Make a Simple Switch

The next time your mascara runs out, consider replacing it with a product from a natural, environmentally friendly company. Josie Maran offers a range of high-end cosmetics developed from earth and skin-friendly organics, while Cargo’s PlantLove line is all natural, down to its biodegradable packaging.

Shop Independently

Take your green makeover to its next level by shopping online. Purchases on ecommerce sites use about 30 percent less energy compared to traditional retail, enlightens the LA Times on Living. Look online for eco-friendly boutiques that cater to your specific needs, but shop smart. According to Life Lock, retail was the sixth most targeted industry for online shopping identity theft. To prevent a disaster during your greening experience, make sure to check for a website’s security seal and the letters “https” in its URL. Online reviews are also an excellent way to verify the validity of a new eco-friendly company, including its mission, production processes and materials. A quick search will usually bring up any reports of cons or consistent security problems.

Buy Green When it Counts

While most of us can’t afford to replace our entire wardrobe, look for opportunities in which shopping and wearing green draws awareness. Strangers at the farmers market are unlikely to notice your cruelty-free cotton tee, meaning you’ve made a difference, but haven’t raised awareness. Wearing a vegan (or even biodegradable) gown or shoes — like those in Stella McCartney’s line — to a high-visibility event gives you an opportunity to promote your outfit and inspire eco-friendly initiatives.

Look for the Best Natural Alternatives

Customize your very own green beauty routine with products that work just for you. A skilled aesthetician will be able to explain during a facial the particular product ingredients your skin reacts to poorly, for example. Beauties with sensitive skin have a bounty of fruit and plant-based options to choose from that use cherries, minerals, beeswax and vegetable oils instead of harsh chemicals.

Do Your Research

As any vegetarian or vegan knows, an environmentally aware lifestyle requires just that— awareness. Don’t take packaging that touts “natural” ingredients at face value. Take the time to flip the product over and check the ingredients. Similarly, a clothing brand with one green line may be making up in PR for less than stellar practices elsewhere, so decide who deserves your business. This doesn’t mean you need to spend hours agonizing about every purchase, but by finding four or five stores with consistent sustainable practices (which includes brands as mainstream as H&M), you can make sure each shopping trip is an exercise in saving the planet. If you fall somewhere between buying exclusively organic luxury brands and dumpster diving, turn to thrift stores or consignment boutiques as a way to “recycle” lovingly worn garments while also preserving the green in your wallet.

1. Be Safe with Sugar

In a recent study published by the Journal of American Aging Association, it was discovered that those with high blood sugar levels appeared to look older than those with lower levels. How so? Well, as we all know, sugar can be detrimental for not only your teeth and weight, but for your skin, too. Too much sugar can cause inflammation and premature aging of the skin, a process known as glycation. The latter of these two conditions starts when sugar in the bloodstream hitches onto proteins and thus quickens the formation of AGEs (advanced glycation end products). These end products go on then to stimulate enzymes within the skin that break off elastic tissue and collagen. Consequently, this deterioration leads to sagging, wrinkles, and uneven skin tone. To preserve your skin, it is best to limit your intake of sugar as much as you can.

Foods that have had sugar added to them should be avoided, such as baked goods, sugary cereals, and starches. Those with naturally occurring sugars, such as fruits, are a much healthier source. Sugar consumption also correlates with sugar levels. For example, having a piece of biscotti each day with your tea or coffee for a week is much safer than polishing off a handful of biscotti in one sitting. When you consume a bigger amount of sugar at one time, it disrupts insulin levels. What this all boils down to is that sugar, as is preached with liquor and other indulgences, should be used in moderation.

2. Fun in the Sun

It is generally known that sunscreen is a must when engaging in prolonged exposure in the sun. However, new research has shown that Asian ginseng has proven to be beneficial in protecting your skin from the sun. According to the Journal of Alternative and Contemporary Therapies, ginseng lessens the amount of damage caused by UV light while upping the amount of exposure needed before a sunburn results. Although this herb can be taken by mouth or applied directly onto the skin, sunscreen is still recommended.

3. Pro Probiotics

Did you know that there is a very strong connection between what goes on in the stomach and what surfaces on the skin? When the stomach’s natural flora becomes unbalanced due to factors such as infection, stress, or antibiotics, your skin may become prone to problems such as wrinkles, dullness, acne, psoriasis, and eczema. This all happens when toxic bacteria in the gut seeps through the lining of the gastrointestinal tract and travels throughout the body and up to the skin. Inflammation then occurs, thus forbidding the skin to act normally. To prevent this bacterial imbalance, probiotic supplements and certain foods may be taken such as kimchi, sauerkraut, yogurt, kefir, buttermilk, and miso.

4. Try Prebiotics

Since we know that probiotics are microorganisms that maintain good health and improve the immune system, what then are prebiotics? Prebiotics are indigestible nutrients that promote the growth of good bacteria. As was mentioned before, skin problems can be directly related to problems with gut flora. To prevent this, eat prebiotic-rich foods such as bananas, whole grains, garlic, and onions. By stocking up on these foods, you will keep the lining of your gut constantly coated with good bacteria, therefore decreasing the chances that toxic substances will leak out and wreak havoc.

5. Sprinkle on Some Spice

Fight inflammation by adding anti-inflammatory spices such as cinnamon and ginger. Both these spices pack a punch of antioxidants and anti-inflammatory properties that work to rid your skin of surface inflammation and facial puffiness.

6. Treat Yourself with Turmeric

In a recent study, it was discovered that when turmeric (also known as curcumin) supplementation is used either topically or orally, it increases photo protection in skin. To help prevent sun damage to your skin, add turmeric to your diet. The easiest way to do this is to cook with curry powder, as turmeric is a staple ingredient in it.

7. Omega-3s

Omega-3s are healthy fats that can do your skin a whole lot of good. Some of the richest sources of these fats are found in fish such as mackerel, sardines, and salmon. For those of us that are vegetarian or vegan, seeds such as chia and flax make for a swell substitute. By consuming omega-3s, you will not only moisturize your skin, but help protect it against skin cancer and sun damage. A single tablespoon of chia seeds or flaxseeds offers six times as much as the daily recommended amount of Omega-3s. These seeds enhance your diet by adding them to salads, smoothies, and oatmeal.

8. Be a Green Machine

The greener your body is, the better it will be for your hair and skin. To do this, eat alkaline-forming foods such as lemons, apples, pears, kale, parsley, and almonds. By eating these foods, you can prevent your body from becoming too acidic, which occurs when your diet is unbalanced. When this happens, alkaline minerals like magnesium, potassium, and calcium become leached, which in turn retards the body’s natural detox functions. As a result, skin irritation increases and fewer toxins are rid from your skin. To read more on the subject, check out The Beauty Detox Solution, written by Los Angeles nutritionist Kimberly Snyder.

9. The Power of Purple

When it comes to natural beauty, purple is the way to go. Those antioxidant-rich foods which are best for your skin belong to anything in the shade of purple. Produce such as purple cabbage, blueberries, purple potatoes, raspberries, and purple cauliflower all contain significant amounts of anthocyanins, which are antioxidants that boost circulation. Healthy circulation correlates with improved skin, since increased blood flow carries nutrients necessary in creating new cells, elastin, and collagen.

10. Less Dairy

Two recent studies in the European Journal of Dermatology and the American Academy of Dermatology claimed that there is a positive correlation between dairy products and acne production. Since there are sixty plus hormones within a single cup of milk (organic or commercial), it is not a surprise then that some of those androgens (steroid hormones) can increase acne breakouts and sebum production. In addition, dairy consumption triggers the production of insulin, which is known to cause acne. For those that desire to go dairy-less, it is important that they supplement their diets with vitamin D, alternative sources of calcium, and other vital nutrients found in milk.

Here is an example of how you might work down a row:

1. Standing at the beginning of the row, press your feet down into the earth. As you inhale, lift your arms out to the sides and spread and reach your fingers while you exhale. As you inhale again, reach your arms up over your head, turning the palms toward each other. Reach up while you press your feet down for a couple breaths. As you exhale, swan dive down, bending at  the hips, bending your knees so that your belly comes close to your thighs, and let your head hang down.

2. Come down into a squat, or place your little garden stool behind you, and bring your sit bones down onto it. Work the part of the row you can reach.

3. Come onto your hands and knees. Take a moment to line up your spine so that your imaginary tail reaches straight out behind you and your head aligns so that you are looking at the ground just in front of your hands. Then pick up your right hand and hold for a breath without moving anything else. Put the right and down and repeat with the left. If you can do some weeding or picking with one hand at a time, go for it. If what you are working on requires two hands, sit and work the area next to you.

4. Crawl forward to access the next part of the row and repeat the squat/sit/or hands and knees work a few times.

5. From hands and knees, press your hands down and lift your thighs back and up into downward facing dog pose. Stay a few breaths, then step your feet forward, root your feet and come up to standing, reaching your arms overhead as in step 1, and begin again.

If you are reading this article, then you are also probably itching to get out in the garden, if you aren’t out there right now. For me it is one of the highlights of the year to begin to work the soil again. It can also be a difficult time for one’s body, as there is suddenly a lot asked of it that it has not been doing since last summer, work that is demanding and asymmetrical. I am going to share with you a few tricks from Alignment Yoga that can help your body prepare for gardening, and some “garden vinayasa”’ you can do while you work in the garden.

Preparation: Gardening is notoriously hard on our backs, with all the spading, hauling, bending, and lifting. These techniques will help you support your back by waking up other muscles that can help do the work so that your back doesn’t end up doing it all.

Dead Bug Pose

Keep your back as it is while you lift your legs up, knees over your hips. If your back arches, press the small of your back into the floor and keep it there as you work. Inhale as your limbs move up, exhale as they move down.  Repeat that sequence five to ten more times.

Dead Bug Pose II

Lift the hands and feet upward (legs do not need to be straight, you just need to be able to see your feet). Keeping your pelvis stable. Go only as far as you can without tipping. Inhale as limbs go out, exhale and draw them back in to center. Repeat that sequence five to ten more times.

Deep Hip Flexor Wake-Up

Sit near the front of a chair with as flat a seat as you can find. Place your hands on your hips and press them into your hips to make and maintain a firm connection. Press your sit bones down into the seat of the chair firmly to help you sit up tall and keep them pressing. Feel your feet against the floor. Take the space of a few breaths to feel the tops of the thigh bones, up near the top of your legs, dropping into the backs of your legs. Keeping the sit bones pressing the chair, slowly lift the right knee up so that your right foot is a few inches off the floor. As you lift the knee, picture the top of the thigh bone continuing to drop down. Now slowly move your right foot upward until it is high enough that you can see the whole foot. Then slowly lower it to the position just above the floor where you began. Keep your sit bones pressing as you repeat the movements of the foot four more times. Then slowly lower your leg so your foot returns to the floor. Pause and repeat with the left leg.

Moving Warrior I

Stand with your feet as wide apart as you are comfortable with. Turn the right foot out 90 degrees and the left foot in 30 degrees. Root all four corners of both feet and keeping them steadily rooted, bend the right knee with the out breath and unbend it with the in breath—five times. Then stay in the bent knee position for five to ten breaths.

Sandra Helpsmeet, 500 RYT is the program director of the Yoga Center of Eau Claire where she teaches classes and offers private lessons and therapeutic sessions.

1. Petal to the Metal

2. Grow Kits for Kids
Mary, Mary, quite contrary, how does your garden grow? Each kit includes easy-to-follow instructions, seeds, coconut fiber starter pots, dried compost disks, and wooden plant markers, so you can remember what is growing in which pot. $13, uncommongoods.com

3. Micro-Greens Kits
You could call it a windowsill planter, or a tiny farm; either way, you’ll be practicing full-on agriculture with these cleverly designed kits. Sowing, sprouting, growing and harvesting your mini-field of salad-ready, USDA-certified organic sprouts will take just 7-14 days. $40 for kit, $8 for seeds, uncommongoods.com

4. Butterfly Puddler
Attract your neighborhood beauties with this sand-and-water puddler, designed to hold on to natural minerals after water evaporates. Its shallow well of recycled glass holds sand or rock salt along with a teaspoon of water. When the water evaporates (in under a day), butterflies are attracted to the minerals left behind from the hard water and sand/salt. Once butterflies know where they can find these minerals, they return regularly. $40, uncommongoods.com

5. All A Flutter
Rough recycled steel is given a light touch in this elegant lawn sculpture by metalsmith Fred Conlon. Using bent sheets of reclaimed surplus steel, Fred fashions a spring-bound hummingbird that flits to a blooming tulip. Juxtaposing industrial elements with an elegant natural scene, this charming stake sends whimsy winging in your yard or garden.  $90, uncommongoods.com

by Brad T. DeBels, Department of Soil Science, University of Wisconsin–Madison

A healthy, attractive lawn provides many benefits, including a place for relaxation, a filter for air and water, a safe place for our children to play, and increased property value. Everyone wants to take advantage of these benefits, but over-managing the lawn can create problems too. With the month of May now here, and having just celebrated Earth day and National Lawn Care Month in April, it is a good time to discuss environmentally friendly approaches to maintaining a high quality lawn.

Focus on the Soil

First, it is important to know that the number one lawn problem is not a weed, insect, or disease. The majority of lawn problems are caused by poor environmental conditions, including insufficient light, poor drainage, or compacted soil. Of these, the soil often plays the most important role in lawn care management. During home construction the topsoil is usually stripped off, leaving a compacted, nutrient-poor growing medium (Figure 1, below). Sometimes a thin layer of topsoil is replaced, but it is often only a few inches deep and inadequate for good turf growth. For a healthy lawn, you will want a minimum of six inches of good topsoil consisting of more than 50% silt, less than 10% clay and more than 2% organic matter. Topsoil fitting these characteristics can be purchased, but when considering soil and delivery costs, it can be very expensive. If this is not feasible, the next best solution is to core cultivate (or aerify) the lawn to alleviate compaction in the surface layer. Also adding about one-quarter inch of high quality compost in the spring and fall of each year will slowly improve poor soil conditions.

Right Grass for the Right Place

Grass species and cultivar selection and establishment are also very important considerations for any lawn care program. Be sure to plant the correct turf plant in the right place. To successfully out-compete weeds during establishment without chemicals select a turf that germinates quickly or consider sod (Figure 2, below). Your grass selection must also reflect your mowing, irrigation, and fertilization management practices. In general, the University of Wisconsin Extension recommends fertilizing your lawn two to three times each year, but some grasses do much better than others with less frequent fertilization. Figures 2, 3, and 4 (below) illustrate the importance of grass selection reflecting your desired fertilization practice. Tall fescue and fine fescue can perform well when fertilized infrequently, while Kentucky bluegrass requires more applications to maintain its aesthetics and functionality. However, fine fescue will not tolerate high traffic or compacted soils well and tall fescue will not survive ice cover.

Fertilization and Pest Control

After you address any soil problems and have selected a good grass species, the next step is to fertilize it to maintain good density. In Wisconsin, we have many good organic lawn fertilizer options, including Milorganite, Chickity Doo Doo, Chick Magic, and others. Although they often carry a higher price per application than many synthetic fertilizers, they have performed well in University of Wisconsin research trials. Fertilization amount is a choice, and as we discussed, different grasses will respond differently to fertilizer. In general, the best times to fertilize are Labor Day, Memorial Day, and Independence Day. Skip the Independence Day fertilization if the lawn is brown from drought. Fertilize to maintain optimum density and make sure to mulch your grass clippings back into the lawn. They provide extra nutrients to the grass. If thatch begins to accumulate, cut back on the frequency of fertilization but don’t bag your clippings. Clippings do not contribute to thatch. Finally, it is important to remember that whether organic or synthetic, both forms of fertilizer pose risks to surface and ground waters when applied improperly.

Pest Control

The final component of alternative lawn care management is pest control, including both weeds and disease. The primary pre-emergent alternative weed control option is corn gluten meal, an accidentally discovered byproduct of corn wet milling in 1991. This product inhibits root formation of germinating plants by applying 12–20 lbs per 1000 ft2 in early spring and/or late fall, but can cost $25–$50 per 1000 ft2. Post-emergent options include herbicides that contain acetic acids, soaps, and plant oils, however, many of these products will also kill turfgrass. A cost-effective but laborious alternative for post-emergent control is hand pulling. While this is daunting task for large areas, it is more manageable on small lawns.

In summary, the key to a successful lawn care program is to begin with a deep, non-compacted, well-drained soil. Add the proper grass species and good fertilization practices and you’re well on your way to a beautiful and environmentally friendly place to relax and play.

For more information, please check out “Do-It-Yourself Alternative Lawn Care” available online for free at the University of Wisconsin-Extension Learning Store http://learningstore.uwex.edu/.

Perfect for Mother’s Day, Father’s Day or any occasion. You’ll find something for just about anyone …

1. The Oona
Using its strong suction pads, stick your cell phone wherever you need to go: to your cabinets to cook dinner, to a whiteboard to teach, or to the nightstand to use it as an alarm clock. $30, uncommongoods.com

2. Under a Mother’s Wing
Inspired by moms but made for anyone, these newly redesigned, recycled sterling silver necklaces are sweet, simple, and bound to become an everyday favorite. $70 to $79, uncommongoods.com

3. Tea Tree Water Toner
Gently, but effectively, treat your skin with Tea Tree Water. The antiseptic tea tree oil clears out blemish causing bacteria, while grapefruit and juniper water balance oil production. $9.95 to $21.95; Lushusa.com

4. Novel Poster: Read the Fine Print
These novel posters turn iconic pieces of literature inside out by using the text itself to illustrate the story. Each one uses the complete text of a favorite book to create a bold a silhouette of one of their instantly recognizable characters. Alice in Wonderland, The Wonderful Wizard of Oz, Huckleberry Fin, and others; Starting at $40, uncommongoods.com

5. Dirty Shaving Cream
Slather, shave, and soothe your face with a generous helping of Dirty shaving cream. Calming oat milk, shea butter, and honey are great for calming irritations and red marks on sensitive chins.  $12.95, Lushusa.com

6. Dirty Springwash Shower Gel
These shower gels are loaded with fresh, natural ingredients and contain very little water, so a little goes a long way. Also excellent shampoos. $9.95 to $28.95; Lushusa.com

Public Radio Gift Set for Moms

A great gift set combining three public radio–related items designed especially for MOM.

Motherhood: A Radio Collection
For years, A Prairie Home Companion has celebrated that one person who manages to make you feel that you’re special and that you aren’t living up to your potential—all in the same sentence. This funny, affectionate, poignant collection contains the best sketches, songs, and stories from Garrison and the regular cast. The Royal Academy of Radio Actors includes Garrison Keillor, Tim Russell, Sue Scott, and Tom Keith.

Driveway Moments for Moms
This collection of radio moments is all about mothers, including the hilarious real-life messages Amy Borkowsky’s mother leaves on her answering machine, and Minnesotan Kevin Kling’s yearly conflict between Mother’s Day and the fishing opener. Hosted by Peter Sagal from Wait Wait … Don’t Tell Me!

Mom: A Celebration of Mom from StoryCorps
Through conversations between parents and children, husbands and wives, siblings and friends, the life of the American mother unfolds and new truths about the mother-child bond become revealed. Meet mothers and children of all kinds—immigrants, adult children caring for an elderly parent, a woman remembering the sound of her mother’s laugh, and visit families in moments of profound joy and sadness, courage and despair, struggle and triumph.

SodaStream

Making carbonated water and soft drinks is simple! Turn tap water into sparkling water in under 30 seconds, with no cleanup. Enjoy the freshness and convenience of homemade soda and protect the environment at the same time. No heavy bottles to carry, store at home, or throw away. Fizz to your taste and add the flavor of your choice to make your favorite drink. Simple to clean and reuse. With a variety of colors and silhouettes, you’ll be sure to find a soda maker to match with any decor.

How Does SodaStream Help the Environment?

SodaStream is an active green product, meaning that consumers  are actively reducing their CO2 footprint every time they make soda  or sparkling water at home instead of buying it from the store. The more the system is used on a daily basis, the more CO2 footprint the user actively saves. (This differs from passive green products, which use green-friendly production processes but their products are not inherently helping the consumers save on their daily footprint.)

Because SodaStream uses water straight from the tap, the system makes traditional store-bought beverage bottles obsolete. That means less plastic is manufactured, less plastic waste is created, and fewer bottled beverages must be transported from manufacturers to distributors to stores to homes.

Globally, 206 billion liters of bottled water were consumed in 2008 (Zenith International Global Bottled Water Report, 2008). The energy required to make water bottles in the United States only is equivalent to 17 million barrels of oil (Container Recycling Institute, 2002).

According to the U.S. Recycling Institute, more than 80% of bottles in the United States do not get recycled and end up in landfills. Also, an estimated 4.7 million tons of greenhouse gas emissions were produced in the process of replacing the 134 billion bottles and cans not recycled in 2005.
Using your own home carbonation system means:

• Less packaging waste from cans and bottles
• Less pollution caused by transport of bottled beverages

One SodaStream carbonator makes 60 or 110 liters, equivalent to 170 or 310 aluminum cans! When empty, the carbonator is refilled and reused, ready to make more fizzy and tasty soda whenever you want it.

More at foodandwaterwatch.org or sodastream.com

More Awesome Stuff!

1. iPhone Bike Mount: Look, Ma! No Hands!
The iPhone puts a miraculous number of digital tools right at your fingertips and your bicycle! Use the mount for easy access to GPS maps as you blaze your trail, display your speed or distance, or to make a video record of your travels. $40, uncommongoods.com

2. Grass Shower Gel
It’s time to cross over to the greener side and start indulging in a little bit of grass. Smell like a freshly mown lawn in springtime. Made with fresh, antioxidant wheatgrass juice for skin and neroli and bergamot oils to brighten moods. $9.95-$28.95; Lushusa.com

3. Happy Hippy Shower Gel
A perfect way to start the day, Happy Hippy smells absolutely delicious, bursting with organic pink grapefruits. Plus, grapefruit and bergamot oils give a dose of Vitamin C. $9.95 to $28.95; Lushusa.com

4. Ocean Salt Face and Body Scrub
Washing with Ocean Salt is like taking your face on a trip to the seaside for an invigorating splash in the water. Fresh avocado and coconut to hydrate thirsty skin, while the antibacterial effects of lime and vodka is ideal for blocked pores, blackheads, or blemishes. $21.95 to $35.95; Lushusa.com

5. Drinking Buddy
Now you can add some extra sweetness to your cup o’ joe, tea, or hot cocoa with this charming mug. Each charismatic little fellow holds your favorite hot drink and your attention since he stands upon strikingly lifelike feet, complete with ten adorable toes! $18-$32, uncommongoods.com

6. Makey Makey: An Invention Kit for Anyone
Turn alphabet soup noodles into a functioning keyboard, control your video games using a controller you draw with pencil, or play piano just by dancing on the stairs. Transform almost anything into a “key” that tells your computer what to do, whether that’s typing a letter or controlling a game character. $40, uncommongoods.com

Why do you have chronic neck and/or back pain, fibromyalgia, ADD/ADHD, neuropathy, vertigo/dizziness, joint disorders/arthritis, dyslexia, autism, Asperger’s syndrome, or scoliosis? Then to top it all off, why do you also have  trouble sleeping, depression, anxiety, difficulty making simple decisions, or a lack of desire to face your day?

Your Brain May Hold the Key!

In a healthy brain, all the regions exist in a state of balance. When one region is active, the others quiet down. New studies have shown that people with chronic pain or conditions have a portion of the brain, the cortex, which “never shuts up,” failing to deactivate when it should. Essentially, your brain is stuck on full throttle. This continuous activity in your brain affects your ability to cope and your perception of pain.

Balance Your Brain!

Brain health, functional neurology, is the key to wellness. You can balance your brain with 1) medication or 2) natural methods. Natural methods include: a functional neurological exam, chiropractic adjustments, neurofeedback/biofeedback, and possibly nutritional supplementation.

How Does It Work?

Healthy brain function is dependent on equal function of the two halves of the brain.  When you suffer from emotional stress (who doesn’t?), injuries, and/or poor nutrition, the two sides of the brain become out of balance, creating poor capacity for the body to function properly, which may result in increased pain and disease.

When the brain is in balance through chiropractic adjustments, neurofeedback, biofeedback, nutritional supplementation, and other natural methods, patients often report improved thinking, as well as improvement in relief of chronic pain.

How Quickly Can You See Results?

Your improvement depends on the severity and length of time you have had the imbalances.

We Can Help You at Optima Health & Vitality Center

Drs. Bircher and Bauer have taken the functional neurology courses through the Carrick Institute, and they recognize the neurological signs that indicate brain/central nervous system imbalance. The doctor will examine your brain’s function and help you improve it with non-invasive, natural methods so that you can achieve your healthiest life—now!

UW-EC’s Host Friend Program

The University of Wisconsin–Eau Claire’s Host Friend program is an opportunity for people across the Chippewa Valley to experience a small piece of the world in their own home.  As a Host Friend, you will be the first friendly face seen by a newly arrived international student and you will set a solid foundation for the rest of their experience here in the United States.

“They came into my life a little more than 3 months ago and even though I am traveling 6,500 miles back to Denmark, they will still be a part of my life.  I cannot thank my host friends enough.” —International Student, Denmark

As a Host Friend, you will provide a 2-4 day homestay for an international student, all while developing a friendship that will last a lifetime!  Host Friends introduce the new students to American life through various exciting and fun activities that can range from a simple conversation over coffee, to a day or weekend trip somewhere in the region; the possibilities are endless.

Volunteer to be a Host Friend today and join the now over 450 active community and internationally minded folks from the Chippewa Valley!  UW–Eau Claire’s international student population is increasing each semester, and so is our need for Host Friends.

“Thanks to all of you who already participate and who will participate in this program.  There are no words to express the gratitude that we have for all you do…thank you!”  —International Student, France

For more information and to apply, please contact the Host Friend Coordinator, Michael Buenger.  715-836-4411  hostfriend@uwec.edu  www.uwec.edu/cie

Hungry Much?

by Linda Capra, Helios Center

The sense of hunger, like all our senses, is common but not completely understood. We produce hormones called ghrelin and leptin that signal hunger or lack of hunger. When you eat, your body secretes leptin, which lowers you desire to eat. When there is an absence of leptin, ghrelin is secreted, which increases your desire to eat. The dictionary describes hunger as “the painful sensation or state of weakness caused by need of food.” Some people become irritable, shaky, or disoriented if they do not eat at their usual mealtime. Others experience hunger as feeling lightheaded, empty, low, headachy, or hollow. At times a growling stomach prompts an eating episode. Some eat when they get depressed. Others lose their appetite when they get depressed.

Hunger, true hunger, is a chemical reaction triggering the survival need to replenish ourselves with food.  Very few of us reading this have ever experienced even one day of true hunger unless on a self-imposed fast.  Yet, we all know hunger.  A feeling of need, emptiness, a tension that needs to be filled.  Can we take a moment to feel that need before we rush to fill it?

Queen of the Sun

Award-winning documentary Queen of the Sun: What Are the Bees Telling Us? is a visually stunning look at one of the more crucial components of the world’s food chain: bees.

This critically-acclaimed film details the drama of Colony Collapse Disorder, which finds honeybee colonies disintegrating at an alarming rate.

Says NPR movie critic Ian Buckwalter on the film: “What it is doing, and beautifully, is making a sunny and optimistic case for why the world is worth saving, via gorgeous imagery and poetic appreciations of the bees themselves.”

“Honey? There’s hair in our compost pile.”

Yes, it’s true. You can compost human hair. If you trim your bangs or mustache, pick all your pet’s hair from its brush, or your kids are making you pull out your hair, all that hair can make a nice contribution of nitrogen to your compost. Donating your hair could help clean up oil spills, too. Both animal and human hair can soak up the messy oil. One organization who makes hair mats for oil spill cleanup is Matter of Trust (http://matteroftrust.org/non-cash). Another way to recycle your hair is to donate it to Locks of Love, an organization that uses donated hair to make hairpieces for disadvantaged kids experiencing illnesses that lead to hair loss. See www.locksoflove.org.

To Relieve Itchy Paws:

Try epsom salt. If your dog suffers from itchy feet, fill the bathtub with 1 to 2 inches of water (enough to cover his paws) and dissolve 3 cups of epsom salt in the water. Stand your dog in the tub for five to ten minutes, allowing the epsom salt to relieve the itch. Do not let your pet drink the water, since epsom salt has a laxative effect. Remove your dog from the tub and gently pat her feet dry.

Water Facts

• The bottled water industry has created a misconception in the United States that bottled water is cleaner, safer, and healthier than tap water. In fact, both regulation and enforcement of bottled water safety is weaker than of tap water safety. Federal, state, and local environmental agencies require rigorous testing of tap water safety.

• Americans spent $10 billion on bottled water in 2005 and paid up to 1,000 times the cost of production, a major windfall of profit for the companies. Bottled water can cost $7.50 to $11.00 per gallon in the supermarket, but tap water costs most customers only one-tenth of one cent per gallon.

• The United States is the world’s largest consumer of bottled water, purchasing 37 billion bottles in 2005. Our daily bottled water habit is bad for people and bad for the environment. Bottled water wastes fossil fuels and water in production and transport, and when the water is gone, the bottles become a major source of waste.

More at foodandwaterwatch.org or sodastream.com

Get Your Grill On!

After what felt like the longest winter in years, it’s nice to feel the sunshine and warmer temperatures that have returned to western Wisconsin. If you haven’t already, it’s time to fire up the grill and toast the longer days of spring with good friends, great food, and a nice glass of wine. Wine and food pairing need not be intimidating, and rule number one is there really are no rules … drink what you like!  But if you do want to take it a step further, read on for some easy and readily available pairings.

If your grilling menu includes steaks or burgers, pair them up with a bold red wine like Cabernet Sauvignon or a red blend that includes peppery Syrah or spicy Zinfandel. Pork tenderloin pairs well with a fruit-forward red, so opt for Pinot Noir or a nice Wisconsin Marquette. Barbecued ribs are great with rosé, which can be dry or sweet, and if it’s chicken or fish, uncork a crisp white: Riesling, Sauvignon blanc, or Wisconsin’s own LaCrescent are great options.

A general guideline to use when pairing food and wine is to pair hearty, robust foods with wines that are bold and full-bodied. Lighter foods call for lighter wines so that one does not overpower the other. And if in doubt, worry not and refer to rule number one. Raise a glass and drink what you like.  Cheers!

by Michael and Kathi Rock

We, along with thousands of other people across the United States and Canada, have hummingbird fever, and it’s incurable!  Many scientific studies have shown that a connection with nature and animals, wild or domestic, has so many physical and mental health benefits.  An easy and almost cost-free way to bring those health-enhancing benefits into your life is to begin attracting hummingbirds to your own backyard.  These “glittering fragments of the rainbow” are exotic and magical birds, but they are also birds that will visit your Wisconsin garden as readily as a robin if you can provide them with the best food and habitat.

The amazing thing about hummingbirds, which are the size of your thumb and with eggs only as large as tic tacs, is not only all the amazing things they can do and their beautiful feathers, but that you can see them every spring, summer, and early fall without even leaving your home.  Hummingbirds are born and bred in the northern part of the U.S. and Canada and spend their winter vacations in sunny Mexico and Central America.  When they make their way back to Wisconsin in late April and early May, they are staking out their breeding territories and searching out the best food sources.  With hummingbird feeders and brilliant tubular flowers blooming from May to October, maybe your garden can become one of their favorite places to visit!

The most common question that people ask us is “What kind of hummingbirds do you see in your garden?”  The only species of hummingbird that breeds and is regularly seen east of the Mississippi River is the ruby-throated hummingbird.  The adult male ruby-throat displays a spectacular red throat, or gorget, to attract as many female birds as possible.  Occasionally, other hummingbirds from the west such as the rufous or broad-billed hummingbirds are seen in Wisconsin, but this is rare.

The key elements of a great hummingbird garden are shelter, food, and water, in that order.  Shelter comes in the form of mature trees and thick shrubbery such as a lilac bush.  As hummingbirds spend about 75% of their day perching and also need a place to escape from predators, the right shelter is extremely important.  You can provide food through well-maintained hummingbird feeders and flowers—and we highly recommend both to ensure that hummingbirds will visit during the entire season.  A garden grown organically without pesticides will ensure large numbers of small insects, which the birds depend on for their survival.  Water is the final element that will attract more hummingbirds (and other birds) to your property.  Hummingbirds require very shallow water, so most bird baths are too deep for their needs.  You can create shallow water by adding flat rocks to a standard-size bird bath.  Even better is a small garden pond with moving water and a mister or a dripper or both.  The sound of trickling water will be stress relieving to you and beneficial to the birds.  It is essentially important to place feeders, flowers, and your water source in places where you can easily see the birds enjoying them.

When selecting plants for your garden, think red or orange colored flowers (there are a few exceptions, of course).  Good hummingbird plants typically have a multitude of tubular or trumpet-shaped flowers and bloom for long periods of time.  Hummingbirds need to feed every 15 minutes and may visit up to 1,000 flowers in your garden each day!  A bonus of creating a hummingbird garden is that many beautiful butterflies will also visit your property.   A few examples of easy to grow plants that will be highly attractive to your hummingbirds include:

Lonicera sempervirens (trumpet honeysuckle): Perennial vine to zone 4.  Late spring blooming, but will bloom sporadically throughout the season with orange or red tubular flowers .  Best in full sun but will tolerate light shade.

Monarda didyma (bee balm): Perennial to zone 4.  Summer blooming.  Select red, mildew-resistant varieties.  Best in full sun but grows well in all light exposures.

Salvia guaranitica (anise sage): Annual in all northern zones.  Blooms summer to frost.  Purple tubular flowers beloved by hummingbirds.  Full sun.  Will work in containers.  You may need to order this plant through mail order, but well worth the trouble!

Lobelia cardinalis (cardinal flower): Native wildflower and perennial to zone 2.  Blooms late summer to early fall with brilliant red flowers.  Full sun to partial shade (prefers a moist soil).

Fuchsia triphylla (gartenmeister bonstedt): Annual in all northern zones.  Blooms late spring to frost with long tubular orange flowers (this variety is better for hummingbirds than the “fancy” hybrid fuchsias).  Excellent for containers or window boxes.

Salvia coccinea (scarlet or tropical sage): Annual in all northern zones.  Blooms summer to frost with brilliant red tubular flowers.  Works in containers.  Full sun.  Very easy to grow from seed.

Cuphea ‘David Verity’  (Mexican cigar plant): Annual in all northern zones.  Blooms summer to frost with small tubular orange flowers.  Works well in containers.  Full sun.

When beginning a hummingbird garden, it is important to start small and build slowly and never provide more than you can realistically care for (and small can be beautiful—many people living in apartments or condominiums have very limited space, but the hummingbirds don’t mind!).  To start, you may wish to hang one or two feeders and create a few pots of long-blooming plants.  If you can, planting a trumpet honeysuckle vine and some red bee balm the second year might be a great goal.  Planting and caring for plants that also feed beautiful hummingbirds provides multiple rewards and is wonderful for health and well being.

There is nothing quite as thrilling as seeing the first spring hummingbird, glittering brightly in the fresh sunlight, after a long, cold winter in Wisconsin.  Capturing some of that hummingbird magic for yourself will bring endless richness and beauty to your life and a deep connection to the natural world.  Here’s to your good health and your hummingbirds!

To learn more about hummingbirds visit www.hummingbirds.net , our website at  https://mywebspace.wisc.edu/mjrock/web/,  or The Hummingbird Forum at www.network54.com/Forum/439743/

Michael and Kathi Rock have been studying hummingbird behavior and gardening for hummingbirds for over ten years. Their garden, in Madison, contains 100+ varieties of annual and perennial plants that attract the little birds and they maintain 20+ feeders. They have traveled extensively in the U.S. to learn about hummingbirds and also publish a newsletter about hummingbird gardening in the Northern U.S. (The Hummingbird Nectar News).