enakblog3: April 2010

Friday, April 30, 2010

Mulching

Mulching. I really can't say that I like to do it. It is a great help to a garden and I would highly recommend it, but it is really hard work. My sister and I weeded and mulched about five rows in our garden and it was tough going. The "hard" part was just moving the mulch to the garden.

We have a mulch pile that we load into the wheelbarrow by shovelfuls and move into the garden, where we scoop it out to place around our plants.

The mulch has been aging for about a year and it looks rich. By all accounts it is a good thing to do for garden plants. I must tell you it isn't the most pleasant task, however, after it is completed you do have some undeniable benefits.

One, as I mentioned, the soil is enriched.

Next, the weeds and grass don't grow up around the plants nearly as bad.

Plus, the soil stays cooler in the really hot summer days.

And, moisture is retained in the soil and the plants don't suffer as much from dry days.

I hate to complain, but did I mention it is really hard work? I know I will be glad we did it when we reap the benefits but right now -- I am sure it is one of those times -- you know, the times when it is over, you forget how unpleasant it was, but right now it is pretty rough. Ask me tomorrow and I will probably think differently -- when the garden is finally all mulched and pretty with no weeds and sufficiently watered.

Thursday, April 29, 2010

Milk thistle tea

Lately, I have been drinking milk thistle tea on a regular basis. I can't always find it in the store, even at Whole Foods but I drink it for medicinal purposes -- I am taking a prescription medication that can be hard on the liver.

It is traditionally supposed to be very good at cleansing the liver. Many people use it as I do when taking a medication that is not very good for the liver. Surprisingly, my doctor even recommended it to me, so I feel very good about drinking it. She even told me it has few, if any, side effects and it could be beneficial. It is not recommended for pregnant or nursing mothers.

I don't think I would recommend that just anyone use it. It would always be good to check with your doctor before taking anything that could cause a conflict or cause a side effect of any medication. You really can't be too careful, especially if you are seriously ill but there are times when milk thistle tea could possibly be beneficial.

There are many drugs, even over the counter ones that can cause liver problems. Tylenol is one of those OTC drugs. If you take more than is recommended, it can cause liver problems. I don't think milk thistle tea would be strong enough to help if a person overdosed on Tylenol, but milk thistle tea may help cleanse your liver if you are taking regular doses of Tylenol on a regular basis because of chronic pain.

It could also be beneficial to a person who is on a diet. Some think it helps to get rid of toxins from unhealthy foods. It also could be helpful for people who have diabetes and those who are trying to lower their cholesterol, but again, check with your doctor first. I have also heard of people drinking milk thistle tea when having mercury fillings removed and replaced from their teeth.

Herbal teas are not always my favorite. I love black and green tea and have found a few herbal teas I either like or can tolerate, but I really like the taste of milk thistle tea. It is smooth and I can add a little stevia and sometimes soy milk and it is a treat. Milk thistle tea is kind of -- milky. Though I think it is actually made from the black seeds of the plant.

This time of year I see milk thistle plants growing up everywhere. They can grow quite large and can be a nuisance. I can remember stepping on one with my bare feet when I was a child and all I can say is "OUCH! It is, after all a thistle.

And yes, it will stick you. When I look closely at the plant I wonder if I could harvest it and make my own tea. Normally, I might try it because I am a DIY sort of person, but I just can't imagine I could harvest these plants without experiencing a little pain. I think I would prefer to just drink my milk thistle tea and let the nice people at Alvita experience the thistle pricks.

Wednesday, April 28, 2010

Leeks: A great side dish

Yesterday, my husband decided he wanted to pick a few leeks from our garden. He loves the taste of leeks and wanted to see if they were ready to harvest. We planted them in the fall and they have gotten so big and are now beginning to flower.

It took a shovel and some muscle because they were really big and the roots didn't want to let go. The photo above, was taken after he had washed the dirt from the roots.

Above, the roots had been removed and they are ready for washing.

I always cut the leeks in half lengthwise and then under clear running water, I take them apart, layer by layer and wash all the dirt from each layer. This must be done because dirt and sand sometimes collects -- even down in the bulb. They are similar to onions because both have layers, yet in an onion, dirt doesn't usually collect in the layers, just on the outside. Leeks are more open and they take more cleaning to remove the grit.

After each layer is carefully washed, I chop the leeks, using the bulbs and the greens, as long as they are tender. Following the careful washing, I chop them into pieces.

I then pour the chopped leeks into a pan with about two tablespoons of oil, heated to medium high and begin to stir. If the pan gets too hot and the leeks begin to get too brown, the heat is too high. I usually turn it down when I see it is really cooking and turn it down again when it is almost finished -- usually to low.

Leeks are done when they are a bit translucent. Some light browning will add to the flavor. I finish on low and serve as a vegetable side dish.

Leeks are also good in soup stock and in stir-frys. I often chop them up and freeze them and then take out what I need.

They are very mild and a person who might have trouble digesting onions and garlic is less likely to have trouble with leeks. Leeks are also a healthy choice because they are high in fiber and can provide similar health benefits to onions. They don't cause your breath to smell like onions and garlic, so that is a major plus.

You will have to use more leeks than onions when cooking with them, because leeks cook down more than onions.

My family really loves it when I cook leeks, making them great to grow in our home garden, not too much work for the good benefits received.

Tuesday, April 27, 2010

Insect-repelling bracelet

Today, my friend and coworker Angela, brought me a surprise -- an insect-repelling band. I wasn't aware that such a thing existed and I really love the idea and can't wait to try it. I usually use an insect spray, but sprays are so messy and smelly. Sometimes the smell of the sprays can be almost as bad as dealing with the insects. Well, maybe not that bad, but I really hate the smell. I also have allergic reactions with lotions like Skin-so-soft, a proven insect repellent, so something like this would be good for a person like me, with sensitive skin.

I guess it is the same principle as the old flea collars for dogs and cats. I don't know if I will make a fashion statement with this "jewelry," but if it works I will be glad to wear it out in the garden and yard. Maybe I need one for my wrist and one around an ankle.

It also looks like it has natural ingredients. It might not protect you in the deep woods, but I think it is certainly worth trying and I really appreciated the gift. After I try it, I will update this entry with the results.

Flamingo Hotels Las Vegas 2010

The Flamingo is one of the older casinos on the Las Vegas strip. It was built by Bugsy Siegel, one of the most notorious mob figures in American history, at a cost of $6 million, which was a phenomenal figure at the time, and one of the reasons that he lost his life. At the time, it was known as a luxury hotel, with only 105 rooms. In 1967, it was purchased by a new owner, who tore down the original structure and built it back into the monolith it is today, with over 3,500 rooms, four towers, and covering 15 acres.
Even at 15 acres, the Flamingo can seem small as a casino. Its poker room is substandard when compared to the growth of poker across the country. It’s actually not a poker room, but a poker area, as there are no walls or real separation between poker and the slots. However, it may be kept small because it offers charm that larger rooms in other casinos can’t touch. The other gaming areas also seem small by comparison. The slots are everywhere, though, and since that seems to be the most popular attraction, especially by older visitors, they’ll feel well taken care of.

flamingo hotel las vegas

Flamingo Hotels Las Vegas 2010

flamingo hotel las vegas

Royal Plantation Hotels 2010

1 most popular hotel in Ocho Rios, Jamaica by contributors to Trip Advisor, Royal Plantation has been hosting honeymoon couples and other romantics for half a century.
In addition to the public's acclaim, Royal Plantation has the distinction of being the only hotel in Jamaica accepted into the Leading Small Hotels of the World group. It is also Green Globe-certified for environmental excellence.
A small yet full-service 77-suite boutique resort, Royal Plantation can provide guests with the kind of personalized attention that larger hotels often cannot. Honeymoon couples and other romantics can opt for an all-inclusive plan or a less-expensive European plan, which covers two meals daily.

royal plantation hotel

Royal Plantation Hotels 2010

royal plantation hotel

Discount Hotel Reservations 2010

The Marriott Residence Inn Lake Buena Vista in Orlando, Florida, invites you to make your Orlando hotel reservations today and enjoy affordable, yet luxurious, premier vacation suites. We are located only minutes from Walt Disney World and all of Orlando’s famous attractions. Relax in a studio, one- or two-bedroom suite, complete with a full kitchen.
By making your Orlando hotel reservations at the Marriott Residence Inn near Kissimmee, you will be enjoying a Caribbean-themed hotel that offers spacious suites, an outdoor waterfall pool, daily complimentary hot breakfast buffet, and so much more. An outstanding and inviting property, this hotel is a great place to stay while traveling to Orlando, Florida on business or for relaxation. We are also conveniently located close to dining areas, entertainment, and shopping venues.