3 Great Books to Read Your Child Today!

Reading to your children is one of the best ways to help them to develop a love for reading. As a homeschooling mom and former teacher, I have seen children's faces light up time after time when they are being read to.

The three books I want to share with you today are some of the best out there, and you will see why soon!

Wild Ones: Observing City Critters by Carol L. Malnor is a fabulous book for helping children learn about the nature around them - even if they live in the city. Wild ones are moving into the city! Follow the adorable, curious dog Scooter as he travels through an urban landscape, seeing many wild animals and not seeing even more. The charming illustrations draw upon real-life city scenes from across the United States. In the back of the book, there are many fun ideas you can do after finishing the book or after reading it for the 100th time. The activities are both informational and fun - the best way to learn!

Now we are heading out of town to the farm! Over on the Farm by Marianne Berkes is a fun trip without leaving your home. Welcome to the farm, where pigs roll, goats nibble, horses gallop, hens peck, and turkeys strut! Count, clap, and sing along to the classic tune of “Over in the Meadow” while learning about life on a classic farm. This book is just a fun adventure! The illustrations are so enjoyable and interesting to look at and study - your kids will ask to read it over and over again. At the end of the book, you can find songs, music and movement, science, math, language arts connections and so much more. This book is a valuable treasure you will definitely come back to.

One of the best ways to get your child to eat healthy food is to get them to be a part of it - from growing it to cooking it. Green Bean! Green Bean! by Patricia Thomas will get your child all excited about these green veggies. A freckled-faced young gardener opens a packet of seeds. And the magic begins! This books takes you through the growing season—from a sprout peeking out, to a curlicue catching dew, to a vine twining on a line, until finally . . . GREEN BEANS! It’s time to harvest a full season of garden knowledge and experience. Along the way the young gardener discovers a nook to read a book in the shade of growing beans. Again, the illustrations are beautiful paintings that will capture your attention on each page. At the back of the book, make sure to look for the life cycle science and related vocabulary, instructions on growing your own green beans, and a variety of fun things for children to do. This book encourages young gardeners to put their toes in the soil and get their own gardens growing.

Each one of these books is so much more than just a fun story. These are adventure books full of learning and excitement and fun activities! Get reading!

What is your favorite book to read to your child(ren)?

Thanks to Dawn Publications for these beautiful books for review. No other compensation was given. All opinions expressed are my own.

4 Tips to Make Fall Cleanup Enjoyable

 I received products for review. No other compensation was given. All opinions expressed are 100% my own.

Have you seen those beautiful colors outside? Wow! God is the most amazing artist! Too bad the gorgeous leaves do not last longer. Before we know it, they are scattered all over the place, and it is our job to clean them all up. Instead of thinking of this as a bummer chore that you have to do each fall, how about enjoying the process and getting it done easier?

• Did you know that the design of the basic rake hasn’t changed for more than 100 years? Until now! I just received the awesome Groundskeeper II rake, which features unique wire-like tines that are adept at grabbing and gathering leaves with a single pass, and the head is 21 inches wide for quickly cleaning a large yard. Because of the aggressive angle of the tines, using the rake requires little or no downward pressure. You can stand straight up while using the rake, thereby reducing the pressure on your back and making the job easier. Whoa! Dare I say life-changer?

• While you are raking with this awesome new rake, enjoy the smells, sights and sounds of fall - squirrels chirping, birds singing, geese honking as they fly south, the intricacy of the very leaves you are raking. It makes a difference when you are looking for things to appreciate instead of things to complain about. Don't forget - since the Groundskeeper II weighs in at less than two pounds, is super durable and takes the pain out of raking, you will naturally be enjoying this chore more. Find yours at http://www.best-rake-ever.com.

• Once you rake up all those leaves, now it is time to jump, jump, jump. It is easy to act like a kid when you have kids. But, even if you don't have little ones running around, you can still act like a kid. Rake up a big leaf pile and jump away. I bet you will be smiling and laughing and making great memories!

• Now, how about using those leaves to benefit your gardens and trees by turning the yard and kitchen waste into rich, natural fertilizer? Ever tried a compost pile? We have. But it is pretty ugly. Now, we are using the Compost Sak, which is a bag made of breathable fabric, which allows air flow to the contents inside the bag, and aeration promotes the microbial activity that is the key to successful composting. As you can see below, it looks a lot nicer than our current compost pile, plus it keeps away critters and can be transported easier. Just fill the bag, which is 30 inches wide and 38 inches tall, so it comfortably holds up to 100 gallons of yard waste, with yard waste and kitchen scraps, mix it around a bit with a broom handle or long-handled tool, and let it turn into fertilizer. The Compost Sak is cheaper than other compost bins at only $39.95. Find it at garden center stores and online at http://smartpot.com/compostsak/html/buy_sak.html.

Time to turn these chores into a joyful time to enjoy nature and all it offers us!

Three Ideas to Brighten Someone's Day

It is Monday.


The weather is getting colder. Less sunshine. Less Vitamin D. Less time spent outdoors. More colds. More grumpiness.

Let's not get stuck in this depressing cycle. There are many positive things you can do each day to help brighten up your own day and someone else's, as well. I am sharing a few of my favorite tips with you today. Cheer up!

1. Write a handwritten letter. Give a few genuine compliments, write about how much that person means to you, or share a special memory that will make them smile. Something so simple can mean so much. And it will probably only take you one minute to do this. Easy peasy!

2. Random Acts of Kindness. Do we only give gifts when we feel others deserve them? It can get easy to fall into that habit. What about giving a gift today for no reason at all? One fantastic gift idea is a beautiful plant that will not only brighten their day today, it will brighten their day for many weeks, months, and maybe even years.

I recently received a vibrant Grateful Red Hydrangea from Nature Hills. Isn't it beautiful? I kept it inside for a few days to brighten up my kitchen table, but then I planted it outside in a spot I can see every day. It will grow 3-4 ft high and will not wither like a vase of picked flowers, so you can continue to enjoy this gift that keeps on giving. It will provide you or your friend with armfuls of flowers for your vases all season. (extra tip: it is half off right now on the Nature Hills website) Every time you/they see it, they will remember your thoughtfulness and love and feel that special feeling all over again.

3. Make a special treat! My husband knows there is hardly anything I love better than when he makes me treats. Chocolate treats, to be exact. What is that old saying? The way to a man (or woman's) heart is through their stomach. Hmmmm...sometimes that can be true.

Here are a few of my favorite homemade healthier treats:

Coconut Chocolate Chip Cookies - paleo, gluten free, dairy free, yum!

 

Chewy Cinnamon or Chocolate Brownies - paleo, gluten free, dairy free, delicious!

 

Award-winning Chocolate No Bake Cookies - gluten free, dairy free, melt-in-your-mouth 

 

Make a difference in someone's day today, and I guarantee that you will feel better as well!

Tips for Harvesting Your Garden

I received product for this review. No other compensation was given. All opinions are 100% my own.

After the hard work you have put into your garden this summer, it is time to enjoy the fruits (and veggies) of your labor! What I love most is being able to take just a few steps down my deck to pick fresh produce to add to all our meals. It is the MOST fresh, delicious and healthy part of our meals. 

Here are some of my favorite tips and gardening ideas:

• Tips for Eating Locally
• Get Your Garden on this Winter
• The Lovely Edible Weed, Purslane
• Recipes for Garden Veggies
• Health Benefits of Gardening
• How to Get Your Child Involved in Gardening
• Epsom Salt: The Unknown Gardening Friend
• What Are the Dangers of Pesticides?

Now, let me share a few of my new, favorite products to make harvesting your garden even more enjoyable!

• Having trouble digging to find your potatoes or other under-the-ground produce? We have spent many hours trying to find our potatoes in our garden or even growing in our compost pile, and it is much easier with a sturdy digging fork. If you do not have one yet, I would recommend the one we have, the Joseph Bentley Stainless Steel Digging Fork. Not only is it helpful for harvesting your garden, it is also the perfect tool for turning over your soil (yes, we prepare our garden soil all by hand - no tiller for us!), aerating your flower beds, or just breaking up clumps of dirt. Trust me, you need a super sturdy fork, and this one is just that! It has stainless steel tines that will last forever! It also has an extra-long steel shaft joined to a wooden handle made of solid ash. The grip of the handle helps you do your gardening with just a little more ease. Highly recommend getting yourself a quality digging fork like this one if you do any sort of gardening. Look for it at www.homedepot.com and www.amazon.com.

•  See those pesky, sharp edges on my squash plants? If you find yourself with little prickers or cuts from your cucumbers, squash, thorny weeds, or rosebushes, then make sure you have some protective gardening gloves. These Jackson and Perkins Rose Gloves are one of my favorite garden products. They provide all the protection you will need, since they climb all the way up your forearm. Plus, they feature a lightweight, synthetic leather padded palm and reinforced fingertips, so those thorns will not sink through the glove material, like many others I have tried. When the gloves get dirty, they can be machine washed on a gentle cycle and line dried. Find them in two sizes—medium and large from www.jacksonandperkins.com.

• What if your garden is already almost done being harvested? Do you have to wait for fresh food until next year? No!! Check out your local farmers market, find a local farmer near you that you can buy direct from, or try growing some food in your home during those cold winter months. We love growing herbs year round in small pots throughout our home. And this year, we are going to try to grow sprouts right on our kitchen counter. Organic sprouts can be easily grown on your kitchen counter, and they are low in calories, high in fiber, and packed with nutrition. Alfalfa sprouts are one of the most popular sprouts due to their ability to be added to salads, sandwiches and many other dishes. They have a sweet, fresh taste—and alfalfa sprouts are an excellent source of vitamins including vitamins A, D, E, and K. Mung bean sprouts, which have been cultivated in Asia for thousands of years, have a crisp nutty flavor that can be stir-fried or eaten raw in salads. Today, “bean sprouts” are virtually synonymous with mung bean sprouts, and the popularity of this nutritious sprout continues to grow. They are a good source of protein, fiber and vitamins. We are using Sungarden Sprouts, which offers Alfalfa and Mung bean seeds for sprouting, plus Broccoli, Clover, Wheat, Spicy Mix, Crispy Mix and Bean Mix… most available organically! All seeds are thoroughly tested to be free of human or plant based pathogens. Sungarden tests its seeds for good germination and prints the results on every package. I love these! They are another great way to get your veggies into your diet and teach your kids about healthy eating and growing their own food. Find these varieties from www.harrisseeds.com.

What are your tips for harvesting your garden? Favorite recipes with fresh veggies? 

5 Things You Need For a Successful Garden

I received products to review. No other compensation was given. All opinions expressed are 100% my own.

It is Spring! That means it is time to get those gardens growing. Here in Minnesota we have to wait a few more weeks to really feel safe about it not frosting overnight, but we have already started our planting indoors. If you are on the fence about whether you want to put the effort in, here are five benefits of gardening you may not know!

This is our 5th year having a home garden, and we have learned a lot along the way. Let me share with you a few tips and a few products that will help you to have your best garden yet!

1. First of all, you need somewhere to plant. Maybe you do not have a big backyard. That is okay. You can still garden. I love using the Big Bag Bed when I run out of room in my garden space or if I just want raised beds. The Big Bag Beds make raised bed gardening so easy! Just unfold the bed, fill it with soil and plant—no construction is necessary. 

They are made of a porous fabric which is great for keeping your plants at the perfect temperature - warming in spring and releasing excess heat in summer. They are durable and weatherproof, lasting for years and providing many seasons of delicious produce, herbs, or beautiful flowers. We are currently using our Big Bag Beds for herbs: cilantro, chives, basil. One more tip: these are also great to put any place where you want to mat down your grass and not have to cut it.

The circular Big Bag Bed is available in three sizes: Original, Junior and Mini. We keep our smallest one right on our deck, so I can go pick fresh herbs anytime of the day to use in my cooking. Everyone can garden with Big Bag Beds. You will love them! Prices for the award-winning Big Bag Beds range from $14.95 to $48.95 depending on size and color. For more information got to www.bigbagbed.com.

2. Next, it is time to start planting your seeds. Like I said before, we have to wait until the end of May to get our outdoor garden all planted, because of the chance of frost. But, you can always start plants growing inside. I love using Botanical Interests’ Recycled Paperboard Pots to plant early inside. They are made from 100% recycled, food‑grade paperboard, using low-water and low‑energy methods. 

Simply “pop” open the small paperboard pot, fill it with soil and plant your favorite seed variety. We planted our tomatoes and squash early in these, since they take a longer time to grow. I love that the pots have a perforated bottom that tears away easily, allowing you to place the entire pot in the ground, minimizing root disturbance when transplanting seedlings. Then, the remaining paperboard breaks down in the garden soil or compost pile. Genius, right? Find these awesome paperboard pots in packs of six for $2.99 at local garden centers and on their website.

3. It is time to fertilize! Most of the time our backyard soil is not the best to grow a successful garden with. We have dealt with really sandy soil, dry, with not enough nutrients. We have used our compost over the years to try to make our soil healthier. It has made a difference, but if you want really healthy plants, sometimes you need more. This year, we are trying Worm Power, a premium-quality organic fertilizer made by millions of earthworms. Worm Power Organic Plant Food increases soil fertility and improves plant vigor, root growth and nutrient availability. We have been having trouble with our tomatoes the last couple of years, and I have high hopes that this is going to help!

You can add Worm Power fertilizer to your outdoor garden, and I think it works especially well added to old potting soils to revitalize the tired, depleted soil. It works naturally and effectively on vegetables, flowers, fruit trees, grape vines and house plants. We are even adding it to our rhubarb, little apple tree, and blackberry bush. It is safe, easy to use, and will make a difference in your soil. In fact, Worm Power delivers a guaranteed NPK analysis of 1.5 - 0.7 - 1.5, plus abundant micronutrients and a robust community of beneficial soil microorganisms. To give you an idea of how much you need - one pound of Worm Power fertilizes up to 16 transplants and can be mixed with potting mix at a 10-15% ratio. Find it in 1-pound, 3-pound and 15-pound packages for $6.95 to $29.95 from Harris Seeds.

4. Garden without all the hassle. I cannot tell you how many times I go out to garden in my sandals, only to find, when I am done, that my feet are now black with dirt. Instead of having to use a hose and clean my feet off outside, it is so much easier to have garden-friendly shoes to wear for gardening or playing outside with my kids. Sloggers are the perfect waterproof shoes and boots, and they are super cute too!

I love how easy these are to slip on, and yet they still keep your whole foot clean. They have deep treads to help you move around without slipping on mud or wet grass. I also love the tall boots, which are perfect for puddle-jumping with the kids, walks in the rain, or slogging around your muddy garden.

They are both very comfortable! The best part is that cleaning them is super easy - just hose them off! I also love that the sole contains up to 50% recycled material. When you’re finished with your shoes or boots you can send them back to Sloggers and the company will recycle them in the making of a new pair. I only wish all shoe companies offered this!

Women’s shoes and boots are available in full sizes 6-10. (Half sizes should round up and order a pair of “Half-Sizer Cut-to-Fit Insoles” to make any Sloggers^® boot or shoe ½ size smaller.) You will love all the fun styles and patterns you can choose from. I personally love the polka dots, zebra print, and houndstooth patterns. These awesome Garden Shoes sell for $34.99 and boots sell for $39.99 in garden stores and on their website.  

5. When you have your awesome garden planted and growing, you need to be prepared for pests! Our biggest pests are bunnies and hungry deer. While I love the wildlife coming to visit us, I do not like how they destroy my garden. Last year, they ate my cucumbers, squash, apple tree blossoms, and peas. Not this year!! I am ready. I have Summit Deer Ban repellent capsules to keep those deer, and maybe even the rabbits, away!

No worries! These are very simple to use. Just set out the capsules on the ground every 10 to 20 feet around the plants you want to protect. Then water the capsules to release the active ingredient for up to 90 days of protection. When activated by water, the polymer gel releases the scent of predator urine, which keeps deer away. The scent is odorless to humans, and your hands never touch the active ingredient. There’s no messy spraying, and no mixing or measuring. Since the active ingredient is activated by water, you do not have to worry about it washing away in the water. Find Summit Deer Ban in packages of 20, 50 and 150 capsules at fine garden centers and on their website.

Now that you have some great gardening tips and products that will help your garden succeed, it is time to get outside and grow your own food and flowers. There is nothing like working hard in your garden and then reaping the benefits!

Get Your Garden On This Winter!

I can't even tell you how many times this summer I was overjoyed to just hop out to my garden and pick what was for breakfast or lunch or dinner. It was pure joy to eat what we grew in our own garden from organic seed. Now that fall has settled in, the garden is withering up. But, thanks to my new GrowBox, I get to continue to pick my food this winter!

The GrowBox container garden fits neatly on any patio or deck and features a cut-out planting guide that shows gardeners exactly where and what to plant. Just in time for fall planting, The GrowBox container growing system is now available in four new designer colors—Cauliflower, Celery, Eggplant and Lime. (The classic colors, Terra Cotta and Dark Green, are still available.)

The GrowBox planter was designed for busy people who want to grow fresh vegetables without all the work of a conventional garden, but I love it for continued gardening even through fall and winter. Each GrowBox system includes the patented Nutrient Patch™ cover that automatically adds fertilizer as the plants need it. How awesome is that? Inside the planter, a 4-gallon water well adds water at the correct rate so plants never dry out. Yes!! Best yet, the entire system can be set-up and growing in about 15 minutes. Is this a winner or what?

I was so excited to be sent a GrowBox to try out! The GrowBox was very easy and fun to set up. All I had to do was get some potting mix and then follow the step by step instructions and pictures that showed me how to do it. 

First, you remove some plastic pins inside the box to use later on. Then you firmly snap the top part of the box onto the bottom water-retaining section. Two plastic pieces in the top box bend into the bottom tray and snap in place. Then I filled those areas with potting mix, packing it into the bottom tray. The water in the bottom tray will wick up into these packed in sections of potting mix and water the plant in the tray above. Ingenious! 

Next I filled the top tray half-full of potting mix and soaked it down with water. After that I poured all the remaining potting mix that I had into the top until the box was full of the potting mix and soaked that down with water again. Then it was time to put the Nutrient Patch cover on.  I spread it across the top of the box and then gently lifted the corners up and sprayed the nutrient patches with water to help them dissolve. Then I gently laid the cover back down. 

Now it was time to plant! Since we use a lot of tomatoes and herbs in our house that's what I decided to grow in the box. There is an easy-to-follow chart that shows what plants to plant on which numbered spot on the cover. I used some seeds we had left over from when we planted our garden in the spring.

I cut a 1 inch round hole in the #16 spot, dug a small hole in the potting mix with my finger, and then planted 3 tomato seeds in the hole. When they come up, I'll thin them down to 1 healthy tomato plant. Then in the other side of the box I planted some herbs in the same way: 2 Cilantro plants, 1 basil plant and 1 spinach plant. Now all I have to do is simply add water in the front hole and keep the water reservoir full. That's it! How easy is that? The nutrient packs on the top last for the life of the plants so there's no need to add any fertilizer as the plants get older. I can't wait to see the plants peek up out of the soil and taste the yummy tomatoes, basil, spinach and cilantro that grow from my amazing GrowBox!!

Don't be sad that summer is over! You can still plant small plants in individual pots (we are doing that with more herbs) or use your own GrowBox. We plan to bring ours in the house in our sun room when it gets too cold outside. Enjoy fresh food straight from your garden all year long!

Cara was provided product to review. No other compensation was given. All opinions expressed are 100% her own.

Fall Planting Time!

You may not think of fall as planting time, and I didn't either...up until this year. I read up a little on the topic, and fall is actually one of the best times to plant certain things. Fall is the best time of year to plant fruit trees and fruiting berry bushes. Trees and bushes planted in the autumn have a chance to set roots before freezing weather sets in. That way, when Spring finally rolls around, your tree or bush planted in the fall is all ready to burst forth into vigorous growth!

We have really enjoyed doing a bit of fall planting during some of the warmer days. This year, we planted some tulips around the front and sides of our house. We also planted 2 Doyle's Thornless Blackberry plants. And I am hoping to perhaps also plant some garlic, if I get a chance.

The plants I am most excited about are my Doyle's Thornless Blackberry plants. Berries, especially blackberries, are super healthy, full of antioxidants and vitamins, and perfectly delicious! We were so excited to try out Doyle's Thornless plants, because they seemed like the easiest, most productive plants.

The typical blackberry bush produces 1-2 gallons of berries per plant each year. Doyle’s Thornless Blackberry is a variety that yields 10-20 gallons of sweet, vine-ripened berries every summer. That’s 10 times the production of a normal blackberry bush—plus there are no painful thorns. After getting established, the disease-resistant plants start producing sweet, delicious, healthful, antioxidant-rich berries that are great to eat fresh, as beverages and deserts, or frozen for later use.

Don't worry if you think your climate is not right for berries. We live in Minnesota, and if it can grow here, I think it will grow just about anywhere - well, maybe not Alaska. Doyle's carefully sent us our plants in the mail, and we received them in this small little package.

Once I opened the package up, I was surprised by the lovely blackberry plants ready to plant. It was super easy. We just dug into the soft ground near our compost pile and near our fence, so they have rich soil and can climb something as they grow. They aren't high maintenance at all, but you do want to try to plant at least 2 weeks before the first hard frost. And if the temps fall below minus 20 Fehrenheit (pray to God they won't!), then cover them with a plastic sheet to give a little greenhouse effect.

Get ready for some awesome berries come summer! The fruit sets in bunches of 10 to 30 large, sweet berries that ripen over a 6-8 week season in the summer.

These potted plants sell for $20 each or $17.50 each in quantities of 10 or more. To order, call (812) 254-2654 or visit www.fruitsandberries.com/doyles-thornless-blackberry-plants/doyles-thornless-blackberry/.

Next week, I am going to talk about indoor gardening that you can start in the Fall. Don't lose hope for fresh veggies, herbs, and other goodies this winter!

Cara was provided product to review. No other compensation was given. All opinions expressed are 100% her own.

Lovely Edible Weed - Purslane

A few weeks ago I mentioned how I love to eat weeds in my post about dandelions. It may sound strange to you, but why not eat those pesky (or not so pesky) weeds growing in your garden and yard?

While the taste of dandelions may be a little too different for you to eat often, I want to introduce you to a weed that I am sure will make you smile with its lovely taste and appeal.

Let me introduce my favorite edible weed - Purslane.

 Recognize this plant from your own yard?

Purslane has fleshy succulent leaves and stems with yellow flowers. The stems lay flat on the ground as they radiate from a single taproot sometimes forming large mats of leaves.

And this is one hardy plant. It can grow practically anywhere - from fertile garden soil to a rocky driveway. Since it has characteristics of a succulent, it is very drought tolerant, as well.


While some may think this is just a pesky weed, I know better. Purslane is a bit of a delicacy in our family. In fact, when I told my young children I was writing a blog post about Purslane, they said excitedly, "Yummy!"
We honestly enjoy this plant. I think it's leaves taste sweet and a little juicy. I would say the taste is similar to spinach or watercress, but I think Purslane is even sweeter.

We love to pick it and just pop it in our mouths after a little washing. I also think it would be a delicious addition to salads, wraps or sandwiches. It can also be cooked or pureed, but I think you get the best taste and nutrition from eating it raw.

Now, here is one of the best parts - it is jam packed with nutrition!

In fact, fresh leaves contain more omega-3 fatty acids than any other leafy vegetable plant and more than in some fish oils!! It is also an excellent source of Vitamin A, Vitamin C, B-complex vitamins, as well as minerals like iron, magnesium, calcium, potassium, and manganese.

What is there not to love about Purslane? Head outside and go on a Purslane hunt, because you are going to be in love with this weed once you try it.

Benefits of Organic Lawn Care

I am just about sick to death of seeing harmful pesticides and junk on the lawns in my neighborhoods, my community center, and even my kids' favorite parks! This is a great infographic talking about the dangers of those chemicals and the benefits of organic lawn care. Enjoy and share with those you love!

Why and How to Eat Dandelions

This time of year we are seeing beautiful flowers everywhere. Call me crazy, but one of my favorites is yellow, grows almost everywhere, and is edible - did you guess Dandelion? Yep, Dandelions are a favorite of mine. Before you shake your head and go get your Dandelion weed killer, take a moment and read why I love them, why you should eat them (and not kill them) and how you can enjoy eating them.

Did you know that Dandelion plants are very nutritionally exceptional. You can eat the entire plant - all the way from the root up to the beautiful flower, including the stems and leaves. The Dandelion has, in addition to fiber, a good amount of Vitamin A, Vitamin C, Phosphorus, and Calcium. 

What other healthy fresh food is so easily accessible? Just walk out your front door and pick some (this is also an excellent job for kids to do).

Are you putting away that weed killer yet?

Here are a few ideas on how to use those bright, yellow flowers growing everywhere in your yard.

• You can take their roots and roast them to make a tea. 

• I especially like how easy it is to use the leaves and flowers raw in salads or steamed/cooked with a few favorite spices for a nice side dish. 

Yes, they do have a distinct flavor, but so does spinach, chards, etc. Think about all the nutrients jam packed in these lovely flowers, and maybe the taste will grow on you.

Just today, I made a delicious spinach salad of salmon, apples, and dandelion flowers. It was beautiful, tasty, and oh-so-healthy!

First, go outside, feel the sunshine on your face and pick out a handful or two of fresh dandelions. Then, rinse them off in a strainer.

Next, I add them to my cut up apples, salmon, apple cider vinegar, lemon pepper spice blend and extra virgin olive oil. I let this sit for a couple minutes to soak in some good flavor. Then, I throw it all top of a bowl of spinach and call the kids in for lunch! So delicious, refreshing and summery!

Enjoy those dandelions and think of them as a treat!

Early Spring Gardening

Yes, it is still snowing on April 17th where I live, but you know what? I am starting my garden anyways. Indoors, that is. 

It is a great idea to start a few plants such as: tomatoes or peppers indoors and let them grow into nice healthy baby plants before transferring them into your outside garden. The way I started my garden this year is with Botanical Interests seeds and eggs shells.

Why did I choose Botanical Interests? Have you heard of this little problem called GMO's? Well, yeah, I hate them. Founders, Judy Seaborn and Curtins Jones, understand that and have taken a stand against them in their seeds saying, “The choice to steer clear of GMOs was more than a business decision, it was a personal one. We are a company of gardeners. We all try to do what is sustainable, natural, and environmentally responsible. GMOs don’t fit with the way we want to live and our customers have told us they agree. So, we are committed to being GMO free.” Plus, their seeds are organic and high quality, which I believe is the best for my family!

Why did I choose egg shells? Well, I got this great idea off Pinterest from Whole Lifestyle Nutrition.

I eat a million eggs every week, so I have no shortage of eggs or egg cartons. I like being able to reuse them in a useful way, and when I plant these little egg planters, they will help the plant and my garden by fertilizing with their minerals and keeping away unwanted creatures. Best of all, they are going to help me with one of my biggest garden woes - tomato rot. The calcium in the egg shell will feed my tomato plants, so they don't get blossom end rot.Yay!

Speaking of tomato plants, this year we are trying a new variety from Botanical Interests - Black Krim. It is a beautiful, dark purple-black variety that is supposed to have an old-fashioned flavor with a hint of smokiness. The best part? They are reliable and very productive. Good thing, because I am still far from a master gardener...

If you have other great tips on gardening, please share, share, share!

*Cara received seeds to review. No other compensation was given. All opinions expressed are 100% her own.*

Veggies, Veggies, Everywhere!

Please forgive me for my miniature whine fest today...
I MISS MY GARDEN!!!

I loved just stepping outside and picking tons of fresh veggies for meals and snacks. I tried desperately to keep growing tomatoes, lettuce and herbs in my house this winter. I have gotten a few tomatoes, herbs and some lettuce, but it doesn't come close to the abundance of a garden.

Even though we aren't blessed with the luxury of a year round vegetable garden, I still want to remind everyone that veggies are just as important all...winter....long.

Vegetables are important sources of many nutrients, including potassium, fiber, folic acid, vitamin A, beta-carotene, vitamin E and vitamin C.


Why is potassium good? It helps maintain healthy blood pressure.

Why is fiber good? Fiber from vegetables helps reduce blood cholesterol levels and may lower the risk of heart disease.

Why is Vitamin A good? Vitamin A keeps eyes and skin healthy and helps protect against infections.

Why is Vitamin E good? Vitamin E helps protect Vitamin A and essential fatty acids from cell oxidation.

Why is Vitamin C good? Vitamin C helps heal cuts and wounds and keeps teeth and gums healthy. Vitamin C also helps you absorb iron.

If you eat a diet rich in vegetables, you may:

• Reduce your risk for stroke and perhaps other heart diseases, as well as type 2 diabetes.

• Protect yourself against certain cancers, such as mouth, stomach, and colorectal cancers.

• Reduce your risk of developing kidney stones and osteoporosis.

• Keep your weight under control. Eating foods such as vegetables that are low in calories instead of higher-calorie food helps you lower your calorie intake.

       

Here is how to sneak more veggies into your diet.

1. Season your foods with chopped garlic or onion.

2. Eat a salad every day. (with spinach or dark leafy greens, not iceberg lettuce)

3. Try a new vegetable every week. You will find many new veggies you love!

4. Add extra veggies to soups and stews.

5. Prepare veggie platters to take to parties.

6. Snack on fresh veggies. In winter, you will want to opt for more frozen veggies, since they are frozen at the peak of their freshness.

7. Grill vegetable kabobs as part of a barbecue meal. Try tomatoes, mushrooms, green peppers, and onions.

8. Add color to salads by adding baby carrots, shredded red cabbage, or cucumbers.

9. Try a healthy dressing with raw broccoli, red and green peppers, celery sticks or cauliflower. I like mixing Extra Virgin Olive Oil with Balsamic Vinegar and herbs for a yummy dressing.

Enjoy the beautiful colors, scents and tastes of veggies. And don't they make you feel sooooo good?

To Your Health!
Cara