"Grow Your Own Drugstore"

Lenny was flipping through my 'vacation' magazine (June 7 th issue of Woman's World) and came across a wonderful tip for poison ivy itching.

Find an impatiens plant, slice the stem and rub the inside on the poison ivy itch.

It works amazingly well.

You can smooth wrinkles with chamomile by steeping 1 t fresh or dried blossoms in 1 cup hot water for 15-20 minutes, strain and pat on as a facial wash.

The scent of geraniums bring on happy hormones with the added bonus of keeping mosquitos away.

Aloe is great for burns. Just break off a stalk and squeeze the gel right onto the burn.

Sniffing basil boosts energy, reduces migraines and eases depression.

Fill an old sock with the flowers, leaves and roots of ground ivy, hang it on the faucet as you fill your tub and soak for 20 minutes. This will ease back pain and sciatica and also give you softer skin.

Chickweed relieves itches, bee stings and bug bites. Slice open the stem and apply.

Find your joy, peace, happiness and natural remedies while working in your garden enjoying the fresh air, sunshine and earth!
God's bounty is right at our fingertips!

Have a Happy Day!

Let the Sun Shine In!

I was reminded of how much the sun affects our lives, body, mind and spirit!

We all know it gets us in a happier mood!

Just sitting next to a sunny window seems to calm me and bring serenity into my day.

Closing my eyes and bringing my face toward the sun somehow makes me feel loved!

And I know it is because that big bright star that we can see during the day is from our One and Only Heavenly Father who created the entire earth, Universe and me!

So, of course, I feel loved!

Seeing the sun shine on my dirty windows isn't exactly soothing, but if I move past the smudges and get outside and really enjoy the brightness of the day it somehow makes me feel less anxious and so happy!

Cleaning up the yard and getting the garden ready for planting is nourishing to the soul!

I am so thankful to have a 'bit of earth' to sow a few seeds.

The sun lifts our spirits, gives our bodies much needed nutrients and vitamins, and even helps ward off sickness and heal wounds~I believe not just the physical but the emotional as well!

It seems a bit easier to get out into the sunshine on a warm day, but just sitting by a window with cooler weather sun is so good for us!

You have all heard by now the importance of vitamin D and how it helps to build our immune system. In fact, there is quite a list of how beneficial it is to our entire bodies.

You can get sufficient vitamin D from sitting in the sun for 15-20 minutes a day.

If you sit indoors by a window, open it a little to let the fresh air come in.

You can also get it from foods such as wild salmon, fish oil, low-fat milk, and eggs.

You can even take a supplement if you feel that you are not getting enough from food or sunshine.

Dr. Mercola always has so much info on vitamin D and all the latest and greatest reports etc.

You can always visit his website at http://www.mercola.com/.

Let us all enjoy the sun and be reminded of all the blessings that God has given!

Putting our feet to earth and enjoying nature and sunshine as we walk in our neighborhood with a special person or even by ourselves is enough to slow down our minds and ponder the blessings in our lives.

It gives us a bit of time to truly be thankful!

Let the sun shine in!

Let the Son shine in!

Be someone's Sunshine today!

PS:

Our 19 year-old son just announced that he wants to be a chiropractor! I think he would be a great chiropractor! My prayer has always been for God to lead each child down the path HE has created for each one and that we, as parents, can give them the encouragement and confidence they need to go down that path.

I can see now that God has been shaping Shane's life for a path of health, fitness and wellness and I pray that wherever that path leads him that God will bless him with success and happiness!

Things To Do This Spring

It's exciting to have a new season, especially one that is getting warmer and brighter after a long, dark winter.

Here are some simple things to do to make Spring fun and special.

1. Read "The Secret Garden" by Frances Hodgson Burnett. One of the best books I have ever read. It is wonderful to read it a little at a time to children, but just as good reading on your own.

It is a story about hope and friendship and when you are finished reading it, you will want a 'bit of earth' of your own.

2. Plant a garden. If you have never planted a garden, do not be afraid to start one this Spring! "The Square Foot Gardening" book by Mel Bartholomew is absolutely for everyone, whether you are a beginner or an ol' pro! You can visit the website at http://www.squarefootgardening.com/
I was overwhelmed just thinking about a garden, though I always wanted one, and this was the book that set me free.

We have 8-4 feet by 4 feet squares-1 for each of the children and the point was to have each take care of their own square.
You can make as many squares as you need.
You can have a square full of wonderful food even if you have limited space.

3. Go Fishing! We have a young fisherman in the family so we always make a point to get to Kensington Metropark to go fishing!

4. Make or buy a Spring wreath for your door. I've done both, but last year I found a beautiful one from Wal-Mart!

5. Buy a Bird's nest and use it in your decorating. We have a real one that was abandoned last fall, but you can get one from the local craft store.
Buy a little fake bird and some eggs to put in it and then find a green sprig from your own
yard and stick it into the nest, too.
It makes a beautiful centerpiece or decoration for a shelf, mantel or a bedside table.

6. Put some lemons and limes in a clear glass bowl and leave on the counter to use for your water, tea and for cooking.

7. Buy new kites and fly them with a loved one.

8. Find some good Middle-Eastern recipes, like tabouli, falafels, non-leavened bread, etc and have someone special over for Palm Sunday, which is this coming Sunday.

9. Make a terrarium. See www.bhg.com/terrariums.

10. Visit the local public gardens and butterfly house. Usually the Universities have these.

11. Go on a picnic.

12. Visit the farm to see the baby animals.

Have fun!

Homegrown Goodness

Being able to enjoy homegrown food is a wonderful gift! Food grown in your own garden or in a neighbors garden is the best kind of food you can get! My garden was mediocre this year, but I was still able to enjoy a few things. I garden using the Square Foot Gardening method which is perfect for anyone who wants to start a garden and even for those who have been gardening for years and want to minimize space and weeding. Check out http://www.squarefootgardening.com/ to get started on a very efficient way of gardening.

We were also able to get a wonderful bounty of homegrown goodness from the gardener and his wife down the road. Holmer has a beautiful garden and he shares his harvest for a tiny amount of money. Inge, his wife, washes up the beans and lettuce before we even get there. He seems to grow Everything!

This week and last I was able to pick grapes for free. They couldn't use them all so they were more than happy to share. I made grape jam that everyone in our house just loves. I had never made grape jam before and we were all pleasantly surprised how very tasty it was. It ended up jam instead of jelly because so much of the pulp remained after straining and I didn't want to strain again. I use Pomona's Universal Pectin that lets you use honey instead of sugar. It contains no sugar or preservatives in the pectin. I used a 1/2 cup of honey per batch. It leaves an all fruit taste and not a sugary taste. Our Country Life co-op sells it (http://www.clnf.org/) or you can visit their website at http://www.pomonapectin.com/.

I had some juice left over and I drink it with a little water. It is a perfect cleansing drink full of antioxidants and is great for energy, circulation and has a high amount of anti-aging properties.

http://www.ehow.com/facts_4793335_health-benefits-grape-juice.html

There are also little signs along the country roads advertising fresh eggs that is so worth it to stop or maybe you know someone selling eggs like I do. There really is nothing like fresh eggs!

O.K. now all my childhood friends and even those who know me now are not going to believe what I am going to say next! I WANT CHICKENS! Oh My Goodness! People still think of me as a City Slicker! Well, just because I wear a fancy dress now and then seems to throw people off when I say I would love to have chickens. I won't be cleaning the chicken coop in high heels, don't worry! So Barb said she would look out for a free chicken coop for me. Thanks, Barb!

How wonderful it is to find local food. Not only are we supporting the people and businesses around us, we are also healthier because of it!

Let's see if I can spell our favorite table grace that was also one of my Grandma and Grandpa Storm's favorite. It is in Finnish. Here goes.

Kiitos Taivallinen Isa, Kaikkista roukasa. Amen.

Thank you Heavenly Father, for all this food. Amen.