by Jayne Nuutinen Wolff

Horses are fascinating animals full of grace, insight, and strength. For centuries, mankind has found many ways to use them as helpers in their daily lives. In the beginning, horses were used to carry us farther and faster than we could go without them. People still ride today, but mostly for pleasure and showmanship. In the last few decades, horses are also being used to help us heal in body, mind, and spirit, including conflicted areas of our lives. Let’s take a look at how this evolved.

Based on early literature and the discovery of cave paintings, people have been using horses for almost as long as we have been here on Earth. I often wonder how the earliest people trained horses to be in relationship with them. I believe it would be similar to how humans build relationships with one another.

Training methods for horses have progressed from being down right nasty and hurtful (Breaking a horse), to a pressure release model (Natural horsemanship), to the newer Partnership model – that of observing, listening, and creating a trust relationship. This newer way of thinking and relating to horses nurtures a relational bond helpful to people as another tool for healing. Horses are prey animals that are eaten by predators. Their instincts require them to be alert for their safety minute to minute. Realizing the wisdom horses can impart to us, due to their prey status, can help us gain perspective for our own lives.

For their safety and survival, horses need to be aware of everything that surrounds them, including people (who sometimes act like prey animals). They can sense from miles away whether a mountain lion is hungry or satisfied. Thus, they know whether they should go into a fight or flight response or to be peaceful. This is similar to the way people respond to fear in their lives. Horses can use this safety instinct to decide how they will work with us and how they will mirror what is going on within our subconscious.

We can determine the meaning of their reactions towards us based on their body language, which helps us to become conscious of our inner thoughts and emotions. This knowledge helps us understand why we are living our lives the way we are and can allow us to see where changes might be helpful. Since being aware of everything that comes into their presence is a horse’s natural instinct, we can trust they will communicate this awareness to us through their body language. Horses only see what is happening around them at this very moment in their lives. In most cases, they don’t fret about the past or worry about the future.

By observing how horses communicate with other horses in their herd, horse-loving people have learned how to communicate with them. Horse communication is typically done through body language with very little vocalization. Humans vocalize more and are often unaware of what their body language is saying about them. The words spoken may not always match subtle nuances of facial expression and body postures. We tend to cover up our true emotions for various reasons. Horses do not know how to manipulate; they only know how to operate in the present moment. They sense the feelings behind our words and actions. Thus, horses are a great tool to discovering our subconscious thoughts and feelings.

So for those times when we are stuck in our lives, horse insight can be helpful in our self-discovery and healing process. We can learn a lot from horses, if we are willing to give them the chance to speak to us. Horse coaches and counselors use horses as teachers to help people to become aware of the things in their lives that may need to change or heal.

Here is a partial list of things horses may help people looking for change accomplish: knowing their life purpose; recognizing and honoring their most important values; having more balance in their life; following a healthier lifestyle; building closer relationships; personal growth; and deeper spirituality. Horses, in general, have a gentle spirit and usually choose to work with us even though they wouldn’t have to. And by showing respect for their power and wisdom, we can gain much from them. I am among the growing number of horse lovers who are using horses to help people transform their lives with the awareness that horses reflect to us.

Jayne Nuutinen Wolff is a Licensed Massage Therapist, Master Herbalist, and Equine Enthusiast. Her specialties include: CranioSacral Therapy, Emotional Release Work, Flower Essence Therapy, Horseback Riding Instruction, and Building Relationships with Horses. She uses all these modalities in a unique way to restore your inner peace so you can become who you were born to be. For more information, please checkout my website www.amtamembers.com/healthessentials.

by Ann Recine, RN MSN APNP, Louis Recine, S.F.O., Koreen Schultz, BSN

Have you ever considered the health benefits of forgiveness? Most of us agree with C.S. Lewis who said, “Every one says forgiveness is a lovely idea, until they have something to forgive.” OK. Let’s say someone is rude to you in the grocery store, or you get a nasty e-mail. I bet that: “Is this a great opportunity for forgiveness, or what?” is not the first thought that enters your mind. Well, after you read what science has to say you’ll probably be much more likely to have that response.

There’s been an explosion of research in the field of psychoneuroimmunology. Psycho…neuro…what?? Psychoneuroimmunology is the science that shows how positive emotions affect your nervous system and your body defense system to fight disease and heal itself. And hard on its heels, there’s been a surge of interest in Positive Psychology, which, let’s face it, is easier to pronounce.

Eight years ago the American Psychologist devoted its millennial issue to the emerging science of Positive Psychology, the study of positive emotions, positive character and positive institutions. Today, Positive Psychology continues to gather together the best theory and research to study what makes life worth living. Is that not cool? The research methods and designs that have advanced medical science have been used to create evidence-based practice to help people have lasting happiness. And who wouldn’t like that?

These scientists created a handbook and classification system of six Virtues and 24 Character Strengths that increase human well-being. They developed reliable methods to assess these traits in people. Interestingly enough, they discovered an amazing similarity of common character strengths in all 50 states and in 40 different countries around the world from Azerbaijan to Venezuela.

One of the twenty-four Character Strengths identified by scientists that help humans to thrive, is forgiveness. How does a quality like forgiveness help a person to thrive? Research has shown that people who forgive unconditionally have more resistance to illness, less fatigue, better sleep, better general health, and they age well. People who are forgiving have less anxiety, depression, and anger.

Happiness research not only tests what emotions increase human well-being but how to learn to increase or exercise these qualities. For example, research shows that in order to learn to forgive more it helps to focus on examples of people who are good forgivers or people you have never met but whom you admire for their ability to demonstrate forgiveness.

It is also important to pay attention to the physiological states that help you to be able to forgive – being tuned into how your body feels at any given time and knowing how to adjust it and make it calmer can help. Yoga or mindfulness meditation can aid you to develop this presence of mind and body. A calm body and mind make it possible for you to more accurately see the choices you are making. For example, when you have a calm mind and body you can see that in choosing not to forgive you may actually be choosing a life goal of revenge, or self-protection that leads to negative emotions of anger, fear, and hate.

When you are calm you can see that choosing to forgive yourself and others is choosing a life goal of giving an unconditional gift to yourself, others, and maybe God, too. You can see that this leads to emotions of peace, joy, and love. When we are struggling to increase a positive quality in ourselves, the most important thing is to remember your past success with the particular quality and know that you can do it again.

Forgiveness is just one of the 24 Character Strengths that will increase your happiness, help you feel that your life is worth living, and give you the tools to respond to nasty e-mails, cranky shoppers and all those other cool experiences. If you want to discover great ways to increase your happiness and health and possibly also become part of the internet-based research work of the University of Pennsylvania, go to: http://www.authentichappiness.sas.upenn.edu/

by Melissa Ida

Spring has sprung and summer will soon be upon us.  As we approach the growing season, many of us know only too well that with the abundance of vegetable gardens, lush lawns, and fecund fields there is bound to be a never-ending source of stealthy, sun-hogging weeds. The common methods for dealing with these weedy culprits have often included herbicides, hoeing, and a degree of hostility. Fire weeding, though, is an old agricultural practice which has been used to cope with this problem in a sustainable and effective manner. For those tired of squatting down and bending over in a continual tug-of-war with weeds, or for those seeking more peaceful, natural ways of weed negotiation, fire weeding may be just the perfect solution.

As was mentioned, the practice of fire weeding is a long established one. It basically incorporates the use of various fire-welding tools to kill plants by exposing them to heat, rather than actually burning them. Two main products available on the market include weed wands and flame weeders. Weed wands simply attach to gas canisters or gas bottles and are best used for small spaces and in small-to-average-sized gardens. Flame weeders, on the other hand, are much bigger and are often carried by backpack or consist of a tank and trolley. They are often recommended for vast areas, such as large seed beds, lengthy rows, allotments, and fields.

Fire weeding works on the premise that heat alone can cause enough damage to kill a living thing, all the while avoiding the scorching and carbon that comes along with burning something. In this sense, fire weeding is an organic method for enforcing weed control that is also non-intrusive.  When using a weed wand or flame weeder, the flame never touches anything. It gets close enough to heat a plant at damaging levels. The heat will raise the water’s temperature within the plant’s cells just enough to break down its membranes. Once its leaves are seared, water from the root will be unable to reach them, causing the plant to wilt within a few hours. In this way, wanted plants will be left unaffected, while undesirable weeds will be unable to grow back.

Those who make use of fire weeding typically include farmers, gardeners, home-owners, or anyone who has declared war on weeds. Farmers generally make use of flame weeders for massive weed control, while those who garden and take part in lawn care more likely use weed wands.  Three common practices of fire weeding are “spot-flaming,” pre-planting treatment, and treating entire plant beds.  “Spot-flaming” is a rather self-explanatory practice, in which a single spot, per se, a driveway crack, is selected and targeted with the heat from an open flame. With the pre-planting treatment, weeds are attacked before germinating seeds have had a chance to unearth themselves, thus paving the way for a sunny future for low-growing plants such as carrots. The treatment of entire plant beds is common for flower beds, gardens, and other aesthetically pleasing plants. Basically, fire weeding is used between rows and on unwanted plants.

In general, fire weeding is best used for a plethora of things, including but not limited to, a list of the following:  crabgrass, patios, scree, driveway cracks, around fence lines, along garden paths, around brick paths, on gravel driveways, sterilizing soil and compost, organic weed control, and pre-germination weeding along rows. The latter of this list has been found to be a particularly effective preemergent treatment for gardens. In order for this to work, weeds must be killed when crops are just about ready to germinate. To determine this, a pane of grass should be placed over a patch of the garden. A box frame can be used to keep the pane one inch off the ground. When seedlings are seen emerging through the earth, it is time to fire weed.  If done immediately, the weeds will die while the submerged crops will be left unharmed. It should be noted that for rather hot and sunny days, the pane should be spared and crops should be fire weeded five days after having been planted. On a side note, this type of pre-germination weed control has worked successfully well with carrot beds, but should work well with other low-to-earth plants.

Fire weeding, as can be seen, is a very approachable and practical form of weed control. Its repercussions are far less consequential than those of herbicides and it places little to no strain on the human body. It protects your prized potatoes, dandelion-free driveways, and the exponential surplus of zucchini you can never do a thing about. So the next time you head out to the backyard garden with a weed wand in hand, just remember, the heat is on.

by Sarah Heinze

The Hawaiian definition of “Lomi” is “to rub, press, crush, massage, rub out; to work in and out.” During the rhythmic dance of a Lomi Lomi massage, the therapist uses palms, forearms, knuckles, fingers, and thumbs to apply long, soothing strokes that feel like gentle waves rushing over the client, relaxing muscles and melting away tension.

Most of what is known about traditional Hawaiian healing practices has been handed down from ancestors and living elders. Both ancestors and elders are referred to as “kupuna”. The kupuna teach that there is oneness of life, that all things in the world are living and connected as a part of one big family. They believe the natural tendancy of all living things is to seek and maintain harmony and balance. There is also believed to be a very strong mind-body connection, therefore mental stress and muscle tension are highly related. Originally, Lomi was only practiced and taught within each family, as it was passed down from generation to generation. This tradition continued until 1972 when a well known practitioner from the Kona Coast, Auntie Margaret Machado, decided it was time to help others by sharing the knowledge with all those who desire to learn, Hawaiian or not. Her training by her grandfather began when she was a small child and she gained mastery through a lifetime of practicing. Auntie’s definition of Lomi Lomi is “the loving touch-a connection of heart, hands and soul with the source of all life.” Over the years thousands of people have traveled to Hawaii to receive and learn Lomi Lomi massage from Auntie Margaret, and other kupuna teachers.

Lomi Lomi generally begins with the therapist resting hands on the client’s back while the two breathe together, and both privately saying a personal blessing. The blessing might be, for example, asking for whatever healing is needed to take place during the session. The traditional Hawaiian Lomi Lomi taught by the kupuna is known as “temple style.” This involves the client lying directly on the vinyl table and covered by a small towel. In the Midwest, the most common type of lomi is the “Big Island Style” or Auntie Margaret’s method, which is combined with a more western approach. In this approach the client remains fully draped and only the body part being addressed is exposed. Lomi Lomi is the practice of body manipulation and massage for those desiring treatment to address spiritual, emotional, and physical disharmony. It combines the use of prayer, breath, and energy to release areas of tension in the body. Gentle stretching of the body and rotation of the joints will be assisted but never forced, to assist the flow of energy and further relax muscles. While it is often referred to as a spiritual massage, the technique can also be very specific and tailored to meet each client’s individual needs. In this respect, no two Lomi Lomi massages are exactly alike; but what they do have in common, are the benefits of increased circulation, a relaxed nervous system, and relief of muscle tension, all while experiencing a beautiful, graceful, and very unique style of massage. Imagine being transported to Hawaii at the end of a long day, without having to get on a plane!

Sarah has been working as a Licensed Massage Therapist since 2002. She is currently practicing at Sans Souci Massage in Altoona. You can schedule online at www.sanssoucimassage.com or call 715-830-9890 to book an appointment.

It’s the lawn care question many people are now asking: how can you make your lawn greener without using those dreaded pesticides? A non-toxic, yet green lawn may be easier and less labor-intensive than you think. This top ten list compiled from www.saferlawns.org and www.organiclawncaretips.com can give you a head-start on an eco-friendly lawn.

1. Conduct a soil test on your lawn. Soil testing kits are available at your local hardware/gardening stores or the UW-Extension office. Review the results of the soil test and then implement your fertilizing plan accordingly.

2. Grow the correct grass for your specific climate/region of the country. Contact a grass system company in your area to discover the type of grass that grows best in your area. Consider soil type, sunlight availability, and lawn uses.

3. Water in the morning. This allows the grass to dry throughout the day. Watering deeply and infrequently allows the grass to grow further in the ground. Avoid watering during the hours of 12 p.m. to 5 p.m.

4. Your lawn is soil and is alive. Nurture this soil so it can continue to thrive. Only mow when the lawn is dry, and mow leaves along with the grass so they can decompose together. Keep clippings for future composting, and use a combination of liquid and dry compost on your lawn. This material adds beneficial microorganisms to the soil.

5. Do not mow your lawn lower than 2.5 inches. Grass clippings that are recycled on the lawn can provide approximately half of the lawn’s fertilizing needs for the season. Higher mowing also helps maintain the lawn’s moisture.

6. Search for fertilizers that contain the proper ingredients. Purchase natural fertilizers that are produced from once-alive plants and animals, rather than fertilizers created in a laboratory.

7. Listen to the message your weeds are telling you. Weeds only appear when the lawn system is out-of-balance. Specific weeds may sprout up as a direct result of another problem in your lawn.

8. Watch for an overabundance of insects. Synthetic fertilizers tend to attract predatory insects. If you have too many bugs, look to your lawn for reasons.

9. Overseed your lawn in the spring and fall to replenish grass. Mowed lawns do not have a chance to reproduce grass seeds. Overseeding each spring and fall allows young plants to sprout where needed in your lawn and crowds out competing weeds.

10. Hold your lawn-care service provider accountable. If you use a service for lawn care, ask them what chemicals they’re using. Many companies are very accommodating if you request an environmentally friendly mixture. If not, it may be time to find a new company.

Although having an organic and eco-friendly lawn may cost a bit more upfront, it will save money in the long run. Healthy and natural lawns will require less mowing, less watering, and will have fewer insects and weeds. By utilizing eco-friendly products and practices, a green and healthy lawn may be just around the corner!

Organic Valley Farm, LaFarge, Wisconsin

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Renewable Energy Tour Looks at Local Projects
by Katy Phillips, Communications Director, Wisconsin Farmers Union

“My story is no exception. Our area of northern Germany counts thousands of farmers like me: energy entrepreneurs who joined forces with local residents to build cooperative, sustainable businesses that produce renewable energy and value added jobs. From the bottom up we have transformed the way our area produces energy. Currently, more than 40% of our electricity is generated from sources such as wind, biomass and the sun.”

— Dirk Ketelsen, German farmer

This is how one German farmer describes the current reality for mid-sized farms in his country, but it also can describe a future reality for Wisconsin farmers. Exploring this vision was the primary reason that the Wisconsin Farmers Union co-hosted a Renewable Energy Tour last summer.

Farmers Union partnered with the Heinrich Böll Foundation on this tour, with support from the Energy Foundation, and gathered some fifty or so farmers, state and federal agency staff, interested citizens, and media for a day long tour of renewable energy projects. We rented a hybrid, biodiesel school bus, hosted German farmer Dirk Ketelsen as a special guest speaker, and spent a day visiting innovative energy projects. We also had frank discussions with policy makers about how the United States is lagging behind in supporting renewable energy innovation, and how Wisconsin can position itself to become a leader in this area.

Dirk Ketelsen – Our German Farmer Guest

Dirk is a farmer from Schleswig-Holstein in rural northern Germany, and while our bus rolled though the hills of SW Wisconsin he described how he, and other farmers, worked cooperatively to connect their farms into a profitable, locally based renewable energy system. Dirk explained how he transitioned his farm through the ups and downs of conventional farming, into using organic practices, and then into a significant focus on harvesting renewable energy. People now call him an energy farmer.

Dirk pointed out that German renewable energy projects had to overcome local skepticism, much as we do in Wisconsin, and find a way to demonstrate a broad community benefit. Building his community’s first wind turbine, for example, required a strong base of community leadership to organize a cooperative wind farm, where the neighbors were investors and the whole community benefited from the energy harvested.

Building this type of cooperative framework was not easy. Community-scale energy development required an effort to address complex regulatory and market rules, meet requirements for siting and grid connection, manage unpredictable rates of return and balance diverse investment models – all while protecting local interests.

Fortunately, in 1990, the German government introduced the Clean Contracts system that supported small, cooperatively based “energy farmers” like Dirk. Clean Contracts required utilities to connect their wind turbines to the grid and fixed a price for every kWh – and guaranteed a power purchase agreement that would last for 20 years. This was the breakthrough that enabled local energy systems to calculate a stable rate of return, develop long-term business models, and attract a diverse base of investors.

Since 1990, Clean Contracts has enabled Germany to generate 16.8% of its power from renewable energy and has created 370,000 jobs (for a country with an approximate population of 82 million vs. the U.S. approximate population of 309 million). And while the German energy market is dominated by four major utility companies, investments by family farmers, local residents, rural coops, and municipal utilities, account for 96% of investments in renewable energy projects.

Dirk Ketelsen is now one of 200,000 German farmers who have become energy producers. This is a remarkable model of innovation, sustainability, and cooperation within communities (along with support from government policies) that has been a game-changing, profitable venture for family farms and rural communities.

Organic Valley Family of Farms

Located in LaFarge, Wisconsin, Organic Valley is a farmer-owned cooperative, founded in 1988. Organic Valley began by marketing vegetables and then added organic dairy products and meats. With 1,636 current owners, it is the largest organic farmer-owned cooperative in North America with $600 million in annual sales in 2010.

Organic Valley works within a “triple bottom line” of sustainability: social responsibility – how they affect their employees, customers and communities; ecological integrity – how their operations affect the world and its resources; and  Economic stability – how they make, spend, and save money.

Organic Valley is now applying these cooperative principles in the development of an innovative On-Farm Biodiesel Program that is assisting their members in production and processing of sustainable bio-fuels. The program supports farmers in every stage of bio-fuels development – from initial planting of an oilseed crop to the processing and utilizing of the final biodiesel product. To cut costs and increase efficiency, the program provides a mobile oilseed processing unit that can press oil from several neighboring farms. The program provides technical assistance in adapting farm tractors to utilize either a straight oilseed product or a blended petro-diesel, avoiding the need for complicated and expensive further processing.

The Organic Valley Bio-diesel Program allows farmers to meet their needs for both fuel and feed. The pressing of seed crops grown on the farm provides both oil for use in fuel and a high protein feed meal for livestock. While still in the pilot stage, the program estimates that by planting as little as 10% of their tillable land base with an oilseed (e.g. sunflowers, soybeans, or camelina), farmers can produce a large percentage of their farm’s fuel and protein demand. The program estimates yields of 80-100 gallons of biofuel oil, and between 1200-1500 pounds of feed meal per acre. Initial research shows that it is possible for a 50 cow dairy to produce 70% of its fuel and over half of its protein needs on 15-17 acres. The program goal is “feed and fuel, produced in one process, from the same field.”

We also learned about several other Organic Valley renewable energy initiatives, including development of smaller scale manure digesters, use of solar photovoltaic panels at the headquarters facility in La Farge, and a continuing effort to incorporate wind energy development at their distribution center.

Organic Valley’s energy programs are designed to provide farmers with many of the same opportunities achieved by German farmers. Most importantly, their programs are provided within their larger cooperative mission, assuring that benefits are retained by their members.

Driftless Organics

Located in the beautiful hills of Soldiers Grove, Wisconsin, Driftless Organics farm is owned and operated by Josh and Noah Engel and business partner Mike Lind. Josh and Noah grew up working on their parents’ organic dairy farm, realized they had an even larger passion for growing organic vegetables, and now operate over 100 acres of organic vegetables, fruits, small grains, sunflowers, and grass fed cattle.

Driftless Organics operates as a Community Supported Agriculture (CSA) farm, with 600 consumer members purchasing an annual “share” in each year’s crop. CSA farms are one of the fastest growing agricultural sectors, reflecting consumer interest in the “know your food, know your farmer” concept. Driftless Organics markets to both Madison and Chicago, has annual revenues of over $2.5 million, and employs a seasonal staff of approximately 10 to 19.

Driftless Organics also grows and processes sunflowers for bio-fuel use in their primary seasonal tractor. They plan to transition additional farm vehicles and equipment to run on their vegetable fuel. They also select the best food grade sunflower seeds and process them into a high value, branded gourmet cooking oil that is marketed regionally.

Virent Energy Systems

Based in Madison, Wisconsin, Virent Energy Systems is developing an innovative biofuels technology that transforms many different soluble plant sugars from biomass into hydrocarbons that blend readily with gasoline, jet, and diesel fuel. It offers the potential for a high-performance, energy-efficient, cost-effective, and environmentally sustainable breakthrough in fuel technology.

Virent’s goal is to develop a technology that can directly convert biomass into a plant based substitute for conventional fuels, with a focus on using non-food plant materials as the primary feed stock. They expect this technology will avoid the “food versus fuel” issues that are raised by expansion of bio-fuels processes that rely on corn or other food crops. Virent’s approach will use large quantities of corn stover or woody forest materials to supply the biomass needed to produce fuels. Farmers would benefit from having a market for crop or forest residue and the harvest of other biomass materials.

Lessons

Wisconsin Farmers Union’s mission is to advocate for policies and development initiatives that support family farms and rural communities. The experience of German farmers in establishing locally based energy production demonstrates the potential for a new cooperative development model for U.S. farmers. We don’t have to accept our current system as energy consumers. We can create an energy policy that keeps wealth within our communities, fosters local entrepreneurship and cooperation, and supports diversified farming practices. But it will require a commitment to new energy policies and investment tools, and a willingness to learn from the hands-on experiences of our neighbors and businesses that are already exploring the path.

Wisconsin Farmers Union and the Heinrich Böll Foundation are planning another Energy Tour this June. Visit our website to check for the date and details: www.wisconsinfarmersunion.com.

by Sharon Coates

Having taught gardening classes from beginners to seed-savers, I have a few “Gardening Musts” I’d like to share. These are even more important for those of us who grow organically, since we do not rely on herbicides, pesticides, etc.

1. A good gardening book
2. A notebook/folder/3 ring binder
3. Walk through your garden daily
4. Clean your garden(s) in the fall
5. Use rotation and sanitation
6. Plant flowers and herbs in your garden
7. Let your gardening evolve
8. Be Thankful as you walk, work, harvest and clean your garden

First, start with a good gardening book (Rodale). It should cover location, soil prep, planting, amendments, diseases, and insects. Colored pictures are helpful, for the weeds, diseases, bugs, and critters have faces you will want to identify. We do not want to kill or chase off the beneficial plants and insects.

Number two is a notebook, binder, or folder, and is very helpful. This will include yearly garden diagrams, notes on seed varieties, production, and any problems. The good and the bad are noted. This way you can choose seed varieties you prefer or that do better in your area. Any amendments, products, personally concocted formulas, etc. are noted for future reference. My notebook also holds receipts and lists of ordered things. This way you can find age, variety, name, etc. for any particular reason. I also find a list of companion plants helpful. Anything you may find helpful and want readily available is put in your notebook. Many people find a calendar helpful. Enter planting times or applications of amendments. I have used a card file some years. Listing each month’s projects to be done along with seeds to be planted under the month.

The third “Must” gives you some exercise. Walks in your garden help you find and act on problems as soon as possible. Be they viral, bacterial, insects, weeds, or four footed damage, you can deal with them promptly. Look at general appearance of plants. Do they need thinning, watering, or more height to the trellis?

Cleaning your garden after harvest is my fourth “Must.” This is going to depend on you, your garden, and existing problems. Debris and old plants can carry disease and insect problems. Your gardening method or other factors decide your choice. Lasagna gardens are not going to remove all the mulch, just the old plants. Others may need to remove and burn or compost plants and mulch. Those who till may choose to till most everything under.

“Must” number 5 is very important. Rotation and sanitation are needed to prevent disease and pest carry over. Your garden diagrams stored in your notebook come in here. Try not to plant the same thing in an area for 3-4 years. (We are talking annuals here). Never (if at all possible) work in your garden while plants are wet. You, your clothes, and tools can spread disease. This can be hard when picking produce for sale or trying to escape working in the heat.

For your benefit and your garden’s, I include “Must” number 6. Plant all types of flowers and herbs with big and small heads. Beneficial insects will visit and stay. You want these friends for pollination and insect and disease control. Flowers have a special gift for the gardener also. They are God’s Blessed spirit lifters.

Letting your garden evolve is the 7th “Must.” Don’t get stuck in a rut. Try new varieties, new methods, and especially time saving ideas. I personally have few conventional rows now. Raised beds, wide rows, terrising, and different types of trellis and fencing have become the norm. I use a hoe only to mark a couple of rows each year at planting. We mulch and use wide closer planted rows to prevent weeding. Be creative, break the rules, and do what works for you and your needs.

The last ‘Must’ is to be thankful. Believe me when you see multiple gardens washed many feet away after 4 inches of rain in 20 minutes, deep gullies where plants once flourished, or shredded plants after a hail storm, it is hard. There is strength to find and replant, to fill the gullies, and an instinct in plants to survive after being beaten. As the plants reset their roots and reach for the sunshine, we need to do the same and be thankful.

by Liz Johnson, Herbalist

As an herbalist, I accept that most folks are not quite like me, most don’t have a wild and wooly yard in town. I don’t know what city governments would do if we all kept our yards as wild as I’ve kept mine, but I do believe that everyone should try a little of the wild and wooly.

The gifts I have received from nature as a result of my “Honey, Don’t Mow There” garden have been many and wonderful. I have roses not too far from the shore of our little lake. I have tasted amazing foods and used incredible healing herbs all because of my rather special garden. I would love for others to experience the gifts of nature, but for that to happen, everyone would need a small corner of yard that they… ignored. Just to see what comes from year to year can be a genuine treat.

From the garlic mustard greens that visit us in the spring, to the joys of a simple herb tea used whenever one of us gets a runny nose or a head cold, we reap the bounty of the easiest garden in the world. Ever wanted a bandage for a little cut or scrape and not wanted to go inside? All over the lawn, in most people’s yards, lays a terrific wound cleaning and scar reducing remedy for all splinters and minor cuts and scrapes. At least, that is what the studies and empirical knowledge tell us. What is this little gem? A green leaf from a plant called plantain, or Plantago major. It even made a superior diaper rash oil that outdid every commercial brand, natural or otherwise, that our relatives gifted to us during our son’s first few years.

Wondering about that runny nose herb? It is so common, and so universally hated, it might just seem funny. But creeping charlie, or Glechoma hederacea, that annoying creeper with the small purple flowers, can dry up a runny nose like nobody’s business. It has even been shown to be chock full of vitamin C in some assays.

What else have we used from our yard? The burdock root in our soups to keep us happier and healthier. The best thing about harvesting burdock is that the more of the root that is dug out, the less likely that it will return to flower next year. Just harvest it in the fall of its first year, the year that it doesn’t flower, and a rich, starchy root will be the reward. Clean and use fresh in a saute or stew, or chop and dry it in a dry and shady spot to add to stews and soups all winter long. What’s my favorite recipe for burdock root? Chop some burdock, onions, carrots, parsnip, and any other wonderful root veggies, then add olive oil and some favorite seasonings, and roast in the oven until cooked through and ready to eat.

Violet flowers on my birthday cake are always welcome. They can be preserved with a light egg wash and a dusting of sugar. The flower and leaf make a very nice tea as well. Of course, dandelion greens in the spring are excellent and the root can be dug up and roasted to add a little something extra to a cup of coffee. Just brew the roasted root with the coffee grounds and try a twist on an old stand by! Of course, there was the year that chicory visited us, yet another great root to roast to add to coffee.

The traditional and natural medicinal uses of these herbs are also amazing. The heal all, or Prunella vulgaris, that came up in the yard helped a friend’s mouth ulcer, and, to her surprise, her headaches!

Yarrow for colds and bruising; honeysuckle or catnip for fever and restlessness; motherwort for that friend in menopause suffering from cold flashes and palpitations; the creeping virginia helped a cough to disappear one fall; and the rhubarb root seemed to shorten someone’s digestive discomforts very quickly. With every spring comes the joy of chickweed, which helps my skin and lungs immensely; and of course, the treat of the garlic mustard greens that my family loves so much. We have tried and true friends in our yard that we have come to rely on year in and year out.

Each summer a new plant visits us in our suburban jungle, and each summer we make a new and valued friend. We’ve steeped herbs in wine, made tinctures with vodka, stewed, roasted, sugared, brewed, chopped, and just plain eaten herbs raw, right out of the yard. At first our new herb friends were pretty easy to find information on, after all, burdock root can be looked up on the Internet very easily and much of the information one might want to know about the herb can be found there. As time went on, more obscure herbs came to visit, and the adventures they led me on were wonderful. It has added to what I could find in books, and on-line with personal experiences, and the knowledge and lore of other herbalists and herbal fans. From classes taken and classes taught, conversations and conventions, each herb has made itself known, layer by layer; and each herb has offered a fascinating journey into nature and into self-discovery. After all, learning about someone or something new reveals as much about oneself as it does about the new person or thing.

From dining on cattails and morels to using the herb veronica for a cough, my rather special garden has brought a new delight each and every year we’ve been here. I cannot encourage people enough to save a small space in the yard to let nature have its way with. What grows there might be amazing, perhaps even roses, wild, sweet, delicate roses. Just give nature a chance and the rewards can be endless. So let a square of the yard go, just that little bit, and see what wants to visit you this summer.

Just Products

Moisturizing Body Wash
Bubbles abound and fragrances will swirl when you pamper your skin with our moisturizing body wash! Choose between our classic Lavender Blend or the fresh Radiant fragrance. Handcrafted to be as good for your skin as it is for the planet! Your skin will be clean, soft and smell fantastic! Formulated for my kids’ skin… you’ll think I spoil them rotten!

12 Oz.  $12.00 | trustjust.com

Handmade Natural Beauty Products

Soap & Shampoo Bar
Peppermint & Tea Tree Oil Soap
This peppermint and tea tree oil soap is invigorating and is a fragrant handmade soap. It produces a very intense and stimulating rich lather; perfect as a refreshing good morning soap. Also an excellent foot soap used in conjunction with the Peppermint & Tea Tree Oil Foot Scrub and Foot Balm Bar. Additionally, it has been reported that this makes an excellent face and complexion soap to help with acne and a luxurious shampoo bar with aids in helping with dry scalp and provides a light tingly feeling. NOTE: Product is now a larger size and boxed rather than wrapped in paper as shown in photo.

4 oz. bar  $7.00 | naturalbeautysoaps.net

Four Elements Products

Chickweed Anti-Itch Soap
Relief at last. Finally, an anti-itch soap for poison ivy, oak sumac, and insect bites!

$5.00 | fourelementsherbals.com

Sandalwood & Ginseng Soap
My most popular oil, a lover’s blend, is now combined in a soap with the same exotic aromatics; sandalwood, cinnamon, and rose. Ground ginseng roots are added to provide a slight exfoliate quality.

$5.00 | fourelementsherbals.com

Daddy-O Shampoo

Mark Constantine is a master trichologist. He made Daddy-O to suit those with grey or blonde hair, who particularly want their hair to be brighter and healthier looking. An infusion of lemons and seaweed gives softness and shine, while the violet leaf, rose, and bergamot oils create a scent that stays on your hair throughout the day. Work a small amount into a lather and rinse thoroughly; follow up with a LUSH conditioner for soft tresses.

3.3 fl. Oz.  $9.95 | lushusa.com

Kiss My Face Peace Soap

Kiss My Face continues its tradition of social consciousness and support of organizations that aim to make the world a healthier, happier place. The new castile soap is formulated with 100% natural ingredients including olive, coconut and jojoba oils. Castile soap is a safe and gentle alternative to traditional soaps that often contain harsh ingredients. Available in the following scents:

• Grassy Mint
• Lemongrass Clary Sage
• Lavender Mandarin
• Pomegranate Acai

Peace Soap is free of parabens, phthalates, and animal ingredients and was not tested on animals. The packaging features peace written in languages from around the world and is made from 50% recycled plastic.

kissmyface.com

by Heather Rothbauer-Wanish

For many women, applying makeup and other personal care products is a normal, everyday activity. The possibilities are almost endless for anyone choosing a blush, foundation, powder, lotion, or shampoo. From a variety of brand names to choose from, along with various ingredients, how does a person decide which products are best? And, how do you know which product is least likely to harm both your skin and your body?

When choosing cosmetics and personal care products like shampoo, conditioner, and lotions, it is important to consider if the products have parabens or phthalates in them. Both parabens and phthalates have been in the news as products to avoid, although doing so can prove to be somewhat difficult.

The American Chemistry Council represents companies that safely utilize various chemical compounds, including phthalates. According to the www.americanchemistry.com website, phthalates are a family of compounds whose primary use is as a vinyl softener; they are colorless, oily liquids with little or no odor and low volatility. Some phthalates are utilized as solvents or fixatives to help fragrances last longer.

According to www.thedailygreen.com, a website powered by Good Housekeeping, phthalates are known as “endocrine disruptors” and have been shown to cause damage neurologically and in the reproductive system. “Most of what we put on our skin is absorbed,” says Lisa Petty, a holistic wellness consultant and author of Living Beauty: Feel Great, Look Fabulous, and Live Well. As stated on www.theworldwomenwant.com, phthalates are chemicals that may damage the liver, kidneys, or lungs. While people may be exposed to phthalates in their current products, there are other phthalate-free alternatives that could easily be used to replace this ingredient.

When reading the labels on makeup products or other personal care products, phthalates will seldom be listed as ingredients. Rather, consumers must understand that phthalates can be recognized by their chemical names or abbreviations. According to www.thedailygreen.com, there are three steps consumers can take to ensure they are identifying products that have, or may have, phthalates:

• Read the ingredients. Items such as DBP (di-n-butyl phthalate), DEP (diethyl phthalate), and BzBP (benzylbutyl phthalate) are often found in personal care products such as nail polish, deodorants, and shampoos.
• Be wary of the term “fragrance.” A product that adds a “fragrance” to a product may be adding a combination of compounds, which may include phthalates.
• Choose plastics with the recycling code 1, 2, or 5. Recycling codes 3 and 7 are more likely to contain bisphenol A or phthalates.

According to naturalskincaresecrets.com, parabens are the second most common ingredient in skin care products — water is the first ingredient. While parabens are the most widely used preservatives in the United States, they may cause rashes and other allergic reactions. While many products may claim to be “natural” or “organic,” consumers should always be cautioned to read the labels of their chosen products. Today, parabens are utilized in an estimated 75 to 90 percent of all personal care products. While preservatives are essential for many personal care products, there are other natural preservatives that are safe and effective.

Similar to phthalates, parabens are found in hundreds of beauty products and can potentially cause long-term effects. Alexandra Spunt, co-author of No More Dirty Looks: The Truth About Your Beauty Products stated, “These antibacterial preservatives are cheap and effective — which is probably why more than three quarters of all cosmetics use them.” As Spunt points out, little is known about the long-term effects of parabens and our exposure to them. Like phthalates, parabens have been linked to mimicking hormones, causing further complications for consumers. “Parabens can migrate to body tissue when applied topically, and lab studies have shown that they can mimic estrogen and have been detected in breast tumors,” Sprout said.

Because the personal care products industry is largely unregulated, there are still more than 10,500 ingredients that have never really been evaluated for safety. The best way to avoid parabens and phthalates is to purchase products that signify they are paraben-free or phthalate-free. And, luckily for consumers, there are a wide variety of products in various price ranges that can suit your natural personal product needs.

If you are seeking paraben-free or phthalate-free personal care products, check out the Environmental Working Group’s online website at www.ewg.org. The databases available include makeup, body lotion, skin care, and dental care. Products are rated according to: overall hazard, cancer, developmental and reproductive toxicity, allergies and immunotoxicity, and use restrictions.

For any woman seeking to use more natural and healthier personal care products, the information is available. However, it may require research, determination, and diligence to find the healthier products. While we may not know exactly what happens when these preservatives are used, it is better to be safe than sorry. And, isn’t your health worth it?

Resources:
http://safecosmetics.org/
http://www.ewg.org/skindeep/

Read More: Slow Death by Rubber Duck: The Secret Danger of Everyday Things by Rick Smith and Bruce Lourie

Products to Consider

• Avalon Organics
• Suki’s Naturals
• Weleda
• Tom’s of Maine
• Aubrey Organics
• Dr. Bronner’s
• Burts Bees
• California Baby
• Dr. Hauschka
• Terressentials
• Badger
• Nature’s Gate
• JASON
• Kiss My Face
• Pangea
• Dial
• St. Ives
• Pure and Natural
• Garnier Fructis
• Sunrider Products

Definition from Environmental Working Group

Parabens (Propyl, Isopropyl, Butyl, and Isobutylparabens): Parabens are estrogen-mimicking preservatives, found in breast cancer tumors of 19 of 20 women studied. The CDC has detected parabens in virtually all Americans surveyed. According to the European Commission’s Scientific Committee on Consumer Products, longer chain parabens like propyl and butyl paraben and their branched counterparts, isopropyl and isobutylparabens, may disrupt the endocrine system and cause reproductive and developmental disorders.

Phthalates: A growing number of studies link this chemical to male reproductive system disorders. Pregnant women should avoid nail polish containing dibutyl phathalate. Everyone should avoid products with “fragrance” indicating a chemical mixture that may contain phthalates.

Information Regarding Makeup and Personal Care Products Safety

Source: www.theworldwomenwant.com

• Use less. Cut down on the number of products you use to minimize the chemicals that come in contact with your skin.
• Avoid dark hair dyes. Many contain coal tar ingredients that have been linked to cancer in some studies.
• Reduce use of powders. Avoid baby powder for newborns and infants. Several ingredients common in powder have been linked to cancer and other lung problems when they are inhaled.
• Be fragrance free. Read the label to avoid deceptions. The word “fragrance” should not appear.
• Polish less often. Nail polish is one of the few products that routinely contains ingredients linked to birth defects. Paint your toenails and skip the fingernails. Paint nails in a well-ventilated room, or outside. Don’t use nail polish while you’re pregnant.