Protect our Bees Please!

Ah, the gentle background of summer: kids laughing, a gentle breeze and the hum of bees. But wait? I don't here the hum anymore and have heard less of it each year of my life. More common is the photo I took just this morning of a bee, not squished or mutilated from human hand...but simply dead on the side walk. And this is not an isolated incidence. Just last week I found a large bumble bee upside down on the sidewalk struggling for it's life. Again, no human hand involved (directly at least). I gently flipped him over in the grass and said a little prayer that this fighter would survive. I couldn't bring myself to "put it out of misery" when there was no injury.

These types of occurrences should make us all stop and take a long, hard look at what the cause is and what we can do to help. Sure, you may be allergic to stings, you may find bees to be a nuisance but a world without bees would be far less lovely. Not only do bees provide beeswax and honey they also pollinate...FOR FREE! According to one article I recently read that service is values at $1 billion per year in Australia. I repeat, $1 BILLION. And I'm not just talking about flowers here...kiwi, apples, brazil nuts, watermelon, cantaloupe, squash, pumpkin, zucchini, cocoa, vanilla, and that's only the essential ones! See a list here. I can't help but wonder if the drop in the bee population is related to the drastic increase in the price of my favorite summer fruit...watermelon.

So what are some of the causes? There are three main reasons I have found in my research: chemicals, radiation and global warming. I'll give you a brief summary of each:

Chemicals - Build up of chemicals from fumigation (in commercial hives) as well as the drastic increase in genetically modified crop pollen (btw, say NO to GMO!) is stressing the bees to the point of hive collapse.

Radiation- With the growth of technology comes a price. Cell phone and wireless towers have increased radiation emitted and this may interfere with bees ability to navigate. Germany's Landau University conducted a study that found bees would not return to hives when mobile phones where placed nearby. There are other studies being conducted in the US now to see if this is affecting more than just the bees but other insect populations as well.

Global Warming- with higher heat comes more mites, viruses and fungi that can wreck havoc on bee colonies.

But you may ask...what can I do? I'm not going to become a backyard beekeeper. While that is one solution, there are many other things you can do to assist the bee populations.
-grow plants that are "bee-friendly" and if you cannot grow at your home, talk to your town about the plants grown in local parks AND WHAT THEY ARE TREATED WITH
-eliminate garden pesticides and use only organic, non-gmo seeds
-provide a bee habitat...you don't have to be a keeper to give bees a place. They love a mound of loose earth near water or old trees too.
-if you garden, leave a few veggies to go to seed after harvest. This is a way for bees to "fill their pantry" before cold winter months.
-purchase local, raw honey. Not only are you supporting your local beekeepers and their hives but it's also GREAT during allergy season, a spoon full of local, raw honey a day keeps the allergies at bay!

So next time you take a swing at a bee, think twice. And remember, Eco-Live and Laugh and help protect our bees!

Here's some additional books/documentaries/websites on the topic:
www.vanishingbees.com
www.queenofthesun.com
Who Killed the Honeybee? BBC documentary on YouTube
A Spring Without Bees by Michael Schacker
The Honey Trail: In Pursuit of Liquid Gold and Vanishing Bees by Grace Pundyk
The Beekeeper's Lament by Hannah Nordhaus
Toward Saving the Honeybee by Gunther Hauk

Oregano...how I love thee!

I am FINALLY ready for sandal season! I have my feet back!

This may be TMI but for the past year or so I have struggled with warts. On my big toe, on my heel and the bottom of my foot. I have no clue how it started but man, it was embarrassing! I would only wear flip flops with jeans that covered my heels, etc. 

I knew that oregano oil was great for warts so I tried it. But I made the mistake of not continuing the oil once they started to go away. So they returned with a vengeance. I tried over the counter stuff, duct tape, everything! Why I didn't go back to what worked? Who knows! However, NOTHING worked! 

So, back to the oil. In the morning and at night. Adding Frankincense at night. And they are finally gone! I'm still oiling the spots (like I should have all along) to make sure the root is truly dead but yet another success story for essential oils! I can't wait to get some cute new sandals to show off my renewed feet!

My journey with oils began with my son was a baby with GI issues. They helped heal him when doctors couldn't figure out what was up. And I have continuously been amazed by them ever sense! 

Here's some other uses/benefits of Oregano oil: 

Antibacterial
Antibiotic
Antiparasitic
Antiviral
Disinfectant

Cold and Flu

Diarrhea

Sore Throat

Throat Infection

Yeast Infection

It's so powerful! Just be careful to use a carrier oil (like coconut oil) it is a hot oil. 

If you're interested in getting some oils of your own please visit my online shop at www.mydoterra.com/simplyeco. Not all oils are created equal! I would love to encourage everyone to realize they can take control of their health and their families health...nature has sure healing properties!

And remember to Eco-Live and Laugh! 

Sunday's Eco Inspiration- What environment are you creating?

“Education is a natural process carried out by the child and is not acquired by listening to words but by experiences in the environment.” -Maria Montessori

If we want them to listen we first must listen to them. I know I need this inspiration almost daily. Especially if that listening involves whining! I've learned though, that the better environment you've created, the more your sprouts are comfortable testing both you and that environment.

Take that as encouragement! You're doing something right!

An education not gained thru experiences is not a strong foundation. And if you're like me you want your children to be rooted deeply in the basic understandings of life. And to have an environment where they are free to experience and test...that's just priceless!

Rediscovering health in a almost-veggie lifestyle, a little about my journey so far...

Yup, I did the college, eco-girl thing...I went vegetarian. And it stuck. For about 4 years. And I was in the BEST SHAPE/HEALTH OF MY LIFE! 150 lb., toned and limber. So why did I stop? What was the change? Honestly, I'm not quite sure. But reflecting back I think it could have been two things: moving to a new place and discovering humane meats. Yup, that's right, my beloved South Carolina. Until you can reflect back it's really hard to see but I now realize how much comfort I found in food...and fat. Which is a slippery slope (for me at least).

I don't recall any "homesick" feelings when we moved from NC to SC. But I guess food must have taken that place for me. Just a little at a time. Okay, I eat fish/seafood. Okay, a little chicken...but only hormone/antibiotic free. Well, that BBQ pork DOES smell divine. . . And so it goes.

Fast forward 5 years...moving to IL I was homesick for SC. For my friends. But with a healthy lifestyle so much easier here (walking everywhere...it's awesome!) my meat choices again became stricter. Local, Organic, Pasture raised, etc. But after two children and 5 years of veggie backsliding I was still 80 lbs. heavier than I should be.

Now? I may be friend-sick for folks but not homesick, I'm loving where we are! I love that my tree hugging nature is "normal" here. The things I miss other than people? Strawberry season starts earlier, lighting bugs are already out and about there, and the beach...the REAL beach, is just hours away.

Like I said, I walk to work. We live on the third floor of a no-elevator building. Talk about instant health boosters! Not to mention an AMAZING farmers market just blocks from our door. But this week I made a conscious switch. To eat almost all vegetarian. And my body is rejoicing! I have so much more energy...I just FEEL GOOD. Now I still think that a little meat is okay, as in maybe twice a week. But not as the focus of my meal. It seems I have discovered what my body showed me so long ago. It's just healthier and happier on a whole foods, plant based diet. None of that over processed "fake meat" either. But that's a post for another time...

As a family we have always chosen organic and tried to make the healthiest choices. Does that mean my children never have sugar or pizza? No. But we do try to teach them the healthier habits. And the best teachers are the actions we take, not the words we speak.

Recently my oldest sprout and I started talking about meat. She didn't realize how we got it. I didn't want to freak or gross her out. She has to make her own choices. However, I think I may have another future veggie on my hands...

I hope that everyone will continue to follow our family on our green living/eating journey. I'll be here, sharing!

Please share your successes, favorite veggie recipes, etc.

And remember to eco-live and laugh!

A wonderful day of play, discovery and frittata!

A clean and comfortable 67 today...yup, that's right on June 4th it's in the 60's....and we are loving every minute of it!
Since I had the day off today and the sprouts don't start summer camp until Monday it was wonderful to enjoy a family day in the middle of the week. And it wouldn't be an eco-family day without the great outdoors!
After a granola breakfast we headed out toward the lighthouse lakefront park; it's not the quick, easy park next door but for a good 15-20 minute walk its so worth it! And there was no need to rush...we stopped to smell flowers, pick dandelions, tossed up "helicopters" (maple seed pods), and pretended we could fly! Once at the park, imagination was the name of the game! Pirates was the favorite, complete with walking the plank. Then, slides, swings and wishing to go out on the beach...gotta get those tokens! My oldest sprout is loving spotting birds right know so she announced cardinals and robins left and right.
After about 1 1/2 hours we ventured home...not taking the same path we ventured right across a field full of clover flowers that smelled wonderful! The kids proceeded to make bouquets of dandelions, clover and grasses along the way...even giving me a flower or two for my hair. Isn't it wonderful how kids don't see weeds but rather a plethora of beauty?!
After a little rest we got out two mini schnauzers and went to the park by our home because the sprouts never tire of outside time. I love that they go straight to imagining with sticks and running around. In fact, it would be amazing to see a natural playground appear here!  The best was hearing them "hiking" with walking sticks looking for monkeys in the "jungle" (our park is plant/tree/bush lined so its perfect!)
For dinner I played off of a great recipe I found on Pinterest and made a frittata. Here's the ingredients I used but all the cooking times were the same:
- Lake Breeze Organics eggs (I just love seeing all the shell colors when I open the carton!)
- Lake Breeze Organics kale & asparagus
- Henry's Organic Farm spinach & green garlic
- River Valley Kitchen baby portobello mushrooms
- 365 organic shredded fiesta cheese
- fresh ground black pepper and Himalayan salt
- olive oil

Here's a picture (though its an iPad pic so quality is lacking...) share your day and dinner with me, how did you green up your day?

Taco assembly line ~ Foodie Friday

Cooking with your children is so important! Not only is it a great life skill for the future, but preparing meals as a family and sitting down to enjoy together can: teach healthy eating habits and the benefits of local/organic, kids are more open to trying new things when they are involved, if the attitude remains positive its a great self confidence builder, and kids are not stuck in front of the TV or Internet while the adults prepare them food.

Tonight we had a delicious taco bar with:

-shredded organic rotisserie chicken
-Lake Breeze Organics kale, shredded
- 365 Organics fiesta cheese blend
- Organic Valley sour cream
- Henry's Farm spring garlic and red onions, diced
- tomatillo salsa
- organic avocado with Himalayan salt, black pepper and 4 drops DoTerra Lime essential oil, mashed together (the kids and I could eat this alone SO yummy!)
- 365 Organics corn tortillas, room temperature

Everyone got to assemble their own dinner and really enjoyed it! And they each willingly put everything on their taco without the dreaded "eat your veggies comment" you may expect with things like kale on the table:-)

What did your family have for dinner? How do you get the kids involved? I'd love to hear!

Scrumptious beet and greens pasta

I came across this recipe on Pinterest and just knew I had to try my own version with all the amazing produce at our local market. So here's my version:

1 Henry's Organic spring garlic, chopped
1 Henry's Organic red onion, chopped
2 Tablespoons 365 Organic Olive Oil
1 Tablespoon Organic Valley grass fed butter
Henry's Organic Small bunch beets with greens attached...remove and wash greens, wash, peel and chop beets (I used golden and red)
Lake Breeze Organics baby carrots
365 Organic Farfalle pasta
Himalayan salt, to taste

Boil water in pasta pot, add beets and carrots, boil about 10 minutes. At same, sauté spring garlic and red onion in 2Tbsp olive oil, about ten minutes on med-low. Add beet greens and butter, sauté about 5-8 minutes. Remove beets and carrots, bring water bake to boil. Add pasta, cook until al dente, about 12 minutes for the kid I used. ( don't worry, the pasta won't turn pink from the water) Drain pasta, mix everything together, add a dash of Himalayan salt (see benefits for this salt here) and enjoy!