Sunday, October 28, 2012

Antibacterial Sanitizer's can weaken muscle contraction

  This was an interesting article that came out the other day on Good Morning America! It seems the ingredient "triclosan", an ingredient found in "anti bacterial" products has been found by scientists to not be so good for you!  Used in antiseptic hand soaps, shaving gel, toothpaste, deodorant and other hygiene products, a new study has found the chemical can weaken muscle contraction including your heart. Here is the article from Good Morning America!  It doesn't sound to good to me!
  Here is what the FDA says about the situation, "FDA Article". They are having study's done of their own to see if there is any truth to it! I myself have always said that we in the USA have used so many antibacterial products that we have killed of good bacterias as well, making us more likely to get sick, when we are exposed to germs and bugs! Sure we should wash our hands and keep a clean house but come on. I have been around people that are afraid to touch a door knob without putting antibacterial sanitizer on their hands! I ate dirt growing up and yes, even stuck a few penny's in my mouth and I turned out just fine, lol!
     Here are a couple articles on the health benefits of "Good Bacteria" and what happens if you kill it off!
A List of Good Bacteria
"What Are good bacteria?"
"Bacteria Keeps the immune system primed to fight infection"

Sunday, October 21, 2012

Results of Tomato Stake Trials!

Results of Tomato Stake Trials are In!

 I don't like tomato cages so this year I tested four different tomato stakes, from left to right they were: 
   1) Steel T-posts 2)Wooden Stakes 3)Bamboo Stakes 4)Store bought Plastic coated Stakes

 First, was the Steel T-Post. I liked them the most, they were very sturdy and didn't ever bend over, held up to strong winds and the heavy laden fruit on the plants! They do cost a little but the will last for a very long time. I am sure you could use small pipe or re-bar as well.
 Second, the old fashioned wooden stake. They were sturdy but not quit tall enough, not very costly. They only real problem I see is that you may only get 2 or 3 years out of them do to termites and rot.
 Third, was the Bamboo stakes.These were my second favorite! They were free, remember my neighbor/friend Jason? Well, he found a patch of what we call around here "River Cain", AKA "Bamboo". All we had to go do was cut it and haul it. They were tall enough because we cut them 9 to 10 feet tall, so after putting about 2 feet in the ground, they were just right. They held up to the wind and laden fruit and Bamboo doesn't rot so they should be around for awhile!
 Fourth, were the cheep plastic coated stakes. I really thought these were gonna be the best thing since sliced bread until the all powerful "Derecho Storm" hit and bent them right over to the ground and I mean to the ground! The other 3 did just fine in the storm but the plastic stakes that a buddy talked me into trying bent right over. I will just used them to stake my pepper plants next year, never tomatoes again, lol!
  I know there are other ways to stake tomatoes out there that I didn't try this year.. If you have tried something different and have had success or failure please share with us.


“For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, says the LORD, thoughts of peace and not of evil, to give you a future and a hope.” Jeremiah 29:11 


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Saturday, October 13, 2012

Winterizing Your Lawn Mower!

   As you can tell my lawn mower has seen its better days, lol! I can't even remember how old it is, as a matter of fact I received it used many years ago from my dad. It used to be blue but a couple of years ago, I decided, since all the blue paint had peeled off, that I would paint it, so off to Lowe's we went. 
By the:Redeemed Gardener
  When we got there, I told my daughter, that was 10 years old at the time, "pick out whatever color you want and I will paint my mower that color."   WHOOPS!
  She took her time and was really thinking this over, then handed me Bright Lime Green! Reluctantly I said, "Are you sure about this color?"
  Without blinking an eye she said, "Well daddy, I was gonna get you hot pink but I figured that was to girly!" I looked at her without saying a word, put the Lime green paint in the buggy,  and left, lol! Hay, the bright side is, we had a few lawn mowers stolen in the area this year but mine wasn't!
  Well, must of us in my area of the world are getting ready to put the old lawn mower up for the winter months. But do just wheel it into the out building and expect it to start right up next spring. If you want it to last you for years to come, here are a few helpful hints to help it last longer!


  1. Change the oil and filter on your lawn mower. This simple step gives you an opportunity to check the system for any contaminants and ensure that you’ll start the next mowing season off with a supply of fresh oil. Drain the old oil while the engine is still warm in order to get a complete flush and prevent any contaminants from settling back into the mower's oil pan. 
     
  2. When storing your lawn mower or any tool that you have with a engine, either drain your fuel tank completely or adding a fuel stabilizer. Since fuel can begin to decompose after being dormant for a month or more, the stabilizer will help protect against carburetor clogs from old fuel. After you add the fuel stabilizer, run the mower engine for about 5 minutes. 
     
  3. Now is a great time to tighten all of your mower's nuts and bolts as well as check the belts, filters and safety shields. Repair and treat any chipped or scratched metal surfaces, and apply a very light coat of engine oil to pivot and wear points to prevent rust. Even sharpen the blade!
     
  4. Check your mower's operator manual for any other winter storage suggestions, such as checking the battery, if you have one. Then be sure to store your mower in a safe, dry building. If you store your lawn mower outside, cover it with a waterproof tarp.


So just remember as you put your tools up, they will last longer, if you take proper care of them! And then when it gets as old as mine, you can start adding Synthetic oil to the mower every time you put gas in it to keep it from locking up, LOL!

  

"Good habits are hard to acquire but easy to live with. Bad habits are easy to acquire but hard to live with."

Sunday, October 7, 2012

Making the Nation Right, But NOT on Election Day?

  I have been watching and listening how people have been acting and conversing, leading up to the 2012 Presidential Election. It pains me to see how Christians can take up for, acted and talk about their party or candidate but they can't even defend their Savior Jesus Christ or His teachings! I am not gonna go into a rampage about this subject. I just want to post what God's Word says to do about turning a nation like the U.S. around and putting it back on track. This is truly the only way it will happen folks!


2 Chronicles 7:14 "If My people who are called by My name will humble themselves, and pray and seek My face, and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin and heal their land. 15 Now My eyes will be open and My ears attentive to prayer made in this place" 

   We must also pray for our leaders and not destroy them with our mouth! Why? Because God's Word says that "He sets Kings and deposes them (Daniel 2:21)." Because “the Most High is sovereign over the kingdoms of men and gives them to anyone he wishes (Daniel 4:17).” So if we humble ourselves and do as Gods Word says. God says HE will heal our nation, not a politician!! Even though evil men abuse their political power, meaning it for evil, God means it for good, working “all things together for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose” (Romans 2:28). Here is the promise but we must do our part first!


2 Chronicles 12:6 "So the leaders of Israel and the king humbled themselves; and they said, “The Lord is righteous.”Now when the Lord saw that they humbled themselves, the word of the Lord came to Shemaiah, saying, “They have humbled themselves; therefore I will not destroy them, but I will grant them some deliverance. My wrath shall not be poured out on Jerusalem by the hand of Shishak" 
Here is a good article on "Got Questions", "How should a Christian view Politics?" 

  So if you are a Christian reading this, please do your part! Humble yourself, Pray, Seek God and turn from your wicked ways. He will hear from you and He will heal your lands!! God Bless each of you!


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