Archive for August, 2009
There is something special about coming across a quote that seems to speak directly to you. I’m always excited to share quotes that provoke my mind or inspire me on days that I need that extra “push”. These are some quotes that stuck out for me this week:
“Character is higher than intellect…A great soul will be strong to live, as well as to think.” -Ralph Waldo Emerson
“If you can give your son or daughter only one gift, let it be enthusiasm.” -Bruce Barton
“Happiness is not a matter of events, it depends upon the tides of the mind.” -Alice Meynell
“Success is sweet and sweeter if long delayed and gotten through many struggles.” -Amos Alcott
“It is the trouble that never comes that causes the loss of sleep.” -Chas. Austin Bates
“A thought is often original, though you have uttered it a hundred times.” -Oliver Wendell Holmes
We are reminded constantly by “Go Green” campaigns and advertising the importance of recycling, therefore it is troubling for me to see so few people actually participate. I live in a fairly small neighborhood, but I would estimate that only 10% of the homeowners actually recycle. This is based on my own observations on trash days. It’s all too common that I see trash cans overfilled with recyclables headed to the landfill.
Without further ado, I wanted to share some eye-opening facts about recycling and the impacts from A Recycling Revolution.
Plastic: Americans use 2,500,000 plastic bottles every hour and most are thrown away.
Glass: Modern glass bottles will take 4,000 years or more to decompose and even longer in the landfill.
Paper: Recycling a single run of the Sunday New York Times would save 75,000 trees.
Aluminum: Recycling one aluminum can saves enough energy to run a TV for 3 hours.
The list could carry on with facts the continue to reiterate the importance of simply sorting your own trash for recycling purposes. While it may be easy to simply discard trash and forget about it, each decision that we make greatly impacts not only our own future but the many generations to come. And lets not forget the impact on Mother Nature and the importance of preserving this beautiful planet!
**Photo courtesy of FreeDigitalPhotos.net
Materials Needed:
Pots (at least one that is 12-in diameter)
Peppermint Seeds
Soil
Water
Peppermint Plants Need:
Moderate exposure to sunlight daily
Environment between 70 and 80 degrees F
Fairly dry soil
Space to grow
Easy Steps
1. Fill pot with soil.
2. Gently press peppermint seeds 1/8 inch deep into the soil.
3. Lightly moisten the soil with water ensuring not to oversaturate the seed or plant. Peppermint plants enjoy fairly dry soil.
4. Once plants are about 2 inches tall, begin to thin the plants. Because peppermint grows and spreads quickly, ideal spacing is about 12 inches.
That’s it! It’s just that easy to have peppermint readily available and growing within your own home. I find joy in being able to get a breath of fresh air from just smelling the peppermint growing in my windows.
Would you like to know how to preserve some of your peppermint leaves to make your own hot tea? Tomorrow, I’ll share some pointers on drying peppermint leaves.
**Photo courtesy of FreeDigitalPhotos.net
At the end of a busy and tiring day, there’s nothing more soothing and refreshing than sipping a hot cup of peppermint tea. Peppermint is one of my favorite herbs because of the endless uses and benefits. Did I mention that peppermint is incredibly easy to grow? Enjoy this list of interesting tidbits about peppermint!
1. Peppermint is a perennial plant that has small purple or white flowers and is native to the Mediterranean.
2. The Greeks believed that mints could cure hiccups.
3. All mints contain menthol resulting in the cooling feeling.
4. Adding fresh mint sprigs to tea reduces the effects of tannin and caffeine.
5. Menthol is derived from the oil of the peppermint plant. According to Wikipedia, menthol is used in cigarettes to block out the bitter taste of tobacco and soothe the throat.
6. Peppermint can be used as an eco-friendly and natural deterrent for ants, mice, and fleas.
7. Peppermint is often used to soothe upset stomachs and relieve headaches.
Check back tomorrow as I share tips on growing your own peppermint plants!
**Photo courtesy of FreeDigitalPhoto.net
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