April 11, 2010 - Posted by JackieC - 0 Comments
Bugs such as Aphids can be harmful and irritating as your garden is growing. You sometimes wonder how can I keep them away without harming the plants. If my garden is organic wont using pesticides mess that up? The answer is yes so the best solution is to control then the organic way. Here are a few tips:
To deter cucumber beetles, try planting a few radish seeds in each hill of cukes. Let it grow alongside the cucumbers all season. The strong smell or taste of the radish seems to keep the beetles away.
Homemade garlic or hot pepper sprays can protect your young seedlings from flea beetles and aphids. To prepare, combine finely chopped garlic and onions (or hot peppers) with water, let it steep for a while, then strain out particles. Spray vulnerable plants often, especially after rainfall. You can also sprinkle ground cayenne or other hot ground pepper directly onto leaves to deter chewing pests. This is most effective in the morning when leaves are moist with dew.
Control powdery mildew and fungi on garden crops by combining one cup of milk with nine cups of water and spray onto affected plants twice a week. Researchers believe the milk has a direct germicidal effect as well as indirectly stimulating the plants to become more resistant. Let us know how it works if you try it.
April 11, 2010 - Posted by JackieC - 0 Comments
Heres a quick and easy tip to help you grow the best Organic fruits and veggies possible. As we all know Organic means they are grown with no fertilizers or pesticides etc. Use of a compost bed will suppy these helpful ailments in a natural manner and is costless. Who can resist trying this at home when it is free to you. Heres what to do.
1. Find a spot atleast 2 feet from your house, structures, or fences etc.
2. Plan on making a bed as large as you want and determine a permanent spot where it can develop without harm. Remember the bed will be 1/4th of thes size when its finished. (it will shrink).
3. Add things such as pine straw, leaves, grass clippings, kitchen scraps (no meat, grease or bones), bonemeal, even cofee grinds or hair can be added.
4. Plan on turning and mixing your ingredients in your compost bed once a week usually with a shovel or pitch fork.
5. When your compost is ready to be added to you beds and garden it should have a sweet woodsy smell to it and be easily ground through your fingers. If it has a bad odor or is clumped it usually means it didnt get enough oxygen.
Hopefully this will help you to enhance the growth of your garden or flower beds. Natural compost helps the water holding capability of the soil and adds nutrients and nitrogen to the soil which it vital in the growth of you plants.
April 11, 2010 - Posted by JackieC - 0 Comments
Organic Fruits that are healthy and safe to eat!
Heres a list of the top 10 organic foods in the US. It may make you think about getting these foods organically to avoid this even if its more costly. This list also includes healthy alternatives that deliver most of the same vitamins and nutrients our bodies need.
High-pesticide food: Strawberries
Main nutrient: Vitamin C
Healthy alternatives: Blueberries, raspberries, oranges, grapefruit, kiwifruit, watermelon
High-pesticide food: Bell peppers
Main nutrient: Vitamin C
Healthy alternatives: Green peas, broccoli, romaine, lettuce
High-pesticide food: Spinach
Main nutrient: Vitamins A and C
Healthy alternatives: Broccoli, Brussels sprouts, asparagus
High-pesticide food: Cherries
Main nutrient: Vitamin C
Healthy alternatives: Oranges, blueberries, raspberries, kiwifruit, blackberries, grapefruit
High-pesticide food: Peaches
Main nutrient: Vitamins A and C
Healthy alternatives: Nectarines, watermelon, tangerines, oranges, grapefruit
High-pesticide food: Mexican cantaloupe
Main nutrient: Vitamins A and C
and potassium
Healthy alternatives: U.S. cantaloupe grown from May to December, watermelon
High-pesticide food: Celery
Main nutrient: Carotenoids
Healthy alternatives: Carrots, broccoli, radishes, romaine lettuce
High-pesticide food: Apples
Main nutrient: Vitamin C
Healthy alternatives: Watermelon, nectarines, bananas, tangerines
High-pesticide food: Apricots
Main nutrient: Vitamins A an C and potassium
Healthy alternatives: Nectarines, watermelon, oranges, tangerines
High-pesticide food: Green beans
Main nutrient: Potassium
Healthy alternatives: Green peas, broccoli, cauliflower, Brussels sprouts, potatoes, asparagus
April 11, 2010 - Posted by JackieC - 1 Comment
As we all know Food has a lasting effect on our health and behavior. Because of this it is self-evident that the better quality the food we put into our body, the better we will feel mentally as well. Consider the number of pesticides that are contained in your average product item and how they poison the body. These heavy chemicals can pass into the brain via the blood stream and bring you down.
The British press has recently found that many of ailments of the mind have roots in the food we are eating. Mental illness has been around since the beginning of time, but the rise in its frequency is directly correlated with the increase in the in the chemicals we use in our food, which were non-existent more then 50 years ago. The British Mental Health Foundation found a clear link between illnesses such as Alzheimers, Schizophrenia, ADD and depression and the lack of key minerals, vitamins and essential fats.
For instance, countries that have a low intake of sea foods such as fish have a far higher rate of depression then other countries. The same with Schizophrenia and diets that lack antioxidants essential fats. In order for the brain to function properly it needs a complex mix of fatty acids (Omega 3 and Omega 6) carbohydrates. Foods which contain trans fats and hydrogenated oils work the same way as these except they don’t provide any of the benefits they provide.
April 10, 2010 - Posted by JackieC - 0 Comments
Many consumers wish to know weather the food they eat is organic. Before companies are allowed to label their products as Organic they must go through an inspection process by the USDA. If approved they can display the official green and white logo on their products. Some of the factors required for approval are:
- If Product is labeled as 100% organic it must only contain ingredients and processing aids that in turn are organic. (salt and water ingredients are except from this).
- If Product is just labeled as “organic” at at least 95% of its ingredients must be organically produced (salt and water ingredients are exempt from this).
- If Product is labeled “made with organic ingredients” it must have been made with at least 70% organic ingredients and must list these ingredients on the principle display panel.
April 10, 2010 - Posted by JackieC - 0 Comments
Nicole Richie is taking steps to make sure that her two year old daughter Harlow and brother Sparrow go organic and we should all follow her lead! A source close to Nicole said she is obsess with doing what she can to keep her children healthy and safe. Everything they purchase that comes into contact with her children they make sure is 100% organic. This includes food, diapers and even clothing.
In addition the cleaning supplies she uses have to be chlorine-free, hypoallergenic and non-toxic and good for the environment. They don’t even use baby wipes anymore, just simple a simple cloth and water. Getting her green thumb into action she has even started her own home garden growing vegetables and fruits right outside their home. In addition cell phones are not supposed to get anywhere near her children. She is worried that the radiation can be damaging to their growth.
Its great to see celebrities that people around the world look up to taking these kinds of steps so that we can ALL change the way that we eat. The healthier we all are the better off we all will be!
