I am contemplating retiring this blog... not sure yet. I'll get back to you on that one.
Meanwhile, please visit my other current blogs :-)
Thanks and have a good day!
Sunday, October 12, 2008
Sunday, September 7, 2008
I AM Back...
...although you'd never know it by the huge number of posts to this blog (note the sarcasm ;-) I have ideas for topics but haven't had time to put anything together in the last month or so.
LOL as I type this, my almost six year old daughter is copying me with her toy computer:
"Look, Mommy! I'm doing the same thing you are!!"
(Hey, maybe I can hire her as a writer? ;-)
LOL as I type this, my almost six year old daughter is copying me with her toy computer:
"Look, Mommy! I'm doing the same thing you are!!"
(Hey, maybe I can hire her as a writer? ;-)
Sunday, August 10, 2008
I'll Be Baaaack....
....after August 18th. We're away on a family vacation until then, so I'm posting this same message on all of my blogs.
(I thought I'd be organized and write some posts and post date them for while I'm gone, but that never happened. Life got in the way, I guess ;-)
See you soon!
(I thought I'd be organized and write some posts and post date them for while I'm gone, but that never happened. Life got in the way, I guess ;-)
See you soon!
Thursday, July 31, 2008
10 Things To Consider When Growing Vegetables Indoors
I'm starting to look into growing food indoors, since we don't have a very long growing season in Vancouver. Here are some of the points to consider that I've been reading about:
1) stock up on seeds while they're available (by mid summer, many stores no longer have seeds in stock, since most people have already started their gardens)
2) be aware of temperature and light requirements of your crop (leafy plants are happier with cool temps, whereas fruit bearing plants like tomatoes require a warmer environment)
3) never use garden soil indoors because of the pests and diseases it can contain
4) supplemental feeding will be required (because of the extra watering and misting you'll need to do to maintain humidity, the nutrients in the soil will become depleted more rapidly)
5) pollination, normally done by the bees, will have to be done manually
6) maintain humidity by misting the plants regularly
7) don't keep plants right beside a cold window
8) you can grow crops from kitchen scraps - i.e. garlic and onion are two examples (I've grown potato plants in my backyard garden from pieces of store bought potatoes that have "eyes")
9) never bring outdoor plants in, or you'll bring the aphids and other pests in as well
10) you can use reflective surfaces around plants (i.e. foil, white painted surfaces) to increase light exposure
Some sources:
http://gardengal.net/page44.html
http://www.househunting.ca/outdoorliving/story.html?id=3c01124f-da92-4f18-88a6-783e73692d97
http://www.organicgardening.com/feature/0,7518,s1-5-19-1490,00.html
http://www.ext.vt.edu/pubs/envirohort/426-336/426-336.html
1) stock up on seeds while they're available (by mid summer, many stores no longer have seeds in stock, since most people have already started their gardens)
2) be aware of temperature and light requirements of your crop (leafy plants are happier with cool temps, whereas fruit bearing plants like tomatoes require a warmer environment)
3) never use garden soil indoors because of the pests and diseases it can contain
4) supplemental feeding will be required (because of the extra watering and misting you'll need to do to maintain humidity, the nutrients in the soil will become depleted more rapidly)
5) pollination, normally done by the bees, will have to be done manually
6) maintain humidity by misting the plants regularly
7) don't keep plants right beside a cold window
8) you can grow crops from kitchen scraps - i.e. garlic and onion are two examples (I've grown potato plants in my backyard garden from pieces of store bought potatoes that have "eyes")
9) never bring outdoor plants in, or you'll bring the aphids and other pests in as well
10) you can use reflective surfaces around plants (i.e. foil, white painted surfaces) to increase light exposure
Some sources:
http://gardengal.net/page44.html
http://www.househunting.ca/outdoorliving/story.html?id=3c01124f-da92-4f18-88a6-783e73692d97
http://www.organicgardening.com/feature/0,7518,s1-5-19-1490,00.html
http://www.ext.vt.edu/pubs/envirohort/426-336/426-336.html
Sunday, July 20, 2008
10 Tips For Caring For Your Digital Camera
Much of this is common sense, but it was all a good refresher for me:
1. Avoid extreme temperatures: keep your camera out of excessive heat or cold
2. Keep your camera dry (cover with a plastic bag with a hole cut for the end of the lens when shooting in the rain - I've done this, and although it's a bit awkward, it works)
3. Don't discard the silica gel packet the camera came with - keep it in the camera case to combat condensation
4. Remove batteries for extended storage to prevent corrosion
5. Keep your camera in its case when not in use to protect against dust or impact
6. Keep your camera away from any form of magnets - they can damage the circuitry
7. Avoid contact with oily substances, and never use harsh abrasive cleaners on your camera
8. Always keep the lens cap on when you're not shooting. All it takes is one bump to cause a permanent scratch, and the fewer fingerprints you have to wipe off, the less exposure the lens has to scratchy cleaning products or cloths
9. Never use alcohol solutions or eyeglass cleaner on your lens - only use cleaner specifically meant for a camera lens
10. If your camera has gotten wet, remove the batteries and let air dry for 24 hours, then contact an authorized service centre if still necessary
One more:
11. Don't store your camera somewhere high where it can fall, or if you do, secure it to something so that it can't. This may sound silly, but it's the reason a friend of mine lost her Nikon to the repair shop for a few weeks. She left the camera on the kitchen counter, and when her son opened the cutlery drawer it got caught in the strap and knocked it to the floor. Oops.
Sources:
http://www.kodak.com/eknec/PageQuerier.jhtml?pq-path=342/440&pq-locale=en_CA
http://www.basic-digital-photography.com/caring-for-your-digital-camera.html
1. Avoid extreme temperatures: keep your camera out of excessive heat or cold
2. Keep your camera dry (cover with a plastic bag with a hole cut for the end of the lens when shooting in the rain - I've done this, and although it's a bit awkward, it works)
3. Don't discard the silica gel packet the camera came with - keep it in the camera case to combat condensation
4. Remove batteries for extended storage to prevent corrosion
5. Keep your camera in its case when not in use to protect against dust or impact
6. Keep your camera away from any form of magnets - they can damage the circuitry
7. Avoid contact with oily substances, and never use harsh abrasive cleaners on your camera
8. Always keep the lens cap on when you're not shooting. All it takes is one bump to cause a permanent scratch, and the fewer fingerprints you have to wipe off, the less exposure the lens has to scratchy cleaning products or cloths
9. Never use alcohol solutions or eyeglass cleaner on your lens - only use cleaner specifically meant for a camera lens
10. If your camera has gotten wet, remove the batteries and let air dry for 24 hours, then contact an authorized service centre if still necessary
One more:
11. Don't store your camera somewhere high where it can fall, or if you do, secure it to something so that it can't. This may sound silly, but it's the reason a friend of mine lost her Nikon to the repair shop for a few weeks. She left the camera on the kitchen counter, and when her son opened the cutlery drawer it got caught in the strap and knocked it to the floor. Oops.
Sources:
http://www.kodak.com/eknec/PageQuerier.jhtml?pq-path=342/440&pq-locale=en_CA
http://www.basic-digital-photography.com/caring-for-your-digital-camera.html
Monday, July 14, 2008
10 Reasons To Floss
This is another "light a fire under my own you-know-what" post. After reading about the reasons listed below, I think I'm going to try and get back into the habit of daily flossing:
1. flossing prevents cavities from starting between teeth, where the toothbrush can't always clean
2. it prevents gingivitis (gum disease)
3. prevents against heart disease
4. prevents against periodontal disease (disease of the bones and structures supporting the teeth)
5. prevents halitosis
6. lengthens lifespan by increasing overall health. If teeth are not flossed, harmful bacteria can remain and eventually end up in the bloodstream, causing other problems:
7. stroke
8. diabetes
9. low birth weight babies preterm babies
10. bacterial pneumonia
There are more, but you get the idea. Our mouth is full of bacteria, and sometimes brushing and the presence of saliva aren't enough to keep it under control.
More sources:
http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/dental/DE00001
http://www.saveyoursmile.com/healtharticles/flossing.html
http://www.dailycamera.com/news/2007/nov/26/your-teeth-your-health/
1. flossing prevents cavities from starting between teeth, where the toothbrush can't always clean
2. it prevents gingivitis (gum disease)
3. prevents against heart disease
4. prevents against periodontal disease (disease of the bones and structures supporting the teeth)
5. prevents halitosis
6. lengthens lifespan by increasing overall health. If teeth are not flossed, harmful bacteria can remain and eventually end up in the bloodstream, causing other problems:
7. stroke
8. diabetes
9. low birth weight babies preterm babies
10. bacterial pneumonia
There are more, but you get the idea. Our mouth is full of bacteria, and sometimes brushing and the presence of saliva aren't enough to keep it under control.
More sources:
http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/dental/DE00001
http://www.saveyoursmile.com/healtharticles/flossing.html
http://www.dailycamera.com/news/2007/nov/26/your-teeth-your-health/
Saturday, July 5, 2008
10 Ways To Boost Your Immune System
This is a well covered topic, but it's useful enough to bear repeating. Here are some ways to boost your immune system:
1) Proper nutrition: eat at least some raw fruits and vegetables daily
2) Fresh garlic, echinacea, vitamin C, zinc, and probiotics can all help
3) Cut back on refined sugar
4) Reduce consumption of alcohol
5) Get adequate sleep
6) Maintain a healthy weight
7) Hot foods such as chili peppers, onions, radishes can help as well (they contain mucolytics, which helps to liquefy mucus, easing cold symptoms and speeding recovery)
8) Exercise (this has many benefits, including stimulating the circulation of lymph fluid)
9) Drink enough water
10) Reduce caffeine intake
There's a lot of info on this topic, so here's a few more:
11) Add fresh lemon to your diet (it restores acid-alkali balance)
12) Don't over-clean your environment (exposure to mild germs keeps your immune system fit)
13) Don't smoke
14) Avoid antibiotics whenever possible
Some sources:
http://www.drgreene.com/21_478.html
http://www.ehealthcare.ca/spip.php?article260
http://www.askdrsears.com/html/4/t042500.asp
1) Proper nutrition: eat at least some raw fruits and vegetables daily
2) Fresh garlic, echinacea, vitamin C, zinc, and probiotics can all help
3) Cut back on refined sugar
4) Reduce consumption of alcohol
5) Get adequate sleep
6) Maintain a healthy weight
7) Hot foods such as chili peppers, onions, radishes can help as well (they contain mucolytics, which helps to liquefy mucus, easing cold symptoms and speeding recovery)
8) Exercise (this has many benefits, including stimulating the circulation of lymph fluid)
9) Drink enough water
10) Reduce caffeine intake
There's a lot of info on this topic, so here's a few more:
11) Add fresh lemon to your diet (it restores acid-alkali balance)
12) Don't over-clean your environment (exposure to mild germs keeps your immune system fit)
13) Don't smoke
14) Avoid antibiotics whenever possible
Some sources:
http://www.drgreene.com/21_478.html
http://www.ehealthcare.ca/spip.php?article260
http://www.askdrsears.com/html/4/t042500.asp
Sunday, June 22, 2008
10 Things To Try For Itch Relief
I've always been itch prone, so I have some experience in this area. Here are some things to try (and good luck :-)
1) ice (my personal favourite - it's immediate, completely free of side effects, and free ;-)
2) baking soda (make a paste with water and apply, or add some to a bath)
3) vinegar (either full strength or mix with water - caution: although it stops itch in its tracks, it stings cut skin, so only use it full strength if you haven't started scratching yet)
4) aloe vera
5) Benadryl (taken orally; liquid works faster)
6) garlic clove (rubbed on ...haven't tried it myself, but I keep hearing about it)
7) calamine lotion
8) Vicks vapo rub (another one I haven't tried yet but keep hearing about)
9) witch hazel
10) chamomile essential Oil
1) ice (my personal favourite - it's immediate, completely free of side effects, and free ;-)
2) baking soda (make a paste with water and apply, or add some to a bath)
3) vinegar (either full strength or mix with water - caution: although it stops itch in its tracks, it stings cut skin, so only use it full strength if you haven't started scratching yet)
4) aloe vera
5) Benadryl (taken orally; liquid works faster)
6) garlic clove (rubbed on ...haven't tried it myself, but I keep hearing about it)
7) calamine lotion
8) Vicks vapo rub (another one I haven't tried yet but keep hearing about)
9) witch hazel
10) chamomile essential Oil
Saturday, June 14, 2008
10 Things To Know About Getting Rid Of Spiders
1) Get a cat. Our Manx is the fiercest spider hunter in the land. I'm constantly finding her stretched out on the carpet looking smug and satisfied, with a balled up wolf spider corpse nearby.
2) Put chestnuts around the room. I have NO idea why this works, but the rooms that I have the chestnuts in never have the spiders (our Manx has a peeing problem, so there are certain rooms she's not allowed into. These are the rooms that I save the chestnuts for).
3) Supposedly kerosene on your windows and frames (wiped on with newspaper) leaves a film that repels insects. I haven't tried this one myself yet.
4) Leave the Daddy Long Leg spiders alone. They compete for food and territory with the other types of spiders, and drive them away. They're harmless to us (and not as scary ;-)
5) Try the "dog whistle" approach - apparently you can buy plug in devices that emit a high pitched sound that bugs HATE.
6) Ooh! I've heard of this one but never tried it - Lemon Pledge. They hate that too.
7) Clear away vegetation from the base of your house - this can attract lots of bugs. I've noticed a big improvement in my basement office since doing this (or maybe it's the chestnuts! In any case, I never see spiders in that room).
8) Clear away clutter inside your house (i.e. stacks of paper, clothes on the floor). Clutter gives spiders places to hide, and makes it harder for the cat to get 'em.
9) Hedge apples from the Osage-Orange tree supposedly work as well, although that's another one I haven't tried myself yet.
10) Get rid of their food source. They eat other insects. I've noticed that keeping my food in sealed plastic containers that keep the bugs away has reduced the number of spiders in my kitchen. I even go as far as re-sealing (with packing tape) large pet food bags once I've filled the smaller pet food bins (which have lids).
Good luck!!
2) Put chestnuts around the room. I have NO idea why this works, but the rooms that I have the chestnuts in never have the spiders (our Manx has a peeing problem, so there are certain rooms she's not allowed into. These are the rooms that I save the chestnuts for).
3) Supposedly kerosene on your windows and frames (wiped on with newspaper) leaves a film that repels insects. I haven't tried this one myself yet.
4) Leave the Daddy Long Leg spiders alone. They compete for food and territory with the other types of spiders, and drive them away. They're harmless to us (and not as scary ;-)
5) Try the "dog whistle" approach - apparently you can buy plug in devices that emit a high pitched sound that bugs HATE.
6) Ooh! I've heard of this one but never tried it - Lemon Pledge. They hate that too.
7) Clear away vegetation from the base of your house - this can attract lots of bugs. I've noticed a big improvement in my basement office since doing this (or maybe it's the chestnuts! In any case, I never see spiders in that room).
8) Clear away clutter inside your house (i.e. stacks of paper, clothes on the floor). Clutter gives spiders places to hide, and makes it harder for the cat to get 'em.
9) Hedge apples from the Osage-Orange tree supposedly work as well, although that's another one I haven't tried myself yet.
10) Get rid of their food source. They eat other insects. I've noticed that keeping my food in sealed plastic containers that keep the bugs away has reduced the number of spiders in my kitchen. I even go as far as re-sealing (with packing tape) large pet food bags once I've filled the smaller pet food bins (which have lids).
Good luck!!
Sunday, June 8, 2008
10 Alternative Names for Hidden Sugar in Food
I'm reading a great article about hidden sugar in food. Below is a list of alternative sugar names that can appear on labels:
1. sucrose
2. fructose
3. maple syrup
4. molasses
5. dextrose
6. turbinado
7. amazake
8. sorbitol
9. carob powder
10. glucose
Because this is such important info (and it's right at my fingertips!) here's more:
galactose
lactose
maltose
invert sugar
raw sugar
brown sugar
confectioner's sugar
granulated sugar
corn syrup
high-fructose corn syrup
honey
What amazes me more are the foods that contain so much sugar that don't even seem sweet, like white bread. It's literally everywhere....
1. sucrose
2. fructose
3. maple syrup
4. molasses
5. dextrose
6. turbinado
7. amazake
8. sorbitol
9. carob powder
10. glucose
Because this is such important info (and it's right at my fingertips!) here's more:
galactose
lactose
maltose
invert sugar
raw sugar
brown sugar
confectioner's sugar
granulated sugar
corn syrup
high-fructose corn syrup
honey
What amazes me more are the foods that contain so much sugar that don't even seem sweet, like white bread. It's literally everywhere....
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