Sunday, October 26, 2014

Pumpkin uses / О пользах тыквы


http://www.livestrong.com/article/193307-benefits-of-pumpkin-skin-care-products/



Rich in Vitamins

Pumpkin is excellent for use on all skin types, but especially if your skin is damaged from environmental conditions such as overexposure to the sun. Pumpkin is rich in vitamin A, which soothes and softens your skin, and vitamin C, an antioxidant that can help to remedy damage produced by free radicals, according to the University of Maryland Medical Center. Pumpkin facial masks, moisturizers and peels nourish your skin and promote the absorption of these nutrients.

Dissolves Dry Skin

Skin-care products containing pumpkin such as exfoliators and moisturizers can be used on all skin types to help remove old surface skin cells and promote new cell production. Pumpkin contains natural enzymes that help to dissolve dry skin cells, according to skin care expert Sue Dolan in her book "Naturally Skinsational: Rejuvenating Skin Care Recipes." Due to the high enzyme content, pumpkin foot-care products are also very effective for hydrating, soothing and softening dry, cracked hands and feet. To make your own dry heel treatment, combine 2 tbsp. of pumpkin puree with 2 tbsp. of Vaseline. Apply nightly to your feet, and put cotton socks on for a deep moisturizing treatment.


http://www.dermalinstitute.com/us/news/?p=1638

The Benefits of Pumpkin Ingredients on the Skin

Pumpkin is packed with fruit enzymes and alpha hydroxy acids (AHAs), which increase cell turnover, to brighten and smooth the skin.
Pumpkin contains antioxidant Vitamin A and Vitamin C to help soften and soothe the skin and boost collagen production to prevent the signs of aging.
Zinc in pumpkin seeds is brilliant for acne sufferers. Zinc will help control the hormone level and oil production, as well as assist with healing of the skin.
Pumpkin seeds are high in essential fatty acids and Vitamin E, which are necessary to maintain good barrier function of the skin. They also regulate sebum, great for an oily skin.
The molecular structure of pumpkin is small and therefore can penetrate deeper into the skin when used topically. This is amazing for treating a dull complexion, aging skin and pigmentation.

Sunday, August 24, 2014

Vertical patio gardening

I would like to make this kind of arrangement on the inner part of our yard.

Adjustments that could be made:
1) lower shelves could be wider, so that the pots would not be blocked from sunlight by the upper shelves
2) Due to high winds that we can have during a storm, the whole construction would need to be secured to the building somehow
3) To keep the plans protected from hail / freeze, it would be good to have some kind of protective film that could be held up the top of the structure, and be released to drape over the structure quickly


http://www.pinterest.com/pin/564779609492530862/

Picture of Self watering vertical garden with recycled water bottles



Other ideas for vertical gardening:
http://greenheartden.blogspot.com/2012/09/ideas-for-vertical-gardening.html












http://www.peakprosperity.com/dailyprep/86017/50-garden-ideas




http://garden-anywhere.blogspot.com/







http://gardenimagedesign.blogspot.com/2014/05/garden-wall-ideas.html

garden wall ideas dump a day spring time garden and back yard ideas 25 pics620 x 618 61 kb jpeg x


garden wall ideas garden walls ideas retaining walls wooden retaining walls ideas home640 x 426 63 kb jpeg x


garden wall ideas vertical garden wall design ideas600 x 454 48 kb jpeg x


http://theselfsufficientliving.com/rain-gutter-garden/

Garden of Lorene Edwards Forkner, Seattle, WA

strawberries in a rain gutter trees


Jamie Rector Photography

The in budget rain gutter

Aquaponics or self watering rain gutter garden

Segmented rain gutter for lettuce1


indoor rain gutter

vertical-gardens



http://www.homenvy.com/type-plants-vertical-garden-ideas/

Beautiful Vertical Flowers Garden Ideas Various Type of Plants for Vertical Garden Ideas



http://www.finecraftguild.com/5-vertical-vegetable-garden-ideas/

vertical herb garden with galvanized buckets :: FineCraftGuild.com

vertical  vegetable gardening with teapots

vertical vegetable garden herbs :: finecraftguild.com

vertical gardening tomatoes pumpkins

pumpkin_gourd_vines_trellis



http://themicrogardener.com/20-creative-ways-to-upcycle-pallets-in-your-garden/

Vertical flower pallet garden | The Micro Gardener

Pallet vertical gardens can be stacked and staggered at different heights depending on your space. | The Micro Gardener www.themicrogardener.com

Veggie patch in a pallet garden | The Micro Gardener www.themicrogardener.com

Repurposed pallet planter | The Micro Gardener www.themicrogardener.com



Glasshouse made from 2 salvaged pallets | The Micro Gardener www.themicrogardener.com

Convert a wooden pallet into a useful potting bench | The Micro Gardener

Unpainted repurposed pallet potting bench  | The Micro Gardener

Pallet garden planted out with succulents. | The Micro Gardener

Pallet benches | The Micro Gardener



http://www.vizimac.com/easy-to-build-a-vertical-gardening-ideas/


Vertical Gardening Ideas With Style Stairs



http://www.pinterest.com/turn_of_fraise/hacks-diys/


Go Vertical! DIY Gardens for Small Spaces | The Garden Glove


http://www.patiosdepot.com/create-vertical-garden-ideas/contemporary-nice-vertical-garden-landscape-design/

Contemporary Nice Vertical Garden Landscape Design



http://francotechnogap.com/awesome-garden-design-composition-glamorous-rock-garden-ideas-pretty-properties-essence/famous-wagon-wheel-herb-garden-design-appealing-garden-ideas-endearing-vertical-vegetable-gardening-ideas-transitional-style-16/

Awesome Garden Design Composition Glamorous Rock Garden Ideas Pretty Properties Essence, Famous Wagon Wheel Herb Garden Design Appealing Garden Ideas Endearing Vertical Vegetable Gardening Ideas Transitional Style



http://www.thegardenglove.com/go-vertical-diy-gardens-for-small-spaces/

small space vertical gardens diy



http://www.irohu.com/create-and-arrangement-a-relaxing-fresh-natural-air-and-light-with-impressive-15-home-gardening-space-ideas/home-garden12/

Create And Arrangement A Relaxing Fresh Natural Air And Light With Impressive 15 Vertical Gardening Ideas : Best Mini Eco Friendly House Ideas With Contemporary Style Garden Design

Create And Arrangement A Relaxing Fresh Natural Air And Light With Impressive 15 Vertical Gardening Ideas : Spectacular Modern House Design With Garden Sky View Combine Old And New


Saturday, July 19, 2014

How to recycle packing peanuts

Recycle


http://compass.ups.com/10green/

3. Reuse packing materials such as foam peanuts and air packs – but remember, not all boxes are meant to be reused. Want to know which can and can't? This story explains. Need to get rid of extra packing peanuts? The UPS Store® near you will take them. Find the closest location. (Story continues at the "Continue reading" link below.)


Can packing peanuts be reused?

Yes. The simplest way to reuse packing peanuts is in another package you need to ship. You can also donate them to UPS or other shipping stores, who will gladly reuse the material. Not sure where to go? Use the 24-hour automatedPeanut Hotline at 800-828-2214 to find a retailer near you that will reuse them


Reusing:

http://www.wikihow.com/Recycle-Packing-Peanuts

Stuff a zippered pillowcase with packing peanuts to make a cushion for your pet. It will provide a lightweight cool place for your pet to rest. You can also use them as fillers for bean bag chairs substitutes.

Decorate your Christmas tree with packing peanuts rather than popcorn. You can even strong them together like you would popcorn, and add glitter or color to make them more festive.

Insulate an ice chest with a zipper-locked plastic bag filled with packing peanuts. The ice in the cooler will last longer and the contents will stay cold longer. Use a small zip-closure plastic storage bag filled with packing peanuts and ice as a way to keep food cool in a lunch bag.




Eco-friendly storage ideas - wooden pallets

Wooden pallets storage ideas:


Kitchen:






Living room/office



Bedroom:





Garage and yard









Sunday, February 2, 2014

New mattress research

Traditional foam, gel-based, or plan-based?


http://www.whatsthebestbed.org/which-memory-foam-mattress-performs-best-traditional-gel-plant-based/

Off-Gassing & Odor:

The most commonly voiced concern is the release of VOCs and off-gassing:
  • Traditional memory foam created from petrochemicals have been shown to release 61 chemicals, 18 of which are dangerous enough to warrant concern from state and international agencies. Anywhere from 5-15% of people may experience discomfort with the odor, and it is a fairly frequent complaint seen in reviews.
  • Gel-infused memory foam is an unknown at the present as it has only recently been introduced. Since the effect of the gel has not been thoroughly tested the composition of the remainder of the mattress will be an indicator. It is believed that most companies have combined gel with traditional memory foam (see above) so likely the profile is quite similar.
  • Plant-based memory foam mattresses can be made VOC-free depending on the process and manufacturer. Those that are may still have a “new” smell, but this is not composed of harmful chemicals.

Heat Retention/Sleeping Hot

The release of trapped heat has been mentioned by 8-10% of the owners of traditional memory foam mattresses throughout the years. A recent memory foam comparison article from Mattress-Inquirer.com goes into this subject in more detail for those who want to see more technical information.
  • Traditional memory foam has received the highest rate of complaint, yet continue to produce their mattresses in the same manner. Some manufacturers cut holes in the foam or use convoluted layers but this seems to have minimal effect.
  • Gel-infused memory foam manufacturers have reported their mattresses sleep cooler than traditional, although these claims have been contested and disproven by Tempurpedic (traditional)  and Cargill (plant-based). The gel technology relies on ambient heat being passed through the gel to other portions of the mattress, which may be slightly beneficial initially. However, it seems as though the gel eventually warms to body heat.
  • Plant based memory foam mattress manufacturers such as Amerisleep have proven to create a 10X increase in breathability over traditional memory foam and shown to sleep 25% cooler than gel.



Response Time / “Stuck” Feeling:

Response time is determined by a number of factors.  Composition, changeable viscosity, the rate of elasticity and resilience all factor into response time. The slower the mattress returns to its original state or remolds, the more likely complaints are. Commonly voiced complaints include a trapped or sinking feeling as well as decreased sexual enjoyment.  The measured rate of the top brands in each category are as follows:
  • Tempurpedic traditional memory foam mattresses 45-60 seconds.
  • Gel memory foams were 30-45 seconds.
  • Amerisleep (plant-based) memory foam mattresses 5-8 seconds.

Memory Foam Mattress Durability

The durability of these memory foams may vary even within lines from the same manufacturer. Memory foam density is measured based on the weight of one cubic foot of memory foam. Anything with a weight less than 4lb. is considered inferior as it will not last, while anything over 5.3 lbs will be too dense to be comfortable in thicker layers. The ideal is between 4.5 – 5.3 lbs for both comfort and durability. Here are the same brands as above compared on density:
  • #1 in this category belongs to Amerisleep (plant-based) with its density ranges between 4.5 and 5.3 pounds across the whole line.
  • # 2 belongs to Tempurpedic (traditional), who would have tied for first except for their recent inclusion of their Simplicity line at a 2.5 lb density, and 4.0 lb densities in other lines.
  • #3 in this category goes to the gel-infused Serta iComfort mattresses due to concerns about their composition which may lead to uneven wear, and densities ranging from 3.0-5.0 lbs. As it is a new product, few real verified reviews are available.

Result -
looking into the prices for Amerisleep
http://www.amerisleep.com/mattresses-comparison   


Lower Back Pain (LBP) prevention - clinical information

seems like researchers don't care much for the subject of back pain prevention!

http://xn--www-rp0a.backpaineurope.org/web/files/How%20to%20prevent%20low%20back%20pain.pdf

EVIDENCE AND RECOMMENDATIONS
General population (P)


P1: physical exercise
Evidence. Two systematic reviews18,19 and one primary care guideline20 were found on
exercise for prevention in the general population. All the authors’ main conclusions
were that physical exercise has a positive effect in the prevention of back pain, further
episodes and work absence. Effect sizes were reported to be small to moderate. One
systematic review found for pregnant women21 concluded that water gymnastics has a
preventive effect on future back pain.
Recommendation. Physical exercise is recommended to prevent absence due to back
pain and the occurrence or duration of further back pain episodes (level A). The effect
size is moderate. There is insufficient evidence to recommend for or against any specific
kind of exercise, or the frequency/intensity of training (level B). Water gymnastics could
be recommended to reduce (short-term) back pain and extended work loss during and
following pregnancy (level C).


P2: information/education/training (back schools)
Evidence: information and education. One systematic review22 found inconsistent results
on the effect of information for prevention in back pain. More recently, a controlled trial
of a public health multimedia campaign found improved beliefs about back pain, a
reduction in days off work and reduced use of the health care system.23
Recommendation: information and education. Information and education about back pain,
if based on biopsychosocial principles, should be considered for the general population;
it improves back beliefs and can have a positive influence on health and vocational
outcomes, although the effect size might be relatively small (level C). Information and
education focused principally on a biomedical or biomechanical model cannot be
recommended (level C).
Evidence: back schools/training. A recent Cochrane review24 defined back school as a
group intervention, conducted or supervised by a paramedical therapist or a medical
specialist, which consisted of both an education/skills programme and exercises. The
authors found that there was: (1) conflicting evidence on the effectiveness of back
schools on further work loss; (2) limited evidence that back schools show no
differences in long term recurrence rates of LBP episodes. The authors concluded that
back schools might be effective for patients with recurrent and chronic pain, with the
most promising interventions being those with a high intensity (3–5-weeks stay in
specialized centres). The effect sizes of these interventions were judged small.
Recommendation: back schools/training. Back schools based on a biomechanical approach
with emphasis on teaching lifting techniques are not recommended (level A).



P3: lumbar supports/back belts
Evidence. Two systematic reviews18,19 and one primary care guideline20 evaluated five
RCTs and two non-randomized trials on lumbar supports/back belts for prevention of
back pain or back problems. All concluded that lumbar support or back belts are no
more beneficial than either no intervention or other preventive interventions, and that
they might even be detrimental. The combination of back belts with back school is no
better or worse than back school alone.
Recommendation. Lumbar supports/back belts are not recommended for prevention in
LBP among the general population (level A).


P4: furniture
Evidence: mattresses.No systematic reviews on the use of mattresses for the prevention
of back pain were found. Twelve published studies were found, which reported
interventions aiming at reducing back pain by using different mattresses. The design of
the studies, their methodological quality and the results do not allow any conclusions
with respect to prevention in back pain, although one RCT suggests that patients might
have less pain with a medium-firm rather than hard mattress.25
Recommendation: mattresses. There is insufficient robust evidence to recommend for or
against any specific mattresses for prevention in back pain (level C), although existing
persistent symptoms might reduce with a medium-firm rather than a hard mattress
(level C).
Evidence: chairs. No acceptable evidence for any preventive aspects of chairs was found;
the three studies retrieved had inappropriate methodology.

Recommendation: chairs. There is insufficient evidence to recommend for or against any
specific chairs for prevention in LBP (level D).


P5: shoe insoles/correction of leg length discrepancies
Evidence. No systematic reviews on the use of shoe insoles, shock-absorbing heel
inserts or orthoses for the prevention of back pain were found. Seven clinical trials
reported interventions aiming to reduce back pain by use of different insoles: only two
of those reported a beneficial effect from orthoses.26,27 No acceptable study
concerning prevention of LBP by correction of leg length discrepancy was identified.
Recommendation. The use of shoe insoles or orthoses is not recommended for
prevention of back problems (level A). There is insufficient evidence to recommend for
or against correction of leg length inequality for prevention in LBP (level D).
How to prevent low back pain 545P6: manipulation
Evidence. No acceptable studies reporting on the value of regular manipulative
treatment for prevention of LBP were found.
Recommendation. No evidence was found to support recommending regular
manipulative treatment for the prevention in LBP (level D).

Sunday, January 5, 2014

DIY Natural Room Scents

http://www.theyummylife.com/Natural_Room_Scents

This is such an amazing post, I want to save it for future use!

=========================


Scent #1: Oranges, cinnamon & cloves (allspice and anise are optional). This is my favorite, both for it's wonderful aroma and for it's staying power. This scent carries into multiple rooms better, and it can be reheated to scent your rooms for several days.Scents_for_home4.jpg
Scent #2: Lemon, rosemary, & vanilla. A similar scented water is often simmering in Williams-Sonoma stores. It has a lovely freshness to it.  Scents_for_home5.jpg
Scent #3: Lime, thyme, mint & vanilla extract. This combination has such a fresh, pleasant scent. I initially made it without the mint extract, but have found that it really kicks up the aroma.Scents_for_home6.jpg
Scent #4: Orange, ginger (fresh or powdered), and almond extract. This is a sweet, delicious scent. Scents_for_home7.jpg
Scent # 5: Pine or cedar twigs (or other fragrant twigs), bay leaves, and nutmeg. These scents combine for a complex aroma. If you have whole nutmeg, use a microplane to grate off the outer surface--this will release the scent. Add the whole nutmeg piece along with the gratings.
vinot_used5.jpg
Here's the gang of five. Aren't they beautiful? I like to make these up in pint jars and keep them on hand in the fridge so I'm ready to start a pot of simmering scents as needed. IMG_3846.jpg
Make ahead and...
  • ...store in the fridge. Uncooked jars of scented waters will keep in the fridge for 1 to 2 weeks, so you can make these ahead to have on hand. I recommend adding all of the ingredients, including the water, to the jars before refrigerating them. I've tried refrigerating the fruit/spice/herb combos in jars without the water, but they don't last as long that way.
  • ...freeze them.  I've tried freezing them both with and without the water added, and both ways work fine. I haven't tested them in the freezer longer than 2 weeks, but I'm confident that they can be frozen for a month or longer. Make sure you use freezer-safe jars like these (Not all mason jars are freezer-safe.)
How to heat the scented mixtures
I've tried a variety of methods, and all of these work to varying degrees. Some of them provide a more powerful scent than others. Just like the air fresheners you buy, none of these will scent a whole house; but I'll show you some ways to set up individual scent sources in multiple rooms. Hopefully you already have what you need to try out one or more of these options.
Stove top method. This is by far the best way I've found to get the most powerful scent that will spread to more rooms the fastest. It's easy as can be. Simply combine the ingredients in a pot on the stove, bring them to a boil, and then lower the heat to a simmer. They will immediately begin to scent your kitchen and spread to other rooms. How far the scent spreads depends on the size and layout of your house. A simmering pot like this makes all four rooms on our first floor smell good. The only drawback of this method is that you have to keep a close eye on the water level. If the pan dries out, you'll be smelling burned citrus instead of sweet, fragrant citrus.  NOTE: For a stronger scent, simply double or triple the recipe in a larger pot on the stove.
IMG_3901.jpg
Uncovered Slow Cooker Method. This is my personal favorite. I use a mini slow cooker--the kind made for keeping dips and sauces warm. Mine only has one low heat setting. The mixture never actually bubbles and visibly steams. I leave it uncovered on my kitchen counter to slowly release scent throughout the day. It's subtle, but creates a pleasant smell in my kitchen and a hint of scent in surrounding rooms. When I'm home, I keep my mini slow cooker going. It's easy and uses very little electricity. When I fill mine in the morning, it won't dry out for an entire day. If you're concerned about accidentally letting it run dry, you can put a lamp timer on it so that it automatically shuts off at the desired time. I put a scented jar mixture in the microwave for 2 minutes to get it really hot before I add it to the slow cooker. That gives it a jump start on releasing the scent.  NOTE: For a stronger scent, simply double or triple the recipe in a larger, full-size slow cooker and set it on high.

Add more hot water as needed. As the water evaporates from any of these warming bowls or jars, top it off with additional HOT water. It needs to be hot when it's added so that it doesn't cool down the temperature of the scented water.  Higher heat = more fragrance.
Gift them! These make a fun, unique hostess gift. Take one along to a party as a gift for your host that can be simmered and enjoyed the next day.
Reuse each mixture 2-3 times. After these have been heated and simmered for awhile, the water becomes cloudy (as you can see in the jars below), and some of the ingredients lose their vibrant color. Although they don't look as pretty, they still smell good. Usually, you can reheat and simmer these again 2-3 times. Jar them up and refrigerate them between uses. Open the jar and give it the sniff test--if it still smells good, reheat and reuse it. Add more water as needed.Scents_for_home10.jpg
Cost saving tips
You can save, use and reuse a number of fragrant ingredients. These scents don't need to be expensive.
  • Leftover ginger --  If you ever cook with fresh ginger and end up with leftover pieces , this is a way to use them up before they spoil. Slice the leftover ginger and freeze it in a bag or container to have on hand for whipping up a quick batch of scented water. 
  • Save your orange peels -- When you eat an orange, save the peel for use in scented waters. Store them in the refrigerator or freezer until you need them.
  • Save your juiced lemons and limes -- After you've juiced these for use in a recipe, refrigerate or freeze the leftover pieces.
  • Save your leftover herbs -- If you have herbs in a garden or have leftover herbs that you've purchased for cooking, they can be frozen and saved for use in these scented waters.
  • Use expired juices. If you have fruit juices that are past their prime, use them as a base in place of the water in these mixtures. They're both fragrant and colorful.
  • Use expired spices. Spices are supposed to be replaced after a year, because they lose much of their flavor. But, they still smell good! Instead of throwing out old spices, use them for scenting water.
squareIMG_3862.jpg
There are endless combinations for these scented waters. If you have some additional ideas, please share. I'm always looking for a new, pleasant scent for my home.

Natural Room Scents
By Monica
Ingredients
  • Citrus, sliced -- lemons, oranges, limes (may use peel only, if preferred)
  • Herbs -- rosemary, thyme, & bay leaves
  • Spices-- whole cinnamon, cloves, nutmeg, allspice (optional), anise (optional); may substitute ground/powdered spices
  • Ginger (fresh or powdered)
  • Extracts--vanilla, almond, mint
  • Pine twigs (or other fragrant twigs)
Directions
Use a pint (2 cup) jar, container, or pot to combine scent waters. Add ingredients to container, cover with water, and choose from these options:
--simmer on stove top, topping off with more water as it evaporates
--add heated mixture to a slow cooker, fondue pot, or something similar that will keep mixture heated. Preheat waters to a boil (in microwave or on stove top). As water evaporates, always top it off with HOT water to keep the temperature as high as possible. Higher heat = more fragrance.

FRAGRANT COMBINATIONS:

1. Orange, Cinnamon & Spice. 1 orange, 2 cinnamon sticks (or 2 teaspoons ground cinnamon), 1/2 tablespoon whole cloves (or 1/8 teaspoon ground cloves), 1/2 tablespoon whole allspice (or 1/4 teaspoon ground allspice), 1 anise star (optional)

2. Lemon, Rosemary & Vanilla. 3 sprigs of fresh rosemary, 2 lemons, 1 teaspoon vanilla extract.

3. Lime, Thyme, Mint & Vanilla. 3 limes, 3-4 sprigs fresh thyme, 1/2 teaspoon mint extract, 1 teaspoon vanilla.

4. Orange, Ginger, & Almond. 1 orange (or peel from 2 oranges), 1 4" finger of ginger, sliced (or 1 tsp ground ginger), 1/2 teaspoon almond extract.

5. Pine, Bay Leaves, & Nutmeg. Handful of pine twigs or needles, 4 bay leaves, 1 whole nutmeg, outer layer grated into mixture.

Scented waters may be refrigerated between uses. Reuse for 2-3 days, or as long as they still have a pleasant fragrance.