TreeHuggerz Blog

Been Away

2011-10-11T20:13:00.000-07:00

Hello out there, I'm back to posting and updating the Treehuggerz website. The past two years have been challenging as we cared for grandma until her death in August of this year. She suffered from Alzheimer's Disease and cancer. My energy is slowing coming back and my motivation for my online projects is returning. Please let me know what green issues you would like discussed.

Welcome 2010!

2010-01-01T00:01:00.000-08:00

Be always at war with your vices, at peace with your neighbors, and let each new year find you a better man. ~Benjamin Franklin

Happy Holidays 2009

2009-12-24T02:53:00.001-08:00

The best of all gifts around any Christmas tree:
the presence of a happy family all wrapped up in each other.
~Burton Hillis

Happy New Year 2009!

2009-01-01T01:56:00.000-08:00

Cheers to a new year and another chance for us to get it right.
~Oprah Winfrey

2008-12-24T01:06:00.000-08:00

Remember this December, that love weighs more than gold!

~ Josephine Dodge Daskam Bacon

Photo courtesy of Morguefile.com

Happy Father's Day 2008!

2008-06-15T02:12:00.000-07:00

By Anonymous

4 years: My Daddy can do anything!
7 years: My Dad knows a lot…a whole lot.
8 years: My father does not know quite everything.
12 years: Oh well, naturally Father does not know that either.
14 years: Oh, Father? He is hopelessly old-fashioned.
21 years: Oh, that man-he is out of date!
25 years: He knows a little bit about it, but not much.
30 years: I must find out what Dad thinks about it.
35 years: Before we decide, we will get Dad's idea first.
50 years: What would Dad have thought about that?
60 years: My Dad knew literally everything!
65 years: I wish I could talk it over with Dad once more.

Photo courtesy of Morguefile.com

Happy Mother's Day 2008

2008-05-10T16:06:00.000-07:00

My mom is a neverending song in my heart of comfort, happiness, and being. I may sometimes forget the words but I always remember the tune. ~Graycie Harmon

Photo courtesy of Morgufile.com

Happy Holidays 2007

2007-12-25T04:11:00.000-08:00

Christmas is the season for kindling the fire of hospitality in the hall, the genial flame of charity in the heart.
~Washington Irving

Photo courtesy of Morguefile.com

Happy Thanksgiving 2007

2007-11-21T21:37:00.000-08:00

A thankful heart is not only the greatest virtue,
but the parent of all the other virtues. ~Cicero

Back To School 2007

2007-08-27T01:58:00.000-07:00

This week we'll join the ranks of the back-to-school crowd. DD is 5 and starting virtual public school. I'm feeling excited but also a bit nervous about this new adventure. Even though she will be taught at home, we are a part of Connections Academy in Oregon and our first day of school is August 29th. This was a compromise between her father (public school) and I (unschooling). I'll give my feedback as we progress through the school year.

ATTENTION:
Toy Recall from Mattel -there are issues with lead paint and magnets

TreeHuggerz Archives
School Shopping: Less is better for your wallet and your kids

Back to School Clothes Shopping

TreeHuggerz Freebies
Connections Academy
Virtual public school that only costs an internet connection. All course materials are provided. If you qualify they may even provide a computer. Not available in all states, see web site for current information. DD is starting kindergarten through Connections Academy this year in Oregon.

Project Gutenberg
Free ebook downloads, many available in over 50 different languages and in various formats, including audio. From classics to fairy tales to text books you'll find something to interest every member of your household. Volunteers and contributions needed.

International Kids Space
A non-profit educational organization for kids of all nations. It's a link-free site with creative activities for children 13 years old and under. Contributions are always welcome and can be done via Helping.org.

Update -July 2007

2007-07-29T15:40:00.000-07:00

After a break from the internet in general and a battle with a computer virus, I'm back to the blog. This posting is all about arts and crafts. As a mother and caregiver for a Grandma with dementia, I'm always looking for fun activities everyone can enjoy. The homemade clay recipe below is full of texture and a creative activity for kids over 3 years of age.

Sand Clay

2 cups sand
1 cup water
1 cup cornstarch

Mix in a pot over low heat until thickened. Allow to cool and mold as desired. This is not an edible clay. Decorate with treasures from the beach. Air dry for a day or two. Finished projects can be painted.

New TreeHuggerz Articles
Tips -Inexpensive Craft Ideas For Kids
Herbs -Tasteful Tarragon

TreeHuggerz Freebie
33 Interesting Craft eBooks -Free download in a zipped file. Must have a PDF reader to view them (also free) and can be shared with friends. Many have ideas for gifts and a few projects suitable for kids.

Sampling of the titles:
Homemade Air Fresheners
Making Homemade Paper
Natural Plant Dyes: Dyeing Wool
Trash Art
How to Make Homemade Cat Food

Happy Father's Day 2007!

2007-06-16T01:16:00.000-07:00

I felt something impossible for me to explain in words. Then, when they took her away, it hit me. I got scared all over again and began to feel giddy. Then it came to me... I was a father.
~Nat King Cole

Photo courtesy of Morguefile.com

Herbal Soap Making Question

2007-06-16T00:50:00.000-07:00

While going through feedback for TreeHuggerz, I found an email from S. who is looking for herbal soap information. Her question and my response are below. Since I don't make soap, my answer is more the result of online research than personal experience. If any of you talented readers have recipes or tips to share, please comment on this post.

Question:
"...would love some helpful hints in incorporating herbs into soap making...have a niece with eczema and she desperately wants to find some thing natural that will help...so do I...how can I add and get the full benefit of chickweed/marigold into a soap?"

Answer:
From what I've found online, it pays to add essential oils in addition to finely powdered, dried herbs. If you like a bit of texture and visual interest in your soap, then throw in some dried marigold petals.

Soap Making Resources:

TeachSoap.com - The Soap Making FAQ on this site is fantastic and you can ask the expert, Anne-Marie, your questions if they haven't already been answered.

WaltonFeed.com - These are old-fashioned soap recipes that I thought you might like.

Soap Recipes - Free recipes and directions condensed from Elaine White's book, 'Soap Recipes: Seventy tried-and-true ways to make modern soap with herbs, beeswax and vegetable oils.'

Zenda's Homemade Soap and Beauty Recipes - Lots of helpful tips in addition to recipes.

New TreeHuggerz Articles
Indoor Organic Herb Garden
What You Need To Know When Planting A Tree

Happy Mother's Day 2007

2007-05-12T15:20:00.000-07:00

Of all the rights of women, the greatest is to be a mother.
~Lin Yutang

Photo courtesy of sxc.hu

TreeHuggerz New Articles
Make an Easy and Elegant Birdbath
An English Cottage Garden

TreeHuggerz Freebies
Check out the following links for organic savings online and by coupon.
Organic Coupons
Coupon Craze
Mambo Sprouts

Happy Earth Day 2007

2007-04-21T02:08:00.000-07:00

There are no passengers on Spaceship Earth.

We are all crew.
~Marshall McLuhan, 1964

The TreeHuggerz archive has some ideas on how you can celebrate Earth Day everyday! Currently we have a list of 96 small things you can do to go green.

New TreeHuggerz Articles
Tips -Free Homemade Dog Food Recipes
Herbs -How to Plan an Herb Garden

There are three new TreeHuggerz Cafe Press items showcasing original art by my daughter, age five. Her colorful butterfly family design is perfect for your little one.

TreeHuggerz Freebies
10,000 Thoughts - Send and/or receive good thoughts.
Urth.tv - Social networking with an eco theme.
Divine Caroline - Women's online community where you are encouraged to participate in what matters to you and your life.

My Blog Log Giveaway

2007-03-30T03:36:00.000-07:00

This contest is courtesy of Broc at Existential Ventures.com. You must join his community at MyBlogLog to enter and he has other ways to earn more entries, like posting about his contest on your blog. The winner will be randomly chosen once his MyBlogLog community reaches 500 members. At the time of this post, there are 69 members.

The prize is a Canon Photo Printer Pixma iP1700, valued at $49.99

The photo above is an example of the printer, not an actual photo of the prize.

Best of luck to all who enter!

Check out Five for Fighting

2007-03-26T12:06:00.001-07:00

Watch an online music video or upload one to help raise money for charity. Five for Fighting

AOL now offers free email to everyone. Find out more about what's free from AOL at AOL.com.

Lavender Love

2007-03-03T01:36:00.000-08:00

Spring is almost here and it's time for new beginnings at TreeHuggerz. One new addition is the Lavender Love company as an affiliate. From essential oils to pet toys they have a vast selection of products for your home. Cooking with lavender is something I'd like to try and their selection has given me inspiration. Culinary lavender, Herbs de Provence (7 herb blend includes lavender) and teas are available for adding a gourmet flair to your recipes. Please enjoy the article below from lavender expert, Jenny Bishop. She has some good ideas on how to use lavender with whole grains.

New TreeHuggerz Articles
How Patience and Faith Can Create A Happy Wallet For You
Top Six Natural Energy Boosters

Cooking with Culinary Lavender
by Jenny Bishop

Have you tried whole grains with culinary lavender? Whole grains are making a comeback, and their advantages in terms of health and environmental conservancy are well known. However, to many palates accustomed to refined flour, whole grains seem tasteless and heavy. By using our Culinary Lavender, you can create healthy, satisfying meals that taste - and smell - delicious. Adding Lavender Lemon Pepper or Italian Seasoning with Lavender to your whole grains is the key to making nutritious meals that your entire family will love.

Why are Whole Grains So Beneficial?

Natural grains consist of three parts - the germ, the bran, and the endosperm. White rice, flour, and other refined grains are made by processing endosperm and discarding the bran and germ. The endosperm consists almost entirely of starch, while minerals, vitamins, proteins, and other healthy substances are found in the bran and germ. Although the endosperm has a milder taste and softer texture, adding culinary lavender to whole grains makes them just as appealing as refined grains - or even more so!

Using Culinary Lavender to interest your family in whole grains is also environmentally friendly. Nearly one third of every bushel of grain is discarded in the refining process. By using whole grains, you are extending the usefulness of every acre of grain that is planted.

What does Culinary Lavender Add to Your Meal?

Culinary Lavender looks and smells wonderful, but it also does more than just make whole grains more appetizing. Culinary Lavender has been known since Roman times for its soothing and healing properties. A pinch of Italian Seasoning with Lavender in your rice can relieve dizziness, or some Lavender Lemon Pepper mixed with whole grain flour for a fish batter can ease the pain of headaches as well as tasting great.

How Can I Use Culinary Lavender with Whole Grains?

Here are some suggestions for using Culinary Lavender while cooking with whole grains:

· Add Italian Seasoning with Lavender to homemade whole grain pastas, or use it to spice up your spaghetti sauce when cooking store bought whole grain pasta.

· Bake whole wheat breads with a touch of Culinary Lavender, to add a hint of alluring flavor to your loaves.

· Sprinkle Lavender Lemon Pepper over your stone-ground whole grain grits in the morning.

· Make a spicy topping for your whole wheat bread using a mixture of garlic, olive oil, and Italian Seasoning with Lavender.

· Use whole grain flour mixed with Lavender Lemon Pepper as a batter dip for fried vegetables, fish, and chicken fingers.

· Crush some Culinary Lavender with raw sugar, and sprinkle it over your whole grain oatmeal for breakfast.

About The Author
Jenny Bishop teaches many culinary classes with the use of culinary lavender and is one of the judges for the Lavender Gourmet Recipe Contests hosted throughout the year by Lavender-n-Things. For free lavender recipes visit www.lavendernthings.com.

Happy Valentine's Day 2007

2007-02-13T21:18:00.000-08:00

Love is a symbol of eternity. It wipes out all sense of time,
destroying all memory of a beginning and all fear of an end.
~Author Unknown

Marlo Quinn Company Update

2007-02-04T03:58:00.001-08:00

Marlo Quinn is closed for business, apparently since February 1, 2007. I found out yesterday morning and have been cleaning up my links all over the web. There don't seem to be any details and the site is GONE. There is a rumor of the company being bankrupt posted in one of the MySpace Groups but there is no way for me to verify that at the moment. Marlo Quinn was a young business but I really felt they had the potential to be a profitable enterprise.

If you are owed merchandise or refunds from the Marlo Quinn Company, please go to the website below.

They have information on how to file complaints and offer an opportunity to tell your story.

http://www.freewebs.com/marloquinnproblems/

Happy 2007!

2006-12-31T23:22:00.000-08:00

Northern Lights Photo Courtesy of Stock.xchnge

Here's to the days of good will, cold weather, and warm hearts.
~ New Year's Toast

Happy Holidays 2006

2006-12-25T03:45:00.000-08:00

Christmas is not a time nor a season, but a state of mind. To cherish peace and goodwill, to be plenteous in mercy, is to have the real spirit of Christmas.
~ Calvin Coolidge

Happy Thanksgiving 2006!

2006-11-23T02:50:00.000-08:00

Thanksgiving comes to us out of the prehistoric dimness, universal to all ages and all faiths. At whatever straws we must grasp, there is always a time for gratitude and new beginnings.
~ J. Robert Moskin

Enhance Your Beauty, Naturally

2006-11-13T23:14:00.000-08:00

Your friendly neighborhood webmom is now a Marlo Quinn Consultant!

Marlo Quinn offers natural-based bath, body and skin care for the entire family. All of our products are 95% natural and above. Our formulator is quality tested and assured, as well as natural, botanical, organic and vegan certified. You can rest assured that our products are made fresh and overflowing with the highest quality natural butters, waxes and oils. We believe that you have the right to know what you are putting on your skin, all of our products include full ingredient disclosure. Marlo Quinn never uses animal testing of any kind.

Book an online party today! Marvel's Webstore: http://www.marloquinn.com/marvel

Treehuggerz on Squidoo.com
25% of all TreeHuggerz Squidoo revenue goes to OxFam America. If you don't already have a lens, they are free and easy to create. Check out our lens and join the Green Web Group for treehugging lenses.

TreeHuggerz News
New articles on the tips and herbals pages.
Treehuggerz secondhand store is closed for renovations. I'll post here when it's back up and open for business.

TreeHuggerz Freebies
Share your photos or download those you like for free from the following websites.
Free Range Stock
Morguefile.com
Stock.XCHANGE

A big thank you to all customers, visitors and supporters! You are very much appreciated.

Enjoy a Recycled Halloween

2006-10-21T02:35:00.000-07:00

Fall is my favorite time of year and Halloween is still a time for "dressing up". The best costumes of my childhood were the times we made our own. One of the funniest was when my sister and I made ourselves into Martians. I must have been about 13 years old and my sister 11. We wore matching track suits that zipped to the chin. Used foil for our antennae which were stuck into our hair. Finally, we covered our faces and hands with green food coloring. While on our trick or treating rounds, one gentleman even took our picture to add to his collection of outstanding costumes. The only problem was that undiluted food coloring stains the skin. Unfortunately, we were faintly green for days!

Have a safe time and use some of the links below to spark your creativity while saving money and natural resources.

New TreeHuggerz Articles:
10 Alternate Energy Sources to Live Well With Global Warming
Planting Herbs in the Fall
Small Things You Can Do Everyday has been updated.

Halloween Ideas Using Recycled Materials

Make your own costume Ideas including some for chair users
http://www.robinsfyi.com/holidays/halloween/costumes.htm

Family friendly eco-Halloween Hike in Wisconsin
http://www.bongnaturalistassociation.org/

Bleach Bottle Cat
This project uses spray paint. However, a better alternate would be nontoxic acrylic paint.
http://www.craftown.com/halloween/craft27.htm

Cat crafts for children, many suitable for Halloween.
http://stepbystepcc.com/animals/cats2.html

Plastic Tub and Grocery Bag Ghost
http://www.kidsdomain.com/craft/sackghost.html

Egg Carton Pumpkins
http://crafterscommunity.com/index.php/248

Make Your Own Mummy Costume
http://www.craftown.com/halloween/craft4.htm

Paper Sack Pumpkins
http://www.activityvillage.co.uk/stuffed_paper_sack_pumpkins.htm

Apple Head Witch Dolls
http://www.craftown.com/halloween/craft53.htm

How to Make Tempera Paint
http://www.eggtempera.com/paint.html

How to Make Poster Paint (kid friendly)
http://www.kidsturncentral.com/crafts/crecipe6.htm

Crafting Tips: Please use an all-purpose acrylic craft paint that is water-based and nontoxic for your painting needs. Tempera paint (egg-based) works well on porous surfaces and is a better choice environmentally speaking. Just say no to spray paint.

Domestic Violence Awareness Month

2006-10-07T00:21:00.000-07:00

57% of homeless families identified domestic violence as a primary cause of homelessness. (The United States Conference of Mayors, A Status Report on Hunger and Homelessness in America's Cities: 1999, December 1999, p. 39.)

That is just one of the many statistics about how domestic violence affects communities, not just the abuser and victim. Wear a purple ribbon to show support for victims of domestic abuse this month. Read the article below and donate to or volunteer for a crisis center in your community. As a former crisis-line and shelter worker I can say that education about abuse is important to both the victim and abuser, not to mention the public. Please use this month to erase some of the myths that exist in your own mind concerning violence in the home.

*******************
Domestic Violence and Women
By Kadence Buchanan

Every single day a number of health care professionals have to encounter an incident of an abused victim turning to them to request help. But even of you are not a trained professional you should be familiar with what domestic violence is and what it can do to victims. Then you will be better prepared to react correctly in case you encounter such an unfortunate incident. Helping the victim regain a sense of control over his or her life should not be your responsibility if you are not a trained professional, but being informed can sometimes save a victim from keeping everything within and self-destruct.

Domestic violence is characterized as a pattern of coercive behaviors that may include repeated battering and injury, psychological abuse, sexual assault, progressive social isolation, deprivation and intimidation. Someone who is or was involved in an intimate relationship, with the victim, might perpetrate these behaviors. According to official data from law enforcement units and medical institutions, gender plays an important role in dynamics of abuse. Over 85 percent of reported victims of domestic violence are women and most perpetrators are men. Moreover, domestic violence is the leading cause of injury to women of all ages and the leading cause of injury to pregnant women and ladies between 18 and 44 years of age.

On the other hand, domestic violence is also known as "partner violence or spouse abuse" since experts recognize that also men may be abused in intimate relationships. In addition, many of today's societies report domestic violence incidents between gay or lesbian partners, since this type of intimidating behavior is not a characteristic of a specific sexual orientation. Physical assault, sexual abuse, threats against person, creating stress and psychological damage to children or loved ones, destruction of home or personal property, are some of the most common cases reported as examples of domestic violence incidents.

Unfortunately, although extremely common, domestic violence is considered an extremely sensitive subject that victims do not easily report and thus it remains confined inside the particular territory of a family's neighborhood or even walls. Some of the most common domestic violence myths include that it is a behavior pattern indicative of particular economic and social groups; it is a marital problem; victims will never speak of what they are experiencing; it is associated with alcohol or drug abuse; and that violence can be handed down from one generation to the next.

In fact, research indicates that violence may be a learned behavior, particularly from observation, however all men who are violent do not have histories of violence in childhood. Very interesting is the fact that unmarried partners and those who are separated or divorced have higher rates of abuse than those who are married. Additionally, rate of domestic violence vary little between economic and/or cultural groups. Finally, while studies have shown that alcohol and/or drug addiction and violence frequently coexist, they are not resulting from each other and that violent behavior will not end unless professional treatment and adequate interventions address both problems; the substance abuse and the violent behavior.

Kadence Buchanan writes articles on many topics including Women's Health, Cooking, and Women

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Kadence_Buchanan

*******************

New TreeHuggerz Articles
Eating Can Be An Adventure - Keep It Interesting, Simple, Healthy and Fun
Aromatherapy Travel Insurance - Essential Oils For Your Journeys

TreeHuggerz Freebies
Hope For Healing.Org has free brochures available for download in PDF format. This organization is Christian-based with many resources, both on and offline, for victims of assault.

National Domestic Violence 24/7 Hotline:
1-800-799-SAFE (7233)
1-800-787-3224 (TTY)
Hotline advocates are available to provide crisis intervention, safety planning, information and referrals to agencies in all 50 states, Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands. Assistance is available in English and Spanish with access to more than 140 languages through interpreter services.

Feminist Internet Gateway: Domestic Violence Resources
This is the most comprehensive online listing I've come across.

Light A Million Candles

2006-10-06T21:02:00.000-07:00

The innocent victims of Internet child abuse cannot speak for themselves.

But you can.

With your help, we can eradicate this evil trade.

We do not need your money.

We need you to light a candle of support http://www.lightamillioncandles.com.

We're aiming to light at least One Million Candles by December 31, 2006.

This petition will be used to encourage governments, politicians, financial institutions, payment organisations, Internet service providers, technology companies and law enforcement agencies to eradicate the commercial viability of online child abuse.

They have the power to work together. You have the power to get them to take action.

Please light your candle at lightamillioncandles.com or send an email of support to light@lightamillioncandles.com.

Together, we can destroy the commercial viability of Internet child abuse sites that are destroying the lives of innocent children.

Kindly forward this email to your friends, relatives and work colleagues so that they can light a candle too.

Homestead September Anniversary Special

2006-09-20T01:02:00.000-07:00

Try Homestead for FREE!

I wanted to let you know about Homestead Technologies. For sometime now, Homestead has powered my website, ensuring I'm always connected online. Why Homestead?

- Award-winning web design software
- No design experience or HTML required
- Web hosting and personalized domain name
- Great customer support
- Shopping Cart Available
- Photo and Clip Art Library (my personal favorite)
- Templates
- Only in September - Packages start from $4.99/mo

Take advantage of Homestead today! You can build your website free for 30 days. Sign up before October 31, 2006.

Click here to start your free trial.

The Office

2006-09-19T02:11:00.000-07:00

No, not the TV show but a guest article from Trash Talk authors, Dave and Lillian Brummet.

New Articles on TreeHuggerz.com
Budgeting For Your Personal Finance
Aromatherapy At Work

TreeHuggerz Freebies
Debtors Anonymous -Recover from problems with debt.
Spenders Anonymous -A 12-Step Fellowship to help control your spending habits.
Clutterers Anonymous -Help to eliminate clutter and bring order into your life.

********************************
Efficiency Around The Office
By Dave Brummet and Lillian Brummet

Nearly every office, be it commercial or home-based, may have areas of inefficiency that can be improved upon. We are not talking sales figures or profit margins or budgets, but inefficient waste and resource management. For instance, let us look at some common aspects and consider how consumption can be reduced and how to make better use of resources.

Not all paper work and receipts need to be shredded, but sometimes, for the sake of security, it is necessary. This shredded paper is recyclable or it can be contributed in layers to a compost or worm bin. It can also be donated to animal shelters or pet stores where it is used in the bottom of cages to help keep them clean. This will ease workloads on staff, keep operational costs down, and the animals are more comfortable in their cages. The animal waste along with the bedding is easily composted.

Technology now makes it possible to save paper on a daily basis by sending emails. Worth mentioning, is the time saved as compared to communicating via the postal system. When sending a fax, if possible, refrain from using a cover sheet. For efficient paper use at the photocopy machine, set it to automatically print pages on both sides. When making draft copies with the photocopier or printer, use the reverse side of any suitable scrap paper. We keep a box of this paper handy for visiting children to color and draw upon. The blank side of any scrap paper can be used for shopping lists, reminder notes, game scoring, or the perpetual to do list(s) that we all have.

We often use sheets of adhesive labels in our office printer. The edges, top and bottom of each used sheet have 1/4" of remaining unused material. These can be trimmed to convenient lengths and stored in a small jar (or other storage container of choice). These labels come in handy when labeling items destined for the freezer, jam jars, bulk foods or shop and craft supplies.

Keep computer equipment such as external drives, printers and scanners powered off when they are not in use – turn them on only for the duration that they are needed. Stand-by power (lights or clock displays) can be eliminated by either using a power bar or by manually unplugging the equipment. Sleep the computer during the day when not in use (lunch, coffee, or meetings) and turn all equipment off before leaving at the end of the day.

These are some simple suggestions, yet they will save time, money, and resources, which is in the best interest of any office.

Written by Dave and Lillian Brummet based on the concept of their book, Trash Talk. The book offers useful solutions for the individual to reduce waste and better manage resources. A guide for anyone concerned about their impact on the environment. (http://www.sunshinecable.com/)

********************************

Goodbye Crocodile Hunter

2006-09-06T00:01:00.000-07:00

It's hard to believe that Steve Irwin is actually gone. He was a man that reached across generations. My elderly clients got a kick of him as much and my young daughter. I was impressed by his passion about conservation and his willingness to laugh at himself. My condolences go out to his family and friends.

Happy Labor Day!

2006-09-03T17:14:00.000-07:00

Take rest; a field that has rested gives a bountiful crop.
~Ovid

Photo by Mary K. Baird

Green Contest

2006-08-11T02:31:00.000-07:00

"Name That Television Show" Contest
Email your entry by midnight Aug. 22, 2006. They need a new title for the Built Green TV show. The best entry will be chosen and used to retitle the show. One winner will receive a Voltaic solar backpack from 3r living.

I'm still working on my idea. What do you think about, "Treehuggerz At Large"? (Sorry, couldn't resist.) The official rules and all entry requirements are posted at builtgreentv.com.

TreeHuggerz Articles
New Tips article on how to prevent and treat head lice naturally. The new Herbals article has information for the breastfeeding mother.

TreeHuggerz Freebie
Oceangram.com
Send a virtual message in a bottle.

New Diapering System

2006-07-14T19:47:00.000-07:00

gDiaper
Flushable inserts in a "little g" cover that don't cost much more than disposables. You can compost the urine soaked inserts and even save on water. Available in a few retail outlets (Oregon, yay!) and by mail-order. They offer automatic delivery, too. So you can have them bill your credit card, then delivered right to your door. Each purchase also helps support the Children's Health Environmental Coalition's Blue Butterfly campaign. Wow, I would have jumped on these if I'd known about them when DD arrived. Has anyone tried them?

TreeHuggerz Tips and Hints
New article about using honey as a healthy sweetener and I've included some recipes.

TreeHuggerz Freebie
Polly Klaas Foundation Child Safety Kit
Free by calling 1-800-587-HELP

Happy Fourth of July!

2006-07-04T01:46:00.000-07:00

"Those who desire to give up freedom in order to gain security will not have, nor do they deserve, either one.”
~Benjamin Franklin

For Kids of All Ages

2006-07-01T21:55:00.000-07:00

Homemade Bubble Fun is the title of the latest TreeHuggerz Tips article. You'll find tips and recipes for making your own bubbles. Below is a recipe for modeling clay that is also a treat to eat.

EDIBLE CLAY

1 (18 oz.) jar smooth peanut butter
6 tbs. honey
1/2 cup instant dried milk

Optional: raisins, chocolate chips, nuts and pretzels

Combine peanut butter and honey, then add milk to play dough consistency. Use raisins, chocolate chips, nuts and pretzels to decorate.

Warning: Not for children under the age of two.

Happy Father's Day!

2006-06-17T01:43:00.000-07:00

"I talk and talk and talk, and I haven't taught people in 50 years what my father taught by example in one week."
Mario Cuomo, former governor of N.Y.

Treat Dad to a healthier grilled meal this weekend. Check out TreeHuggerz Herbals page for recipes and healthy tips on grilling.

Photo courtesy of Mary and Morguefile.com

Celebrate Loving Day!

2006-06-10T15:19:00.000-07:00

"While it may seem negligible on the outside, interracial marriage and dating, is a hot topic and somewhat of a taboo, still, and quite controversial."
Alfre Woodard

Loving Day commemorates June 12, 1967 when the US Supreme Court made it a legal right to love a person of any race. Before that decision interracial couples could be legally separated and/or punished by their state governments. In the state of Oregon (my current residence) there were laws from 1862-1951 making marriage between specific interracial couples null and void. Join a celebration happening in your city or have one of your own.

Contest Suspended

2006-06-03T23:15:00.000-07:00

TreeHuggerz Contest has been suspended until further notice. The winner of April's contest was Lauri A. of Vermont. Check out her tomato plant tip on the Winner's Page. Many thanks to all who have entered and made it a success for the last year. If anyone would like to sponsor a TreeHuggerz Contest, please let me know. Email: webmom @ treehuggez.org (remove the spaces)

My computer is still dead and unfortunately the loaner I had is on the fritz as well. Therefore, my online duties are getting the bare minimum of my attention until I have a working system in my home.

Below is a new ad for the March of Dimes, "Be A Hero For Babies Day" Campaign. Give if you can and pass the word along. They hope to raise $1 million dollars this month. All donations made through my affiliate links go directly to the March of Dimes, they do not pay affiliates.

Happy Mother's Day

2006-05-12T16:09:00.000-07:00

Hundreds of dewdrops to greet the dawn,
Hundreds of bees in the purple clover,
Hundreds of butterflies on the lawn,
But only one mother the wide world over.
~George Cooper

Pantene Beautiful Lengths Campaign

2006-04-25T02:23:00.000-07:00

"Bring beauty and hope to women living with the effects of cancer."

Deadline is 4/25/06

Go to http://www.beautifullengths.com/

Register to become a hometown ambassador. Men and women are encouraged to apply. You must be willing to have your hair cut for donation. Diane Lane is the spokesperson and will be donating her own hair in July.

Even if you don't want to be an ambassador, please consider donating your hair. The link above has a free donation kit available.

Thanks to the anonymous poster who sent TreeHuggerz Blog this information.

Earth Day Freebie

2006-04-20T13:04:00.000-07:00

Get a FREE ACME Workhorse 1500 Bag with our Earth Day Coupon and more!

For the last five years, we have been fighting hard to
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reduce
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In celebration of Earth Day, we are making it easier
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our "freeacmebag" coupon.
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Feel free to pass this offer on to others!

Computer Problems

2006-04-12T14:19:00.000-07:00

Yes, I am still around but only via email because my computer died last week. Please allow for extra time between postings and updates as we shuffle the parts of two broken machines into one working model. So far it looks like all my hard drive data is intact, just not accessible. (Mama needs a new laptop!)

There is a new tips and hints page on TreeHuggerz.com and our Contest winner for March is Kim C., congratulations! April's Contest winner will receive the Student Success System by Blaine Athorn, be sure to enter your tip or recipe.

Passover Greetings and Happy Easter to all!

--
TreeHuggerz.com
Get tips and hints for green living on a budget.

Happy St. Patrick's Day

2006-03-17T02:47:00.000-08:00

An Irish Blessing:
May brooks and trees and singing hills
Join in the chorus too,
And every gentle wind that blows
Send happiness to you.

WikiHow

2006-03-12T22:48:00.000-08:00

Find or request an article on how-to do almost anything you can imagine. Free to use and you don't even have to register to view articles.

Contest Winner's

2006-03-07T00:16:00.000-08:00

Congratulations to Barbra A. of IL who won TreeHuggerz February Contest!

Belated Congratulations! to Diane P. of CA who won TreeHuggerz January Contest.

Both their tips can be found at TreeHuggerz Winner's Page.

Please note that the Contest Rules have been updated. I've decided to limit the number of winner's chosen each month to three. If I don't get a response then the prize will roll over to the next month. This is due to my own time limitations.

Happy Valentine's Day!

2006-02-13T01:42:00.000-08:00

"We cannot compel love to come to us. We simply invite it. When it comes, let us gives thanks for it and see what we can do to attract still more. We should express affection, even if all we do is pat dogs. The more love we give away, the greater love we have to share."
-Thomas Dreier

TreeHuggerz February Update

2006-02-13T00:54:00.000-08:00

There's been a new page of books added to the bookstore. Check out the new titles and feel free to send me your recommendations. Yours truly just received a copy of "Eat Up Slim Down Annual Recipes 2006" with her recipe for Pasta with Chickpea Sauce on page 176. :-) If you are in need of a good read please use any of the Amazon.com links on the site and blog, they help finance our efforts.

Find some Valentine's Day tips to give you a few ideas for celebrating the holiday and get some herbal advice for staying healthy through flu season.

The winner of January's contest has not been validated yet and I am on the third choice. Please add trhuggerz @ aol .com (remove the spaces) to your accepted email addresses if you use a SP*M filter or check the Winner page to find out if you are the potential winner.

2006-02-01T00:47:00.000-08:00

Goodbye Coretta Scott King. May you always be remembered for your contribution to society.

I'm a finalist!

2006-01-26T02:04:00.000-08:00

Please vote for me (Marvel Selke) at Treehugger.com's Dress an Eco-Celeb Contest. I'm one of four finalists but am currently in last place. I don't mind losing but not dead last. :-( Thank you for your support.

Goodbye Organic Style

2006-01-22T16:27:00.000-08:00

While expecting my new issue of "Organic Style" this is what I received in it's place. The following letter was attached to the latest issue of "Experience Life" magazine:

Dear "Organic Style" Subscriber,

Rodale Publishing recently decided to cease publication of "Organic Style" magazine. The October 2005 issue was the final issue.

"Organic Style" made its debut in September 2001 and was the first magazine to focus on providing information about organic, balanced living in an authentic and contemporary way. We at "Experience Life" are also pleased to have been at the forefront of the balanced living movement and to witness the movement's shift into the mainstream.

In an effort to help fulfill "Organic Style's" commitment to its valued customers, we have arranged for you to receive "Experience Life" in place of the issues that remained in your former "Organic Style" subscription. Your first issue is enclosed. We hope you will enjoy this award-winning, healthy-way-of-life magazine.

(Skipping over part about if you are already an "Experience Life" subscriber.)

Thank you again for your loyal support of "Organic Style" and for your understanding and patience in this matter.

If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to call us at 1-800-749-3964 or email us at explifeorgstyle0106@pmgdata.com.

Sincerely,
(signed)
Hervey Evans
Circulation Manager
"Experience Life" Magazine

The site was disabled December 1. 2005, but says that you can still find "Organic Style" articles at Organic Gardening.com.

I don't know what happened but this is really disappointing. My subscription to "Organic Style" started in 2004. It was in the check-out stand of the grocery store. Spying that magazine was like a sign that I needed to get TreeHuggerz.com started (I had ownership of the domain since 2001). So I bought my first issue and subscribed immediately. It's been one of my all-time favorite periodicals but our relationship has been way too brief.

MLK Celebration Suggestion

2006-01-16T14:00:00.000-08:00

Celebrate. . .

. . .the legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King by planting a sycamore or live oak grown from the seeds of trees at Brown Chapel AME in Selma, Alabama. As a young minister, King used to make fiery speeches at Brown Chapel, where he gathered thousands for his peaceful Selma-to-Montgomery march that helped lead to passage of the 1965 Voting Rights Act. For more on these trees or to order, visit: www.historictrees.org or call 800/320-TREE.

What's New at TreeHuggerz.com

2006-01-15T19:59:00.000-08:00

Herbal Lore has a new article, "How Garlic Can Fight -and Cure- Ear Infections" and I'm soliciting articles for the Feature page. If your non-profit or community project could use some free publicity please submit a press release to: webmom@treehuggerz.org. Photos are acceptable as long as they are in jpg or gif format.

Green Contest
Treehugger.com has a contest ending January 20, 2006. To enter you have to outfit an eco-celeb head-to-toe using fashionable green items. You can check out my Wists.com entry for outfitting Brad Pitt. The prize is a HER design bag but I had lots of fun just fantasy dressing Brad and learning how to use Wists. If you enter and feel like sharing, post a link to your entry in the comments. Who's up for Angelina?

Jeremy Likness On Bread

2006-01-11T03:07:00.000-08:00

In keeping with my current obsession over bread...enjoy.
--------------

The Worshipful Company of Bakers
Copyright 2005 Jeremy Likness

Bread is one of the oldest known recipes to man. It has
been around for several millennia.

The recent low-carbohydrate craze has given bread a bad
reputation, but not all breads are created equal. There are
more varieties of bread than there are supplement
companies. This article will explain the history of bread,
the types of bread, and the role that bread can play in the
quest for good health and a better body.

The History of Bread

It is estimated that the first bread was made around 10000
years BC or over 12,000 years in the past. This bread was
more than likely flatbread, similar to a tortilla, made
simply of ground grains (flour) and water that was mashed
and baked. The first tools and implements used in the
making of bread are dated to about 8000 years BC.

Egypt is attributed with popularizing the art of making
bread. Egyptians are considered to be the agricultural
pioneers of the old world, probably benefiting from
interactions with Samaria. The closed oven was invented
circa 3000 BC and allowed for more varieties of bread to be
produced. It is around this time that leavened bread is
first described, that is bread, bread with yeast added so
that it would rise during production. Refined grains were
considered superior and therefore were prevalent in the
higher courts, so the poorer populations used barley and
sorghum in their breads.

Around 1000 BC the Mosaic laws were introduced. These laws,
in the books of Leviticus and Deuteronomy, contained
instructions to the nation of Israel regarding proper food
preparation. When the Hebrew people fled Egypt during the
legendary Exodus, they were forced to make unleavened
(flat) bread in their haste. Leviticus declares a feast
commemorating the exodus using flatbread. Bread is a common
symbol of bounty in the bible – Leviticus 21:22 declares,
“He shall eat the bread of his God.” When the people of God
were lost in the wilderness, they were fed manna, which was
described as bread from heaven. The Christian Savior, Jesus
Christ, is called the “Bread of Life”.

The bible also gives one of the earliest recipes for
sprouted grain bread. It reads, in Ezekiel 4:9-17: “The
thou also unto thee wheat, and barley, and beans, and
lentils, and millet, and fitches, and put them in one
vessel, and make thee bread thereof, according to the
number of days that thou shalt lie upon thy side, three
hundred and ninety days shalt thou eat thereof.” While more
than a year of nothing but this bread sounds like quite a
marathon diet, analysis of products today using the same
recipe show that it was a well-balanced, nutritious bread
that yielded plenty of protein, fiber, carbohydrate, and
healthy fat.

In 400 BC, around the time when Socrates was providing sage
dietary advice, Plato imagined an ideal world. In this
world, men would live to a ripe old age. Their main source
of sustenance would be whole grain bread from local wheat.

168 BC saw the establishment of baker’s guilds in Rome.
Bread even played a major role in politics when, in 40 BC,
as part of a campaign, it was decreed that bread should be
freely distributed to every male adult.

In 1202 AD, English laws were passed to regulate the
production of bread. While many people are aware of the
differences between whole grain (brown) bread and white
breads, few realize that it caused quite a stir in 1307
when the white bread bakers and brown bread bakers split to
form separate guilds! It was not until two centuries later,
in 1569, that the guilds were reunited and called the
“Worshipful Company of Bakers.”

As early as 1826, the whole grain bread used by the
military was called superior for health to the white,
refined bread used by the aristocracy. In fact, the term
refined today comes from this fact. Before the industrial
revolution, it was more labor consuming (and therefore
costly) to refine bread, so white bread was the main staple
for aristocracy. This made them “refined”.

In 1910, Americans were eating 210 pounds of wheat flour
every year. The commercial bread-slicing machine was
invented in 1912 by Otto Rohwedder, and unveiled in 1928.
The 1930s saw the United States pursue a diet enrichment
program to begin fortifying breads with vitamins and
minerals after their discovery in the late 1920s. In 1941,
calcium was added to help prevent rickets, observed in many
female recruits to the military. In 1956, it became the law
to enrich all refined breads. By 1971 consumption of white
bread had dropped to around 110 pounds per year, but by
1997 (possibly due in part to the low fat, high
carbohydrate craze and the food pyramid) consumption was up
to 150 pounds – still 60 pounds shy of the fit, trim
Americans at the turn of the century.

Types of Bread

There are many types of bread. This is by no means an
exhaustive list.

In the most basic form, grinding grains, adding water, and
heating it produces whole grain flatbread. Whole grain
bread is similar, only yeast is added so that the bread
rises. White bread starts out similar to whole grain bread.
The grain is processed, however. The hard, outer portion of
the grain is stripped, removing fiber and many vitamins,
minerals, and healthy fats that are naturally available.
The remaining portion is ground to a fine powder, the
enriched with a generic spray of vitamins and minerals.
This is then used to bake the bread.

Spelt bread is a grain-bread, but made from special wheat
that does not contain gluten. Gluten, a form of protein, is
a common allergen and gluten intolerance or allergies are
quite common.

Since whole grains are not sweet, sourdough bread is simply
wheat bread with no sweetener added. Once a sweetener is
added – often high fructose corn syrup in commercial
breads, but typically brown sugar, honey, or molasses in
fresh baked breads – it becomes the typical bread you are
used to buying.

Varieties such as oat, barley, rye, kamut, triticale,
millet, and even rice bread are simply variations using
different grains other than traditional wheat. Sometimes
seeds and spices are added, creating varieties such as
basil, garlic, onion, or cinnamon bread.

Sprouted grain bread has increased in popularity in recent
years. Traditional bread is made from ground flour from the
hardened kernel of grain. Sprouted grain bread involves
soaking the grain and allowing it to sprout. The sprouted
seedlings are then mashed together and baked. Sprouting
allows the enzymes in the grain to convert some of the
carbohydrates and fats to vitamins, minerals, and amino
acids. Due to the changes that take place, sprouted grain
bread typically is higher in protein, fiber, and certain
vitamins and minerals than regular bread. It is also less
refined and processed than even stone ground wheat bread,
so it has less of an impact on your blood sugar.

Bread and Nutrition

Many commercial types of bread are highly refined. Enriched
breads have the original nutrients stripped out and
replaced with inferior, often lesser quantities of standard
vitamins and minerals. Some companies will try to produce
wholesome-looking bread by adding grains to the outside,
even when the main ingredient is enriched bread. High
fructose corn syrup is often added as a sweetener.

The first thing to look at when purchasing breads is the
ingredients list. Look for breads where the very first
ingredient is “whole grain” or “stone ground” rather than
“enriched” (even if whole grains follow the enriched flour
ingredient). Look for natural sweeteners like molasses or
honey over high fructose corn syrup. Preferably, the
sweetener and salt should be last on the ingredients list.
If you consume high quantities of bread or keep the bread
refrigerated, it will last longer and you can purchase
fresher varieties that do not contain additives or
preservatives. The most basic ingredients list will look
like this: whole-wheat flour, water, salt. There should be
a few grams of protein and fiber per slice – low protein
and/or fiber is a sign of excessive processing that has
stripped these nutrients, and implies that the other
nutrients will be missing as well.

Rye bread typically contains moderate portions of protein
and fiber per slice. A 100-calorie slice will contain a few
grams of protein, a few grams of fiber, around 20 grams of
carbohydrate, and decent amounts of calcium and iron. The
addition of flaxseed increases protein and fiber (for the
same 100 calorie slice) but also adds trace amounts of
health, unsaturated fats.

There are actually some amazing bread recipes that can be
very beneficial for the bodybuilder. A variety of bread
called “Men’s Bread” by French Meadow Bakery contains the
following: Organic whole wheat flour, filtered water,
organic flaxseed, organic pumpkin seeds, organic oat fiber,
organic low fat soy flour, organic wheat flour, organic
sesame seeds, organic raw sprouted fava beans, organic
sunflower seeds, organic millet, organic pea protein
isolate (non-GMO), organic wheat flour (wheat germ
restored), soy germ isoflavone concentrate (non-GMO),
organic sprouted quinoa, organic sprouted amaranth, organic
sprouted spelt, organic sprouted kamut, wheat gluten,
organic sprouted barley, organic sprouted oats, organic
sprouted wheat, unrefined sea salt.

This power-packed ingredients list provides a 100-calorie
slice of bread with essential fatty acids, 5 grams of
fiber, and 8 grams of protein to only 11 grams of
carbohydrate. It is abundant in over 13 vitamins and
minerals. Compare this to a typical slice of white bread,
which contains no fiber, trace amounts of protein, and
double the carbohydrate.

Summary

Bread has been around for ages. While trends such as low
carbohydrate nutrition or low fat dieting come and go,
bread is here to stay – people “earn their bread” or “bring
the bread home” and are constantly looking for the “best
thing since sliced bread”. Before eliminating bread from
your program, consider the many types of bread that are
available and decide if there is one that suits your needs.
Bread can increase your protein intake, add fiber to your
diet, refill you muscles by supply quality carbohydrate in
addition to healthy fats, vitamins, and minerals. People
are always looking for the next great protein or power bar.
Why not try a slice of bread?

About the Author:
Jeremy Likness is an internationally-selling author,
motivational speaker, and health coach. His unique coaching
services have assisted people around the world with losing
hundreds of pounds of weight. Jeremy is the author of "Lose
Fat, Not Faith: A Transformation Guide" available at
www.LoseFatNotFaith.com or through major bookstores (ISBN:
0976907925). To learn more about Jeremy and his unique form
of coaching from the heart, visit:
http://www.naturalphysiques.com/hire/ or call Jeremy direct
at 1-888-472-2829 (770-456-5580).

Herman -Week Two

2006-01-09T02:06:00.000-08:00

November 13-19, 2005
Tuesday of this week is day 10! He's been in the fridge and I forgot to take him out for use Monday night. So...I took him out Tuesday night and left him at room temperature. There's been much discussion around here over which recipe to try first. I want pancakes but Richard wants bread. We compromised and I baked a batch of Herman biscuits Wednesday for breakfast.

Richard liked the biscuits but I thought they had a real strong yeasty/alcohol flavor. Nothing some butter and honey couldn't cure. The biscuit dough itself was perfect and there is no need to roll and cut unless you want to. Each biscuit is made by pinching off an egg sized piece of dough and placing it into a greased 8' or 9' cake pan. The sides of each biscuit should touch. Traditionally they were baked in a cast iron skillet. Then cover with a tea towel and allow them to rest at least 10 minutes before baking. I did note that they took longer to cook than other biscuit recipes I've used.

Herman was fed and left outside the fridge because I have plans for him Thursday morning. Grandma Ruby used Herman almost daily so I don't have a problem using him the next day. I only mention this because many Herman tips recommend using Herman every 48 hours - 10 days after feeding. Some suggest pouring off the alcohol layer that forms on Herman but Grandma Ruby just stirred it in. Be aware of the color of the liquid, if it's green or brown toss your Herman and start over. Some say to toss if it's orange but some say it's okay. If the layer is clear or yellow, it's fine. For those of you who feed Herman milk or milk products toss Herman if there is any pink in the crock. Grandma Ruby used water and so do I. Herman will normally have various scents such as yeast, wine, beer and sourdough which can be quite strong. However, Herman should not smell rotten or have mold growing on top of him.

Thursday is Herman pancake day! The recipe I used is basically a regular pancake recipe with 1 cup of Herman added. Since yesterday's biscuits were so-so I didn't feel too confident using Herman as the pancake base, see TreeHuggerz Herman Blueberry Pancake Recipe. The pancakes were good and cooked up beautifully. They didn't have that strong yeasty taste but not a sourdough flavor either. Herman wasn't fed after the pancakes and he went back into the fridge.

With Thanksgiving next week I want to have Herman rolls for dinner but I think I better do a dry run first. After getting Herman to room temperature on Friday, I tried a Herman roll recipe from the internet. All I can say is YUK! The recipe itself had me worried because it only called for a dash of salt. Even biscuits use 1 teaspoon of salt. Then it also required one package of dry yeast in addition to 1 cup of Herman. This seemed like a lot of yeast for a recipe that claimed to make 12 rolls. I calmed my fears by looking at the rave reviews for this recipe. The first sign of trouble was that the dough was more like batter. So I added another cup of flour. This helped but the dough was still too sticky to knead. More flour was added. The recipe only required one rise after kneading and shaping the rolls. However, I gave the dough a rise before I formed the rolls because I wanted them fresh from the oven with dinner. In my bread baking experience an extra rise makes for a better end product. All was well, the dough rose just as it should but it made almost a double number of rolls. Okay, we'd have extra rolls. My timing was on and they were done just as dinner was to be served. They smelled delicious and looked picture perfect. But even hot buttered from the oven these rolls were awful. Very yeasty in flavor; bland due to lack of salt; and the texture was quite coarse. No one wanted the leftovers so I fed them to the birds. Now I've got to find another roll recipe and get it right before Thanksgiving.

Fed Herman and left him at room temperature to work. Grandma Ruby always kept her crock near the stove and since I plan on using Herman often, this seems best. Maybe my lackluster results are because Herman hasn't had a chance to fully ferment at room temperature.

Stay tuned for Week Three.

Job for Apparel Sales Rep

2006-01-05T03:02:00.000-08:00

Found this position while surfing for eco-socks. If I had any experience this would be a fantastic job! I wonder what their employee discount would be?

"Sweetgrass Natural Fibers is currently seeking qualified sales reps with extensive experience in apparel sales and an interest in natural products. If you are seriously interested, please contact us toll free (877.391.8936)."

Help Me Win CASH And You Could Win Too!

2006-01-04T01:46:00.000-08:00

I need your help to win a $40,000 Campus Ladies contest prize! The person who joins the "Never the Same" Oxygen Social Network, and then gets the most friends to join, will win a $40,000 prize. Simply click on the link below, register and I (marvels1) will be one step closer to this grand prize.

Plus, once you've registered, you can enter to win too, just by inviting YOUR friends to join! While you are there, you can socialize with other people who enjoy a good laugh, and you can watch some funny video or send some crazy e-cards. Oxygen will never share your personal information with anyone so don’t worry about that.

And be sure to watch "Campus Ladies" on Oxygen Sundays at 10pm/9C, premiering Jan 8th. Remember… you’re never too old to party like a freshman! Click here to join now!

For Contest Rules, please visit http://neverthesame.oxygen.com/social_faq.php

Thank you

Herman -Week One

2006-01-02T00:48:00.000-08:00

As promised this is the first installment of my adventures with Herman. My plan is to try to keep this Herman journal for one year. If Herman remains alive through the first year he will likely survive hundreds of years.

My knowledge of Herman comes through my daughters great-grandmother, who I will refer to from now on as, Grandma Ruby. Her mother traveled from the Midwest along the Oregon Trail with a crock of Herman. That strain of Herman survived until the 1970s when Grandma Ruby was no longer able to care for him.

Personally, I never even heard of Herman until October 2005. In my teens I tried to make my own sourdough starter but it failed, big time. Richard (grandson of Grandma Ruby and father of DD) encouraged me to give Herman a try because he is sweet, versatile and easy to maintain. His memories of eating Herman baked goods from Grandma Ruby's kitchen persuaded me to go for it.

Started my first pot of Herman on Sunday, November 6, 2005. Used dry package of yeast to start it off, all-purpose flour and 1/2 cup of sugar. My Herman pot is a one gallon glass pickle jar. After allowing it to stand at room temperature for 24 hours I placed it into the fridge, stirring daily.

For Herman directions and recipes check out the current TreeHuggerz Tip page.

December 2005 Contest Winner

2006-01-01T18:08:00.000-08:00

Congratulations Kumudha V. of MI! You are the winner of the audio cassette course, 5 Minutes A Day To Perfect Spelling. Be sure to enter the January 2006 contest, we're giving away two bars of all vegetable soap.

Happy New Year!

2005-12-31T19:38:00.000-08:00

A journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step.
Chinese Proverb

Forums Back UP!

2005-12-26T22:58:00.000-08:00

Yes, they were down again for a couple of weeks but everything is back up and I've even posted a few articles. The host has added the ability to add pictures to posts, no separate hosting required. I'll have to spend some time looking over any other enhancements they might have added and get back to you. For a free forum host I'm really impressed with their options for languages, emoticons and skins.

Happy Holidays!

2005-12-21T00:38:00.000-08:00

"Blessed is the season which engages the whole world in a conspiracy of love!"

~Hamilton Wright Mabie

Blogger Help Needed

2005-12-17T01:14:00.000-08:00

Okay, this blog comes to you via Blogger (free service) but I've noticed that my custom changes have altered the display. It didn't bother me when I first started blogging because only Mozilla seemed to be affected. However, now AOL, Netscape, Firefox and Explorer are all affected. Does any one out there have any experience with Blogger or HTML? I'd really appreciate any tips or tricks to fix having all the left column items crunched down at the bottom of the main page. Thanks in Advance :-)

If you're looking for some last minute gift ideas please check out the latest article on the Tips page. Also, TreeHuggerz forum is down again because the host is performing a server backup.

November 2005 Contest Winner

2005-12-11T01:37:00.000-08:00

The winner of the November 2005 contest is Katie B., MI! Congrats Katie and thank you for your eco tip. Our December 2005 contest winner will receive a NIB cassette audio course, "5 Minutes A Day To Perfect Spelling". Be sure to enter before the end of the month.

There are some updates on the Small Things You Can Do Everyday page in the archives. Your eco tips are always welcome. The new tips article has a couple of recipes for making your own yogurt and the new herbals article has directions on how to make an apple wreath. I'm also back to posting regularly at the TreeHuggerz forum, join and add your $0.02 today.

Don't forget that it's Human Rights Week December 10-16, 2005. Check out Human Trafficking.org for ways you can help to prevent the abuse of women and children.

Fall Bounty

2005-11-23T23:36:00.000-08:00

"Gratitude is the inward feeling of kindness received. Thankfulness is the natural impulse to express that feeling. Thanksgiving is the following of that impulse."
Henry Van Dyke

Happy Thanksgiving!

2005-11-23T22:52:00.000-08:00

The contest winner for October 2005 is Carole S. , NH with a tip on feeding wild birds.
Our November 2005 contest prize is a $30 Spiegel gift certificate, just in time for holiday shopping. You still have time to enter!

My computer should be back online next week, just in time to update the site for December and to introduce you to my new baking obsession...Herman.

Have a wonderful Thanksgiving!

Winner of September's Contest

2005-10-12T22:29:00.000-07:00

Congratulations to Denise N. of Florida, she was the winner of TreeHuggerz September Tips/Recipe Contest. Her tip is a frugal gem. Be sure to enter October's Contest for a chance to win a book of natural tips.

The lastest TreeHuggerz Tip Page is up with information on forcing bulbs indoors. Don't forget to plant a few in your outdoor garden too.

Saturday, October 15 is the Sweetest Day! Be sure to remember all the sweet people in your life.

My computer is down, so responses will be a bit slower than usual. I'll post once it's back up. Thank you for your patience.

Family Alive and Well

2005-09-11T02:21:00.000-07:00

Found out from one of my aunts in Mississippi that my uncle and his family are alive and well in Louisiana. They live in a suburb outside of New Orleans but were not flooded. Their home is intact and they have only had to deal with the loss of city services since the hurricane. All family in Mississippi, which include my mother and grandmother, are all fine. They only had to clean-up storm debris and deal with iffy electrical service for about a week. I pray that all those who are still searching for loved ones get some news soon. Many thanks to all who have helped and are working to help those affected by Katrina. I'm very grateful for my family's well-being.

HSLDA Hurricane Katrina Operation Extended Family

2005-09-05T00:36:00.000-07:00

-------- Original Message --------
Date: Sun, 4 Sep 2005 00:58:49 +0000
From: OCEANetwork <mail@oceanetwork.org>

************************

OCEANetwork Alert and Information Email Service

www.OCEANetwork.org mail@OCEANetwork.org
......................................................
Serving the needs and protecting the rights
of home educators since 1986
......................................................
"Home education is Private education"
************************************************

===========================================
>From the HSLDA E-lert Service...
===========================================

Dear friend of homeschooling,

One bright spot revealed by Hurricane Katrina is that homeschoolers
are some of the most generous people around. HSLDA's office has been
inundated with offers of assistance. We've also heard from many with
needs.

The Home School Foundation is already helping to replace curriculum.
But one of the greatest needs that we're hearing about is housing.

If your family would be interested in providing temporary housing to
another homeschooling family displaced by Hurricane Katrina, HSLDA is
willing to match your family with a family who needs a place to stay.

To make an offer of housing, please provide us with the basic
information requested below. Please use this email address to
respond:

hurricanerelief@hslda.org

Please be assured that we will keep your contact information
confidential. When we learn of a family that needs help, we will
contact you with their contact information (phone number or email
address) and you can contact the family to determine if they are the
right match for your family.

Name:
Address:
City, State, Zip:
Phone #:

Limitations: (e.g., two months max, only want boys, teenagers only,
can take up to 4 people)

Provide transportation to your home: (e.g., bus tickets, frequent
flyer miles, will pick up)

Any special facilities: (e.g., handicapped access, room for pets)

Other offers of help: (e.g., can provide job, have curriculum for 3rd
grader, car available)

Thank you for being a part of the extended homeschooling family.
Please join us in continuing to pray for these hurting familes.

Sincerely,

J. Michael Smith
President

===========================================
The HSLDA E-lert Service is a service of:

Home School Legal Defense Association
P.O. Box 3000
Purcellville, Virginia 20134
Phone: (540) 338-5600
Fax: (540) 338-2733
Email: info@hslda.org
Web: http://www.hslda.org/

..............................................................................

If you know an Oregon home educating friend who would be interested in this
topic, please pass this message along.

You can subscribe directly to the free OCEANetwork Alert and Information
E-mail
Service at http://www.oceanetwork.org/membership/signup.cfm.

--
TreeHuggerz.com
Get tips and hints for green living on a budget.

Blog for Relief Weekend

2005-09-03T01:34:00.000-07:00

This project is being coordinated by The Truth Laid Bear.

My charity of choice is America' Second Harvest. Please give what you can. 100% of donations will be used for Hurricane Katrina victims. Every dollar helps distribute nearly 4 bags of food!

Check out Glenn's Roundup Post for flood aid updates.

Thank you for helping to feed the hungry!

Technorati Tags:
hurricane katrina
flood aid

Hurricane Katrina's Aftermath

2005-08-31T00:36:00.000-07:00

My family are mostly accounted for in Mississippi but one uncle and his family are still missing. They live in a suburb of New Orleans but, we hope to hear from them soon. Please send your prayers and positive thoughts along with any donations to help Katrina's victims.

Donation Links:
Network for Good
American Red Cross
America's Second Harvest

From another group:
Baton Rouge General Hospital is begging for Registered Nurses to assist over the next few weeks. They don't care where you come from, you will be immediately added to the payroll.

If there are any retired of displaced Nurses reading our board, and who can go to Baton Rouge for a few weeks to assist, now is your opportunity to help. If you know of anybody who can, please pass this information along to them and to others.

Message Board is Down

2005-08-29T00:37:00.000-07:00

Yes, TreeHuggerz Message Board has been down ALL weekend. However, it is not because I pulled the plug. The host is moving everything to new servers that promise to be faster and more reliable. (Fingers crossed!) They only planned to be down one day but it has taken much longer than expected. Please be patient and before you know it, I'll be posting articles like there's no tomorrow.

There is a new feature page called, "Grandpa". Please take a look. You can submit your stories and words of wisdom passed down from your grandfather. Some of the quotes on the page at the moment are from DD's great-grandpa, Jack. I never met him but he sounds like quite the colorful character. As always, I'll give credit for each submission unless specifically asked not to.

Get your taste buds ready for a treat by trying some of the recipes on the Tips page. The latest article is, "An Edible Flower Garden". Stay tuned for more updates on the first of September and don't forget to enter our contest.

Prayers and good wishes are being sent out to all in Katrina's wake.

New Tips

2005-08-23T01:04:00.000-07:00

Check out the new article on the Tips Page. It's all about blackberries and includes recipes.

Speaking of blackberries, I finally made the Berry Delicious Crumble Pie submitted by Candy, our June contest winner. Made with the last of the fresh ripe berry's in the backyard, YUMMY!!! Tastes rich and creamy with a sweet-tart berry layer and crisp crust, this recipe is a keeper. I liked it best chilled, but of course we dug in after it cooled for an hour.

Good news, TreeHuggerz is PayPal Verified! Just one more way for buyers to feel a bit more secure shopping with us.

Look for this seal.

Shopping Anyone?

2005-08-15T01:03:00.000-07:00

There are a couple of new pages in the TreeHuggerz Secondhand Store.
Page 3 -natural vegetable-based soaps in six different scents
Page 4 -has an original belly-dancing costume with misc. accessories

Tonight we just opened a giftshop at CafePress.com and will be adding to it as time permits. The first image that is available, as a tile box or tile coaster, is of a peacock with his feathers on display. We didn't take this photograph but we should have, because peacocks visit our yard daily. They live next door and come over hoping to snack on dry cat food. LOL

Suggestions for merchandise or questions about our products are always welcome. Send emails to: feedback@treehuggerz.org

Quiz: What Is Your True Element?

2005-08-09T00:10:00.000-07:00

Your element is earth: Wise, solitary, mysterious
and loving. You are very wise. Your wise as in
you know things others do not, you can see past
stereotypes and see the real people behind
their facades, and people will often come to
you for help and advice. Quite solitary and
somewhat shy around people because you prefer
animals and plants, animals aren't afraid to
show themselves or what they are feeling and
plants are fun to nurture. You are very strong
in your silence if you set your mind on
something you will often times pursue it to the
end. Sometimes you just want to get away, so
you seek refuge in the forest where you can
have time to think and try to sort out your
emotions. The sound of the wind usually calms
you, especially moving through the trees. Life
to you is something precious and should not be
taken for granted.

.:-|What is your true element?|-:. -With Anime Pictures and detailed answers-
brought to you by Quizilla

What's New

2005-08-08T01:01:00.000-07:00

Get some back-to-school shopping tips on the TreeHuggerz Tips page. I've been working on an avatar page but need some information before I publish it. The images would be free but the public would have to download them and then host them elsewhere. Does anyone have advice on how to do this? My main concern is having my bandwidth budget blown by people hotlinking. How do you even track hotlinks? HELP!

Personal update:
After speaking to my uncle, who is recovering at home from cancer surgery, I'm feeling very optimistic about his health. He may take a few months off from work to heal both mentally and physically. Turns out it was just six weeks from first inkling to surgery. There are no plans for chemo or radiation however, he will still have to have cancer screenings on a regular basis. Any and all prayers/positive thoughts are appreciated.

Breastfeeding Awareness 2005

2005-08-03T14:51:00.000-07:00

World Breastfeeding Week: August 1 -7 2005
This year’s WBW aims to :
Draw attention to the value of continuing to breastfeed children to 2 years or beyond.
Raise awareness of the risks and costs of introducing other foods and drinks to breastfed babies before 6 months, thereby strengthening support for 6 months exclusive breastfeeding.
Up-date information and ideas about the kinds of other foods and drinks needed by older breastfed babies and young children after 6 months. Share ideas for making complementary feeding easier, healthier and a time for learning and love. More ... http://www.waba.org.my/

First of the Month

2005-07-31T22:32:00.000-07:00

TreeHuggerz.com pages updated for the first of the month:
Home -August events
Tips & Hints -Simplicity articles
Store -New set of corn baskets
Contest -Enter to win the video, "How to Protect Yourself" by Master Tsai
Site Map -Overview of all published pages

If you write articles or have a press release that would interest our readers, please email me at webmom@treehuggerz.org.

On a personal note, please send your prayers, positive thoughts or healing vibes to my uncle in New York. He had cancer surgery last week and will be coming home to recover sometime this week if all goes well. Many thanks!

Stop Global Warming

2005-07-19T00:39:00.000-07:00

This is a non-partisan issue. We need global participation in this because if you live on the planet Earth, this is your issue. Everyone needs to let George Bush and his Administration know that this is a top priority for all living things.

LET'S MARCH!!!

Sign-up and join me for the virtual march on Washington, D.C., click here!

Couple of Freebies

2005-07-15T00:12:00.000-07:00

TreeHuggerz Updates

Winner of June's Contest is Candy M. of SC, congratulations Candy! Her entry was a yummy recipe for Berry Delicious Crumble Pie. When the blackberries are ripe in the backyard I'll have to post my review of her recipe.

Courtney sent some new additions for the Small Things You Can Do Everyday page. Check them out and submit yours for publishing too. Thanks for sharing Courtney!

FREEBIES

Free Magazine Offer from green*light
Your introductory subscription of four issues (a $19.96 retail value) begins with the first published issue of green*light, currently scheduled to mail in August, and ends after four bimonthly issues are mailed to you. Sometime during this introductory period green*light will contact you with a specially discounted yearly subscription offer, allowing you to continue receiving green*light after the fourth issue. There is no obligation to buy. You may elect to receive the paperless magazine, in an easy-to-archive digital edition (the print edition will not be mailed).

Free Trial Issue
Another magazine with a paperless online edition is E Magazine. They offer a free trial of one issue before you buy.

Please leave a comment if you know of any other magazines that offer paperless editions.
EDITED TO ADD:
Here's the motherload for digital subscriptions, NewsStand.com.

Hurricane Survival Tips

2005-07-09T16:19:00.000-07:00

Looks like Hurricane Dennis will hit the US tomorrow afternoon. Over a million people have been told to evacuate but for those who will be home, please double check your family's emergency plan. If you have an elderly or disabled neighbor, please include them in your emergency plan. Great checklists and general disaster information at Hurricane Survival Guide or FEMA.

Remember that public evacuation centers do not accept pets. There are tips for pet owners at Pets and Hurricanes. As long as pets are caged, some shelters will make safe arrangements for their care outside of the emergency shelter for humans.

If you want to help, the American Red Cross and the Humane Society are non-profits that do much for disaster victims worldwide and are legit.

Bombing in London

2005-07-07T16:02:00.000-07:00

What an awful way to start the day! :-( Sending prayers to all those killed, hurt or have loved ones involved in today's bombing of London's mass transit. From what I've read, they seem to have the a handle on recovery and clean-up but I bet the British Red Cross could use donations. They also have information on how to contact missing relatives. Post a comment if you know of any other non-profits that need help because of this incident. The US is on "orange alert", so please be extra vigilant if you live in a large urban city and/or use mass transit.

Peace

Photobucket

2005-07-05T01:02:00.000-07:00

This is a test post from Photobucket.com

2005-06-26T23:39:00.000-07:00

Close up of pine needles. Photo courtesy of MorgueFile.com

Welcome

2005-06-26T20:37:00.000-07:00

What's New at TreeHuggerz

The Treehuggerz Blog page. A visitor asked if I had a newsletter and sadly I had to say no. After thinking it over I decided to start a blog instead. The post and go format fits my personality and it offers the option of commentary by the reader. Another benefit is that you can use a RSS reader to have new posts delivered to you automatically.
XML feed link: http://treehuggerz.blogspot.com/atom.xml

On the main Resource page you can get a RSS feed of new online resources I've added to my Del.icio.us online bookmark site. There are currently over 400 entries with new additions almost daily.

RSS feed link: http://del.icio.us/rss/treehuggerz

There's a new addition to the WAHM Resource page. Marcy, of Ladybugg Creations is offering free shipping on all her whimsical checkbook covers and eyeglass cases. She accepts custom orders too. If you would like to be listed on any of my resource pages please contact me.

Go shopping on page 2 of the Store, it's filled with oil warmers. These are new items, not used and every order comes with a free bonus of aromatherapy/massage oil recipes. Free shipping for orders over $50.

Enter this month's Contest to win the book, Cleaning Up The Clutter by Emilie Barnes. To be eligible just send in a tip or recipe that is frugal and/or eco-conscious. Winners are chosen randomly and you can enter once a month. I'll be posting June's winner soon.

Just For Fun

Take the HGTV Neat or Not Quiz and share your results!

My results (no big surprise LOL): Patty Pack Rat
You're talented and artistic, but you have the "Hey, I can use that someday" gene. You can't help seeing future possibilities for all the items you are keeping, and you plan to use them all-someday. Set aside a weekend and plan to get organized soon!

Happy Birthday USA!!!