My Eco-friendly Toilet Paper

Well hello, Sunshine!

I’ve made a commitment recently to take another small step forward toward even greener living every week.

Just something, even if it’s small.

I’m not going to turn my back on the little stuff or try to justify it by saying all the good things I do.

I walk everywhere I need to go.

I really try not to buy food that comes in wrapping.

I shop at second hand stores.

I dry my clothes on a rack all year.

And I even buy 100% recycled toilet paper, but until this month, I was buying it at a grocery store where I get my fruits and veg.

This month I stopped by our local biodegradable soap supplier and spent a bit more time sifting around through the shelves looking for the next big step to take. I always bring back my jugs for refilling.

Well, this time I was excited because I found biodegradable garbage bags and some nifty rolls of toilet paper! Oooh. Let me get the package and read it to you:

I was kinda turned off about it being individually wrapped in another layer of paper… BUT, this is no ordinary paper.

It’s a 100% recycled.

It’s biodegradable. (Isn’t all paper biodegradable?)

It’s safe for septic systems and I swear to you it’s a never-ending roll. (They should consider putting that on their marketing materials.)

I think that after having inspected the website, I must have purchased the industrial/professional model of tp, because it’s not the puffy pillow sort at all. This paper is just there to do the job, so it’s sturdy and 2-ply, but there are no fancy pillow prints to make it appear thicker than it is.

Did I just write that? I did. I think this is a sign that I need to get outside for a run. In the meantime, there’s still validity to the message:

1. Bring your bottles to a local eco-bulk soap distributor for refills.

2. Buy less shipped food and grow wheat grass and sprouts!

3. Kiss a tree.

Here are a couple appropriate eco-recipes from our in-house esthetician, Tracy:

Toilet Bowl Cleaner Recipe

1/4 cup baking soda

3 drops pine essential oil

Sprinkle baking soda in toilet bowl and add 3 drops pine essential oil and scrub bowl. Using baking soda is safer on the environment as well as an alternative to scouring powders.

Toilet Bowl Disinfectant and Deodorizer Recipe

16 oz. distilled water

10 drops lemon essential oil

Spray bottle

Pour distilled water into spray bottle and add 10 drops lemon essential oil and shake vigorously. Spray mixture on surface areas to disinfect and deodorize.

Special green hugs and kisses to women and men around the world doing our 3 Day Green Smoothie Challenge, right now!

Love you like crazy,

Tera

4 Things You Can Do To Improve Your Relationship With Your Kids

Hmmm…

It happens to me about 5 times a day… I think of something perfectly eloquent and articulate and witty that I can contribute on this blog, but unfortunately, it happens 50 times a day that a cup spills, a shoe needs to be put on, a math problem needs to be corrected or a little boy’s bum needs to be wiped.

It’s an honor, truly an honor, to be a mom. I don’t believe for a second that I teach them more than they teach me.

The other day Mika was having trouble concentrating on her homeschooling and I just finally said it like I felt it:

“Mika, I’m really frustrated and I don’t quite know how to respond to you right now.”

“Mom, if you would get more sleep, spend less time in front of the computer, and stop eating late at night, you wouldn’t be so frustrated.”

I stood there stunned. Caught in my own trap.

“Mika. Thanks.”

She’s 7, by the way.

The other day, Sebastian and his friends were playing on my bed. I’d just arranged my room and felt totally irritated that it was under attack. I came in and said in a rather impatient tone, ” Can you guys find another place to play, please?”

“Okay!” they said in chorus and started to pack up their things.

Then Sebastian turned up his head and said, “Mom, do you think you could say that in another tone, please?”

*sigh*

“Sorry, Seb. You’re right. Thanks.”

So when I say I’m honored, I’m not joking. I mean, these two people just hold me accountable left and right and I couldn’t ask for a better team of support. People wonder how I can juggle all that I juggle, but being with my children is not exhausting or excessively demanding in any way for me. It’s like being at a social event. There are just lots of people to talk to and be around.

At the same time, I know it’s not like this for everyone, and so I wanted to pass along a few tips to help improve your communication with children (whether they are yours or someone else’s).

I used to have my own daycare with 9 children ages 3 and under, and I was also a primary school teacher in Japan for two years, so teaching has become very natural to me. My mom says that when I was very young, I used to get all my cousins to sit on the floor and I would stand at the chalkboard playing “teacher”.

I’ve studied a lot about working with children, but more importantly, I’ve learned a lot by trial and error. Here are a few things that really have empowered me more than anything else:

1. Get down to their level and feel what life is like down there.

When I’m surrounded by children, or in the presences of any child really, the first thing that I do is get down on my knees. I don’t know if you recall being 2 feet tall, but I’ve just never been comfortable watching a young child crank their neck back to speak to me. It’s not fun to be spoken “down” to and it’s intimidating, too.

In my home, I try and keep all pictures, posters and other things they might need, at their eye level. I’ve also put benches and stools where they may not be able to easily access other things they need: closets, sinks, etc. Spend an hour or so roaming around the house on your knees and you will easily spot what needs to be improved.

2. Speak to them as you would any other respectable adult.

Honor who they ARE, and don’t be deceived by the size of their body. Look them in the eyes and be fully present with them. The rules for standard, adult behaviour should not be any different than those for children. Letting them “get away with” behaviour that we wouldn’t accept from any other adult, does very little to empower them or raise their confidence level.

I’ve never spoken to my children like “babies”. I’ve honored who they are and just understood they have a smaller body.

They are limited to a certain degree by the limitations of their bodies, but WHO THEY ARE is more than just their body. They are fully aware and in communication. I never had to “teach” them right from wrong–this knowledge was inherently a part of who they are. I just had to give them a knowing glance when I caught them engaging in something they knew they shouldn’t be doing.

3. Acknowledge their contributions.

How many times does a child come to “help” only to make an even bigger mess? Do you send them away because you can do it better, or do you allow them to smile with confidence at a slimy table feeling like they’re making a difference. It’s not easy being a child. You’re given so much–food, shelter, toys, care and attention.

It’s an awfully awkward thing not being able to wipe your own bottom, put your own clothes on, or tie your own shoes. I don’t know how long it’s been since you were in that kind of vulnerable state, but it’s rough. I mean, they get so much and are hard pressed to find ways to exchange and give back in return.

So they make you smile…

Or they make a drawing, of pick up a cup to pour you a special drink, but before they can bring it to you, clumsy fingers make for spills.

Do you see, honor and acknowledge their contributions to you, to the home, in consideration of their limitations?

Children constantly seek to find exchange with the adults around them. They’ll make you smile and do their best to contribute in the ways that they can. Honor these contributions, as clumsy as they may be. Allow them to feel a sense of contribution as this is one of the things that will inspire their confidence more than anything.

4. Allow them the right to own things.

We give them toys, clothes or gifts and then somehow think we should still decide how these things are managed, organized and handled. If you give a truck to Johnny, let him have it.

How would you feel if you were told what to do with the things you’ve been given?

“Don’t put it there!”

“Don’t wreck that!”

“Don’t pull on your shirt that way!”

They need to have the right to break, abuse and misplace their objects without fear of consequence. They need to have the right to “own” fully the things they’ve been given and live naturally with the consequences of what happens to these objects in their care.

If you’re being confronted by frequently lost or broken toys, or recurring accidents, you may want to consider this very seriously: spilled milk can be a form of quiet protest.

Give them a space within which they have the freedom to move, to breathe, to own, to place things as they see fit. When you give something to a child, allow her the right to do with it as she pleases. This is how they learn action and consequence. This is how they gain an understanding of how to be in relationship with their space and their personal belongings. This is how they learn to enjoy having and become inspired to create a life for themselves with more of what they enjoy.

There’s a better way…

Temper tantrums, spilled milk and broken toys do not need to be par for the course of parenthood. These are a child’s only safe avenue for revolting against some of the choices and decisions imposed upon them by someone twice their size.

Few things are more powerful than this:

Get down on your knees, look a child squarely in the eyes with the utmost respect for who they are, pause for just a moment in the stillness of that space and lovingly say,

“I see you.”

“Now, what is it you’d like to say?”

That alone will crack the door to an empowered and inspired relationship with your children. Most of us are masters of multitasking, and we get very accustomed to doing 4 things at once. When it comes to connecting to your child, no matter what their age, leave the pot on the stove, the broom in the closet and just slooooooow down, get down, and listen.

Oh gooodness, I could go on and on with powerful tips for parenting. In fact, keep your eyes peeled, because soon we’ll be announcing our first Raw Mom teleseminar with the release of a fabulous product that inspired me in my own path to becoming a more conscious, loving parent.

All in time for Mother’s Day!

Sending hugs and happy kid wishes to you all,

Tera

Meeting up in Melbourne

Would you believe that until this weekend, I had never (knowingly) met another raw foodist, in person? I know, I know! Unbelievable.

When I first dabbled in raw, in my mid-teens, there was noooo-body to chat to in my Queensland hometown (the internet was not yet a going concern). No one with whom to swap recipes, no one with whom to bounce around ideas and theories … no one with whom to feel normal! Needless to say, without support, I struggled – and ultimately floundered. Picture me with bottom lip pouting.

More recently however, I’ve come back to raw – and have been amazed at the support that’s now out there. I really think it’s the key to success. It’s so great knowing that there are other ‘like minds’ in our cyber community, and even closer to home.

It was through my rawsome Kiwi buddy, Viv (love ya, Viv!), that I learned of an impending visit to Melbourne by raw royalty, in the form of Angela Stokes (www.rawreform.com) and Matt Monarch (www.rawspirit.org). I leapt at the chance to meet other raw foodies in person, and to hear real-life stories about the effects of a raw-food lifestyle.

So, on Saturday, I slapped on some lippy and jumped on a train, city-bound. I was so excited, and very happy to have a good half-hour to myself on the train, so that I could just stare into space (let’s say I was a little tired from working late the night before…)!

The afternoon was utterly inspiring. Matt was down-to-earth, intelligent and intense, telling us of his experience and that of others, but also going into the science behind eating raw. He didn’t hold back from frank discussion about – ahem – colonics and gas, and other not-oft-mentioned unmentionables! Angela glowed (as evidenced in the photo of her and I), and gave a personal account of the physical and emotional changes she underwent on her raw journey, during which she lost 160lbs/72kg and gained a whole lotta health and happiness. Gosh, they’re really a lovely couple, and I just love that they want to make the world a better place.

The bonus for me, was getting to meet local raw food enthusiasts, and to learn of a recently formed raw-food group that meets in Melbourne every few weeks. Yay! New friends! (In fact, it doesn’t matter where you live in the world – there may well be a raw-food meet-up group near you. Just go to www.meetup.com, and type in ‘raw food’ for your local area, and you may just find a group!)

So, after a full-on, inspiring afternoon, I snaffled up some raw reading material and made my way into the chilly Melbourne evening. I nibbled daintily on organic dried fruit while I sat on the swaying train, digesting all the information and experiences I’d taken in. I marvelled at my lucky life and at how fabulous it will be to chat in person regularly with fellow lovers of raw food. It’s a day that’s taken my raw journey to the next level.

Still Finding Balance

So, last week I pulled myself together and instead of wallowing in self-pity about an overwhelming amount of things I need to be doing, I planned it all out and organized my ‘To-Do’ list. This week, an evaluation is in order.

Did I get everything done on my list? Of course not! (Are you crazy? I know I was for thinking I could!) After prioritizing, did I get what was most important done? Almost. Do I feel good about it all? You bet!

After actually keeping up with my task list, I realized it wasn’t a bad thing to keep around, and I learned a little more about myself in the process. (Or should I say accepted something about myself that I already knew and didn’t want to admit?) A To-Do list has been more of an enemy to me in the past. Why? It is the perfectionist in me (so I admitted it!). I usually plan on doing more than I can actually get done because I spend too much time getting it done! When I start a job, I have to finish it and it has to be done right!

You might already see the connection to the problem. I have a hard time stopping something I am in the middle of. Instead of breaking it up into small portions (like I should), I try to take on the whole load ‘when I have the time.’ If I do everything with that thought in mind, nothing gets done! As a busy mom, I always have to juggle the daily routine with projects and making the most of spending quality time with my little ones.

Accepting me the way I am and working with it, I have a task list that now works for me. I have an ongoing list that encompasses all the major projects and jobs that need to get done and a daily list of what has to get done (hopefully it is a short one!) and what would be nice to get done (must-do’s vs. can-do’s). Parts of the ongoing list are scheduled into my daily list where it fits.

The key for me is, the ongoing project list is subdivided! I have it broken down into manageable steps that are doable on a busy mom scale. For example, one of my projects that I have procrastinated way too long about is to finish making the curtains in the kids’ bedroom. Last summer, (dare I admit it was that long ago??) we painted and redecorated the kids’ room. I got half the curtains sewn before I was too big at the end of my pregnancy to get on the floor and measure, cut, and pin together the long pieces of fabric. There are 2 curtains hanging on the far outside edges of the windows that are side by side. I need to make the 2 curtains that go on the inside edges for the final product. Since these are decorative and not functional, it just hasn’t been on my priority list with a newborn baby and 3 other kids.

Well, my newborn baby is not-so-newborn anymore and it has been 8 months since I put the material away for the ‘right time!’ I have, until now, put off finishing the job because I haven’t thought I had enough time to get it done. Based on my new plan, I am not thinking of it as the whole job. First, I measured and cut the material needed. I put it away and the next step was to pin it together. That is where I am now. That job is done, and it is put away again. When I am ready for the curtains to be on the day’s to-do list, I will start sewing it. I will get as many edges done on it as I can in that time, and if I don’t finish it, I will put it away until the next day.

In the end, it will take a little more time after I have gotten the project out and put away several times (In our small home, the only place I have to sew is at my kitchen table, so there is no option to just leave it be), but in the end, I will have a finished curtain in much less time than it took me to put of doing it until the time is right!

The same goes for the smaller scale projects and things on my list. I have taught myself to divide the tasks into smaller pieces and to think of each one in terms of its subtask so that I still feel like I am accomplishing something while I am technically stopping in the middle. It is all just in the wording I know, but it sure helps the perfectionist in me be much happier! It also helps to view my To-Do list as a flexible guide instead of a controlling prison guard. This makes it my friend and not my enemy.

Ok, I am done going on and on about my new task planning wonders. I had no intention of this going into a second week on the topic, but here it is. These things I have ‘discovered’ about myself and how to make task planning work for me may be obvious and trivial for some of you. What matters most, whether you are the kind of person like me, who like things planned and organized, or someone who would rather wing it and not be bothered about a silly list, is that you are having fun doing what you have to do!

It puts a smile on my face to say that I did manage to accomplish something. Spending time with my kids is a great thing that I GET to do and when everything is all said and done, that is what really matters. If I am a happier person because I checked off 5 boxes on my list instead of just 2 simply from thinking about it differently, then the better for both me and my kiddos! That is just one less, “Mommy’s not done yet…” that they have to hear.

10 Good Reasons to Chart your Monthly Cycles

The Fertility Awareness Method (FAM) typically involves keeping track of your daily basal body temperature and cervical mucus consistency, and can include monitoring cervical position and other possible signs of fertility. It is most often thought of as a way to help achieve or avoid pregnancy, but there are actually many benefits that all women of childbearing age can experience. Some of these include:

1. Having a deeper understanding and feeling of connection to your body. Understanding your unique hormonal profile and rhythms can be very empowering. Once you get the hang of it, it becomes second nature and you become much more in tune to all the subtle signs and signals your body gives you.

2. Learning what cervical fluid is normal and when there might be a problem. For years I thought I might have a candida problem due to a lack of understanding what was normal vaginal discharge; I thought it was dirty and a sign that something was wrong until I learned the normal stages of cervical fluid (i.e. dry, sticky, creamy, watery, egg white).

3. Knowing exactly when to expect your period can give you a lot of freedom. Even if you have irregular periods, since the luteal phase (the period after ovulation) is consistent for most women, once you’ve ovulated you can accurately predict the onset of menses.

4. Alerting you to potential problems and changes with your cycle. For example, consistently erratic temperatures can signify a thyroid problem, patches of fertile cervical fluid not followed by ovulation can point to ovarian cysts, while a luteal phase of less than 11 days can suggest progesterone deficiency and a propensity to miscarriage. Charting will also let you know if you are in fact ovulating.

5. Helping diagnose when there is a problem. Sharing charting results with your health care expert can be a great tool to help determine a course of action.

6. It can give you peace of mind once you have conceived. While a significant dip in temperatures after conception can signify impending miscarriage, continued elevated temps can let you know everything is going along smoothly. I find that knowing my temperature is still high in the beginning weeks of pregnancy helps me relax more during the day.

7. It is an easy and reliable method of birth control. It may take a few weeks to get into the habit of taking daily waking temperatures and then a few cycles to get a clear picture of overall patterns, but after that it’s easy sailing; it takes just minutes a day. Furthermore, when properly used, FAM is 98.5% effective as a birth control method.

8. It is very inexpensive – just the cost of a basal thermometer!

9. It is non-invasive; there are no side effects from artificial hormones, latex irritations, or implants to contend with.

10. And, finally, it pinpoints your fertile time so you can time sexual intercourse to maximize your chances of conceiving or avoiding pregnancy.

There is a wonderful website – www.fertilityfriend.com – which offers a FREE 20-lesson course on fertility and charting basics, teaching you everything you need to know and then some. They also offer FREE basic charting software; you plug in your daily waking temperature and cervical fluid consistency and they calculate your coverline, luteal phase, and most fertile period for you, virtually removing any chance for human error. It’s really an invaluable resource and I highly recommend it to anyone wanting to get to know their natural rhythms and cycles better.

Happy charting!

-Ardis

My Pampering Week!

Every day last week (Monday to Friday, that is), I did something to pamper myself. Here’s what led up to that:

My husband and son were touring Washington, DC that week as part of a school trip. Since there are eight boys and four girls in my son’s class, more dads were needed as chaperones than moms. So, I eventually stepped back for my husband to take my chaperone spot; the trip was just way too expensive for both of us to go as chaperones.

While I knew it would be wonderful father/son time for my guys, my mommy-heart inwardly wrestled a bit with the thought that I wouldn’t be traveling, too. In any event, I decided that during the week they were off exploring the nation’s capital (and Gettysburg, PA), I was going to pamper myself, daily. “They’ll be having their time, and I’m going to have mine,” I thought. But, I didn’t just think it; I made it happen.

My schedule that week turned out to be:

Monday — hair appointment

Tuesday — dinner with a friend (whose husband and son were also on the trip)

Wednesday – did not leave home, totally chilled

Thursday afternoon — pedicure (It was so awesome that I thought I had booked a foot/leg massage.)

Thursday evening — Chakra Balancing Yoga with one of my favorite, favorite yoga instructors. (Turns out, she was filling in that evening for another instructor, and I didn’t know that until I showed up for class.)

Friday — facial

On Friday, when visiting a business close to home, I even stumbled upon a Sandal Wood body lotion — made locally and purely from nut and plant oils. (I am loving how it feels on my skin.)

By the time my guys returned home on Friday, I felt so deeply pampered, balanced and rooted, that I climbed a tree (above) and did a split, cartwheel, and backbend…….

…….and thanked God for my relaxing week of pampering and for the safe return of my guys — who were enriched by all they had experienced!

I can only imagine what I’ll do after I go foraging for edible plants next week! A round-off, triple back flip, perhaps!

With Gratitude and Pampering Love,

Penny

Health for Your Hip Pocket

I don’t know about you, but I gasp every time I look at the total cost of our weekly organic grocery shop. Yeah, it ain’t cheap. Yes, yes, I know there’s a reason for that, and I do want to support farmers who are going out on a limb (so to speak) to make the world a better place. And, naturally enough, I want us to eat the best-quality food possible. But, gee, it can really add up.

We currently grow our own sprouts, as well as potted herbs, strawberries and citrus trees (the tomatoes died), which helps offset a little of the cost. We’ll be moving house later this year, and will be looking for a house with a garden large enough for growing heaps of fruits and vegetables. So that will definitely cut down on the cost of our food, but until then, we have to spend the big bucks. Or do we?

I’ve tried looking for solutions, including joining a co-op – however, there isn’t one in our area, and at this point I don’t feel excited about starting one (apathetic, moi?). But a couple of years ago I happened across the website for the Environmental Working Group (EWG). You may have heard of it? It’s a non-profit organization that conducts research, lobbies for environmental change, and provides resources such as a fabulous free cosmetic safety database.

One of its other fantastic free resources is its “Shopper’s Guide to Pesticides in Produce”, which ranks 45 common fruits and vegetables by their pesticide levels. The report estimates that by “avoiding the top 12 most contaminated fruits and vegetables and eating the least contaminated instead”, you can lower your pesticide exposure by up to 90%. Yowza!

I know we need to look at more than just pesticide levels (such as considering fertilizers, and the whole GM thing), but recently I’ve been using the list to divide my shopping between the organic store and the supermarket. I buy conventional fruits and vegetables that are lower on the pesticide ranking (such as avocados and pineapple), and organic for those that normally have high levels of pesticide in the conventional version (such as peaches and apples). If you’d like to see the list, simply go to www.ewg.org and follow your nose.

I’m still buying mostly organic, but, until our family’s garden of paradise becomes reality, this approach will help reduce my shock at the cost of organics, and surely, avoiding a weekly near-heart attack is a good thing.

CHILDHOOD is not preparation for life- IT IS LIFE

If there is ONE thing I wish all parents/teachers/doctors/adults understood, it is that childhood is not merely a preparation for living, it IS living. Children are not apprentices for adulthood, though they are usually treated as such. This is a huge mistake. Because what is actually a valid and complete period in life turns into a second-class affair, all about correcting and teaching based on a desired outcome in the future.

Childhood is fleeting, filled with hugs and giggles and smiles and is sooooooooo very precious. It is tragic to tarnish this graced era of life with our mental strain and futuristic endeavours.

Like little Buddhas, children are completely present, living from their heart. What we can learn from our children is vital and fresh and joyous…But, when we focus exclusively on ‘development’, ‘progress’ and other comparatives, we reduce these magical years to a burden filled with imaginary stresses and worry.

Oh how I worried when my firstborn didn’t talk until he was nearly 3…not at first- for a good long time I believed ‘you can’t push the river’ and that he would talk whenever he was ready…But, when everybody started suggesting maybe he was deaf, or autistic, and that I really should get him checked out (even though I knew his hearing was perfect because whenever I would go into my bathroom cabinet to get out a Q-tip he would come flying in wanting one- he loved Q-tips! Or if I would give him a directive “Go to your room, in your closet and get your blue shoes, not your red ones…” and he would do it, so I knew we were communicating fine…) but after 2 years of pressure to ‘not be in denial’, I DID start to really wonder WHY ISN’T HE TALKING ALREADY?

THAT was when I got stressed out!

Every child is uniquely special and although the school system would like to, we can’t ‘hot-house’ their learning, or their crawling, walking, talking, potty-training, etc. When we rush these ‘milestones’ we create frustration, pain, and drama.

As our children grow, we may wonder how they are developing…but instead of comparing our children to others, what is more productive is to KNOW your own, and know yourself. Do YOU feel comfortable with where things are? If so, your baby will feel that and be nourished. If something IS bothering you about your child’s growth or development, tune into your sense on an even deeper level and trust your insight when it comes, to check things out, or whatever it is. This ability to resist the temptation to compare and instead to tune into each other, will serve both you and your child long-term.

Even temper-tantrums may be appreciated for what they are- examples of your child’s will, which is wonderful! If you can respect their will and try to guide it constructively without crushing it, you will be transforming those difficult moments into gateways for self-esteem. It’s so much how we perceive things that determine how we will feel and even behave.

Here is the formula: T (THOUGHT) leads to F (FEELINGS) which = A (ACTIONS)

So if you want to change a mind, change a mood- yours or theirs! Watch carefully where your thoughts are taking you.

Instead of always worrying ‘what will happen IF he is still doing that by the time he is…’ ENJOY him, enjoy him doing IT- whatever it is, because it most likely won’t last!

But one thing is for sure- as soon as you have one thing figured out- another issue crops up in its place- only every time! It’s all a process, a journey. Your child is a living work of art, as are you. So what is the rush? What is the pressure all about? How can we enjoy our children, their childhood along with them? Just as I consider my time valuable, I realise my children’s time is also. They won’t be children forever, and I guard their time and what they are exposed to consciously. And mostly, I make the most of each day we have together. They won’t always ask me if I want to skip with them, or tuck them in, or wash their hair, or cut their apple, or play hide-and-seek, or draw dinosaurs or make them lemon chewies or tell them a story or make snow angels or sand-castles…and if I spend all my time with them TEACHING them how to do all that, then I am missing out on just BEING with them.

So, let us good moms relax and enjoy the moments, the tears and tantrums- especially the really good ones, and everything in between. We don’t have to prepare them for life so much as we get to live it with them, knowing full well that life is preparing them just fine! And the best part? We get to have another childhood of our own by sharing in theirs right along with them! IN-JOY!

5 Tips for A Pesticide-Free Lawn and Natural, Homemade Bug Spray!

In honor of Earth Day, I wanted to talk about something that is near and dear to my heart. When my husband and I along with our son Connor moved from New Jersey to Orlando Florida last May, I had no idea there was such a problem with having a healthy lawn and garden. I assumed that Connor would be able to play and run and really enjoy feeling the earth under his feet. To my surprise the company that the builder had contracted to care for our lawn while our house was being built, used herbicides and pesticides to treat the lawn, shrubs and trees. I was so disappointed to find out that this type of service was pretty common in Florida and the more I talked to people, the more I was shocked that there were people who just didn’t get it. I made it my mission to talk to as many people as I could about the health issues relating to herbicides (weed killers) and pesticides used to treat lawn care.

Contrary to what lawn “care” companies would like people to believe, herbicides and other pesticides are not “magic bullets”. They are broad spectrum biocides, and by their very nature can harm organisms other than targeted species. This includes homeowners and their families, neighbors, pets, and all other forms of life. The pesticide industry downplays this by claiming their chemicals are heavily diluted, but doesn’t mention the toxins are still extremely dangerous in small amounts. They also are unwilling to mention all of what is in their mixtures. Many components are classified as “inert”, which allows them to be kept hidden from the public and not listed on product labels. These are more than just fillers or solvents “Inert” does not mean “inactive” – some, such as benzene and xylene, are more toxic than chemicals listed.

Pesticides are poisons by definition, designed to affect vital biological processes that in most cases are not unique to the intended target pests. They harm beneficial insects like ladybugs and praying mantises that are part for your lawn’s natural defenses. As well as plants, and microorganisms like the tiny creatures that break down organic matter and make it available to nourish your lawn.

Children have a special vulnerability to pesticides, they breathe the air closer to the ground level where pesticides are applied and are more likely to put their hands in their mouths or rub their eyes without washing their hands. Plus, their bodies and their defenses against toxins are still developing. If you have ever had your lawn treated and the company had warning signs saying “Don’t allow children or pets to walk on the lawn for 1 to 3 hours”, this is a sign that the products they are using are harmful to our children, pets and the environment.

Not only are children in danger when pesticides are sprayed on our lawn, but our pets are also in danger of pesticide contamination. Outdoor pets are highly exposed to lawn chemicals due to their behavior (licking contaminated paws and coat, breathing close to the ground, eating contaminated grass, soil and toys) and are highly vulnerable due to their small size.
Here are a few tips for a pesticide free lawn that will bring your family endless amounts of joy:

• Water Correctly – Water deeply and infrequently, ideally you want one inch of water delivered once a week. Daily and brief watering discourages deep root growth, one of the essentials of healthy turf grass. Pest fungus can thrive in the damp grass, so give your lawn a chance to dry before nightfall. Water in the early morning to minimize evaporation and safeguard against fungus problems.
• Mow Correctly – Tell your lawn care provider that you want to keep your lawn at least three inches high if you do your own mowing, this makes your task easier. Correct mowing will increase the strength of the root system and naturally shade out some weeds. Don’t mow your lawn every week out of habit. Mow with sharp blades. Sharp mower blades make a clean cut, while dull ones will rip the grass, weakening your lawn’s defenses.
• Fertilize Organically – Switch to an organic fertilizer. Most commercial fertilizer shave too much nitrogen for your lawn. Since the grass can’t use it fast enough, most gets washed away – polluting nearby water bodies. Organic fertilizer will allow the grass to take what it needs when it needs it. If you can’t find it at your local nursery, please ask the manager to stock it. The products are there if the customers show a demand, so you need to make your voice heard. In the meantime, organic fertilizers are available via mail order. If you live near a feed store, you’re in luck since they often carry a wide selection of useful products such as alfalfa meal and corn gluten.
• Reseed and Top Dress Annually – Fifty years ago, most lawn mix had clover in it but broadleaf weed herbicides were introduced and destroyed the clover in lawns. Clover is a great addition to any lawn. Reintroduce it because it is drought tolerant, immune to diseases, and greens up all summer. Bunnies love it, and hopefully will eat the clover instead of your other perennials. Reseed at least once a year with a mix of grass seed and compost. Water slightly each day for two weeks so the seed can get established. This will naturally replenish your lawn and keep your soil healthy.
• Banish Weeds Naturally – Consider using corn gluten an organic corn by-product that is a natural pre-emergent weed control to reduce weeds. Apply it early in the season before the soil reaches 55 degrees (usually when the forsythia bloom), and it will, over the course of a few growing seasons, make a big difference invest in a sturdy weeding tool and go after weeds for short periods on a regular basis, rather than all at once. Don’t be so focused on a perfect green lawn – instead realize that a healthy lawn can naturally resist disease and drought. Once you learn the basics of organic lawn care, it is really simple and will save you both time and money.

I am happy to say, now that we have contracted an organic lawn company, I can relax and know that when Connor plays in the yard, his body won’t be compromised by harmful chemicals.

In honor of Earth Day, let’s all make one small change in our lives that will honor Planet Earth for future generations to come.

Here is a recipe for an all natural bug repellant to use while working in your yard

Bug Repellant Recipe

4 drops eucalyptus essential oil
4 drops rosemary essential oil
4 drops tea tree essential oil
2 teaspoons witch hazel
8 teaspoons distilled water

Combine all essential oils and distilled water in a dark colored spray bottle and shake well. Spray mixture directly on exposed skin. Be careful to not spray near the eyes or mouth.

HAPPY EARTH DAY!

Finding Balance

It amazes me how there are times that I seem to get a million things done in no time and feel like Supermom. At the same time, it disappoints me that there are times that I seem to get nothing done in a whole lot of time, and feel like a failure! Things have been a bit ‘off’ for me lately. I have let stuff around me get out of balance. I don’t need to be Supermom, but I do need to regroup and up the game a little.

I have been at a crossroad in several things and have felt a little stuck. Not knowing the right direction to take sometimes sends me into a panic. I am a planner and an organizer and I have this inner drive to always know my game plan. So, what do I do when I don’t know what to do? Well, this time, instead of taking charge and getting through my ‘stuff,’ I have procrastinated and avoided.

It has been long enough and somehow I don’t think it will all magically go away! What made me realize this is that I am at the end of a great novel. I love to read and when the book is really good, it is hard to put it down. Not only is it the end of a great book, but it is the last (as of yet) in a series of five! I have (once again) read through them consecutively. This last one in particular has gone by in a flash.

There is no better distraction from something you are putting off, than to get into a fantasy world and pretending your world doesn’t exist. Don’t get me wrong…I haven’t been reading night and day and forgetting all my responsibilities and such, but when I could be spending a few minutes looking for a new recipe to get me out of the food boredom rut, instead of just wishing I had some new ideas, it would be time better spent. I could definitely turn out the light and get more sleep instead of getting involved in the plot of a book and waking up tired, wondering why I didn’t go to bed earlier!

So, I have decided to take some action. I planned out all my “To-Do’s” on my list in order of priority and I am no longer going to procrastinate and avoid!! One by one, I will catch up and keep up and (try to) not let myself get overwhelmed with my never-ending tasks. Enough pressure to get the job done, but not so much to send me into a panic about not being able to do it!

Of course, this doesn’t mean an end to my reading! It just means that it will be my reward for a job well done instead of a way out. That way, I get to enjoy it instead of feeling guilty about it and thinking I should be doing something else. We moms work too hard not to get a little down time, too!