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.

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.​

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

• 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.

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. 

​The Comedogenic Ratings for Your Favourite Oils & Butters
​from  Holistic Health Herbalist

I had a real issue with coconut oil and products that used coconut oil for my face.  I broke out and until I started using coconut oil when straightening my hair, I did not put the two together.  It was my forehead breaking out (never happened before) that made me realize I cannot use coconut oil on my skin and that was when I started researching oils and came across the website Holistic Health Herbalist and her excel sheet with a detailed breakdown of every carrier oil and butter.  I chose to list the most popular.  
April Anderson Just Another Natural Nut

An oil that has a comedogenic rating of 0 is widely believed to be non comedogenic and will not clog your pores.
A comedogenic rating of 1 signifies a slight chance that the oil will clog your pores.
A comedogenic rating of 2 tells you that the oil will not clog pores for MOST people, but some will begin to notice clogged pores or a “purge” in some cases.
A comedogenic rating of 3 is where a lot of people will break out using this oil, but a lot of people may not break out depending on their skin type.
A comedogenic rating of 4 suggests that MOST people will break out using this oil unless they have a good tolerance for it. This largely depends on a number of skin type factors.
A comedogenic rating of 5 is basically a guaranteed chance of breaking out. Very very few people can tolerate oils labeled as a 5, but they do exist!

​ ARGAN OIL  0 
Argan oil is the holy grail oil for many and for good reason! It boasts some pretty amazing skin reparative benefits along with the very low chance of clogging pores. Another reason to reach for this oil is for its ability to treat acne and acne scars. Argan oil regulates the production of sebum which helps prevent further breakouts and its Vitamin E content helps fade scars and smooth out the skin’s texture. Suitable for most skin types.

HEMP SEED OIL 0
Hemp seed oil has amazing skin softening and moisturizing properties that are perfect for those with oily sensitive skin types. It also reduces redness and inflammation associated with acne breakouts and is a great treatment for eczema, psoriasis, and dry, itchy skin. This oil has really balanced my skin’s oil production and that’s really saying something because I normally have VERY oily skin. Well tolerated by all skin types. This oil should be kept in the fridge.

SAFFLOWER OIL 0  (high linoleic only)
Safflower oil has a silky feel on the skin and is highly moisturizing. It’s high linoleic acid content makes it a perfect oil for the OCM as it will help break up blackheads and other impurities in the skin. It absorbs easily and doesn’t leave a greasy residue.

SHEA BUTTER 0-2
Shea butter is really interesting because even though it has a high stearic acid content, it doesn’t seem to break people out. Sure, there ARE people who react badly to use it, but overall, many find that shea butter is an amazing oil to use during the cold, dry winter months. It’s heavy and leaves a greasy feel on the skin after applying so you only need the tiniest bit. It forms a protective layer on the skin that reduces inflammation and smooths rough skin. It is especially good for elbows, knees, and heels.

SUNFLOWER SEED OIL 0-2 (beware of Hi-oleic acid sunflower oil as it will clog pores)
This is a great oil to start out with if you’re unsure about where to begin. Most skin types respond well to sunflower oil as it helps keep your skin balanced and moisturized while fighting acne causing bacteria. It’s also great at fighting the signs of aging!

BELOW ARE THE  RATINGS FOR  THE TOP 21 OILS & BUTTERS

CASTOR OIL 1
Castor oil is an essential for many who use the OCM (though not for myself as I find it much too drying). It has strong detox and purging properties. It also increases cell turnover which is why it is used as an acne treatment. Due to its ricinoleic acid content, castor oil is a very drying oil and must be diluted before using it on the skin. It is suitable for oily skin types but may cause purging and detox of the skin.

GRAPE SEED OIL 1
Well suited for most skin types and has a low chance of clogging pores. Grape seed oil is rich in Vitamin E which helps tighten and moisturize the skin. It reduces inflammation, redness, and accelerates the healing of acne. This is a very light oil that absorbs easily without a greasy residue.

NEEM OIL 1-2
Neem oil is an amazing oil to use for acne prone skin due to its potent anti-bacterial properties. It reduces inflammation, redness, and irritation while protecting and moisturizing the skin. I find that it has a heavier, oilier feel when applied so I generally mix a few drops into another carrier oil to prevent that “oil slick” look. This oil is better suited for drier skin types for this reason but can still be used for oily skin when mixed with other oils. Neem oil has a strange pungent odor like “boiled peanuts” so keep that in mind before going on a date with it on your face!

APRICOT KERNEL OIL 2
Apricot kernel oil is a favorite oil among those with combination to dry skin types. It absorbs into the skin well, is anti-inflammatory, anti-aging, anti-oxidant, and anti-bacterial which makes it a valuable ally against acne causing bacteria.

JOJOBA OIL 2
Jojoba oil is a holy grail acne treatment for many because it mimics the consistency of our own sebum. It has a light moisturizing feel and absorbs well into the skin. Most skin types tolerate jojoba well but will often experience a “purge” of toxins when they begin using it. Normally, this purge will end in a few weeks, revealing clear pores and revitalized skin. This oil is more suitable for oily skin types as it helps balance the production of excess oil.

MANGO BUTTER 2
Mango butter is an excellent moisturizer for the skin. It combats dry skin, dermatitis, eczema, psoriasis, and other dry inflamed skin conditions. It reduces fine lines and wrinkles, stretch marks, and soothes rashes, insect bites, and sunburns. If you have dry skin, mango butter may work well for you as it has a lower chance of clogging pores compared to cocoa butter.

OLIVE OIL 2
Olive oil contains potent anti-oxidants and squalene; a lipid that is also found in our skin cells. This squalene is what makes olive oil to well received by most skin types as a nourishing and moisturizing addition to their beauty routine. Using it in your daily regimen has been shown to reduce the signs of aging, smooth skin texture, and hydrate dry skin conditions. It reduces inflammation and brings down redness making it perfect for acne sufferers who lean more on the drier side.

PUMPKIN SEED OIL 2
Pumpkin seed oil fights acne from the inside out due to its rich zinc and selenium content but it’s also gaining popularity topically. It hydrates, renews, and increases the firmness of skin while fighting acne causing bacteria and preventing scars. Suitable for most skin types and has a low change of clogging pores.

SWEET ALMOND OIL 2
Sweet almond oil is a great oil to use for dry acne prone skin due to its emollient properties. It’s great for regenerating skin cells because it penetrates damaged cells and softens them allowing for better hydration. Sweet almond oil is suitable for sensitive skin types that are dry.

EVENING PRIMROSE OIL 2-3
Taken internally, evening primrose oil has the amazing ability to help balance our hormones and for most of us, this is a big deal when you have acne! Applying this oil topically has also been shown to improve cellular structure in the skin, reduce inflammation, and promote elasticity. This oil is excellent for oily acne prone skin types but may not work well for those with dry skin.

AVOCADO OIL 3
Avocado oil is suitable for drier acne prone skin types but may still clog pores. However, if your skin tolerates this oil, it is amazing for hydration and skin tone renewal. Since it is a heavier oil, it may be best suited for use at night. Avocado oil is said to diminish pore size and remove impurities from the skin over time.

SESAME SEED OIL 3
Sesame oil is another oil that has potent anti-bacterial properties that good for wound healing and killing acne causing bacteria. It is also a fair sun protectant. It’s overall, a pretty balanced oil, but the stearic acid causes it to be a bit comedogenic for a lot of people. It may leave an oily residue on the skin.

COCOA BUTTER 4
Cocoa butter is a semi solid to solid oil that is extremely moisturizing for dry chapped skin. Its high stearic and oleic acid content makes it a comedogenic oil for most skin types and is more suitable for use on the body a deep moisturizer. Some use it sparingly around the eyes as an effective anti-aging eye balm or on rough patches of the skin. Not suitable for acne prone skin.

COCONUT OIL 4
This oil is a favorite among many for its amazing health promoting and beautifying properties. It smooths skin and reveals a fresh glowing complexion for those who tolerate it well. Most however, do not tolerate coconut oil well on their face, so if you have acne prone skin, you may want to steer clear of this oil. Coconut oil is rather heavy and may be better used at night. Suitable for very dry skin types. 

PALM KERNEL OIL 4
Palm kernel oil has a feel and texture similar to coconut oil. It makes the skin naturally soft and glossy and deeply moisturizes even the driest skin. It is also used to condition cracked heels and dry cuticles with great results. This oil will break out most skin type if used on the face. Suitable for those with very dry skin.

SOYBEAN OIL 4-5
Soybean oil is a high comedogenic oil that most people can’t tolerate. But for those who can, it’s a good oil for sun protection and its anti-oxidant properties. It improves skin tone and in very few individuals, can actually help clear their acne but that may be due to its phytoestrogen content. Generally not a good oil to use for acne prone skin.