Tuesday, October 18, 2011

Scilla siberica 'Spring Beauty'

Scilla siberica 'Spring Beauty': supposedly moles don't like them

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How To Get Rid Of Moles In Your Yard

How To Get Rid Of Moles In Your Yard:

'via Blog this' human hair, castor oil, garlic plants and chocolate lilies

Garden Care : Protecting Bulbs from Critters | Bachmans

Garden Care : Protecting Bulbs from Critters | Bachmans:

'via Blog this' Get some Tree Guard to soak bulbs in, make a mixture of castor oil, liquid soap and water to pour over the area, reapplying after rains, sprinkle area with blood meal.

How to Keep Squirrels Away From Tulip Bulbs | Garden Guides

How to Keep Squirrels Away From Tulip Bulbs | Garden Guides:

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Five Common Tulip Pests and How to Stop Them

Five Common Tulip Pests and How to Stop Them:

'via Blog this' squirrel and moles are a problem here, guess I need chicken wire.

Researcher offers toil-free tip to plant tulips

Researcher offers toil-free tip to plant tulips: top planting information. Good to consider since I am thinking of planting along the fence line since it doesn't get as much water as our traditional spot in the front does.

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Planting Tulips | DoItYourself.com

Planting Tulips | DoItYourself.com:

'via Blog this' Plant in area that doesn't get lots of summer water, chose large uncracked bulbs, they like ample sunlight.

Tulip Planting, Growing Tulips, Planting Tulips, Tulip Horticultural information - - White Flower Farm

Tulip Planting, Growing Tulips, Planting Tulips, Tulip Horticultural information - - White Flower Farm:

'via Blog this' ph 6.0 to 6.5, plant before ground freezes, remove blooms when they fade and let leaves yellow before removal. Replenish every two years. Don't water in summer.

Monday, October 17, 2011

Make Your Own Brown Sauce for Chinese Dishes


Basic Asian Brown Sauce

1/2 cup granulated sugar
1 tablespoon cornstarch
1 cup chicken broth
2 tablespoons soy sauce
1 clove garlic, finely chopped

In a saucepan, mix sugar and cornstarch.
Stir in chicken broth and soy sauce. Cook and stir until mixture bubbles.
Lower heat and add chopped garlic. Cook until thickene

Tuesday, October 11, 2011

10 Fantastic Towns for Fall

10 Fantastic Towns for Fall:

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MISTY'S MORNINGS

MISTY'S MORNINGS: gluten free post.

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Never a Dull Moment - Marvelous Mommy Monday–Homemade Toothpaste!

Never a Dull Moment - Marvelous Mommy Monday–Homemade Toothpaste!:

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My Heart Art: Want Royalty-Free Artwork?

My Heart Art: Want Royalty-Free Artwork?:

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My Heart Art: 52 Lists - Week 13 and A Quick Tip for MESSY Artists!

My Heart Art: 52 Lists - Week 13 and A Quick Tip for MESSY Artists!: The thick brown papers in between stock at big box stores are perfect for covering space for messy art work.

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Find Things to Do In Kansas! | Kansas Sampler Foundation

Find Things to Do In Kansas! | Kansas Sampler Foundation:

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Monday, October 10, 2011

Yahoo! Finance - Financially Fit

Yahoo! Finance - Financially Fit:

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31 Days Projects

There is currently a blog party going on through The Nester's blog where participants use the 31 days in October to post every day on a particular subject/project of their choice.  I guess the is the 3rd year for this party.  I am really enjoying some of the bloggers subjects and thought I would use this post to mention some of them.


  1. 31 Days of Anti-Laziness by 2027 is one that speaks to me is a huge way.  I like the humor she presents her topic with, the shear simplicity of it and the fact that she is getting some of those pesky things done and then asking herself, "now why did that take so long for me to just do it" or similar thoughts.  I would like to replicate this 31 day project myself so look for entries on that in the coming months.  The link in this entry will take you to the main page of Jenna's blog.  I was unfamiliar with this blog until the 31 Day Project but I find her to be adorable.
  2. 31 Days of Bible Women by Stef Layton is a great little study on women in the Bible, Stef has written some great entries on these women and I am enjoying them.  They all give you something to think about.  I was unfamiliar with this blog until the 31 Day Project, it looks like her focus is on living a Bible based life.
  3. At Shaggy Baggy, the blogger is facing her fears so to speak of vegetables.  She is making it a point to add vegetables to each day this month.  Really good idea and one that I should implement ASAP.  So far the entries that have appealed to me are the Eggplant Fries, Southwest Layered Salad, Broccoli and Cauliflower Salad, Super Easy Broccoli, and Cauliflower Hash Browns.

A Day in the Life of a Once a Month Cleaner - Steady Mom

An excellent article full of very wise words. The last two paragraphs talk about freeing yourself from unrealistic expectations that no one asked you to do anyway and about not frittering away time on insignificant details.  Awesome wisdom imparted in those words and for the whole article click on the link. A Day in the Life of a Once a Month Cleaner - Steady Mom:

Some other wisdom from this blogger is:

  •  My cleaning motto is "work smarter, not longer." I aim to focus on what matters - cleaning for order, peace, and hygiene. Anything else is an unnecessary distraction.
  • I like cleaning what really needs to be cleaned. If I can see dirt and remove it, I feel I'm helping my family. But if I'm working on something just cleaned a few days ago, it seems a bit pointless.
  •  If the cleaners could deep clean my whole house once a month, why couldn't I? Turns out I can, and I've been doing so for the past three months.
  • Here’s how it works. I searched online for a traditional cleaning checklist (Here’s an example) and created my own based on our home and what needs to be done every four weeks.
  • The focus for the rest of the month becomes keeping the house tidy and doing any essentials–wiping the bathroom or vacuuming the floor. It’s amazing how a tidy, uncluttered house can fool people into thinking it’s clean.
  • Here are the benefits I’ve found in once-a-month cleaning.
  • 1. It isn’t always on my mind.

    By cleaning every four weeks, I’m only deep cleaning my house 13 times a year–hooray for that!  
     My calendar lets me know exactly when the house will be clean again. Nothing hangs “undone” over my head.

    2. It reflects our family’s values and helps me combat perfectionism.

    I honestly don’t want to be remembered for having an immaculate house. 
    It also helps me combat perfectionism–by working this way I’m declaring that ‘this level of cleanliness is enough.’ I’m not striving for something that isn’t really important to me anyway.

    3. I’m cleaning when it really needs to be done.

    In the past, when I cleaned on a weekly basis, my rotation list would occasionally tell me to clean something that didn’t look dirty. I found it hard to get motivated.
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Tuesday, October 4, 2011

Why we bought a Costco membership…

Why we bought a Costco membership…:

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FAQ: Costco Best Buys | Faithful Provisions

FAQ: Costco Best Buys | Faithful Provisions:  Need to read this in more depth.

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Vanderbilt Wife: 31 Days of Reading Well: Day 4

Vanderbilt Wife: 31 Days of Reading Well: Day 4:  Check for comments for further recommendations.

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Vizu Panel

Vizu Panel: Research This

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Outfits for All Occasions

Outfits for All Occasions:

Let’s face it, ladies, we wear many fabulous hats in our busy lives, and sometimes it feels like there just aren’t enough minutes in the day! Who has time to run home to consult her closet before the next iCalendar commitment? That’s why strategic style is an essential element of a well-balanced fashion diet for every gal-on-the-go. It’s all about starting with a foundational ensemble that you can build on (or in some cases, deconstruct!) to take you through from day to night!


cabi-outfit_for_all_occasions-football_game_to_after_party-3


Bundle up for kick off, then shed a few layers and toss on your Necco Belt to arrive sleek and chic to the after party!


cabi-outfit_for_all_occasions-girls_day_to_dinner_date-3


A statement belt can do wonders to take your sweet daytime style up a romantic notch.


cabi-outfit_for_all_occasions-carpool_to_girls_night_out-3


Go from supermom to style maven simply by throwing on a sleek ponte jacket and statement accessories.


cabi-outfit_for_all_occasions-board_meeting_to_board_games-3


A big day followed by a low-key night doesn’t meet you have to look boring. When you’re professional posh by day, let your hair down and loosen up at night!


cabi-outfit_for_all_occasions-spa_day_to_society_gala-3


Mesmerized by your fabulous faux fur shrug, no one will ever know you did yoga in your ponte pants this morning!


cabi-outfit_for_all_occasions-brunch_to_broadway-3A fashionable front tuck truly transforms! Create an oh-so-lovely hourglass silhouette by tucking the flowy Ruffle Tunic into your Miranda Skirt, and finish off your theater ready look with the Salt & Pepper Coat.


cabi-outfit_for_all_occasions-field_trip_to_book_club-3Comfort is key for a bus ride with the kiddos, but add in some personal flair for an evening with your creative cohorts.

The Benefits of Bone Broth | Nourished Kitchen

The Benefits of Bone Broth | Nourished Kitchen:

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Monday, October 3, 2011

Eliminating Sugar- Frugally, Naturally

Eliminating Sugar- Frugally, Naturally: I need to read this article again when I have more time.

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Onion Soup Mix

I got this from Heavenly Homemaker, an awesome site, by the way, for frugal, healthy recipes. (Only she uses gluten... so most of her recipes don't work for me. Oh well...)

Homemade Onion Soup Mix

Ingredients
2/3 cup dried, minced onion
3 teaspoons parsley flakes
2 teaspoons onion powder (make your own by whizzing up dried onion flakes in the food processor or coffee grinder)
2 teaspoons turmeric
1 teaspoon celery salt (you want celery salt that is mostly salt with just a bit of celery seed- not pure celery seed ground up, or your soup mix will be bitter and not have enough saltiness to it)
1 teaspoon salt
1 teaspoon sucanat or sugar
1/2 teaspoon ground pepper

Instructions
1. Mix it all up. Shake it very well, because the heavy spices will settle to the bottom.

That's it!

4 tablespoons of this onion soup mix equals 1 packet of onion soup mix.

Decor Adventures: How to Grow Pumpkins

Decor Adventures: How to Grow Pumpkins:

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How to avoid the after school slump (and grump) with these fruit and veggie snacks — Simple Mom

How to avoid the after school slump (and grump) with these fruit and veggie snacks — Simple Mom:

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Why the Body Requires Minerals - Essential Nutrients | Suite101.com

Why the Body Requires Minerals - Essential Nutrients | Suite101.com:

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Chromium Facts: Health Benefits, Food Sources, and Deficiency Symptoms of Chromium | Suite101.com

Chromium Facts: Health Benefits, Food Sources, and Deficiency Symptoms of Chromium | Suite101.com:

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Chromium

Adult women in the United States consume about 23 to 29 mcg of chromium per day from food, which meets their AIs unless they're pregnant or lactating. In contrast, adult men average 39 to 54 mcg per day, which exceeds their AIs [14].

Dietary Supplement Fact Sheet: Chromium

Dietary Supplement Fact Sheet: Chromium:

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7 Things To Know About Food Cravings | The Diet Channel

7 Things To Know About Food Cravings | The Diet Channel:

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crave sweets - add trace minerals
crave sweets -- you may have overgrowth of yeast in intestines



Do you crave chocolate?
You have a calcium/magnesium imbalance. Women crave chocolate before their menses due to hormone changes. The magnesium in chocolate helps create a sense of relaxation by making long-chain fatty acids. However, chocolate has chemicals in it that are psychoneurotic chemicals. These chemicals can create highs and lows. An alternative is to have mixed greens everyday. Mixed greens are a great source of magnesium and help with the craving for chocolate. You have a nutritional deficiency, and a hormonal imbalance.


Do you crave sugar, pop, breads, pasta, and potatoes?
Generally, people who crave sugar have poor fuel-burning capacity in their bodies. You really need minerals. You can have huge fluctuations in your days, real highs and then very low lows. You are often moody and irritable, and feel fatigued with low stamina, often blaming “getting older” as the reason for your reduced energy. You have a nutritional deficiency and a hormonal imbalance than could lead to hypoglycemia or pre-diabetes.

Do you love to eat Pizza and bread?
You most likely have a yeast problem. Emotionally, you can have mood swings up and down, with chronic allergies and digestive distress. You have a sugar/hormonal imbalance, and nutritional deficiencies. You also have digestive issues with poor metabolism, weight gain, and increasing fatigue.

Vitamin Deficiencies Associated with Chocolate Cravings

According to Russell J. Martino,Ph.D, individuals who constantly have a craving for chocolate may actually have a deficiency in vitamin B or magnesium. Chocolate cravings can be curbed by increasing amounts of raw nuts, seeds, beans and fruits in an individual's daily diet. In addition, the supplement flax seed oil may also assist in lessening the craving for chocolate.


Read more: http://www.livestrong.com/article/268187-cravings-vitamin-deficiencies/#ixzz1ZjeB7Qv8


If you are often craving chocolate, it can actually be the bodys way of telling you that you are lacking the vital and very important mineral, magnesium in your body.
When your body is lacking of a certain vitamin or mineral, it will send you signals to motivate you to eat certain foods which contain the items your body needs to function properly. And when it comes to magnesium, chocolate comes to the top of the list.
Magnesium has many vital functions for your body. The lack of magnesium can cause insomnia, mood swings and nightly muscle cramps. Especially runners or highly sportsactive people need magnesium to prevent muscle cramps. Magnesium produces serotonin, which is what makes the body feel relaxed. Without it, your body will not get into balance after for example a long run, and your muscles will never relax, which will cause the cramps.
Other than this, magnesium fills out many functions in your body, and is important for your nerves, your growth, energy, digestion and brain. Together with calcium and, I would say that magnesium is THE most important mineral.


Read more: http://www.bukisa.com/articles/392611_craving-chocolate-your-body-needs-magnesium#ixzz1ZjfX0vjF


Chocolate and Moods - I think you may have heard of endorphins, the chemicals made in the brain that cause feelings of pleasure, and cheer you up. Chocolate stimulates endorphin production in the brain, this is why you often crave chocolate when you are emotionally upset. Chocolate is also high in something called "amines" , there are good and bad amines in the body and in food and chemicals in the environment Unfortunately chocolate is loaded with the bad, toxic type. The body needs to neutralize these bad amines and does it with an enzyme called monoamine oxidase (MAO). When you eat a lot of chocolate, and on a regular basis you keep these MAO levels high, this then creates a second problem which is a depletion of some good amines, serotonin and dopamine. A lack of these good brain chemicals creates depression, sleep problems and more food cravings. If these levels are low on a consistent basis they can create a wide variety of symptoms:

  • Cravings for carbohydrates
  • Vague muscle aches and pains
  • Insomnia
  • Depression
  • Binge eating
  • Tension headaches, migraine headaches
  • PMS headaches, mood swings, and body aches
  • Generalized fatigue
  • Joint swellings
  • Numbness and tingling
  • Fibromyalgia
  • Obsessive compulsive behavior
  • Addictions (alcohol, smoking, stimulants)

  • 7 Supplements that Help Stop Cravings



    The ability to stop cravings is important for any diet. Cravings for sweets or junk food can be difficult to resist, and indulging in those cravings can lead to set backs in your diet and workout programs. Cravings usually indicate a nutritional deficiency in your body. Taking certain vitamin or mineral supplements can stop cravings before you indulge. Here are the 7 supplements that can aid in your ability to stop cravings.

    1. Chromium

    Cravings often occur because blood sugar is low. Chromium aids in the regulation of your blood sugar by helping insulin get the sugar quickly to your cells. This helps to stop cravings for food high in carbs and sugars.

    2. L-Glutamine

    L-Glutamine is an amino acid that sends a message to your brain that a craving for sweets has been fulfilled. It can be helpful to stop cravings that are particularly strong. Dissolving the powder under your tongue can help stop cravings faster than taking a tablet.

    3. Magnesium

    Magnesium offers several benefits when it comes to the craving of sweets and chocolate. First, like chromium, magnesium helps with the regulation of insulin and blood sugar. Secondly, magnesium helps to balance the emotional part of the brain, and a deficiency of magnesium can increase the craving of chocolate which stimulates that part of the brain. Finally, magnesium can aid with stress and insomnia which can contribute to unhealthy cravings.

    4. Pheylalanine

    Many cravings occur because our brain chemicals are imbalanced. An amino acid known as pheylalanine can help raise your endorphin levels to help restore balance of brain chemistry. If you overeat because of emotional problems, this supplement can help stop cravings.

    5. Trace Mineral Supplements

    Deficiency of these required minerals can lead to cravings of salty or sugary junk foods. Many supplements exist that can help you get a proper amount of these trace minerals that may be lacking in processed foods and will aid to stop cravings.

    6. L-Tryptophan

    Low levels of serotonin have been known to cause cravings. The amino acid L-tryptophan is a precursor to serotonin, and its use can help stop cravings by increasing the production of serotonin in the body. In addition, L-tryptophan requires the use of several vitamins, such as vitamin C, zinc and folic acid to produce serotonin, so taking a multivitamin in addition to an L-tryptophan supplement is beneficial. The supplement 5-HTP can also be used in place of L-tryptophan.

    7. Zinc

    Deficiencies of zinc lead to a decreased sense of taste. Due to a lowered sensation in your taste buds, your body begins to crave high sugary snacks since those types of flavors are more pronounced. By taking zinc supplements, you can stop cravings by satisfying your taste buds with an increased sense of taste in everything you eat.
    Cravings for sweets, chocolate and junk food can many times be attributed to a nutritional deficiency in some other area. Taking these supplements can help to stop cravings like these, but it would be better to make sure you receive the proper nutrition in everything you e


WallBuilders | Presenting America's forgotten history and heroes, with an emphasis on our moral, religious, and constitutional heritage.

WallBuilders | Presenting America's forgotten history and heroes, with an emphasis on our moral, religious, and constitutional heritage.:

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Trust Us. We’re the

Trust Us. We’re the: book recommendations

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