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The Holidays are Coming.  Prepare Your Home

11/15/2021

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​The countdown begins and you need to prepare your home for the inevitable.  The December holiday season and all that comes with it.  Here is a list of things that you can do now that will help you have a less stressed December.

​1. Re-acquaint yourself with your fridge, freezer and pantry
​
  1. Clean out your fridge and wipe down all the shelves and storage containers, throwing away anything that’s expired and pulling to the front anything that needs to be eaten sooner than later.  Don't forget your fridge door wherever everything gets crammed and forgotten.  If you have more than one fridge, you know what to do.  Repeat the above steps.
  2. Clean out the freezer.  Be creative with what you have in there to use up in November because you will need the space for your holiday leftovers and holiday baking if you are hosting a family dinner or two.
  3. Clean out your pantry in the same way you did the fridge. Wipe down the shelves and toss what’s expired or stale.
  4. Take inventory of all of your dry staples like sugar, flour, baking soda, and baking powder, and buy more if necessary. Also check for to make sure you have all of the common holiday spices like cinnamon, cloves, and ginger. Clearly label everything
  5. Make sure the appliances you use occasionally (crockpot, warming tray, handheld/immersion blender) are actually working and and easily accessible.

2.  Organize your closets

You know the ones I am talking about.  The ones that you are going to want to put your guests' coats in, where your overnight guests will be wanting to hang their clothing once taken out of their suitcases and the ones that may or may not house your decorations, wrapping paper, seasonal plates, pots etc. 

3.  Prep your guest room

Take a good look at your guest room to make sure it’s ready for overnight guests. 

  1. Make sure the bedding has been cleaned and the comforter thrown in the dryer to remove settled dust.  Add an extra blanket on the bed just in case.  Easy for your guest to take off if they are too warm.
  2. Create an empty drawer or a space to lay a suitcase on for easy access (a chair with no arms will work).  We already talked about the closet.
  3. Place towels, hand towels and facecloths in the room.  

4.  Spruce Up the Main Spaces

Don’t stress yourself over the spaces your guests will never see instead focus on the main areas in your home that guests will be seeing. The front porch, entryway, kitchen, living room and bathrooms. Grab a laundry basket and start de-cluttering to make room for the holiday decorations and when done you can hide the basket in your closet.

​5.  Be Prepared for Baby

If you don't have kids of your own, your guests that do have kids will thank you for spending the time to make sure the home is baby-proof. Just being aware of what baby can reach is a good method to go by.

6.  Stock up on a few key items

Save yourself a few trips to the grocery store by stocking up on a few things you’ll inevitably need.
  1. Coffee and tea.  Purchase a small decaf just in case and a variety of herbal teas along with the regular.  Hot chocolate for the kids.
  2. Toilet paper
  3. Extra toiletries just in case your overnight guest forget theirs (toothbrushes, toothpaste, hand soap, razors, moisturizer, body wash, shampoo and conditioner)

7.  Stock your bar

The holidays mean parties, so stock your bar for the festivities. Stock it with what you like and what you know what your guests like.  Keep it simple and think local

​8.  Assess what home dining and entertaining ware you have and what you will need

Do you have enough bar glasses, wine glasses, serving dishes, serving cutlery, table linens, plates, cutlery, pots and pans, baking dishes, food storage containers for left overs, salt and pepper shakers etc?  If not, make a list and head off to your local second hand store to top up.  It doesn't matter if they all don't match.  Most important make sure you have enough chairs (borrow from friends if you need to)
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Protect Your Pets During the Holidays

11/1/2021

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Just because it is natural and from the earth doesn't mean it is safe for all the loved ones in your home.

Poinsettias, amaryllis, mistletoe, lilies and holly are toxic to your pets.  
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Brew Your Own Iced Coffee

5/1/2021

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and save money
from Consumer Reports
Primula Burke Cold Brew Coffee Maker is one of the less pricey models in their ratings of cold brewers.  It is a top performer with an excellent rating for convenience and most of its parts are dishwasher safe

Disclaimer - I do not receive any kickbacks for product suggestion.
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Companion Gardening

4/15/2021

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from Mother Earth News

COMPANION PLANTING
 
Basil
Plant near most garden crops
Comments - improves the flavor and growth of garden crops, especially tomatoes and lettuce. Repels mosquitoes.
 
Beans, Bush
Plant near beets, cabbage, carrots, catnip, cauliflower, corn, cucumbers, marigolds, potatoes, savory, strawberries
Keep away from fennel, garlic, leeks, onions, shallots
Comments - potatoes and marigolds repel Mexican bean beetles. Catnip repels flea beetles.
 
Beans, Pole
Plant near corn, marigolds, potatoes, radishes
Keep away from beets, garlic, kohlrabi, leeks, onions, shallots
Comments - same as for bush beans.
 
Beets
Plant near broccoli, brussels sprouts, bush beans, cabbage, cauliflower, chard, kohlrabi, onions
Keep away from field mustard, pole beans

Borage
Plant near squash, strawberries, tomatoes
Comments - repels tomato worms. Improves flavor and growth of companions.
 
Broccoli and Brussels Sprouts
Plant near beets, buckwheat, calendula, carrots, chamomile, dill, hyssop, marigolds, mints, nasturtiums, onions, rosemary, sage, thyme.
Keep away from strawberries
Comments - marigolds repel cabbage moths. Nasturtiums repel aphids.
 
Cabbage and Cauliflower
Plant near broccoli, brussels sprouts, celery, chard, spinach, tomatoes.
Keep away from strawberries
Comments -  tomatoes and celery repel cabbage worms.
 
Cantaloupe
Plant near corn

Carrots
Plant near cabbage, chives, early potatoes, leeks, lettuce, onions, peas, radishes, rosemary, sage.
Comments – onions and leeks repel carrot flies.
 
Chives
Plant near apples, berries, carrots, grapes, peas, roses, tomatoes.
Comments - Improves flavour and growth of companions. Deters aphids and Japanese beetles.
 
Corn
Plant near beans, cucumbers, early potatoes, melons, peas, pumpkins, squash.

Cucumbers
Plant near beans, cabbage, corn, early potatoes, radishes, sunflowers.
Keep away from late potatoes
Comments -  Radishes deter cucumber beetles. Cucumbers encourage blight in late potatoes.
 
Dill
Plant near broccoli, brussels sprouts, cabbage, cauliflower, cucumber, lettuce, onions
Keep away from carrots
Comments - Improves flavor and growth of cabbage family plants.
 
Eggplant
Plant near green beans, peppers, potatoes, tomatoes

Garlic
Plant near cabbage, cane fruits, fruit trees, roses, tomatoes
Keep away from peas, beans
Comments - deters Japanese beetles and aphids. A garlic oil spray deters onion flies, aphids, and ermine moths. A garlic tea helps repel late potato blight.
 
Kale
Plant near aromatic herbs, cabbage family, marigolds, nasturtiums
Keep away from pole beans, strawberries


Kohlrabi
Plant near cabbage/cauliflower companions (except tomatoes)
Keep away from fennel, pole beans, tomatoes
Comments - kohlrabi stunts tomatoes.
 
Lettuce
Plant near beets, carrots, parsnips, radishes, strawberries
Keep away from cabbage family
Comments - lettuce tenderizes summer radishes.
 
Marigolds
Plant near all garden crops
Comments - stimulates vegetable growth and deters bean beetles, aphids, potato bugs, squash bugs, nematodes, and maggots.
 
Marjoram
Plant near all garden crops
Comments - stimulates vegetable growth.
 
Nasturtiums
Plant near apples, beans, cabbage family, greenhouse crops, potatoes, pumpkins, radishes, squash
Comments - repels aphids, potato bugs, squash bugs, striped pumpkin beetles, and Mexican bean beetles and destroys white flies in greenhouses.
 
Onions
Plant near beets, cabbage family, carrots, chamomile, lettuce, parsnips
Keep away from beans, peas
Comments - deters most pests, especially maggots.
 
Oregano
Plant near all garden crops
Comments - deters many insect pests.
 
Parsley
Plant near corn, roses, tomatoes

Parsnips
Plant near onions and radishes.
Comments - onions help keep root maggots from parsnips.
 
Peas
Plant near beans, carrots, corn, cucumbers, early potatoes, radishes, turnips
Keep away from garlic leeks, onions, shallots

Peppers
Plant near basil, carrots, eggplant, onions, parsley, tomatoes
Keep away from fennel, kohlrabi

Potatoes
Plant near basil, beans, cabbage family, corn, eggplant, marigolds, peas, squash
Keep away from apples, birch, cherries, cucumbers, pumpkins, raspberries, sunflowers, tomatoes, walnuts
Comments - Basil deters potato beetles. Marigolds (dug into crop soil) deter nematodes.
  
Radishes
Plant near chervil, cucumbers, lettuce, melons, peas, nasturtiums, root crops
Keep away from hyssop
Comments - radishes deter cucumber beetles. Chervil makes radishes hot. Lettuce helps make radishes tender. Nasturtiums improve radishes' flavor.
 
Rosemary
Plant near beans, cabbage, carrots
Comments - repels bean beetles, cabbage moths, and carrot flies.
 
Sage
Plant near cabbage family, carrots, tomatoes
Keep away from cucumbers
Comments-deters cabbage moths and carrot flies. Invigorates tomato plants.
 
Spinach
Plant near celery, cauliflower, eggplant, strawberries

Strawberries
Plant near borage, bush beans, lettuce, spinach
Keep away from cabbage family

Sunflowers
Plant near cucumbers
Keep away from potatoes
Comments - can provide a trellis and shelter for shade-loving cucumbers.
 
Swiss Chard
Plant near bush beans, kohlrabi, onions
Keep away from pole beans

Tarragon
Plant near all garden crops
Comments - improves vegetables' flavour and growth.
 
Thyme
Plant near all garden crops
Comments - deters cabbage moths.
 
Tomatoes
Plant near asparagus, basil, cabbage family, carrots, parsley, onions, rosemary, sage, stinging nettles
Keep away from fennel, kohlrabi, potatoes, walnuts

Turnips and Rutabagas
Plant near peas


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Top Rated Affordable Hand Mixer

2/8/2021

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from Consumer Reports

Cuisinart 5-speed mixer powers through cookie dough and quickly whips cream.  It's wire beaters are easier to clean than center-post mixers.  Can be a little noisy.
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Washing the Dog Bed

2/5/2021

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Before you put your pet's bed into the washing machine, you need to get rid of the hair. An easy & cost effective way is to use your rubber gloves for dishwashing.

1. put the gloves on
2. lightly dampen them with water
3. wipe your gloved hand along the fabric to pick up all the hair
4.  toss in your composter of put in your garden for the birds to create their nests

The bed is now ready for the washing machine but before it goes in, check the label to see if you can put the whole bed in or just the cover.  Use the heavy soil setting and and extra rinse cycle to get at the stubborn hair you gloved hand could not.

If you are using the dryer, check the dryer's lint filter part way through to make sure it is not full, blocking airflow.

If you are air-drying make sure it is well ventilated to prevent mould and mildew.

Make sure to remove the left over pet hairs from your washer and dryer.
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Reading Food Labels

2/5/2021

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ORGANIC
A food must contain at least 95% organic ingredients to be labelled organic.
-fewer pesticides used in crops and no synthetic fertilizers and GMO's 
-animals only fed organic feed only and raised without  routine use of drugs like anti-biotics
-no artificial ingredients allowed in process foods unless they go through a rigorous review process and cannot contain artificial preservatives, colours or flavours.​
vs.
​NATURAL
There is no government regulation which means a product labelled Natural can contain pesticides and crops can be grown with synthetic fertilizers as well as GMO's.  Animals can be raised with drugs like anti-biotics.  Process foods can contain artificial ingredients, preservatives, colours and flavours.
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How Long Can you Safely Freeze Your Food

1/28/2021

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from Treehugger
Condensed


Raw meat & fish
  • Ground beef, turkey, veal, pork and lamb: For best flavor and texture, these ground meats are best used within three or four months of being frozen.
  • Steaks, chops and roasts: These cuts of beef, veal, lamb or pork can be frozen for six to 12 months before losing quality. Chops of these meats start to lose quality after four to six months and whole roasts are best used within four to 12 months. These are some wide windows, so check for freezer burn and other signs of quality deterioration periodically. 
  • Poultry: Whole birds can keep their quality for up to a year; pieces of birds keep their quality for up to nine months.
  • Fish: For optimum quality, fatty fish (salmon, tuna) should be consumed with two to three months. Lean fish (cod, flounder) should be consumed within six months.

Fruits and vegetables
You can freeze most vegetables and non-citrus fruits for about eight to 12 months

Soups, stews, chili and casseroles​Soups, stews, chili and casseroles that have vegetables, meats, grains, pasta or cheese will keep their quality for two to three months in the freezer. This stands whether they are newly purchased or freshly made and frozen.

General leftovers
  • Cooked meat or poultry: Eat within two to six months for optimum quality.
  • Pizza: Don't leave leftover pizza in the freezer for more than one or two months if you want it to taste its best.
  • Chicken nuggets or patties: Use them within one to three months or they'll start to lose flavor and texture.
  • Waffles, pancakes and French toast: These breakfast staples can be frozen for up to a month and they will still hold their quality, according to Betty Crocker.

​How to prevent freezer burn
  • Make sure your freezer's temperature is accurate. It should be at 0 degrees Fahrenheit to avoid freezer burn and to keep the food safe. The NDSU Food Freezing Guide offers a good example of what happens above that temperature: The same loss of quality in frozen beans stored at 0 F for one year will occur in three months at 10 F, in three weeks at 20 F, and in five days at 30 F.
  • Package your items tightly so they stay moist and away from oxygen. Use freezer wrap and bags and containers specifically made for the freezer.
  • Don't overload the freezer. "Add only the amount that will freeze within 24 hours. This is usually 2 or 3 pounds of food per cubic foot of storage space. Overloading slows down the freezing rate, and foods that freeze too slowly may lose their quality," according to the Food Freezing Guide.
  • Vacuum seal foods if possible or make sure to draw as much air out of the packaging before you place them in the freezer.
  • The longer food is in the freezer, the more susceptible to freezer burn it becomes. Label your foods in the freezer with the date they went in and a best by date, and plan your meals accordingly. When it comes to thaw out food, let it thaw in the fridge, not at room temperature, which is a too-good opportunity for microorganisms to grow.


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Re-Use Your Tea Bags

1/27/2021

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from Treehugger
(Condensed)

1. Tame stings and burns
Cool tea bags can bring relief when applied to bug bites and minor burns, including sunburn. For overall skin irritation, put spent tea leaves in a bath and soak.
2. Soothe your eyes
The tannins in tea have anti-inflammatory effects, which is why cool ones are often employed on puffy eyes. (The chill also helps with swelling.)
3. Feed the garden
Use tea leaves as food for garden plants — green tea is high in nitrogen, and as a bonus, the leaves can ward off pests and insects. This is also good for houseplants, so add old tea leaves to their water.
4. Boost potted plants
When potting plants, place a few used tea bags on top of the drainage layer at the bottom of the planter before adding soil. The tea bags will help to retain water and will also leach some nutrients into the potting medium.

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Re-Use Your Coffee Grinds

1/27/2021

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from Treehugger
(Condensed)

When you are done brewing, instead of throwing out those coffee grinds or putting in the compost put them to good use

​
1. Soften  Your Skin
Exfoliate with a body scrub made of coffee grounds, coconut oil and a little brown sugar. 

2. Please the flowers
Use coffee grounds as mulch for acid-loving plants and evergreens. 

3. Sadden the ants
Sprinkle coffee grounds around areas of ant infestation to deter them.

4. Make a sepia dye
Soak used grounds in hot water and use as a dye bath for Easter eggs, fabric and paper for a lovely, soft brown tinge.

5. Encourage the carrots
To boost a carrot harvest, mix seeds with dried coffee grounds before sowing. 
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    Simple Living

    long before it was cool to be a minimalist, live a sustainable life, become a zero waste warrior we just called it simple living or what  some could not resist calling us....'those damn hippies....not much has changed in the years since except the wording...now some can not resist calling us.... 'those damn natural nuts'...hence the name Just Another Natural Nut!

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