Hiya, happy people!

So—> yesterday,  there was mention of bugs in the front yard garden…

well– last night, the hubz and I came up with a concotion that were hoping combats the “little black bugs” .

Basically, these bugs appear to be sucking out the chlorophyll in the plant by attacking the leaves.

These nasty buggers initially started in on the watermelon, which resulted in a melon loss

The entire watermelon plant crippled over and is not happy.

It looks very  unhealthy at this point and has infected the other plants. Grr!

Such as my beautiful cuke plant that is healthy and covered in yellow blossoms.

So far, we managed to get one cuke out it but they’re are two others which started to grow but now seem to be stunted from the buggy effect.

Double grr!

Our pumpkin plants are starting too look unhappy as well. Aye carumba… the joys of gardening… you LIVE & LEARN.

Over the years we haven’t really dealt much with bug infestations but have had some aphid issues and maybe a few worms too. We done lot’s of reading on how to get rid of pests naturally and have put together a few different methods.

Bugs definitely don’t like heat from peppers and one year (2009) we made a batch of pepper spray using the green peppers we grew in our garden. It worked wonderfully.

All we did was cut up some peppers and placed them into water and let it sit for a couple days or so before we used it.

Now it’s sat for 2 yrs. and the smell of peppers is SUPER strong. I don’t think any bug will live through a spray of it. hee, hee! Bye–bye, you hungry bugs!

Anyhoo- I didn’t actually find our homemade pepper spray till after we concocted a new spray (of course).

Non Toxic Garden BUG Control Spray

In a 12 oz bottle mix the following:

- 1 tbsp of vinegar

- 1 tbsp of oil (any kind- & pretend it’s pictured;)

- 3-4 drops of peppermint oil

- 3-4 squirts of dish soap (we used Mrs. Meyers)

-  2 cut up peppers… any HOT pepper will do!

Next, fill bottle/sprayer up with water & it’s ready for use!

** Remember to label your bottle and keep out of reach from children.

Simple. Easy & Effective.

No nasty chemicals involved… all natural & organic, baby!!!

Most of the ingredients can be found in under your kitchen sink.

Safe to use around children too!

We like to use our homemade garden bug control spray in the early AM’s or late PM’s of the day.

Spraying in direct sunlight/heat could damage your garden plants so just be aware.

I’ll definitely keep you posted on our bug sitch…

…keeping my fingers crossed the plants live through it.

(there is some new life on the watermelon, so we’ll see- maybe it’s not toast afterall;)

Have you had any problems with bugs in your garden this year?!

If so, what have you done to combat them naturally?

What natural solutions do you know of?

click on pic for a larger view!

chocolate mint rooibos & mango rooibos iced tea!

Hola!

How are things with everyone??

I heart the summertime. It just brings out the best in everyone/everything!

It also leaves you feeling thirsty on some days. I’m a tea lover … hot tea, cold tea…but I mainly stick to herbal teas and every once in awhile will treat myself to a chai (black) tea. Oh, okay and coffee too! I’m no saint. But, I’ve recently learned about an awesome alternative to coffee… more on that in a sec!

What I love about the summer is you can utilize the sun for many things and one way I find the sunny sun helpful is to brew up a pitcher of tea. Yep, that’s right. Use the sun to make iced tea. This method is so fun and satisfying. It doesn’t take long for a pitcher of water that contains fresh herbs, dried herbs,  dried fruit, or  tea bag (your choice) to warm up.  I usually like to put in orange slices or lemon slices but I was out of both the other day.

It’s approximately 2-3 hours before you can enjoy a fresh cup of iced tea. I usually put about a tsp. to one cup of fresh/dried herbs/dried fruit and follow the directions on the box for tea bags.

It’s so worth it to try this method +you’ll be saving energy while you’re at it. Bonus points, from Mother Earth.  Just find a great sunny spot in your yard for the pitcher, cover the top with a lid and walk away. You’ll have sun tea in no time.

Oh boy! Yes, I know my life is boring…I get kicks off of freshly solar brewed iced tea.

What can I say…I’m an eco geek! lol!

I also really enjoy water with lemon just as much and in the summer time with all the fresh fruit. I love, love, having a pitcher around with fresh fruit slices marinating in it. It’s the best ever.

And the other day while I was perusing the bloggy blogs I found an awesome giveaway for a fruit infusion pitcher. I wish for one of these bad boys…a kitchen must have in my opinion!

Oh and while I’m linking up… I forgot to mention this fabby giveaway on this weeks Meatless Monday’s post! I was drooling over Ani’s new book the other day while at Barnes & Noble. I had to keep my impulses in check.

Anywho…

I FINALLY had the chance to pick up some teeccino (prounounced teaCHIno).

Teeccino is a coffee alternative…tastes, brews, and looks just like the real deal but instead of the caffeine high you’ll get and herbal high. No, it doesn’t contain any of that silly stuff  but it does have various other herbs in it which are much easier on the adrenal system system than coffee.

It’s marvy. I highly recommend it!! It’s great for pregnant and nursing mother’s too.

Here’s a little info from the brochure I picked up at the natural foods store:

- gluten free

- non acidic

- natural energy boost

- prebiotic

- naturally caffeine free + more great benefits!!

I’ve been whipping up iced coffees lately and using Hazelnut coconut creamer by So Delicious (dairy free)… da bomb, just sayin’!!!

I must say, it did give me a little pep in my step without the jitters which is always a good thing.

Have you tried Teeccino?

What about sun tea… have you done it yet, this summer?

It definitely keeps me smiling… what about you… what’s making you smile lately?

Hola!

Happy weekend to you!

Can you believe that Easter is just a couple weeks away?!  I can’t. I still can’t believe it’s the end of March either. What the heck happened to the first three months of the year? I’m ALSO in disbelief my “Baby C” is going to be ONE. Holy moly, a true toddler in 2 wks. Aye carumba!

{Anywho}

I remember looking forward to Easter, as a kid,just so I could dye eggs for our family egg hunt. We always used the traditional boxes of egg dye as I’m sure most did. Due to the birth of Baby C, last year;  we were unable  to do anything fancy with our eggs. We wanted to do the natural method but our time was very limited with a newborn. Instead my mother in law happened to pick up an organic egg dye pack from the health food store and we called it good. It was better than the toxic kits nothing.

This year, I’m hoping to plan ahead and try out a new (to me) natural method. Most commercial kits contain chemicals, artificial ingredients and have petroleum based products  (crayon) which aren’t earth friendly and are usually labeled non-toxic; so beware.

For this weeks, edition, of the {upcycled & recycled}; I ran (not literally) across another way of having fun with eggs for Easter…

Silk dyed!

Thank you, Martha Stewart’s site. The other day, I was browsing for craft/sewing ideas for the boys birthday parties and found this gem…

You’ve gotta see the video on how to do it! EASY PEASY.

I can’t wait to find a few silk ties or blouses from garage sales or thrift stores for this project. No finger staining  whatsoever. Doesn’t that sound enticing? ! But, then again a little nostalgia without the chemicals does too!

Now, check it out; if you don’t have time to go thriftin’ or to yard sales …

a silk dye kit is available through …drumroll, please… ETSY!

My favorite place to  find {upcycled & recycled} goods.

The silk dye kits are recycled & reusable. Did I say, how much I loved this idea!

I LOVE this idea!!!

Upcycling at it’s finest.

AND if you’re interested in au naturale egg dye kits…

check out one of my fave companies eco-kids

who now has an all natural plant, fruit and veggie based dyeing kit!

Jupiter’s Child also has an all natural kit with a twist!

Pretty eco rad, if you ask me.

P.S. this is Part 1 of Eco Egg Dyeing, au naturale… stay tuned for my personal experience!

Have you silk dyed eggs before?  Please share!

Have a great weekend! 

Hola!

Happy weekend to you!

Can you believe that Easter is just a couple weeks away?!  I can’t. I still can’t believe it’s the end of March either. What the heck happened to the first three months of the year? I’m ALSO in disbelief my “Baby C” is going to be ONE. Holy moly, a true toddler in 2 wks. Aye carumba!

{Anywho}

I remember looking forward to Easter, as a kid,just so I could dye eggs for our family egg hunt. We always used the traditional boxes of egg dye as I’m sure most did. Due to the birth of Baby C, last year;  we were unable  to do anything fancy with our eggs. We wanted to do the natural method but our time was very limited with a newborn. Instead my mother in law happened to pick up an organic egg dye pack from the health food store and we called it good. It was better than the toxic kits nothing.

This year, I’m hoping to plan ahead and try out a new (to me) natural method. Most commercial kits contain chemicals, artificial ingredients and have petroleum based products  (crayon) which aren’t earth friendly and are usually labeled non-toxic; so beware.

For this weeks, edition, of the {upcycled & recycled}; I ran (not literally) across another way of having fun with eggs for Easter…

Silk dyed!

Thank you, Martha Stewart’s site. The other day, I was browsing for craft/sewing ideas for the boys birthday parties and found this gem…

You’ve gotta see the video on how to do it! EASY PEASY.

I can’t wait to find a few silk ties or blouses from garage sales or thrift stores for this project. No finger staining  whatsoever. Doesn’t that sound enticing? ! But, then again a little nostalgia without the chemicals does too!

Now, check it out; if you don’t have time to go thriftin’ or to yard sales …

a silk dye kit is available through …drumroll, please… ETSY!

My favorite place to  find {upcycled & recycled} goods.

The silk dye kits are recycled & reusable. Did I say, how much I loved this idea!

I LOVE this idea!!!

Upcycling at it’s finest.

AND if you’re interested in au naturale egg dye kits…

check out one of my fave companies eco-kids

who now has an all natural plant, fruit and veggie based dyeing kit!

Jupiter’s Child also has an all natural kit with a twist!

Pretty eco rad, if you ask me.

P.S. this is Part 1 of Eco Egg Dyeing, au naturale… stay tuned for my personal experience!

Have you silk dyed eggs before?  Please share!

Have a great weekend! 

Hey guys & gals!

I promised you an update on this crazy no ‘poo journey of  mine… and so far it’s been 3 months without using any shampoo. Wow! I seriously can’t believe it. Honestly, nothing feels better than being liberated of having to spend the crazy amount of cashola on a bottle of shampoo goo!

I’ve been playing with the conditioning part of the recipe by allowing fresh herbs and essential oils I have on hand. So far I’ve done peppermint, mint and rosemary. In fact, I just made the rosemary version last night and haven’t cracked the jar open yet. I’m excited. I’ll give it a few more days to infuse. So far the peppermint wins over the mint… and I love mint! Mint alone isn’t strong enough for apple cider vinegar (ACV).

The no ‘poo method doesn’t mean you have to be a dirty hippie type just because you aren’t producing any suds upon washing. I still “wash” my hair. I still work the no ‘poo solutions into my my scalp  as I would with “normal” shampoo. I’m not shy about letting my hair go a few days before washing it out with baking soda and vinegar just to experiment and see what state my hair is in. So far, nothing funky has occurred.  Phew! My hair and face have always been a bit on the oily side so it’s hard to say whether the no ‘poo has really affected the oily factor.

When I say oily… I don’t mean greasy or matty (my hair is really fine). It just has a bit more shine to it.  When I run my fingers through my hair it actually feels great. Going a few days without any routine either shampoo or no ‘poo it usually proves I do need to cleanse my hair unless I plan to dread it….which has actually crossed my mind.

In all actuality, most of my life I grew up with short hair. Just after I gave birth to the eco tot I chopped it off. Lately, I’ve been feeling the need for some change and have thought about hacking it off again.

But, I digress.

I still feel like I’m in the “transition” period. It’s only been 3 months… so maybe some of the oily business will let up… OR NOT! Either way, I’m on this journey for good!

The Routine

When I first started, I would fill up my pint mason glass with the baking soda and do the same with the ACV in a reused peri bottle. It’s was a bit of a time killer at first but now it’s part of the routine as with anything else when first learned. I’m still working on figuring out a way of having pre-made solutions without spoiling. I’m waiting on an agave nectar bottle for the baking soda rinse to switch out having glass in the tub. Then I will  have two squeezie tops which makes applying the solutions much easier.

A few months back, I cleaned out our cupboards and saved two Malt O Meal boxes for reuse. I remembered them last week and immediately filled up an empty box with baking soda. Prior to the Malt O Meal box. I was scooping out the baking soda from a plastic bag… gross! At least this way the baking soda is contained and makes for easy storage and pouring ability.

The ACV hangs out in a jar until the AM or PM (usually the later) when I can dump some of it into the peri bottle. I like adding in peppermint. BUT, not too much or your head will tingle. ALL. DAY. lol! I learned this the hard way. One or two drops is plenty. Believe. I’ll let you know how it goes with the rosemary. I’m hoping it’s heavenly… I think I may just do a rosemary mint combo too!

All in all, a few extra steps hasn’t made this a make or break deal. I still feel like I’m still in the “transition” period. It’s only been THREE months…so maybe some of the oily business will let up at six. OR NOT!

Either way, I’m on this journey for good.

How about you?

Do you no ‘poo?

This is what our jar looked like a day before all our pickles were inhaled eaten!

We love pickles really LOVE  pickles… pickles, pickles and more pickles!

Who doesn’t love pickles? I can remember the days when I would eat an entire jar of baby dills with my best friend.

Then I discovered pickles and peanut butter one day. Yes! before pregnancy. I was young, maybe 12. I guess, I had to know what the guests on Ricki Lake were talking about. I was babysitting and they had pickle “chips” (the kind you put on a burger) and they also had PB- Peter Pan, even! I took a chip added some PB and it became my new favorite snack….that along with some apples and I’m set! Pink lady apples’ if you have em’. Mmmm!!!!

But this post isn’t about pink lady apples even though their scrumptious. BUT not like pickles are…

scrumptious, crisp, and did I say scrumptious? 

Pickles are a staple food around here. The hub and I love em’- the eco tot can’t get enough of them (probably my fault! While he was in the womb I ate buckets of pickles!). I’m sure Baby C will learn to love them also.

Pickles aren’t really that cheap. Plus, some pickle varieties contain HIGH FRUCTOSE CORN SYRUP… and that’s a big no, no in this household. HFCS is in everything I swear. In order to stay away from HFCS we have to resort to reading labels all the time and buying organic. Let’s be honest here, as as mom I don’t really have time to read each and every label & buying organic isn’t always an option. Saving time and money is ideal + staying away from artificial crud is key!

THE RECIPE!

I searched high & low and finally found one I thought suited our pickles needs.

We have an old recipe book where it Explains an old fashioned brine way of doing things…  We plan to do it sometime; for now this recipe hit the spot!! AND it’s easy peasy!

The only thing done differently in our version was adding in some peppercorns and mustard seed + some raw, unfiltered apple cider vinegar. We also used dry dill but will use fresh next time!

Can’t wait for our next batch… YUM!

This is what our jar looked like a day before all our pickles were inhaled eaten!

We love pickles really LOVE  pickles… pickles, pickles and more pickles!

Who doesn’t love pickles? I can remember the days when I would eat an entire jar of baby dills with my best friend.

Then I discovered pickles and peanut butter one day. Yes! before pregnancy. I was young, maybe 12. I guess, I had to know what the guests on Ricki Lake were talking about. I was babysitting and they had pickle “chips” (the kind you put on a burger) and they also had PB- Peter Pan, even! I took a chip added some PB and it became my new favorite snack….that along with some apples and I’m set! Pink lady apples’ if you have em’. Mmmm!!!!

But this post isn’t about pink lady apples even though their scrumptious. BUT not like pickles are…

scrumptious, crisp, and did I say scrumptious? 

Pickles are a staple food around here. The hub and I love em’- the eco tot can’t get enough of them (probably my fault! While he was in the womb I ate buckets of pickles!). I’m sure Baby C will learn to love them also.

Pickles aren’t really that cheap. Plus, some pickle varieties contain HIGH FRUCTOSE CORN SYRUP… and that’s a big no, no in this household. HFCS is in everything I swear. In order to stay away from HFCS we have to resort to reading labels all the time and buying organic. Let’s be honest here, as as mom I don’t really have time to read each and every label & buying organic isn’t always an option. Saving time and money is ideal + staying away from artificial crud is key!

THE RECIPE!

I searched high & low and finally found one I thought suited our pickles needs.

We have an old recipe book where it Explains an old fashioned brine way of doing things…  We plan to do it sometime; for now this recipe hit the spot!! AND it’s easy peasy!

The only thing done differently in our version was adding in some peppercorns and mustard seed + some raw, unfiltered apple cider vinegar. We also used dry dill but will use fresh next time!

Can’t wait for our next batch… YUM!

Here’s a post I wrote about last year… if you need any ideas for what to do with your X-Mas cards!

Donate Your Christmas Cards

I’ve been looking at last year’s Green Vision’s and thinking about what some will be in 2010…

My vision board is a work in progress as I find pictures and words to summarize my goals and future!

Lately, I’ve been doing my best to meditate and visual what it is I truly want and what makes me happy. I also focus some time on my boys’ and our future together as unschooler’s. It’s going to be a great journey. I can only hope  we make it the greatest experience.

{Anywho}

I mentioned in an earlier post; I was going to make homemade gifts/goods for Christmas and that’s exactly what I did. ( I didn’t get any pictures of the green cleaning supplies; but I promise I made them.) I bought 2 new squirt bottles and reused and old one. I filled them up with…

1/2 cup of vinegar

1/4 cup of baking soda

10-20 drops of peppermint essential oil

put contents into a glass pitcher and add 1/2 gallon (2 liters) H20!

That’s it! You’re ready to go clean as it is an all purpose solution!

I put the squirt bottles in a reused gift bag along with a sample of Dr. Bronner’s Almond scented soap,  a glass mason jar filled with baking soda and a coconut scrub brush. The Dr. Bronner’s and baking soda make a good soft scrub in case you didn’t know. Something I’ve been doing for years.  I HEART Dr. Bronner’s soap. I highly recommend buying some- you can even find it at Target. A little goes a long way… it’s an all purpose soap. It’s amazing. 2 squirts to 2 gallons… is the recipe on their bottle.

Since my bro didn’t get any Dr. Bronner’s soap; I reused a baking soda can added in more baking soda, put in about 10-20 drops of Tangerine essential oil and sealed it with it’s lid. Poked holes in the top- voila’ it’s an instant carpet deodorizer! He’s always complaining about smells in his house… he’s a bachelor with roommates… so you know what I mean. LOL!

I also made a salt scrub for a close friend of the family. She loved the one I made for her on Mother’s Day so I decided to whip up a winter batch she would like!

Here’s what I did…

Bath Salt Scrub

1 cup of sea salt – fine works best… if you have course you can blend it down into fine using your blender or food processor.

1 cup of epsom salts

1/2 -3/4’s of oat powder (oats put into the blender and pulverized)

20 drops of essential oil of your choice … I chose peppermint for the holidays!

1/3 cup of organic EVOO

Stir all ingredients in a stainless steel or glass bowl for 2min’s or more then put into a glass mason jar! Or whatever dish suits your fancy.

For mother’s day I added in a lot more EVOO… you can do more or less depending on how slick you like to feel when you get out of the shower.

Enjoy!

P.S.

I will attempt to post a Meatless Monday recipe today! We’ll see…

Yesterday was a busy day here. With what seems like longer days we’ve found ourselves trying to keep busy. You know me, as a green mom I like to entertain my son in green style-  here’s what’s we did yesterday in a nutshell.Even though it’s cold out I try to find ways to get my son outdoors and enjoy nature.

It’s a known fact that kids these days aren’t getting enough fresh air. Instead they are stuck inside playing video games and watching t.v. rather than being outside and using nature as a stage. I know some of you live where it snows quite frequently in the winter. Even a 5 minute snowball fight or even just a tromp through the snow- kids need nature! Nature nutures…and besides- we need to teach our kids to appreciate nature before we try to instill sustainable values upon them. Anyway…

We started out the morning making mud pies and decorating them with nature’s finest- weeds! Then we collected leaves, sticks, and rocks and created a scene around the mud pies- or cakes whichever. My son would call them cakes but would say were making pies. After spending some time outdoors, feeding chickens and watering our winter garden we  brought the leaves we collected  and used them to do leaf  rubbings.

Who knew, leaf rubbings could be so relaxing and memorizing. We were really enjoying it! A simple yet effective craft. After leaf rubbings we went for a walk and fed the Billy goat. He’s so dang cute. He loves that we bring him fresh leaves to munch on.  Today, on our walk we’re going to collect different leaves so he can see the different textures, shapes, and sizes for leaf rubbings.  Of course, we will gather a few leaves for the Billy goat. 

T passed out on our walk – I heart our Peg Perego AT4 stroller! It’s awesome- reclines all the way back so he can sleep peacefully….and he did! When he woke up we ate lunch and made play doh! He didn’t want me to color any of the dough like I’ve done in the past because he was too impatient. I scented the 2 dough balls with pumpkin spice and the other 2 with tangerine essential oil. It didn’t matter whether it was scented or colored he played with it to his hearts content. Once play doh fun was over we went outside for more playtime, books and then Daddy came home. We had a good day! 

Here’s some colored doh we made a couple weeks back. I used food coloring.

Maybe, next time my son will allow me to do some natural food coloring next time! 

What have you been up to?

Don’t worry it won’t kill ya- it’ll make you stronger!

Celebrate the day with this banana honey facial that I made as a recommendation from @GreenGeisha on twitter!

It’s definitely going to become part of my weekly winter routine.  I’d say you could do this facial about 3x a week and the mixture will last for a couple of days in the fridge!

(all organic ingredients, of course!)

All you need is 1/4 banana

1 tbsp. of honey

Mash up the banana as well as you can so that you don’t have too many clumps. Then add then 1 tbsp of honey and continue to mix up well (or puree both ingredients, if you have time) . Apply mixture to face and leave on for 10 minutes. You’ll immediately feel your pores tighten. Don’t worry it actually sticks to your face well- I pictured banana sliding everywhere- but this was not the case! It felt like the impurities were being stripped away instantly.  I browsed around to find similar recipes so that I could share what it’s great for…

Apparently the fruit acids in banana help slough off dead skin and energize the complexion. It’s a dry skin recipe so it will be good for the winter months. After I cleansed my skin with warm water my skin felt great and looked it too. It was tight, smooth and bright.

And because this all natural facial is just that ALL NATURAL- if a little gets into your mouth – Sweet!!!!

My MIL just showed up with a huge bag of zuchinni and eggplant- I’m off to shred zunchinni up for the freezer and make this for din-din! A favorite!

Peace, Love & Green Happiness!