An apple a day

It's not just an old wives tale - An apple a day really can keep the doctor away.

A recent study was done where 6 people were placed on a diet low in antioxidants for 2 days, then followed with 600 grams of unpeeled red-delicious apples. Afterward their blood was taken at 0, 3, 6 and 24 hours. Their white blood cells where exposed to a significant oxidant stress in a test tube, and found that the apple consumption protected the cells. As time passed over the next 24 hours, the protection decreased, so an apple each day does indeed provide anti-oxidant protection.

Preventing damage to your white blood cells from oxidation helps prevent all kinds of illnesses. It's important to eat the peel as well, and if at all possible eat organic apples to avoid chemical sprays.

Maintaining your yard without chemicals

Lawn mowing has returned to our area with a vengence, along with weeds springing up everywhere. Most of us depend on chemical fertilizers and weed killers to maintain our lawns. But a recent study found these chemicals present in 90% of children who play on these lawns. If you don't want to put your children and pets at risk but still want a nice looking lawn, read on.

Here are some safe alternatives for lawn maintenance without chemicals.

1) Use chemical-free lawn food and weed killers instead.
2) Reduce some of your grass area by adding low maintenance beds with ground cover and mulch, or a water feature. I personally have areas designated just for wildflowers and ground covers, with the added benefit that they attract beneficial bugs and the bunnies prefer them to eating my garden vegetables.
3) Learn to live with some weeds. They are seasonal, some are actually quite pretty, and attract beneficial insects to your yard.
4) If the appearance of weeds really bothers you, consider hand-pulling or digging out the larger weeds. In beds, weeds can be killed by covering them with layers of newspaper anchored down. Over time, the weeds will be smothered. Boiling water, vinegar or a salt solution poured onto the weed is usually effective at killing it.

Keep bunnies out of your garden

If you have bunnies nibbling at your vegetable garden, here's some humane ways I use to keep the little visitors out.

Plant marigolds around the outside of the vegetable garden. They have a strong smell, and possibly the bunnies and many bugs find them distasteful. Marigolds also attract beneficial insects such as lacewings, lady beetles, and parasitic wasps, and make the garden more attractive.

I also have a wildflower bed next to my vegetable garden. I've noticed the bunnies like to sit in the wildflowers and nibble on them rather than my vegetable plants.

The third method actually keeps bunnies out of my fenced in yard, so my dogs don't have access to the bunny's "nuggets" they leave behind. Spread a line of used cat litter wherever you don't want the bunnies to cross. If you use a natural cat litter made from pine, wheat, corn, newspaper etc, it will decompose into the soil eventually. It's preferable to remove the "logs" from the litter first though. I spread the used litter along my fence, and it keeps the bunnies from squeezing under and coming into the backyard. They apparently dislike the smell, but it's not noticeable to humans. You'll probably have to reapply more litter every month or so, but if you have cats, there's always a supply of it available.

I've found these methods work well to keep the bunnies out of my vegetable garden and backyard, and hope this information is useful to you as well.

The tale of two horses

There is a field, with two horses in it. From a distance, each horse looks like any other horse. But if you stop your car or are walking by, you'll notice something quite amazing. Looking into the eyes of one horse will disclose that he is blind. His owner has chosen not to have him put down, but has made a good home for him.

This alone is amazing. If you stand nearby and listen, you'll hear the sound of a bell. Looking around for the source of the sound, you will see that it comes from the smaller horse in the field. Attached to the horse's halter is a small bell. It lets the blind friend know where the other horse is, so he can follow.

As you stand and watch these two horses, you'll see that the horse with the bell is always checking on the blind horse, and that the blind horse will listen for the bell and then slowly walk to where the other horse is, trusting that he will not be led astray. When the horse with the bell returns to the shelter of the barn each evening, it stops occasionally and looks back, making sure that the blind friend isn't too far behind to hear the bell.

Like the owners of these two horses, God does not throw us away just because we are not perfect or because we have problems or challenges. He watches over us and even brings others into our lives to help us when we are in need. Sometimes we are the blind horse being guided by the little ringing bell of those who God places in our lives. Other times we are the guide horse, helping others to find their way. Good friends are like that... you may not always see them, but you know they are always there.

Please listen for my bell and I'll listen for yours. And remember...be kinder than necessary - everyone you meet is fighting some kind of battle.

(courtesy of Sherry Niese)

The Senility prayer

THE SENILITY PRAYER:

God, grant me the senility to forget the people

I never liked anyway,

The good fortune to run into the ones I do, and

The eyesight to tell the difference.

(courtesy of John Hunt)

4 Warning signs of a stroke

Neurologists say that if they can get to a stroke victim within 3 hours, they can totally reverse the effects of a stroke. The trick is getting a stroke recognized, diagnosed, and then getting the patient medically cared for within 3 hours, which is tough. Do you know the 4 warning signs of a stroke, including the 4th warning sign recently added?

RECOGNIZING A STROKE: Remember the 1st Three letters....S.T.R.

Sometimes symptoms of a stroke are difficult to identify. Unfortunately, the lack of awareness spells disaster. The stroke victim may suffer severe brain damage when people nearby fail to recognize the symptoms of a stroke. Doctors have said a bystander can recognize a stroke by asking simple questions:

S *Ask the individual to SMILE.
T *Ask the person to TALK and SPEAK A SIMPLE SENTENCE (Coherently)
(i.e. It is sunny out today.)
R *Ask him or her to RAISE BOTH ARMS.

New 4th warning Sign: *STICK OUT YOUR TONGUE. If the tongue is 'crooked', if it goes to one side or the other, that is also an indication of a stroke.

If he or she has trouble with any of these tasks, call an emergency number immediately and describe the symptoms to the dispatcher.

Embracing Imperfection

Here's a little story I ran across that I wanted to share with you regarding how we choose to deal with imperfection. If you can accept and even embrace the imperfections of the people in your life, you'll be happier and they'll be happier too. It's a good thought for the day and I hope you enjoy it.

Embracing Imperfection

"When I was a little girl, my mom liked to make breakfast food for dinner every now and then. And I remember one night in particular when she had made breakfast after a long, hard day at work. On that evening so long ago, my mom placed a plate of eggs, sausage, and extremely burned toast in front of my dad. I remember waiting to see if anyone noticed! Yet all my dad did was reach for his toast, smile at my mom, and ask me how my day was at school. I don't remember what I told him that night, but I do remember Watching him smear butter and jelly on that toast and eat every bite!

When I got Up from the table that evening, I remember hearing my mom apologize to my dad For burning the toast. And I'll never forget what he said: 'Baby, I love burned toast.'

Later that night, I went to kiss Daddy good night and I asked him if He really liked his toast burned. He wrapped me in his arms and said, 'Debbie, your Momma put in a hard day at work today and she's real tired. And besides-a little burnt toast never hurt anyone!' You know, life is full of imperfect things.....and imperfect people. I'm not the best housekeeper or cook.

What I've learned over the years is that learning to accept each other's faults - and choosing to celebrate each other's differences - is the one of the most important keys to creating a healthy, growing, and lasting relationship.

And that's my prayer for you today. That you will learn to take the good, the bad, and the ugly parts of your life and lay them at the feet of GOD. Because in the end, He's the only One who will be able to give you a relationship where burnt toast isn't a deal-breaker! We could extend this to any relationship in fact - as understanding is the base of any relationship, be it a husband-wife or parent-child or friendship!! "

"Don't put the key to your happiness in someone else's pocket but into your own."

Herb - Thyme

Thyme was used for embalming by Ancient Egyptians, and in baths and as incense by Ancient Greeks. It is believed to have been spread throughout Europe by the Romans who used it to purify their rooms and in cheese and liqueurs because of it's aromatic flavor. In the Middle Ages, thyme was placed under pillows to aid sleep and prevent nightmares. Women also gave it to knights and warriors as gifts to bring courage on the battlefield.

Today thyme is used in many European and Asian dishes because of it's strong flavor that blends well with other herbs. The plant itself tolerates deep freezing and retains it's flavor after drying better than most herbs. It is a good source of iron, and often used to flavor meats, soups and stews, particularly good with lamb, tomatoes and eggs.

Medicinally, thyme is useful as an antiseptic and is the main ingredient in Listerine mouthwash. Prior to modern antibiotics, it was used with bandages for treating wounds, and is also effective against fungus. For coughs and bronchitis, tea is made by boiling thyme in water. Gargling with the tea is very helpful for treating throat inflammation as well.

Herb - Parsley

Parsley is a biennial herb also used as a spice in European and American dishes. The curly leafed parsley is commonly used as a side garnish. Root parsley is grown as a vegetable and looks similar to parsnips but tastes very different. It is common in Central and Eastern European dishes like stews and soups.

In the garden, parsley is grown next to many other plants because it attracts predatory insects such as wasps and flies which then protect the other plants. As an example, parsley works great planted next to tomato plants as it attracts wasps which prey on the tomato hornworm.

Parsley is believed to sweeten the breath and aide digestion when eaten. Some health risks are associated with consuming too much parsley however. For example, parsley as an oil, root, leaf or seed could cause uterine stimulation and early labor. Parsley is high in oxalic acid, a compound that can cause kidney stone formation and nutrient deficiencies. Parsley oil contains furanocoumarins and psoralens which cause photosensitivity if taken orally.

Helpful household tips

Here's some helpful tips for solving your household problem areas:

Use empty toilet paper rolls to store appliance cords. It keeps them neat and you can write on the roll what appliance it belongs to.

To remove old wax from a glass candle holder, put it in the freezer for a few hours. Then take the candle holder out and turn it upside down. The wax will fall out.

Crayon marks on walls? A damp rag, dipped in baking soda works great - comes off with a little elbow grease.

Permanent marker on appliances/counter tops (like store receipt blue) Put a little rubbing alcohol on a paper towel and rub.

Whenever you purchase a box of S.O.S Pads, take a pair of scissors and cut each pad into halves. Rather than wasting a whole pad or have it sitting around rusting, a box of S.O.S pads can last you indefinitely / also helps keep scissors sharpened.

Blood stains on clothes - just pour a little hydrogen peroxide on a cloth and proceed to wipe off every drop of blood.

Use vertical strokes when washing windows outside and horizontal strokes for the inside. You'll be able to tell which side has the streaks. Also, straight vinegar will get outside windows really clean. And remember not to wash windows on a sunny day, as they'll dry too quickly and will probably streak.

Spray a bit of perfume on the light bulb in any room to create a light scent in each room when the light is turned on.

Place dryer sheets between towels or rags in the garage to keep mice away.

Candles will last a lot longer if placed in the freezer for at least 3 hours before burning.

To clean artificial flowers, pour some salt into a paper bag. Add the flowers and shake vigorously - the salt will absorb all the dust and dirt and leave your artificial flowers looking like new.

To easily remove burnt on food from your skillet, simply add a drop or two of dish soap and enough water to cover the pan bottom, and bring to a boil.

Spray your Tupperware with nonstick cooking spray before pouring in tomato based sauces and there won't be any stains.

Wrap celery in aluminum foil before placing it in the refrigerator and it will keep for weeks.

When boiling corn on the cob, add a pinch of sugar to help bring out the corn's natural sweetness.

Cure for headaches: cut a lime in half and rub it on your forehead. The throbbing will go away.

Left over wine? Freeze into ice cubes for future use in casseroles and sauces.

To get rid of the itch of mosquito bites, apply soap on the area and you will experience instant relief.

Ant problem? Draw a chalk line on the floor or wherever ants tend to march. They won't cross it.

Use air-freshener to clean mirrors. It does a good job and better still, leaves a lovely smell.

When you get a splinter, put a piece of scotch tape over the splinter, and then pull it off.

Uses for Alka Seltzer:
* Clean a toilet by dropping in 2 tablets, wait twenty minutes, brush and flush.
* Remove stains at the bottom of a vase by filling it with water and adding 2 tablets.
* Polish jewelry by adding 2 tablets to a glass of water and soak jewelry for 2 minutes.
* Clean a thermos bottle by filling it with water and adding 4 tablets, then let it soak for an hour.
* Unclog a drain by dropping 3 tablets down the drain followed by a cup of white vinegar. Wait a few minutes, and then run the hot water.

Rid your home of ants without chemicals

We haven't had a problem with ants in our home for years, but it's been a wet Spring here in Northwest Ohio and we've seen a lot more of the little creatures outside. Yesterday morning, they found their way into my living room. One of my cats threw up a hairball during the night, and apparently it's quite a treat for ants, disgusting as it may be to us, as it was completely covered with the little brown critters.

Having five pets in our home, I didn't want to use any chemicals to treat the problem. I found a forum online that had many tried and true ways to encourage the ants to leave the way they came in, once the food source is removed. The method I chose was to place a container of sugar on my front porch to lure them back outside. It worked beautifully and by evening I saw no more ants anywhere. I then sprinkled some cinnamon across the threshold of our front door to keep them from coming back in, as I had read that ants hate cinnamon and won't go near it.

Here is a list of what people on the forum have used for years to eliminate their ant problems:

No-kill methods
* Ants usually come into your home searching for food. To lure the ants back out, place a container of sugar or honey outside, tipped on it's side to keep rain water out. If the sugar gets too wet, you'll need to replace it.

* Sprinkle cinnamon, cloves, peppermint oil, or coffee where ants are present. They will leave the area. (Caution - don't use coffee, cloves, or essential oils like peppermint oil around pets. Cinnamon is safe in small quantities for both cats and dogs according to the ASPCA)

* Lay cuttings of tansy around window sills or wherever ants enter to repel them.

* Set dryer sheets (like Bounce) around where ants appear - they will leave the area


Kill methods
* Place sugar on a damp sponge and set it where they came into your home. Rinse the sponge under water to drown the ants, then repeat process until there are no more ants.

* Crush a few of the ants and leave them there. The other ants determine it's hostile territory and will leave the area.

* Combine sugar and Borax or Boric Acid powder. The ants will eat it and die.

* Sprinkle cornmeal around the area. The ants will eat it, then drink water. The cornmeal will expand inside them and kill them.

* Mix water and hot sauce and spray the ants.

* Sprinkle Borax around your home's foundation.

The no-kill method worked fine for the small brown ants we had, but depending on the type of ants and the amount of infestation, you may need to resort to stronger measures. I hope you find the information helpful.

Have an algae problem in your bird bath?

Here's a tip to keep algae from growing in your bird bath using lavender and a daylily leaf. It releases a chemical that stops the growth of algae.

First, clean your bird bath as usual, and fill it with water. Then tie about 7 sprigs of lavender flowers together with a daylily leaf, and let it float in the bird bath. Then just replace with fresh lavender every couple of weeks.