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SUNSHINE CONCENTRATE - No More Itchy Flaky Skin

This environmentally-friendly cleaning and washing concentrate is nothing
less than wonderful!! We've used this for 15 years and love it for laundry,
hand soap, bath gel, soaking produce, dishes, cleaning, and a multitude of
other uses. This product has saved us hundreds of dollars over the years.
Makes life much simpler and takes away the "itch" of chemical soaps.

Find more uses for Sunshine Concentrate and purchase here

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A TOUCH OF NATURE
May 1, 2004 Issue

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DONNA'S COMMENTS
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Last weekend we got to go to the Smithsonian Natural History Museum. My
sole desire was to be able to see the IMAX film about Jane Goodall and how
she has changed the world for the benefit of the chimpanzee. I had already
read all of her books and it was a delight to be able to see the movie.
Very moving and inspiring. Upon returning back home, I spent quite a bit of
time on the organization's website. Randal and I decided to become a
Chimpanzee Guardian. We chose Nani for our Guardian Sponsorship.

Learn more about this program

We are able to do these kinds of things because of our HealthyPetCorner.com
website. We sell pet foods there and contribute 10% of gross income from
that site to organizations such as Jane Goodall's. If you have a pet and
want to make your purchase dollars go further, we'd love to have your
business.

Make a difference no matter how small!
Donna

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CRITTER FACTS
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WILDLIFE UNIVERSITY - FREE ONLINE COURSES

Wildlife Universityâ≥¢ is brought to you by the National Wildlife Federation
with the generous support of the Surdna Foundation. The main goal of
Wildlife University is to provide people with the opportunity to learn about
the environment and the issues that impact it. Wildlife University is
committed to providing online educational resources to those with an
interest in wildlife and wild places.

The "Creating Places for Wildlife Series" is for people who want to learn
how to garden for wildlife and now includes seven (7) courses. The
" Endangered Species Series" teaches you about the issues facing endangered
and threatened species and includes two (2) courses.

Register and find out more

DID YOU KNOW?

Foxes mate for life. If the female dies, the male will remain single until
he dies. If the male dies, the female will take a new mate.

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THOSE AMAZING BIRDS!
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CEDAR WAXWING

This bird's life seems to revolve around fruit. From its nomadic habits to
its late breeding season, may be traced to its dependence on fruit. It is
one of the few temperate dwelling birds that specializes in eating fruit.
It can survive on fruit alone for several months. Unlike many birds that
regurgitate seeds from fruit they eat, the Cedar Waxwing defecates fruit
seeds.

The name "waxwing" comes from the waxy red appendages found in variable
numbers on the tips of the secondaries of some birds. The exact function of
these tips is not known, but they may serve a signaling function in mate
selection.

Its habitat is open woodland, old fields with shrubs and small trees,
riparian areas, farms, and suburban gardens. It winters in areas that
contain fruit-bearing trees and shrubs, especially open woodlands, parks,
gardens, and forest edges.

This bird's population is increasing throughout its range which makes it a
good conservation example.

Description:
Medium-sized songbird
Gray-brown overall
Crest on top of head
Black mask edged in white
Yellow tip to tail (may be orange if eating an introduced species of honeysuckle)
14-17 cm or 6-7 inches long
Weighs 32 gm or 1.13 ounces
Both sexes nearly alike

See a photo of a Cedar Waxwing, hear their song, and get more info

Source: Information taken from BirdScope by Cornell Lab of Ornithology.

Become a Member and get this publication free

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RAINFORESTS
***************

Our rain forests are so important!

Click here to help rainforests with a free click. Register for email reminders.

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GARDENING FOR WILDLIFE - Restoring the Balance
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EVERYONE CAN GROW SUNFLOWERS
by Brenda Hyde

The days of sunflowers being contained to the vegetable garden are over.
There are now varieties that can be grown in large pots and containers, as
well as corners of your yard or garden. Children of all ages love sunflowers
and can participate in choosing the variety, planting and harvesting.
It won't be long until you see birds all over those sunflower heads and on
the ground below them.

Sunflowers are easy, and inexpensive to grow, and yes, everyone can do it!

Get the details

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NATURE'S BOUNTY FOR US
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Nature offers essential oils with potent properties that can be used in many
areas around the home. For health, bath, beauty, and household cleaning
supplies. Here's our featured recipe for this issue:

SAFE MOSQUITO REPELLENT

5 drops Eucalyptus essential oil
2 drops Geranium essential oil
4 drops Lemon essential oil
I drop Peppermint essential oil
1 Tablespoon Herbal Trim
1/4 teaspoon massage oil
1.5 ounces purified water (3 T.)

Pour all ingredients into a 2 ounce spray bottle and shake to blend. Spray
on exposed areas of the skin. This is also a very effective general bug
repellent. Reapply every 2 hours.

From "Is Your Home Safe?" by Larissa Jones.

Read more about the benefits of these oils, find other recipes, and purchase oils

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" GREEN" INFO- Making It a Way of Life!
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NOT JUST A CUP OF COFFEE

Shade-grown, sustainable, fair trade, and organic coffees. Celebrating 30
years as specialty coffee roasters. "Proud to be the revolutionaries who
promote and defend not just a cup, but a just cup of coffee.

A Just Cup of Coffee

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MUSINGS: POETRY & PROSE
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" Today, there are many species on the brink of extinction. In the Brazilian
rain forests alone, some authorities predict the extinction of 20,000
different species within the next decade."

--Walton Beacham, 1997, WWF Guide to Extinct Species

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GOOD NEWS ABOUT OUR PLANET
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POLICE HORSES ON THE INCREASE

Five tired, old police horses are trotting off into the sunset, retiring as
members of Allegheny County's mounted patrol unit [Pennsylvania].
But while police on horseback are on the wane in Allegheny County - which
now has nine horses, down from 40-plus years ago - it is rebounding
elsewhere across the country.

The use of mounted police is driven by practical considerations - like crowd
control and public relations - and an important intangible: people just like
horses.

Read the entire story

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If you enjoy this newsletter, please forward it on
to somebody you know. It's how we grow! Thanks!

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DISCLAIMER:

The content, suggestions, and web links in this newsletter are for
informational purposes only and not necessarily endorsed by our sponsor "The
Herbs Place.com" This is a personal publication by Donna Watkins. The ideas
and information expressed in it have not been approved or authorized by
anyone either explicitly or impliedly. In no event shall Donna Watkins or
" The Herbs Place.com" be liable for any damages whatsoever resulting from
any action arising in connection with the use of this information or its
publication, including any action for infringement of copyright or
defamation.