 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
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.
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.
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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 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.  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.  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  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.  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.  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.
 from Treehugger
Condensed Raw meat & fish
Fruits and vegetables You can freeze most vegetables and non-citrus fruits for about eight to 12 months Soups, stews, chili and casserolesSoups, 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
How to prevent freezer burn
 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.  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. |
Simple Livinglong 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! Archives
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