The Great Benefits of a Banana

I found this on Facebook. Sorry no source is included. If you created this and want me to remove it or add your name to it, I'd be happy to.

Art

One thing that will keep my kids attention is anything art related. I love it because now I can sit down, work on art and my kids will work on art to. No more breastfeeding, whining, interrupting going on.

I was able to finish these two large pieces lately:

You can see details and process here.

New Age Mama has a giveaway for a BeginAgain art kit. I really do love it and hope I win!

Culturelle

There's been times where my stomach is upset. I notice it happens when my allergies are off the charts. That's when I get an attack of tummy problems.

My Dad read in a health book he bought from Whole Foods that people with allergies have a thinner lining of the stomach. I can believe this. Certain foods make it worse. More then anything it's just the time of year.

The only thing that seems to kick my tummy issues is probiotics. Plus I put myself on the BRAT diet: Banana, rice, applesauce, toast and tea. I add greek yogurt and water to that.

New Age Mama is giving away 1 box of Culturelle Kids packets and 1 box of Culturelle Kids chewables. I'd love to say that my kids do not have my allergies or tummy issues, they do. It's rare, but when they get diarrhea; the one thing that stops it is probiotics.

Fair Trade Goods

Do you like Fair Trade Goods places? I do. I think I'm drawn to them because they are unique, artist made, and are cultural.

Plus I'm all about finding unique companies for my college art students to do logos and campaign work for. I notice if I pick companies they've never heard of, it forces them to do their research.

Life in the Lost World is hosting a giveaway for a $50 GC to Ezistock. I've never heard of them before.

What would I pick if I win? I might pick this men's bracelet.

It's something a little different for my husband.

My Husband is Corny!

My husband picked a bunch of sweet corn yesterday.

This is our first year growing it. We live in the city, but have a huge yard. My husband along with the kids planted an 3 Sisters Garden. It's corn, beans and squash. We watered that area pretty good. Our tomatoes didn't do well from the heat this year. I think our red potatoes are ready to be dug up.

There were 3 or 4 ears sitting on the ground, in a row, and the corn was gobbled off. We teased our backyard neighbor of hopping the fence and eating it. Travis thought I ate it. I was like, "Why would I do that? I'd take it down to the kitchen, shuck it, wash it and then eat it." I'm thinking it was a raccoon. Sure enough I was talking to my Dad later (who grew up on a farm) and he said that coons love corn! He said some farmers put up electric fences to keep them away from it. I really doubt we'll want to put up an electric fence.

I gave 5 ears to my oldest sister, parents and a friend. My friend gave me 3 giant zucchini for the corn.

We might end up freezing some of the corn. This is all new to me. I saw a tutorial for freezing corn here. 

I made zucchini brownies last night. Healthy not, good yes. I wanted to test the recipe before all my company comes in a few weeks. We're having a party with college friends and art friends. People will pitch tents and stay over night. I plan on making zucchini chips as well. The rest I'll cook in olive oil, freeze some, and make a few loaves of bread to freeze as well.

Do You Have an Ant Problem?

I have!

There are natural ways to get rid of ants. It is hard if the problem is really big.

I got rid of mine by wiping down the counters with white vinegar. A plain and inexpensive way to get rid of ants. They don't like vinegar.

I also put out traps of Borax and strawberry soda. They love strawberry soda and the Borax gets traveled back to their nest to kill the Queen ant. I mix it up on a yogurt top with a toothpick.

If the stuff above fails I get ant killer by AMDRO.

I have all kinds of pictures of what ants look like enlarged. The Museum of Science and Industry in Chicago had a display of close up ants. They are pretty neat to look at how they work together. It's just not fun having them in your house.

Do they give you the creepy crawlies yet?

Piggy Back Time!

Two of a Kind Working on a Full House has a $50 AMEX Gift Card given away by AMDRO.

Fruit For All Project

I think this is a great project! Juicy Fruit is donating 400 meals to a food bank closest to the winner on Go Graham Go!

It's not the typical giveaway!

Miracle-Gro for Kids

I think it's really important for kids to learn about gardening. I remember when I was younger my Dad was out in the garden. He let me help. I dug up worms.

One time I planted flowers I got from one of my first boyfriends. He dug them up thinking they were weeds. I even asked him where to plant them. Silly Dad!


Miracle-Gro has a section for kids. Go Graham Go! is giving away a Windowsill Greenhouse. I think it makes kids feel great when they can make something grow on their own.

Garden

My husband and boys planted a 3 sisters garden this year. You can read more about it here. It's corn, beans and squash. Basically the corn shades the other things perfectly to grow.

We had a few problems with animals nibbling on our corns. Up went a fence before our trip to Chicago. The corn seems to be doing very well. In the past we've had no problems with growing squash. I'm unsure about the beans.

Garden Tech is giving away a $50 Walmart GC on Jolly Mom. Check out what's going on in her garden and enter the giveaway here.

Feet Problems?

You are in luck! I have two giveaways going on, on my other blog Planet of the Apels.

#1 is for one winner to win a 4.6 Ounce Bottle of Toe Juice Ends 7/9. I really found Toe Juice to be helpful. It took awhile, but was a leader in helping my planters wart to finally go away! It also helps with other skin flaws.

#2 is for one winner to win a package of arch supports and other feet related things from Profoot Giveaway Ends 7/9.

Birthday Wants

It helps my mom when I post about the things I want for birthdays and Christmas. That's what this post is about. Make a comment if your list would be similar to mine, or totally different! We all have different tastes for sure!

1. I really want a couple glass pitchers. They don't have to be like the ones featured. I do want them to have lids, so that may be the only hang up.


It's just what I could find online at Target for $5.99.

Here's a set for $19.99 also found at Target.

Who knew they made fruit infused pitchers? I'm not quite sure how it works, but it looks like something I'd use. I love lemon and orange water! They look pretty cool! They can be found here for $18.

2. Hair Things.

I like these. I know they are plain $4.79 at Target.

These things for $11.99 (for both) look pretty interesting to.

3. Glass Storage containers.

I just bought meal size glass storage containers. I'd like some ramekin sized storage containers. Ones with lids for lunch. I'm thinking for peas, corn and things like that. I use that size a lot. They do not have to be this brand, but here is an example.

I do like these types of lids better, so if you see those types great! Can be round or square - I don't care.

4. Earrings

I love the earrings I have. I would like a pair of artsy red earrings. Some that have red in them. The Afternoon has these Teresa Goodall Clay Drop with Top Earrings for $30.

5. Grommet Tool Kit

Harbor Freight Tools.

6. Mits

Classic Red Mits  (x2) at Sir la Table for $9.95.

7. Hand Warmers

Reusable Retro Robot Hand Warmers - Perpetual Kid $8.99.

Reusable Cupcake Hand Warmers - Perpetual Kid $8.99.

8. Cling On

What the Bleep? Wall Graphic - Perpetual Kid $29.99.

Five Very Random Things About Me

1. I'm not waistful. I find uses for just about everything. All my yogurt and cottage cheese containers are paint/water containers for my students before they get recycled.
2. I fall asleep while I'm on the computer or watching TV in the evening. Sometimes I have to stop a post and save a draft. I'm just too tired to go on writing. I hardly ever have a hard time sleeping.
3. My allergies act up when it rains. I'm just thinking about this because it's raining right now. My eyes are so itchy.
4. I hate wearing mascara. When I do wear it (rarely) I feel like my eyelids are so heavy. I've always had very skimpy bottom lashes. Some people have asked if I pluck them? No I don't. They are just skimpy lashes.
5. I hate watching sports! I'll go into a different room in the house just so I don't have to listen to football, basketball or whatever. The only sport I would watch is sumo wrestling. I find that entertaining.

What are some random things about you?

It's What I've Been Drinking

Here's the thing, I'm a water drinker most of the time.

I have one glass of juice in the morning. Some of the time that is made from my juicer. Other times I just don't have the time to do all that at breakfast before I have to leave for work.

Lately I've been craving what I call summer time drinks. All varieties of lemonades, root beer and beer. I just don't drink that stuff, not regularly. It's been warm and I've been thinking about root beer float bars and lemonade stands.

I wanted to satisfy these cravings in a more healthy way. 

What I've done is cut off a wedge, slice or just the peeling of a orange, lemon or lime (depending on the day and my mood) and put it into my water. I heat my water up until it's hot and drink it. It's really pretty good and satisfies my cravings.

Here's a view looking down into my glass water bottle.

Lemony Fresh

I still drink just pain water as well.

I'm Growing Celery

I saw this technique a few places. Pinterest was the first place. Then I saw it on My Journey With Candida Blog.


I decided to try it out and it worked! I'm now growing celery! This is great because my boys love it! 

Win a T-Shirt

I love typography, especially since I teach about it.

This site called Typography Shop .com is giving away a t-shirt every week as long as they get 25 + entries. Go here to enter.