a fixed point while at the same time making a deeper etch on your brain than that book you are picking up in bed instead of flipping on Letterman.

On my trip across the country last summer--having fled the overstuffed core of the Big Apple and an MSNBC news desk for a life of promoting kale, veterans, and kale-growing veterans--I carried what I fervently believe to be a very important book in at least the past quarter century, Nassim Nicholas Taleb's "Antifragile."

What's it about? Nassim says it best, "Some things benefit from shocks; they thrive and grow when exposed to volatility, randomness, disorder, and stressors and love adventure, risk, and uncertainty. Yet, in spite of the ubiquity of the phenomenon, there is no word for the exact opposite of fragile. Let us call it antifragile. Antifragility is beyond resilience or robustness. The resilient resists shocks and stays the same; the antifragile gets better."

Everyone, from so-called risk management experts to bankers to boxers, are all repackaging and spitting out his ideas and, as a result, ideas like measured harm and exposure to potential danger (in the form of Taleb's "stressors") are infiltrating a wide variety of dialogue.

My strongest criticism of Taleb--mainly that his witty and charmingly arrogant prose makes the pursuit of measured harm and casting away of safe shores seem so important that one is tempted to forget that there will be harm in seeking measured harm.

Much like reading the clear, gracefully lucid passages in "A River Runs Through It" has lead to immeasurable amounts of swearing and tangled fly lines, "Antifragile" weaves a miraculously simple line of reasoning that is almost too good for the reader's good.

Real creativity and progress only happen in that sweet spot that is outside of the comfort zone yet not so deep in that we are paralyzed by fear. While the Harvard Business Review likes to publish articles about it as much as financial journalists love to write about it, the reality of moving into this spot is frightening and booby-trapped with snares of doubt and uncertainty.

That I read this book as I was shifting from a stressful, albeit incredibly rewarding lifestyle in Manhattan which had worn in and settled around me like an old baseball glove and intentionally cast myself into unfamiliar acreage (literally, three of them here on the farm) only served to deepen my appreciation of Antifragility.

It provided no advice, nor was it a roadmap for this journey. Taleb doesn't provide answers, but his questions felt familiar and asking them myself and finding my own answers does keep me sane on some long, dark nights in the west.

And for all of this what have I learned? Little so far. The wave hasn't even crested yet and already it has been a wild ride, albeit with little time for real reflection. And anyway, a wise man once said that nobody knows the winners of the most important games until years after they are played.

I have joined  a collaborative game and every player affects the variables. We are small pieces in a large puzzle, none of us sure of exactly where we fit, tumbling as we are through this adventure, and pulled by something that none of us quite understands.

It is a blazingly brilliant trip --  but it is also sleepless nights on an upset stomach.

Two things: I'm not whining about my new scars and I'm not preaching to you about the need to get outside your comfort zone.  My failures and successes have been of my own doing -- except those successes that I owe to the team around me -- and I wouldn't wish the difficulty on an enemy or give away the joy at gunpoint.

This is just a view from where I'm sitting and, most of the time, I'm enjoying it.

I will leave you with the words of a man I suspect Nassim would appreciate. Lucius Annaeus Seneca, a man who should pop into every mind that conjures the phrase "skin in the game."

"If anyone says that the best life of all is to sail the sea, and then adds that I must not sail upon a sea where shipwrecks are a common occurrence and there are often sudden storms that sweep the helmsman in an adverse direction, I conclude that this man, although he lauds navigation, really forbids me to launch my ship."

Onward and Upward!   - Dylan

Healthy Garden Solutions

by RM Barry

Before reaching for an insect spray or a plant remedy, try to determine if an insect is eating the plant or if the plant is diseased. Applying a pesticide can expose us to immediate or long-term health risks. Studies have linked pesticide exposure to an increased risk of Parkinson's disease not only among those who work on farms, but even in persons who live near sprayed fields.

Another study found a relationship between exposure to pesticides in our food and environment and the development of type 2 diabetes. They found that pollutants tended to concentrate in body fat.

The Melaleuca Wellness Guide (don't have one yet? Just click on my name below and email me! - linda) has a chapter entitled: "Healthy Garden Solutions." This chapter is based on suggestions shared by our readers: Note: When using any kind of spray, test the results by spraying a few leaves and waiting a couple of days to see if any damage occurs. To prevent damage, avoid applying sprays during the heat of the day. Irrigate drought-stressed plants thoroughly before applying any kind of spray. Since soft body insects like aphids and thrips are killed on contact, after applying a spray, rinse with water. Oil sprays should not be used on Blue Spruces. Citrus are also sensitive to oil sprays. Your Cooperative Extension Agent can recommend spraying times for citrus.

Roses ⁃ Black spot, rust, and powdery mildew are three different diseases caused by fungal infections. Try spraying diluted Sol-U-Mel on affected leaves. If you notice the first rose flowers of spring tinged with brown edges, the culprits might be thrips. Thrips are tiny, slender, difficult-to-see little insects that cause brown edges on flower buds. Roses and peonies can be affected. Spray diluted Tough & Tender on affected flower buds. Rinse with fresh water. Aphids are soft body insects that suck plant juices. You will usually find them on new growth. Over- fertilizing can make for lots of tender new growth that attracts aphids. Spray with diluted Tough & Tender and rinse off with water. Natural predators such as lady bugs eat aphids. 

Black Sooty Mold on Elm trees, or other susceptible trees, can be reduced by spraying Sol-U-Mel high into the tree. If needed, use a power sprayer. Black sooty mold is usually caused by aphid secretions as they feed on leaves. The aphids produce sticky "honeydew" that sometimes turns black. If you happen to park your car under an affected tree you will notice the sticky substance on your vehicle. You might also notice ants because they harvest the honeydew. Sometimes the honeydew dripping is caused by scale insects. Scale insects are harder to remove. But Sol-U-Mel should help as the scale insect does have periods of time before it forms its hard scale when it is more vulnerable to safer solutions.

Ants can be killed with PreSpot, Sol-U-Mel or Tough & Tender. If ants are making a little trail into your home, sometimes just dusting them with clove spice or dropping mint leaves on their trail will cause them to decide your home is not so attractive after all. In the yard, repeatedly spraying water on them can make them decide to move to another part of the yard. If you have fire ants, to kill them mix the following into a two gallon bucket of water: 1 capful of Tough & Tender, 1 capful of MelaMagic, 1 capful of Sol-U-Mel, 1 capful of Tub & Tile, and always 10 drops of Lemon Brite. Stir and pour half of the bucket on the fire ant bed. Wait 30 minutes and pour on the other half. This kills them "dead" and they won't come back.

Zinnias are prone to powdery white patches caused by powdery mildew. Give zinnias good air circulation and avoid watering them from above. If affected by powdery mildew, spray diluted Sol-U-Mel directly on the leaves of your zinnias. They will usually show improvement in one day.

Ninety percent of insects are good bugs. Beneficial insects help keep pests from causing damage. To attract and maintain a population of beneficial insects we need flowers like yarrows, dill, and cilantro which provide nectar and pollen. Planting fragrant plants such as herbs, marigolds, and nasturtiums help confuse and repel pests.

Some bugs, like squash bugs can be easily picked off plants, hopefully before they mate and multiply. MNN.com shows bug pictures and a bit of bug-education. Learning to identify good bugs versus pesky bugs can help you maintain a safe and healthy garden. And if you have children, this knowledge can be fun and a foundation for them in organic gardening.

A spray bottle of Tough & Tender and Sol-U-Mel along with common sense and a bit of patience can result in a healthy productive garden.

Healthy Garden Success Stories
I have many perennial plants around our home. After returning home from a week's vacation last summer, my Hosta plants were all infected with a little red bug. I came in the house and looked in my Wellness Guide. As advised, I grabbed my bottle of Tough & Tender spray and went to work spraying my Hosta plants. The bugs were eating holes in my plants. The next day, the bugs were ALL GONE! My Hostas had no damage from the Tough &Tender and were beautiful the rest of the summer! THANK you Melaleuca and RM Barry Publications! ~ Mickey 

I have lots of roses, about 40 plants, and other than feeding the roses with healthy soil additives like manure, alfalfa pellets, banana peels and fertilizers, I just use Tough &Tender. In the spring I used to notice the first flowers on some roses were brownish. I discovered they were thrips... so tiny you can barely see them. The Melaleuca Wellness Guide recommends Tough & Tender. One spray with Tough & Tender takes care of them. Now when the roses are setting their first blooms I go around early in the morning and as I admire them I give them a quick spray. My roses are beautiful and healthy. I only need to do this one time in the spring. ~ Gloria

Ants will appear here and there in the garden. I try not to kill anything, but ants can be a problem. I've used PreSpot, Sol-U-Mel or Tough & Tender on the ants. A bucket of water with a bit of product is usually enough to discourage their presence. ~ Anna

Hands with Seeds - Giving Forward Online Radio by Linda Bricco Schalk | Blog Talk Radio

www.mymakegreengogreen.com

Hands with Seeds is going Talk!  
Linda will be hosting all matter of discussions, topics and guests; focusing on sustainable living, health, joy and "outa the box" accomplishment.  Linda believes all balance, pleasure, joy and success germinates, grows and blooms only while giving forward. Deep, lasting satisfaction and results are only experienced through a giving heart. Have something to share or chat about...contact Linda and join in the discussion. Let's plant some seeds!

THE FAMILY LIFE OF BIRDS IN BIRD HOUSES

Written by Seth Mullins

The real payoff to attracting birds into our yards with an offer of housing (either store-bought or hand-made) is the opportunity that this affords us to watch them settle in and pursue their family life right before our eyes. This spectacle is well worth the small effort we invest in luring birds with water and feeders and then setting up birdhouses in the hopes that they’ll stay.   

The action typically begins in late winter or early spring, when male birds become proactive in their search for mates. A male may be defending territory that includes a few possible nest cavities, your birdhouse among them. You’ll sight him on occasion investigating your property and trying different places on for size. Some birds will bring a female along and try to interest her in various sites. It may take weeks before your birdhouse is chosen (and even then, birds occasionally change their minds). But when you see a female start to bring twigs, straw, and other nesting materials into the box, you’ll know that a new home for a mated pair has been settled upon.

The female does the majority of the work involved with nest building, usually during the morning hours. The male will guard the birdhouse while she’s away on her forays for suitable materials. One exception to this arrangement is the male house wren, which will begin several nests for the female and then let her complete the one that she prefers. Once the nest is finished, the birds will mate. The mother will usually begin laying her eggs within a few days, at a rate of one per day until her clutch is complete. Again, much of her labor occurs in the morning, and she and the male will keep away from the bird box at all times except for when she’s laying. She’ll begin incubating the eggs once the last one has been laid. At this point, she rarely rises from her sitting position except when she needs to get food or stretch. The males of some species will bring food to the birdhouse for the female during this time.

Newborn nestlings will hardly make any kind of noise or movement. Probably the only way you’ll be able to judge that they’ve hatched, aside from peeking into the bird house, is by watching how much more food the parents start bringing to the nest. The female continues to sit on her young, since they have few feathers and generate little body heat on their own. As they grow, they become much more vocal and insistent. Within several days their eyes are opened, and they make loud begging noises when they see their parents. Nestlings know, instinctively, when it’s time to leave the nest, and this usually occurs two to three weeks after their birth.

Even after they’ve left, however, many of these birds will still be dependent upon their parents for food. This is known as the fledgling stage, and it can last for several weeks. The parents typically indulge this behavior at first, and then eventually they will stop providing (and even become aggressive if their young don’t take the hint) once the fledglings have learned to find food for themselves. This is where the family life of the birdhouse officially ends, though the same mated pair may produce more young throughout the season – and may or may not choose to stay in your birdhouse in order to do so.

Great Vegie Garden Companion Plant Chart

Right click to view larger & to also save!

www.mymakegreengogreen.com 

Why Working at Home ROCKS!

by Brandie Kajino 

www.mymakegreengogreen.com 

I'll bet you've heard the news. Our current economy is really putting a damper on our country's chipper go-get-'em attitude.

You can relate?

OK then. It can make the entrepreneur-minded think seriously about running their own business and calling the shots. If you’ve been pondering the idea of writing your own ticket and working from home, allow me to give you some compelling reasons why you’d want to start executing on that idea.
Can’t Beat the Location

If you’re longing for something outside the normal 9-5, working at home is a great option. You can choose when and where you work. That can mean working from a home office, a local coffee shop or even the beach. Gorgeous weather outside? Take a conference call outside in the sunshine.

If you have a laptop and cell phone, your options are endless.

If you’re more of a social animal, part-time co-working might also be a great environment for you.

Changing with the Seasons of Life

So you’ve got kids and you want to be there for them and spend more time with them? No problem. Working at home affords you that opportunity.

You can make a living around your life, and as your life changes, so does the flow of how you work. Little children grow up in a few years, and as they do you can adjust accordingly. When you move, taking your home business with you is pretty simple. Put it in a box, and move it with everything else.

Flexible Schedule

Sickness is an issue if you are working in an outside office. The swine flu pandemic did not do anything to assuage this.

Working from home allows you to take time to take care of yourself year-round.

If you are in a situation where you frequently find yourself not feeling well, or if you are responsible for caring for another, working from home offers you an environment to take care of yourself and others more properly than if you needed to balance life at an office.

Working from home gives you control over your schedule. Rearrange your schedule or put in some extra hours ahead of time for: children’s activities like swimming lessons, a school play or volunteering at school. You can also go to doctor’s appointments or other little errands when it’s convenient for you.

You Can’t Beat the Write-offs

Working from home has some really great tax advantages, as well. Generally, if you use a room in your home exclusively for business, you can write off expenses for that room.

Very cool!

You can also write off certain mileage to and from your home office. Be sure to keep copious records. (Be sure to talk with you accountant and/or read up about this on the irs.gov website to make sure you’re coloring within the lines.)

Uniform = Whatever You Want It to Be

Forget suits and an expensive wardrobe. Wear what you want!

Personally, I’m not advocating wearing your pajamas everyday, but you definitely have some flexibility in this area. Like to wear jeans? Me too. So wear them, along with some flip flops.

That being said, don’t trash your entire working wardrobe. If you need to meet with clients or do some speaking, save some things you can get dolled up in.

You Can’t Beat the Service or the Food

Make your own latte or a fab lunch. No more worries about beating the clock to get back to your desk. You’re the chef—make what you want, when you want. You can even pop over to the local farmer’s market for some local fare. Yum!

TIPS FOR RUNNING WITH A DOG

Written by Steven Symes
www.mymakegreengogreen.com 

Dogs, like humans, need physical exercise to keep their body healthy. Running with a dog helps keep both you and the dog in shape and also helps diminish negative canine behavior such as barking, digging, and excessive chewing.
Even though running is beneficial to dogs, there are some precautions you should be aware of. Dogs, like humans, need to be eased into a new workout schedule. Running a dog for ten miles when it has never run before can result in serious injury to their pads, joints and muscles.
To make exercise with your dog an enjoyable and safe experience for you both, consider these points:

• Be aware of the surfaces you are running on with your dog. Hot cement, for example, is especially tough on a dog’s foot pads.
• Make sure to keep your dog properly hydrated. Allow your dog to drink both before and after a workout, and during the rest of the day. If you are doing a particularly long workout, consider giving your dog water somewhere partway through.
• Be sensitive to your dog’s limits. If your dog starts to slow down or needs to walk, allow your dog to do so. Do not push the dog too much.
• Periodically inspect your dog’s feet for blisters or signs of wear in the pads. Keep in mind your dog is not wearing padded shoes like you are. If your dog has problems with its pads, ask your veterinarian for suggestions for treatments.
• Be courteous and clean up your dog’s waste. Always carry a small bag with you, just in case your dog decides it is potty time.
• Choose softer running surfaces such as grass or sand to run on when possible. This will help not only your dog’s joints, but also yours.
• Keep your dog on a leash – it will help keep your dog safe, and in many areas it is the law.
• If you are running in low light or at night, look into buying a reflective vest or flashing lights to put on your dog. It is not a bad idea to have these safety devices for you as well.
• If your dog likes to pull on the leash, look into a device to cure this habit. Ensure the device you use does not constrict your dog’s airway like choke chains do.
• Help your dog warm up for a run by starting slow or playing before you go.
• Always be aware of other people or dogs in the pathway ahead. If necessary to maintain control, shorten your dog’s leash by wrapping it around your hand.
• Walk your dog around for a few minutes after a run to help it cool down and recover.

Before you start taking your dog for runs, it is a good idea to speak with your dog’s veterinarian. Different breeds and even individual dogs have their own capacity for exercise. Your dog’s vet may want to check over your dog and give it a physical before you start a new exercise regimen.

FERTILIZING A GARDEN THE NATURAL WAY: MAKING HOMEMADE LACTOBACILLUS

Written by Cherie Pearson
www.mymakegreengogreen.com

Overview
Lactobacillus is a Gram-positive bacterium, belonging to the to lactic acid group. On the basis of its natural habitat, Lactobacillus is an anaerobic bacterium, meaning that it doesn’t require oxygen from the air to survive. The organism plays a crucial role in the conversion of lactose, and other forms of sugars, into lactic acid through anaerobic processes. These bacteria are benign in nature, and in humans, exhibit a symbiotic relationship in the gastrointestinal tract and vagina where they occur naturally. Lactobacillus is also found in small amounts in the gut and alimentary canal of humans, where again, they exhibit a natural symbiotic association.
There are many types of Lactobacillus bacterium species that play prominent roles in decaying plant material, and converting them into manure and effective fertilizer.  This is especially true for garden plants.  The presence of Lactobacillus bacteria in the environment causes it to become acidic, thus thwarting the proliferation of harmful bacteria.   Use the instructions below to make Lactobacillus fertilizer for garden use.

Supplies
Bowl
Cheesecloth
Mason jar (or similar container)
Milk
Molasses (or other raw sugar)
Rubber band
Strainer
White rice

Create Rice Wash
Add cheap white rice to a bowl, and then add water until it covers the rice completely.  Allow the mixture to sit for 20 to an hour.  Use a strainer to separate the rice from the liquid portion of the milky solution, and discard the rice.  The liquid left behind will serve as the growing medium for the Lactobacillus.  Pour the milky solution into the jar  (or similar container) until it is about half full.  Cover the jar with cheesecloth, and use a rubber band to secure it in place.

Grow Lactobacillus
Store the jar in a semi-dark, cool environment (such as a basement or pantry) for five days during warm weather, or up to 15 days in cold weather.   During this process, the bacteria will colonize in the rice wash, creating a sweet alcoholic aroma.  A layer of film will also be visible as a “skin” atop the solution.
After the initial incubation period of up to 15 days has passed, add 10 parts milk to one part rice wash mixture into a new container.  Cover the container with cheesecloth and let it sit for an additional five days.

Harvest Lactobacillus
After an additional five days passes, the solution will appear separated, with the milk fats on top.  Strain the liquid to remove the fat, and what is left behind is the Lactobacillus fertilizer.  Finally, add molasses (or other raw sugar) equal to one-third of the total volume of the solution.   The solution can last months stored in the refrigerator or simply left standing.  A rotten smell is an indication that the solution no longer contains Lactobacillus.

Apply Lactobacillus as a Foliar Spray
Add a 1:20 dilution of Lactobacillus liquid to non-chlorinated water to a spray bottle.  If non-chlorinated water is unavailable, allow the water to stand overnight so that the chlorine will evaporate.  As a final step, spray the mixture onto the leaves and stems of garden plants as a protectant against harmful bacteria and to promote plant growth.
While creating homemade Lactobacillus for plant fertilizer is a slow process, it can save money on home gardening supplies.  In addition, Lactobacillus is a naturally occurring fertilizer that doesn’t contain toxic chemicals, and as such is perfect for organic gardening.

INSOMNIA: THE PERILS OF NOT SLEEPING WELL

Sleeplessness is a growing problem in the modern world. People who don’t sleep well often fail to function adequately. They may drive badly, make poor decisions, have an inability to focus and suffer from a variety of physical complaints. To put it bluntly, insomnia can be a dangerous condition. 

Brain chemicals
When people don’t sleep well their brain chemicals may be adversely affected. Researchers at Stanford University suggest that people need sleep in order to replenish neurotransmitter functioning in their brain, and without it, their physical and mental performance is impaired.

Inability to concentrate
Excessively tired people cannot focus on tasks such as driving a car or operating machinery. This makes being on the same road as them hazardous when they are in the driver’s seat of a vehicle, and means that they are a danger to themselves as well as to others.

Poor decisions
Insomnia can leave people unable to make wise decisions, as they cannot put enough mental effort into weighing up the value of choices effectively. Their home life, relationships, and work can suffer because of not getting a good night’s sleep. Tired people tend to be moody, and are liable to snap when required to engage in communicating. Their colleagues, family and friends may find it difficult to get along with them.

Physical complaints
When people are tired, they can experience extra aches and pains. In addition, people who don’t sleep well may suffer from headaches, hallucinations, and disturbed vision. A general feeling of malaise can prevent tired people from living their life fully and efficiently.

Immune system crash
Studies reveal that people with insomnia are likely to have a weakened immune system. This leaves them open to catching viruses and diseases, and makes it harder for them to recover quickly.

Shorter life?
You may imagine that not being able to sleep provides the benefit of extra time, if little else that’s positive. However, a recent study shows that people who can’t sleep well may have shorter lives than people who get adequate sleep. However, skeptics have dismissed findings and believe that variables that could have interfered with results were not properly considered.
Nonetheless, a lack of sleep can increase stress levels and leave people prone to illness, and these factors could spell a shorter life expectancy.

Insomnia is such a common condition that many people regard it as an unfortunate side effect of life that they have to put up with. The physical and mental problems they experience due to a lack of sleep are not always recognized as such. As a result, people take medication, drink coffee and binge on sugar-laden snacks in an attempt to feel better.
If you find sleep hard to come by, the answer is to discover the cause of the problem, rather than to try to deal with the negative symptoms produced due to insufficient sleep. Only by tackling the reason you don’t sleep well can you avoid the possibility of shortening your lifespan, and the mental and physical consequences of not sleeping.  Reference: Stanfordedu.com
 
Science & Mother Nature provide a safe, effective sleep aid.  Interested in learning more?  Contact Linda @ 608.314.4004 or email linda@handswithseeds.com

www.mymakegreengogreen.com