Relieve Constipation With These Home Remedies

The most common home remedy for constipation is the same home remedy for weight gain - diet and exercise. Much constipation is caused by lack of physical exercise and poor diet. Every one should have 6-8 8 ounce glasses of liquid every day. The best liquid for preventing constipation and overall good health is water. 20-35 grams of dietary fiber each day is the American Dietetic Association's adult recommendation. Good sources of fiber are fruits, vegetables and whole grains.

The recommended amount of fiber isn't difficult to achieve. One small apple will supply an adult with three grams of fiber, while a half cup of peas will supply five grams. A bowl of bran cereal is good for 13 grams of fiber. The best fiber providers, and great home remedies for constipation are prunes, dried beans, raisins, popcorn, figs, pears, oatmeal and nuts.

\"health Food\"

Those who are trying to use these high fiber foods as a home remedy for constipation should do so gradually however. An overabundance of high fiber foods can cause very painful gas.

Any type of regular exercise is a great home (or gym) remedy for constipation. What keeps the heart in shape gets the bowels working well also. Walking is one of the best exercises for the prevention or cure of constipation.

Relieving tension at home is a remedy for constipation as well. Relaxation can loosen your bowels. When someone is frightened or tense their mouth dries up and their heart beat increases. Slow down and take it easy. This also causes the bowels to contract as well. A relaxing tape, a good book, a funny movie with a good friend - these are some home remedies that can cure or prevent constipation, and are good for our overall mental, emotional and physical well being as well. Laughing is especially helpful, as it massages the intestines and this helps digestion.

Rather than resorting to harsh over the counter laxatives which can actually make bowels addicted to them and make the constipation worse, a home remedy is recommended by a physician. This doctor said that laxatives based on psyllium are costly. He advises that constipation sufferers concoct their own home remedy by going to a health food store and buying psyllium seeds. He said the patient should grind the seeds into two parts of psyllium, one part of oat bran and one part flax. These ingredients are mixed with water and eaten as a mash about 9pm each night.

Many medications can exacerbate or even cause constipation. The most common causes are antacids that have calcium or aluminum as one of their ingredients. Antihistamines can cause constipation as can drugs prescribed to combat Parkinson's Diseases. Diuretics are well known as causes of constipation as are calcium supplements, narcotics, phenothazines, tricyclic antidepressant medications and sedatives.

Many home remedies for constipation are herbal. They are aloe juice, senna, cascara sagrada, medicinal rhubarb, root of dandelion and plaintain seeds. Of these the most effect is probably cascara sagrada. Overuse can be harmful, however, so approach these herbal home constipation remedies with care.

Relieve Constipation With These Home Remedies

Lee Dobbins writes for http://www.naturalhealthbuzz.com For more tips on home remedies and improving your health and energy naturally, sign up for her natural health newsletter and get health info emailed to you every week.

Homemade Pesticide Recipes

How would you like to know a few homemade pesticide recipes that are not only safe, but will cost you next to nothing? It's still possible to keep your garden free from pests without toxins and harmful chemicals.

Most chemical pesticides are toxic to humans as well as pets and small animals that may enter your yard or garden. That's why homemade pesticides make a lot more sense.

Organic

Here are a few of the most common homemade pesticide recipes for your houseplants, yard and garden.

Homemade Pesticide For Snails and Slugs
Diatomaceous earth is a powder-like dust made of tiny marine organisms called diatoms. It is effective on soft-bodied insects as well as snails and slugs. Just spread it on top of the soil and it works by cutting and irritating these soft organisms yet is harmless to other organisms. You can also put out shallow dishes of beer to trap snails and slugs.

To Keep Bugs Away From Houseplants
This is the safest natural pesticide for any home gardener and is effective on a variety of bugs and insects. Mix 3 tablespoons of liquid detergent into a gallon of water. Use in a sprayer bottle for houseplants.

Another Bugs Away From Houseplants Mix
To keep bugs away from houseplants, mix 1 clove garlic, 1 small hot pepper and 1 quart water in a blender. Pour into a spray bottle and apply to plants. Putting hot sauce on a cotton ball in a house plant pot will also repel pests.

Cabbage worms and Spider Mites Mix
For garden pests like cabbage worms and spider mites, mix 2 tablespoons of salt in 1 gallon of water and use in a sprayer bottle.

To Control Garden Pests
Gather together a collection of dead bugs, crush them up and mix with water. Strain the mix until it will come out of a spray bottle. Only use this mix outside.

Spearmint Hot Pepper Horseradish Spray
This is effective on many different kinds of outside bugs and insects and should be an outside spray.

1/4 cup of hot red peppers

1/2 gallon water

1/4 cup of fresh spearmint

1/4 cup horseradish, both root and leaves

1 tablespoons of liquid detergent

1/4 cup green onion tops

Mix the spearmint leaves, horseradish, onion tops and peppers together with enough water to cover everything. Then strain the solution. Add a half-gallon of water and the detergent. You can use this to spray almost any plant safely. Store the mixture for a few days in a cool place.

Natural Pesticide for Aphids and Whiteflies
Mix a few drops of dishwashing detergent with water and spray on plants leaves. This is extremely effective in controlling many soft-bodied insects such as aphids and whiteflies.

Homemade Pesticide For Roses
In your blender make a solution of leaves from a tomato plant 4 pints of water and a tablespoon of cornstarch. Strain the mix and spray on roses as a natural pesticide. Keep any unused spray refrigerated.

Natural pesticides can work well for any home gardener and are much safer for you and your family. After you try a few of these recipes you'll understand that they really work. If you want to control pests naturally instead of chemically, homemade pesticides may be the ideal choice.

Copyright © 2006 1StopShoppingOnline.com All Rights Reserved.

Homemade Pesticide Recipes

Gary Gresham writes for 1stopshoppingonline.com where you will discover hundreds of garden and outdoor products to create the perfect garden.

How to Treat Graves' Disease Naturally

If you have been diagnosed with Graves' Disease, want to avoid taking medication if at all possible, and don't even want to consider treating your condition with radioactive iodine, then the information you're about to read can be life changing. I am a licensed healthcare professional and was personally diagnosed with Graves' Disease. Knowing that this is a serious autoimmune thyroid condition, I honestly wasn't sure if I would rely on natural treatment methods, even though I without question have a natural mindset.

The problem is that Graves' Disease can be life threatening if the symptoms are not controlled, and as a result, I didn't take my high pulse rate and palpitations lightly. I did consider receiving a combination of the conventional medical treatments and the natural treatment protocol, which I do recommend for some patients. But although my pulse rate was much higher than normal (in the mid 90's, when it was usually in the mid 60's), I didn't consider it to be too extreme, and thus decided to go strictly with a natural treatment protocol and not take any prescription medication (the endocrinologist I consulted with recommended Methimazole and a beta blocker).

\"health Food\"

As for radioactive iodine, this is something I planned to avoid at all costs. In my opinion, this harsh treatment method should be used only as a last resort, as most people who "choose" this treatment method will become hypothyroid. Even when someone with Graves' Disease has an extremely high pulse rate (for example, greater than 120 beats per minute), radioactive iodine usually isn't needed to control the symptoms, as taking a beta blocker will usually accomplish this. Of course there are exceptions to this rule, and there are some circumstances where taking radioactive iodine is necessary.

Warning: Don't Treat Graves' Disease On Your Own:

It's truly amazing how many different conditions people try to treat naturally on their own. They simply do some research on the internet, find out what nutritional supplements and/or herbs might be able to help, and visit their local health food store and purchase these supplements. For some conditions this isn't a problem, but for a serious autoimmune condition such as Graves' Disease, this is definitely not recommended. You should either be under the care of an endocrinologist, a competent natural doctor, or in some cases, both types of healthcare professionals.

As for whether you should take the prescribed medication, which usually consists of a drug like Methimazole, and/or a beta blocker, such as Propranolol, this obviously is something that only you can decide. Obviously an endocrinologist or general practitioner that prescribes these drugs will think that a conventional protocol is the best option, which in some cases it might be. On the other hand, a holistic doctor will often think that a natural treatment protocol will be the best option for treating this condition. Your best bet is to speak with both types of healthcare professionals, gather as much information as you can, and then make an informed decision on your own.

While I'm not at all opposed to a patient taking the prescription drugs, what they do need to keep in mind is that these medications are not getting to the underlying cause of the disorder. So while taking them in the short term to manage the symptoms might not be a bad idea, you also need to consider the potential consequences of taking these drugs for a long period of time. I personally can't tell a patient to stop taking the drugs, but if I was in a situation where I had extreme symptoms, I would have probably taken the beta blocker to control the symptoms for a month or two (mainly the high pulse rate and palpitations), along with following the natural treatment protocol, and then would have weaned myself off the medication and evaluate my symptoms.

Because the fact remains that there are natural remedies that will help control the symptoms while you are trying to restore your overall health. For example, one of the herbal remedies I took that helped with my symptoms was Bugleweed, which is for people with hyperthyroidism. Motherwort is another herbal remedy that can help with the symptoms of Graves' Disease. Now once again, I'm not suggesting that anyone with a high pulse rate and palpitations replace their medication with these herbal remedies. Although these herbal remedies are powerful, everybody's condition is different, which is why you really should consult with a competent healthcare professional.

Let's Not Forget To Address The Immune System

While Graves' Disease is often labeled as being a "thyroid disorder", one can't forget that the immune system is affected, and it is therefore important to address the immune system component. In fact, one can argue that the immune system component should be addressed before focusing on the thyroid gland. And in some cases, strengthening the immune system alone can restore someone's health back to normal. Echinacea and Selenium can help strengthen the immune system. When I began my natural treatment protocol I also took a product called Rehmannia Complex, which is a product from the nutritional company Standard Process.

The adrenal glands are usually affected too, and therefore should also be evaluated. Since most medical doctors don't properly evaluate the adrenals (and most won't attempt to evaluate this area at all), I ordered an Adrenal Stress Index test for myself, which is a saliva-based test that measures the cortisol levels at different times of the day. Initially when I was diagnosed with Graves' Disease, I had low cortisol levels in the morning and early afternoon. But the natural treatment protocol helped bring my cortisol levels back to normal. Some supplements I took to help with the adrenals included an adrenal support formula (also manufactured by Standard Process), as well as Eleuthero.

Of course the quality of the supplements used are important. You need to be careful, as while there are some great nutritional supplement companies out there, many companies produce low quality products. Even some of those sold in health food stores aren't of the highest quality. I have tried products from many different companies, and some of the best products I have used on myself and on patients are produced by a company called Standard Process, as they have been producing quality supplements for many years. The only bad news is that you can't purchase these supplements from a health food store, as they are only distributed by healthcare professionals.

I don't want to give you the impression that taking nutritional supplements and herbal remedies alone will be enough to restore your health back to normal. There are actually five main factors to help aid the recovery process for someone that has an autoimmune thyroid disorder. These include 1) having a good attitude, 2) proper nutrition, 3) getting ample sleep, 4) regular exercise, and 5) doing a good job of managing stress. All of these are important if you want to use natural treatment methods to restore the function of your thyroid gland back to normal, assuming this is possible.

Other Symptoms Associated With Graves' Disease That Can Be Helped Through Natural Treatment Methods:

While I have spoken about symptoms such as having a high pulse rate and palpitations, there are of course other symptoms that are common with Graves' Disease. In addition to the high pulse rate and palpitations, I personally experienced weight loss, increased appetite, and shakiness. Upon beginning the natural treatment protocol it wasn't too long before I noticed my pulse rate and the palpitations decreasing, as well as the shakiness. In fact, I remember clearly that when it was first suspected that I had a thyroid disorder and a had blood drawn, when I held my arm out for the nurse my arm was noticeably shaking. But once again, this was one of the first symptoms to go away when I began the natural treatment protocol.

The last symptom to disappear was the increased appetite, as after a few months I had a regular pulse rate, no palpitations or shakiness, and was gaining weight. But I still had a voracious appetite. But eventually this symptom disappeared too, and along with not having any more symptoms, it was of course great to see the blood tests confirm that I no longer was hyperthyroid.

As for whether natural treatment methods can help with your autoimmune thyroid disorder, just keep in mind that everyone is different, which of course means that not everyone will be an ideal candidate to receive these treatment methods. Some people will need to take medicine, while others will benefit from a combination of both conventional and natural treatment protocols. I will conclude this article by suggesting that anyone that has been diagnosed with Graves' Disease at least consider speaking with a competent natural doctor, especially before you consider getting treated with radioactive iodine.

But even if your endocrinologist or general practitioner is conservative like mine was and recommends Methimazole and a beta blocker, keep in mind that these prescription drugs won't do anything to restore your health back to normal. So while they might do a great job of controlling the symptoms, they will usually leave the immune system in a weakened state, leaving you more susceptible to other autoimmune conditions in the future. And just remember that consulting with a natural doctor doesn't mean you will be forced to choose a natural treatment protocol, but will simply give you more valuable information to help you make an informed decision, so you won't have any regrets in the future.

How to Treat Graves' Disease Naturally

Dr. Eric Osansky is a licensed healthcare professional who personally used natural treatment methods to restore his health when he was diagnosed with an autoimmune thyroid disorder. For more information on how to use natural treatment methods to treat Graves' Disease, including a free video and 46-page guide that shows you how to treat your autoimmune thyroid disorder naturally, please visit his website at http://www.naturalendocrinesolutions.com.

Lemon Cayenne Pepper Detox Drink

The Lemon Cayenne Pepper Detox Drink is also known as the Master Cleanse, the lemonade diet, or the Beyonce Knowles diet.  This detoxification drink has some amazing benefits such as weight loss, improving skin complexion, and increasing energy.  This drink is also very inexpensive as the ingredients you need are available at your local grocery stores.

The first ingredient of the lemon cayenne pepper detox drink is lemon juice.  You should look for organic, fresh lemons. Buying bottled lemon juice usually contains sugar and other additives that you do not need.  Freshly squeezed juice is ideal, but you can also use natural, organic lemon juice.  You add 2 tablespoons of lemon juice to the detox drink.

Organic

The next ingredient is organic grade B maple syrup.  It is best to not use the sugar filled syrup you have in your pantry because it will lessen the effect of the diet.  You want to find pure, organic maple syrup with as little additives as possible. You also add 2 tablespoons of maple syrup to the detox drink.

The third ingredient is ground cayenne pepper.  Most people are turned off by the cayenne pepper because they believe it will make the drink taste bad.  The lemon juice and maple syrup do a very good job of masking the taste of the pepper.   You add 1/10 of a teaspoon of cayenne pepper to the detox drink.

The last ingredient is 10 oz of filtered water.  Watch out for bottled water as you can never tell if it is really pure, or if it is just processed tap water.  Filtered water is the best to use.  Tap water can contain trace amounts of unknown and unwanted contaminants which lessen the effectiveness of the detox.

The lemon cayenne pepper detox drink is very easy to make, but finding the right ingredients will prove vital in affecting the effectiveness of your detox cleanse.

Lemon Cayenne Pepper Detox Drink

If you are getting ready to start a Lemon Cayenne Pepper Detox Diet, check out Master Cleanse Secrets This books will give you information on how to avoid being one of the many people who quit within the first day.

Organic Plant Food & Fertilizer - How to Make Organic Seaweed Fertilizer Extract - Granules

Why We Need Fertilizer

Plants do need a whole host of mineral nutrients to sustain healthy growth; most soils do contain a balance of minerals. A soil may be lacking in some of them, and adding fertilizer will enhance the plants growth and performance.  Millions of people do live near the sea or go on vacation with a trailer to seaside locations and seaweed is the best Organic Fertilizer on the market. This is because it contains natural nitrogen minerals which are not found in very many other organic fertilizers.

Organic

After working for several years for a seaweed manufacturer I am about to blow the lid and you can discover how easy it really is to make your own fertilizer.

How to Make Your Own Fertilizer

Equipment needed:

·         1 medium sized bin about 25 litres, 5 gallon.
·         Food processor.
·         Oven or grill (optional).
·         Kitchen foil.
·         Oven trays.
·         Scraps of wood to fit into the inside of the bin.
·         A cutting tool i.e. a saw.
·         Something heavy in my case I use bricks.

Product needed:

·         Seaweed bubbly type preferably (more extract/juice comes out) 7 Kg, 14 Lb
·         Food preservative (optional)

Ok you've got the equipment and product together

·         Cut out a scrap of wood that will fit in the bin a quarter of the way up from the floor.
·         Put in the bricks to support the wood and create a new floor for the bin.
·         Make sure the wood is not a tight fit.
·         Liquidize the seaweed about 1 Kg, 2.2 lb at a time in the food processor.
·         Use blades that will give you a rough finish (you don't want it too smooth).
·         Add minced up seaweed to your upgraded bin.
·         Repeat this process until your bin is full.
·         Clean out food processor as seaweed contain a high level of salt that may rust some metal blades. ·         Cut another scrap of wood to fit inside the top of the bid (about 5 inches from each side of the bin). ·         Put the bin outside and load the bricks on top.
·         Leave for 2 days.

The top of the bin (oven)

·         Unpack the bricks and transport the seaweed into an oven tray with kitchen foil on.
·         Place in a pre heated oven at 200°C, 392 °F.
·         Cook for half an hour or until really crispy but not burnt.
·         Grind up (optional).
·         Add water 40 grams diluted with water makes up to 20 litres of seaweed liquid feed.
·         Or add straight to the soil.

The top of the bin (without oven)

·         Unpack the bricks and transport the seaweed straight onto the soil and mix in.

The bottom of the bin

·         This is where the liquid extract will be.
·         Add Food preservative or can place in freezer or use within 4 weeks and store in fridge.
·         Add water up to an amazing 80 to 1 mix.

I have searched the web for instructions on how to make my own seaweed extract and I think this is the first detail instructions on how to make organic fertilizer seaweed extract and seaweed powder/granules. Seaweed granules can also be used as animal feed, seaweed powder can be used alongside pet food just sprinkle some in and this increases there fertility rate as well as help smelly pet breath.

Organic Plant Food & Fertilizer - How to Make Organic Seaweed Fertilizer Extract - Granules

I think in this day and age techniques are lost on making your own products and everybody should have a chance to be organic. To see what the finished products are like or save time and order a product just click on the link http://www.seaweedproducts.co.uk/

Amazing Benefits of Raw Cacao, Raw Chocolate and Immune Stimulating Mushrooms

When it comes to eating various superfoods for a health benefit, you may be confused as to which superfoods to consume. Some super foods may have a potent taste that will need to be acquired by the person who is consuming that particular food. However, one superfood that everyone will agree on is the consumption of sacred raw chocolate and raw cacao. In fact, for thousands of years, ancient Mayans, ancient Aztecs and Incans have known about the amazing healing properties of the chocolate and they have used them in their daily cultural rituals as well as in their healing habits.

In fact, the seeds of raw cacao were held to be so sacred, the legends has it that the Incans used Cocoa beans as money and the ancient Incans used it like gold bullion as they filled their treasury holds with tons of cocoa beans. Unfortunately, nowadays the positive benefit of this wonderful superfood is not known widely. Although, everyone enjoys chocolate, people do not consume it in its raw form for the maximum benefit that they can derive from it. Some benefits of raw cacao and raw chocolate include:

Organic

-          It acts as a stimulant, so that the energy level in your body will receive a boost and you will feel better about yourself.

-          It can also help to reduce chronic fatigue and general weakness caused by stress.

-          Raw chocolate and raw cacao can help strengthen your cardiovascular system.

-          This special superfood helps to regulate your sleep.

-          Most importantly, pure chocolate directly stimulates various neurotransmitters in your brain (such as serotonin) to help reduce depression and to give a sense of euphoria or a sense of well being. Hence, your mood will be uplifted and you will feel better about yourself.

-          Raw chocolate has a very high ORAC quotient. ORAC stands for Oxygen Radical Absorbance Capacity. This is an important property, as it denotes the ability to absorb free radicals from your body. This can be a very useful concept for helping you to protect your body from carcinogens and free radicals that cause cancer.

-          Raw chocolate is also considered as a mild aphrodisiac as it has shown to increase sexual appetite after regular consumption.

-          Raw chocolate can also help stimulate your immune system.

Of course, it is important to eat in a raw and organic state, so that these benefits can be derived from it. If you are looking for an extra way to stimulate your immune system, then you can also eat Reiki mushrooms as a super food. This amazing mushroom also has the ability to strengthen your immune system so that you can fight infections and protect yourself from flu and other similar diseases.

Amazing Benefits of Raw Cacao, Raw Chocolate and Immune Stimulating Mushrooms

About this Author

Come learn about the greatest selection of Superfoods on The Planet. Please visit our site at http://www.superfoodliving.com and learn about Raw Chocolate Cocao Noni, Tibetan Goji Berries, Maca, Marine Phytoplankton, Sacred Heart Chocolate, Incan Berries and more....

We offer Retail and wholesale pricing for distributors and customers. We can also show you how to make money and receive your superfoods at a discount by sharing our foods and recipes with others.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Paul_S_Fitzgerald

Interesting Facts About Organic Foods

There is plenty of great information out there about organic foods. The problem though is that not all of it is true. Here are some interesting facts about organic foods that you will find to be very useful. That information can also help you to decide if you want to take advantage of buying such products or not.

It may surprise you to discover that only about 2% of the food in the world is organically grown. That is why you can't always find a huge supply of it locally. That is also part of the reason why they prices are so high for them. Don't let this low percentage fool you though because about million annually is coming in for such food items.

Organic

In the United States, the movements of organic foods are very high and many manufacturers are looking into it. This is the area where most of the organic foods are grown. Today about 70% of grocery stores out there offer some form of organic foods. It may surprise you that there is a huge demand for organic cream and yogurt products.

It isn't just the United States though where organic foods are selling well. Other areas include Canada, Italy, and the UK. It is believed that within the next decade you will find some forms of organic foods being grown and distributed throughout every country in the world. Australia has a very large sector of land where organic foods are grown and it is believed that more land will be allocated for that purpose over the next five years.

Many people are surprised though to learn that the biggest country for organic production of foods is Germany. This is due to the fact that they often have problems with their soil and producing foods because of it. Organic methods though do help them to have soil that is very nutritious. In Europe the movement for more organic foods has to do with the conscious choices of society. They don't want to contribute the addition of chemicals to the food they eat or to the environment if there is a better alternative.

The process of converting farm land from conventional methods though to organic methods is very time consuming. This is why it is taking a while for the numbers out there to steadily increase. On average that process takes five years to complete. A farmer can't just wake up on day and say that he has decided to only grow organic products. Unfortunately the process isn't that easy to complete.

At least 70% of people in the United States have purchased or consumed some form of organic food. They don't find there is much of a difference when it comes to the taste of it. One fruit that seems to be sweeter by many reports though is the apple. Organic foods do spoil faster though because they don't have wax or other preservatives on them. They can also be smaller than others due to that growing process not being sped up through chemicals.

Products that are 95% or higher in ratings according to the USDA can get the label to place on their food products as being organic. Most consumers don't bother to look at those labels though so they are buying what they believe are organic foods but they really aren't. Learning this information should make you interested in finding out more about the process for organic food labeling. You want to be confident that what you buy is the real thing. Why pay for foods that you think are organic when they only contain some elements of what will make them so?

Interesting Facts About Organic Foods

About this Author

Organic food becomes a good choice by more and more people. The Organic Grocer is an online organic food Sydney based retailer. They provide fresh organic fruit and vegetable. They deliver organic food penrith and organic food blue mountains.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Sarmaad_Amin

Start a Small Farm or Make Money From Your Garden

Have you wanted to start a small farm? Interested in organic farming? Want to start a country Bed & Breakfast? Would you like to produce a nature-related home business income stream and make money from your garden? Any or all of these are more attainable now than ever.

Their size can range from an urban rooftop to a small town backyard to small acreage in the country. It's wonderful to have the sunlight and birdsong be your "office surroundings," and to tend the earth's life force while high class restaurants, world travelers, or your local community eagerly pay premium prices for your organic, heirloom and sustainable products.

Organic

You can grow many crops: Vintage cutting or edible flowers, rare ethnic and culinary herbs, medicinal herbs, heirloom and gourmet vegetables. There's a growing trend among those from urbanites to small town dwellers to those with small rural acreage (or in the process of buying it), who are starting sustainable home businesses that are earth and family friendly, or living the country life as real farmers again with rural traditions and the sound of birds and crickets from their porches. The huge demand for local, sustainable, and heirloom and gourmet foods, plus the growing demand for hand-made artisan foods and sustainably produced unique flowers and other unusual ornamentals is fueling this trend.

Farm examples include one who grows the crop used to make brooms, and sells hand-made ornamental or vintage brooms from his own crop. Or the spa mini-farmer who grows fresh ingredients for the facials for her local spas and estheticians, such as lavender, cucumber, and even pumpkin now proven to benefit the skin. Or the couple who raise tiny Shetland sheep that produce wool in many natural colors, and make hand-woven blankets sold for high prices online and to tourists who visit their area.

Whether you're planning to start a small farm, begin organic farming, start a country Bed & Breakfast, or earn money from your garden, to begin making this dream come true, start with the concept of the "Micro Eco-Farm" that brings them all together. It's the 21st century version of sustainably producing from the land in larger quantities in smaller space than anytime in history, because with technology and world travel, humans have now discovered and blended the best growing techniques that combine ancient discoveries (such as Chinese or French intensive growing methods) with cutting edge research on creating living soils and sustainable food supplies in smaller spaces than ever before understood.

To start a small farm, use micro eco-farming techniques to begin from as small as a half acre, and even stop there, or grow into a few more acres if you have the land. Start in your spare time until your business has built up enough to let you quit your office job. Micro eco-farming involves organic farming techniques, but adds beyond organics to make your mini-farm more productive than any farm in humankind's history.

To start a country Bed & Breakfast, plan your B&B's breakfast menus first, then design the small farm to grow the menu's products, the organic farm that will wrap around your B&B from the information gleaned from your menu. You may want to raise laying hens, blueberries, strawberries, a few antique apple and pear trees, an herbal tea garden, and a couple dairy goats. Your B&B customers will love this small farming demonstration and setting, and it all "synergizes." The goats and hens will provide organic fertilizer along with ingredients for breakfast omelets and yogurt, the chickens and goats can eat prunings from the plant crops, which will provide your customers with freshly baked blueberry muffins, strawberry jam and pear butter (which can also be sold as a product to your customers) and spicy apple bread and apple cider.

To make money from your garden, the possibilities are endless. You can grow a cutting garden with a flower stand out front to earn money from your garden, or sell the flower bouquets to in-town B&Bs that don't grow their own, or to restaurants and hotels; sell high priced rare gourmet food crops to nearby five star restaurants, such as rare edible flowers or fresh ethnic food crops.

Whether you plan to start a small farm, earn money in organic farming, make money from your garden, or open a country Bed & Breakfast, your livelihood will be helping restore the planet by maintaining green life and living soil to your outdoor "office."

Start a Small Farm or Make Money From Your Garden

About this Author

Barbara Adams
Hostess of the Center for the Micro Eco-Farming Movement
http://www.MicroEcoFarming.com
To find out more about the techniques and those who are making this dream come true, visit the Center for the Micro Eco-Farming Movement at http://www.MicroEcoFarming.com

© 2007 by Barbara Adams. May be reproduced in entirety with live link.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Barbara_Adams

Organic Vegan Supplements For Protein - The Easy Way

For a very long time many vegans and vegetarians had to scrounge to find enough protein, and many times it still was not enough. From eating combinations of beans and rice to various other attempts, nothing worked perfectly. That is until a product called Veggie Protein by company called All Pro Science. They were started by NFL All Star tight end and future Hall of Fame nominee, Tony Gonzalez.

Veggie Protein is unique because of its ingredients, which include:

Organic

• Hemp Protein- Is a widely known liver aid and can help in burning fats that usually do not get burned. Since it is a plant derivative it is hypoallergenic and causes less digestive problems. It also has GLA and two different forms of Omega fatty acids which all goes to help your skin, nails and hair. The taste is smooth and does not need augmentation.


• Pea Protein-One of the most easily digested sources of protein and is renowned for removing fat deposits that otherwise would not be burned. It is easy on the digestive system and is hypoallergenic.


• Brown Rice Protein-This is a great source of whole grain fiber and it has many valuable nutrients that most people rarely get in sufficient amounts. It has also been linked to reducing the risk of obesity, heart disease and diabetes.


• Flaxseed powder-A long time health aid and is a near miracle as such. It is linked to lowering blood pressure, bad cholesterol, blood clots and help in heart health. It can also help in depression, ulcers and colon ailments. With an increased amount of fiber and vitamins it helps remove excess fat from the digestive tract.

Veggie Protein has a vibrant flavor sharpened by all natural ingredients like Goji, blueberry and Acai berry. They add in their own special amounts of vitamins, minerals and other vital health substrates. They offer their own sense of health and value to the mix, simply because they are natural sources of flavor and sweetness themselves.

The taste...

Unlike most proteins on the market, especially whey and soy protein, it does not have a chalky after taste or any lingering taste that will make you gag. Most people manage to choke down their protein shake because they know it is good for them, but Veggie Protein actually tastes good so it is pleasant to drink. The added benefit of knowing that what you are drinking is doing something good for your body is just an added bonus.

Nearly every protein powder on the market has too much sugar or too much fat, which is necessary when you are using animal sources of protein. They come with excess fat, and if they do not you have to add sugar to them to make them palatable. In contrast Veggie Protein sources are all natural and all plant sources so the fat content is naturally almost none, and given that it is sweetened with fruits you know that it does not have any added sugars, especially the kinds of sugar that most affect the insulin response like high fructose corn syrup, or sucrose sugar does.

Per serving power...

With 23 grams of protein per serving and only 1 gram of fat, this protein source really is the preferred organic vegan supplement for vegans and vegetarians. With a requirement of about 1 gram of protein per pound of bodyweight, Veggie Protein makes is easy to have balance in your diet. Unlike whey protein sources, or even soy sources, it does not cause allergic reactions or gaseous problems in the gut. Plant sources for protein are simply a better choice for your body.

Organic Vegan Supplements For Protein - The Easy Way

The author enjoys writing articles about organic vegan supplements and is the webmaster of http://organic-health-supplements.com.

Organic Gardening - Do Grass Clippings Make a Good Garden Mulch?

The topic of grass clippings to be used as a mulch is a very common question. It is an organic matter and will add benefits to the garden if used properly, but there are things to watch out for.

Understanding the basic function of mulching is very important when choosing a mulch. When applied properly it conserves moisture from both rainfall and other watering practices. You need a mulch that won't mat down and shed water, it needs to be a loose, course texture and a structure to allow water to penetrate through to get to the soil. It also needs to be able to maintain a thickness of about three inches without matting to be effective. A three inch layer of mulch is a good thickness to apply for weed suppression along with serving as an insulator to keep the garden soil warmer in the cold weather and cooler in the hot seasons to protect the root system of especially shallow rooted plants.

Organic

Organic mulches are a beneficial mulch to use because of there ability to add nutrients back into the soil as they decay, along with helping to improve the soils structure by creating an environment for the organisms that are beneficial to your gardens soil to survive.

Grass clippings are a common yard waste that shouldn't be or shouldn't exist if proper lawn care is practiced. Mowing a lawn at the proper height, 2/12 inches to 3 1/2 inches in with cool season grass and 1 1/2 to 2 1/2 inches for warm weather grass and mowing frequently by only cutting one third of the grass plants total height with a mulching blade on the lawnmower will allow the clippings to be fine enough to decompose in place.By allowing these clippings to decompose in place they will add nutrients back into the soil for your grass to benefit from. Grass clippings alone will provide about twenty five percent of the nutrients that grass needs alone, they contain about four percent nitrogen, two percent potassium and one percent phosphorus.

Now about using grass clippings for mulch in your garden. The first concern is contamination from insecticides, weed killers and other chemical fertilizers, especially if they have been applied to the grass within a three week period of when you want to use them. There are insecticides that are not to be applied to vegetable plants. Compaction is another problem with grass clippings. They tend to compact tightly and get soggy. They don't have a loose structure to allow for water to penetrate to the soil easily. When applied in a thick layer, grass clippings will heat up during the process of decomposing. This can damage the root system of certain plants, change the soil temperature that can lead to poor plant growth, and the possibility of disease development. The best method when using grass clippings as a mulch is to compost them first by the method of hot composting.

Organic Gardening - Do Grass Clippings Make a Good Garden Mulch?

A environment friendly and healthy way of gardening. Organic Gardening is away of gardening in harmony with nature. Growing a healthy and productive crop in a way that is healthier for both you and the environment.

John Yazo

http://www.organicheirloomgardening.com

Benefits of Organic Green Tea

A main green tea benefit is that it contains powerful antioxidants that favor bacteria beneficial to the human body while killing those that are harmful. Organic green teas have a high rate of antioxidants which are really important to protect the cells from a natural process that prevents toxins that build up from unnecessary oxygen.

Organic tea is the more natural form of modern tea plants that are sprayed with pesticides and other artificial methods of growth. Many tea plantations are now converting to organic due to the harming effects of chemical fertilizers- this organic tea provides a fuller taste that heightens the green tea benefits. The process of green tea formation includes only the leaf bud and top two leaves of the tea plant. The leaves do not become oxidized as they are not fermented like black tea. This process helps to preserve the leaves without destroying the beneficial compounds in the plant. Organic tea benefits also include various nutrients such as calcium, magnesium, manganese and potassium and the vitamins A, C, E and K.

Organic

Consumption of organic tea help prevent diseases such as arthritis, improve bone density, reduce the risk of heart disease, and helps fight cataracts. Green organic tea is beneficial for almost every organ in the body as it helps prevent cancer by blocking compounds with poly phenols. Organic green tea helps control blood pressure and reduces the risk of heart attacks. Its daily consumption has shown results in preventing viral infections. It is a very soothing drink that can help you control stress and slow down the aging process. Many people have used green tea for aid in weight loss as well as it works wonders for your metabolism. Tea is also a wonderful alternative to coffee, with many varieties having just half of the caffeine.

Benefits of Organic Green Tea

I suggest that everyone should experience the flavors and benefits of tea in its organic form. For more information on organic teas and their benefits, visit Tea Noosh.

Organic Gelatin? Yes!

Gelatin - what is it?

Gelatin is pretty much translucent, tasteless and odorless and is commonly used in foods, cosmetics and pharmaceuticals. The culinary gelatin is used mostly as a thickening or emulsifying agent and can be purchased in powder or sheet form. It can also be found in a host of prepared foods, from desserts, ice cream, jellies and yoghurt to cream cheese, marshmallows, gummy bears, aspic and margarine.

Organic

Gelatin is a high-grade protein derived from animal collagen by a process known as hydrolysis. Typically it is made from bovine or pork products, specifically skin or bones. Less common, but important for a kosher or halal diet, is gelatin made from fish.

For a vegetarian diet try agar-agar, pectin, carrageen or gum arabic as alternative gelling agents.

Nutritional Value & Health Benefits

Gelatin contains 18 amino acids, of which 9 are essential for humans. It is an especially good source of the essential amino acid Lysine. And though it would be incomplete as a single protein source, gelatin makes a nutritious addition to your everyday diet. It contains no fat, cholesterol or carbohydrates, is free of any additives and easy to digest.

An increasing number of studies suggest that gelatin not only promotes healthy hair and nails, but it may also improve bone and cartilage health. In particular 2 of the amino acids found in gelatin (Glycine and Proline) are needed to produce collagen, the primary component of connective tissues such as cartilage. Thanks to the Lysine, Gelatin also appears to be beneficial to athletes for muscle growth and metabolism.

Quality Concerns - Go Organic!

So, you are a conscious consumer, determined to avoid eggs from chicken factories and meats that are loaded with growth hormones and antibiotics; But what about the quality of the gelatin products on the market?

In fact the quality varies greatly and is influenced by the filtration and purification processes during production. But more importantly the quality is determined by the initial ingredients used for the gelatin production. To end up with a high quality product you have to start out with high quality ingredients, in this case healthy animals, raised in a pure environment. If you are trying to avoid meat from inhumane mass production factories, it only makes sense to set the same standards for all other animal products and by-products.

For a product such as gelatin to receive the organic certification, organic standards have to be followed from the start by the farm that raises the animals to the end of the production lines of the producer and packer.

Since the supply of organic meats has been growing steadily, one could easily assume that organic gelatin would also be readily available - which has been true for some parts of Europe, but not for Canada and the US. Amazingly, it was not commercially available in North America until recently.

It is very good news that this has changed: Certified Organic Gelatin is now commercially available under the brand name GoBIO!. You can purchase it online, at http://www.gobiofood.ca, but it is also starting to pop up in local health food stores and coops around Canada and hopefully soon in the US as well.

There have been some concerns about gelatin derived from cow collagen, due to BSE, also known as 'mad cow disease'. Though studies have demonstrated that the gelatin production process destroys most of the BSE that may be present in the raw material, some concerns remain. This issue can easily be avoided by using exclusively pork based gelatin, such as the GoBIO! brand.

Consumers, we now have a choice! We can feel good about jellin' away, reaping the health benefits while enjoying the characteristic jiggly consistency that only it has to offer.

Organic Gelatin? Yes!

To learn more about pork based Organic Gelatin go to http://www.gobiofood.com

How To Choose The Right Shingle For Your House

Differences between Fiberglass and Organic Asphalt Shingles

The most popular choice in roofing material is the asphalt shingles. They are very popular because of many reasons. According to the research carried out, asphalt shingles are used by 75% of house owners in America. These shingles are so very popular because they are available in various price ranges and are also available in variety of sizes. The warranty period is real extended. It is 20-40 years!

Organic

Asphalt roofing shingles are available in various types. One of them is the fiberglass based, mat based roof shingles and the other type is the organic based, mat based shingles.

Fiberglass shingles

Fiber glass shingles are light weight. They appear thinner too. It is so because their backing has been made from fiberglass which is a light and thin martial. A typical asphalt shingle bundle can weigh anything between 70 to 140lbs. There are usually 3 bundles of shingles for each square, i.e. 100 sq feet of each square. Thus the lightweight fiberglass shingles are easier for the roofer to carry up the ladder. Another added benefit is that they are more fire resistant and the warranty offered is also for a longer period as compared to organic shingles.

Organic shingles

The organic based, mat based shingles are very heavy and their finish is not as smooth as fiber based shingles. The mat of the organic based shingles is made from asphalt and felt paper. They become heavier because in a fiber glass shingle, less asphalt is used whereas in organic shingles more asphalt is used, and asphalt makes them heavy. On the other hand organic based shingles are more flexible but they are more water absorbing in nature and thus have a tendency to wrap after a certain period. Because of these reasons, fiberglass shingles are more popular in the central and southern parts of the USA. The organic shingles are more popular in the northern part of the USA.

If you are using organic shingles for your home then you must take the precaution that they comply with the ASTM D 3452 standards and also notice that they comply with ASTM D 225 standards too. It is becoming increasingly mandatory by municipalities that the shingles meet these compliances. Hence you should read the label on the shingles and check that these standards are met with. The shingles, both fiberglass and organic can be anywhere in the price range of and $ 80 per square.

Most commonly shingles these days are the 3D shingles. They have been prevalent since quite a long time but there is a growing trend for architectural shingles too. The home owners are moving towards these shingles because although the architectural shingles are a little expensive, they are easy to install and you don't need much maintenance either. The lines appear straight and neat. Thus these shingles have a longer warranty period too.

On the other hand great care is to be taken by the roofer when he is installing 3D shingles to see that they are installed in straight lines. It is much easier to install architectural shingles. They are so designed that they give an effect of shadows and designs, so slight imperfection in laying down the design is not visible. They cost more than the 3D shingles but they make up the increased cost in low installation cost.

Hence you must select the proper shingles for your house with utmost care. If they are not properly installed they can cause sever water damage and subsequent high repairing and maintaining costs.

How To Choose The Right Shingle For Your House

As Long Island, LI Roofing Contractors, and Northern Virginia Roofing contractors we take great pride in maintaining customer satisfaction for all types of new roof installation and roof repair work for residential and commercial roofing accounts.