Category: food

My first 2015 harvest approaches!

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cucumbers
4 kinds of cucumbers flowering like crazy, baby cukes on the vine

Despite a chilly spring, my rural Berks county garden is doing quite well in late June. My fence is more secure this year, so I’ve seen very little critter damage–just a couple carrot tops, probably eaten by a vole. Those suckers are really small and can squeeze just about anywhere. It’s the rabbits and groundhogs who do the real damage, so I’m glad I’ve kept them out. Knock on my wooden fence posts.

I installed a rain drip irrigation system this year as well, and it was really helpful during a drier-than-usual spring. Now we seem to be getting some good rain at least weekly, so I haven’t needed to (ask my father to) water. But it gives me peace of mind to know I can just flip a switch if we get a dry spell.

onions
white onions started from seed in February

As last year, I plant flowers to attract pollinators around the outside of my fence. I’ve got bee balm, echinacea, and borage growing strong. I’ve also planted some nicotiana and red milkweed I started from seed. The bees and butterflies are frequent visitors, so I know it’s working!

I purchased most of my seeds from High Mowing, but they weren’t as good this year as they’ve been in the past. I only had 1/10 cucumber seeds germinate, so I had to pick up some transplants at a garden store. I start from seed to save money, but also to have full control over what chemicals the plants are exposed to. So, needing cuke plants is a bummer. And the Mongolian sunflower seeds I got from them didn’t germinate at all. Not a one. Boo! Continue reading “My first 2015 harvest approaches!” →

Diet soda may be the devil

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In my youth I stopped by the school bookstore for a treat, and I’d pick up some white cheddar popcorn or a sour apple Jolly Rancher or a Whatchamacallit and a soda to drink. Occasionally I’d pick a grape soda, but most of the time my choice was Diet Coke. Ah, luring me in with the promise of zero calories, it practically negated the junk food I ate along with it. Right?

Diet sodas lure in many consumers. How can zero calories be bad for you? Well, more and more research keeps coming in showing us exactly how bad these sodas are. The news isn’t pretty.

  • The artificial sweeteners in diet sodas change your sensitivity to sweetness. Naturally sweet foods–like fruits–seem less sweet, and you end up craving more sweet foods, not realizing when you’ve really had enough.
  • In a study comparing DS-drinkers to non-imbibers over 9 years, DS-drinkers gained nearly three times the fat and 70% bigger waistlines compared to their peers.
  • The artificial sweeteners trigger insulin production (and change the composition of bacteria in your gut), making your body store fat rather than burn it.
  • Diet sodas increase your risk of type 2 diabetes and osteoporosis.
  • Too much citric acid erodes the enamel on your teeth.
  • DS-drinkers are 43% more likely to have a stroke or a heart attack or die from a heart-related problem.
  • Overweight adults who drink diet sodas actually consume more calories from food than their peers who stick to sugar sodas. That is, Coke isn’t great for you, but it’s better than Diet Coke.

Just can’t make this stuff up, folks. Where can you find studies documenting these findings? At Time, Time again, Health.com, Today, Authority Nutrition, and Rodale.

That’s pretty damning, eh? Pun absolutely intended.

 

Philly Flower Show: Celebrate Disney! …I mean, the Movies!

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Seriously, all of the major garden displays were related to a Disney film. Wonder how much Disney paid for that advertising. Oh well, whatever. A lot of the displays were really nice, but as usual, it was very difficult to get a good view due to the large crowds.

IMG_3431
Homage to Into the Woods

I spent a few extra bucks to see the Gene London Hollywood Collection (fashion) and the Butterfly Experience (hang with butterflies in a room). I’m glad I did both. The Hollywood Collection was truly gorgeous. Such precise sewing, appliques, and beadwork! Very impressive!

The butterflies were gorgeous as well, and a beautiful blue one sat on my arm for a nice long while. And then I realized that her/his wings were torn, from someone grabbing them too hard. And then I took a closer look at the other butterflies, and nearly one-third of them (mostly large butterflies) had torn wings.

Continue reading “Philly Flower Show: Celebrate Disney! …I mean, the Movies!” →