Month: February 2016
A greenhouse in my future ?
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considering
another “big ticket” item. Compared to a package of vegetable seeds, or planter soil, it is “big ticket.”
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arguably
a valuable asset for my organic garden.
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rational purchase?
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entriguing [sic]
quandary
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In late February, on the Garden Training Project Facebook page, there was discussion about greenhouses. I was, therefore, inclined to search the Internet for sizes, construction details, and prices. The model pictured has superior qualifications (imho). I’m thinking “How nice to continue growing veggies in the Winter.” We’re still in Winter 2015/2016 so it’s drastically premature to buy a greenhouse for 2016/2017. Or is it?? This one is currently “on sale.”
Greenhouse I’d love to own.
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And this site has a better price.
Heirloom Organic Seeds
Have you used Supply Source?? I just checked their website regarding Heirloom Organics Garden Salad Pack. Twelve packages (hundreds of seeds) on-sale for $39.00. Sounds like a bargain to me!!
The Difference Between Heirlooms, Hybrids, and GMOs
Challenging the “status quo” !!
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No, I didn’t create the poster **but** love the message!! The subtitle of my blog is “Saying no to status quo.” I live in the CARE community and meals are provided. However, my eating preferences are “at odds” (enough said). Hence, my Garden Tower and effort to grow organic vegetables.
Postscript
Farm box delivery of organic food
Farm box delivery of organic food.
Not for me but an admirable enterprise.
7 foods that you’ll never find in my refrigerator
To repeat something I wrote in an earlier blog message: I receive many, many newsletters regarding health, nutrition, and gardening. The following is interesting.
It’s late at night, which obviously means I’m making frequent trips to my refrigerator. Truth be told, I am literally standing here with the refrigerator door open, typing this newsletter on my phone as I look for a healthy snack to satisfy my every craving. Hmmm, what to eat? I think I’ll go with strawberries tonight (low-calorie, high fiber, low glycemic, and quite filling), but for now, probably much like you, all this refrigerator talk has got me in the mood to TYPE SOME NEWS!
Having said that, did you know that refrigeration can actually cause certain foods to spoil faster? It’s true. In fact, here are seven foods that you’ll never find in my refrigerator (mostly because I store them somewhere else):
1. Bananas – Storing bananas in the refrigerator can actually disrupt the ripening process. In fact, once refrigerated, a banana may never be able to resume the ripening process even if returned to room temperature. Just think of how devastating that is for the banana 😦
2. Sweet Potatoes – When exposed to cold temperatures, starches found in potatoes will turn to sugar, disrupting their flavor and texture, not to mention increasing their sugar content. If you prefer tasteless potatoes that cause weight gain, however, please refrigerate.
3. Tomatoes – Ever had a really amazing tomato right out of the fridge? Me either. Tomatoes actually lose their flavor and become mushy when refrigerated. Yumn’t.
4. Apples – Same as above, apples lose their texture and flavor when refrigerated. Instead, place an apple in the fridge about 30 mins before eating if you prefer your apples cold. That’s what I always do anyway.
5. Onions – If you love soggy onions while also causing the rest of your food to taste and smell like onions, then you’ll definitely want to refrigerate your onions immediately. Otherwise, try storing them in a paper bag (within a cool, dark cabinet) for maximum shelf-life.
6. Avocados – Much like the banana, refrigeration shuts down an avocado’s ripening enzymes. If you want guacamole next month, this may be OK, but if you’re like me, you probably want guacamole today.
7. Coffee – Contrary to popular belief, coffee is best stored at room temperature to allow the natural oils within the coffee bean to activate its pungent aromatic scent. My brother Big Jim, who savagely loves all things coffee, let me in on this little secret. On the flip side, refrigeration can actually cause coffee to absorb odors from other foods in your fridge. Onion flavored coffee anyone? Don’t make that mistake twice guys…
Speaking of refrigerators, did you know that there’s a new way to burn belly fat that has been shown in more than a DOZEN research studies to help you burn fat and slim your waist at an accelerated rate.
Not surprisingly, the remainder of the email newsletter was an advertisement boasting the benefits of their product. (But I thought the above information worth sharing.)
Daffodils
Daffodils are blooming in other folks yards. My bulbs were in a large planter under the Bluebird house. The bulbs scattered when the soil and rocks spilled. I’ve replanted… but they may not bloom this season.
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Spice up your life !!
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How did I miss this valuable “natural” health aid? I’ve practiced health and nutrition for almost forty years–and just learned about cilantro and coriander. Well, truth be told, I’m head-over-heels into organic gardening for the first time in my life.
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cilantro / coriander
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antioxidant
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remedy
for diabetes?
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essential oils
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Cinnamon revisited
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cinnamon
for plants and
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ants
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Really interesting!!
Eager to try it.
~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~
Garden gloves are seldom used; I neglect to look for them when I’m in the yard. Consequently, I frequently get ant bites. I have pus welts all over my right hand because I recently removed mulch (pine needles) from many planters.