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Making Great Compost

May 15, 2013 By admin 1 Comment

It is very rewarding to make your own compost. You can make one of the most nutrient-rich soils for your garden plants and vegetables without putting a strain on the environment. This is totally in conformity with nature and the healthiest way to feed your garden.

Building the Heap

You need to start preparing the area or container that you are going to use. You can either just build a heap by the garden or in your backyard or buy a fancy bin to contain your compost.

The best way to build a heap is with wood because it is the most economical and eco-friendly material. You simply need to build four sides of the same size to contain it and have one side be removable so you can move the compost through it in order to mix it or remove it.

Then you need to cover the bottom or your compost heap with biodegradable material like straw, twigs or newspaper. This will help it to have better drainage and will help produce compost more quickly.

What can you compost?

Organic waste that you can put into your compost heap would include things like grass clippings, fallen leaves, flower and vegetable waste, small twigs, straw, hay, peat moss, fruit and vegetable peelings, tea bags, and coffee grounds.

Heating it up

In order for your organic waste to turn into compost, you will need heat. You can accomplish this by layering soil with layers of waste. This will help trap the heat in and your waste will turn into compost faster. You can also get heat into your compost heap by keeping it covered. You can use a blanket or layer of plastic.

Your compost will take approximately 3 months to be ready. You can help things along by turning the heap every few weeks. You just need to uncover your heap and use a large stick or shovel to turn the compost in order to distribute the heat.

Tags: rotten fruit, coffee grounds, healthiest way, biodegradable material, to be, garden center, animal waste, Shredded newspaper, Another way, organic waste

Filed Under: Gardening

8 Tips on Getting a Good Night’s Sleep Naturally

May 8, 2013 By admin Leave a Comment

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In our modern world with all the busyness and stress it’s often hard to unwind at the end of the day and get a good night’s sleep. Getting a good night’s sleep without the use of chemicals or drugs is possible. Here are a few ideas to help you relax and naturally fall asleep.

Set Aside Time to Unwind

First and foremost allow yourself some time to change gears. Fill that time with calm and relaxing things. This would be a perfect time to listen to your favorite relaxing music.

Lavender and a Nice Warm Bath

Lavender is known to have wonderful soothing qualities. You can use a few drops in a natural oil form in a nice warm bath. This will help your body relax. You can also drop a few drops of lavender onto your pillow to help you fall asleep.

Herbal Tea

This is another wonderful thing to use to help you fall asleep. A warm tea after a lavender bath will help soothe the senses and relax you to help you sleep. There are many nightime or goodnight blends of herbal tea available and chamomile is especially good for having calming properties so enjoy a nice soothing cup of herbal tea.
Photo credit © sherrie smith | Dreamstime Stock Photos

Quiet Reading Time

This is one of my favorites. You need to be careful to not read very mentally stimulating or challenging books though. Go for a nice enjoyable novel to help relax your mind.

Light a Candle or a Little Fire in the Fireplace

This really helps to calm your mood. Did you ever go camping and just sit and enjoy watching the campfire? Or a nice scented candle in a dimly lit room while you are reading or sipping your herbal tea will help get you into a relaxed mood. Be careful that you don’t fall asleep with a fire burning, though!
Photo credit © Illreality | Dreamstime Stock Photos

Avoid Eating High Calorie Snacks after Supper

Most people have experienced a restless sleep from time to time when they eat too much before bed. Keep it light and refreshing and you will sleep better.

Prayer Time

The evening is a great time to reflect on your day and your goals and share these during prayer time. It’s always good to look beyond ourselves and put things into perspective.

Journaling Blogging or Writing Letters

For many people writing is very relaxing and can help your mind to switch gears and get into a reflective mood. If you are of an older generation, you will probably remember enjoying writing letters. I always found letter writing to be very relaxing and a great way to share and build friendships. This is not an entirely lost art. If you are someone who likes to keep to yourself, a journal is a wonderful way to reflect and share your thoughts and emotions. And then there is blogging!

Tags: Photo credit, if you, you will, entirely lost art, prayer time, lavender bath, modern world, good night, goodnight blends, nice warm bath

Filed Under: Health & Wellness

Homemade Cookie Tips

March 27, 2013 By admin Leave a Comment

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by Tawra Kellam
http://www.LivingOnADime.com

If you keep having trouble with your drop cookies spreading badly then try using solid shortening (like Crisco) instead of margarine or butter. Not only does this help with the baking but also with the budget and I have yet to see a difference in the favor. As a matter of fact most of the old favorite recipes were originally made with shortening but we have changed them because it is easier to throw in a stick of butter then to measure the shortening.
Speaking of measuring shortening, here are two easy ways to do that. First you can use an ice cream scoop, which is equal to 1/4 cup, or you can use a 2 cup measuring cup with the water method. This is where you fill the cup with 1 cup of water. If you need a cup of shortening then add enough shortening to the water in the cup to make the water rise to the 2 cup mark. If you need 1/2 cup then add enough so the water line raises to 1 1/2 cups etc. After you get your amount measured just scoop it out of the water and use.
Here’s another cookie idea: When baking bar cookies or brownies, line the pan with foil. This not only makes clean up easier but you can lift them out of the pan when cooled and they are easier to cut. I don’t mind making the cookies — it’s the clean up I hate, so little things like this inspire me more to bake.
It may seem way too early to be thinking about Christmas cookies but here is a tip that will save you time when December comes.Starting now, whenever you bake a batch of cookies, only bake a couple of sheets. Take the batter that is left and drop it on wax paper laid on a cookie sheet as if you were going to bake them, but instead put them into the freezer. Once frozen, put them in a freezer bag to keep until you need them.
Closer to Christmas you will have a variety of cookies that you can pop into the oven when unexpected company comes or when you discover you forgot to make treats for school. If nothing else it will save on your cookie baking time closer to Christmas.
Remember most cookie doughs can be frozen and if wrapped well will keep fine until Christmas so get ahead– start and mix up some of your favorite recipes now. If you are unsure about what can or can’t be frozen go to the grocery store and see what kinds they have in their refrigerator and freezer sections. You can freeze the same. Chocolate chip, sugar cookies, oatmeal and others work well.
Bake your favorite pan of brownies and cut them into squares. Take a small cookie cutter, cut out the center and fill with frosting. Use a cookie cutter for each different holiday; a heart for Valentine’s Day, a four leaf clover for St. Patrick’s Day or an egg or a rabbit for Easter. You can also use the appropriate color of frosting for that holiday.
Make Rice Krispy treats. Using food coloring, color them red, green or pastel — once again, the colors for that holiday. When they are done, use a cookie cutter to cut them out into hearts, clovers, eggs, rabbits etc.

Jill Cooper and Tawra Kellam are frugal living experts and the authors of the Dining On A Dime Cookbook. Dining On A Dime will help you save money on groceries and get out of debt by cooking quick and simple homemade meals. For free tips & recipes visit http://www.LivingOnADime.com , sign up for our free Living On A Dime Newsletter and learn to save more!