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Clean Start Body Cleanse - The After-Holiday Cleanse :-)

Get ready for the New Year. Plan a cleanse. Holidays are temptiing and we process a lot of junk food we shouldn't be eating, so January is a popular time for cleansing. Clean Start is our most popular cleanse. Read more

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A Touch Of Nature
Donna L. Watkins
December 15, 2004 Issue

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What's Happening Here at Bluebird Cove
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The other morning I was having breakfast and I saw a squirrel go scurrying up a tree with a something big in its mouth. I had to get the binoculars to find out what it was since he was quite a way back into the woods. I had to laugh when I got him spotted. He had a huge mouthful of leaves. He would go about 10 feet up to the next branch and sit there and rearrange it. Go up another 10 feet and arrange it. He used his front paws to keep stuffing it into his mouth.

He was headed for the top of a tall pine tree and was adding to a dray [squirrel nest] that was already pretty large. It was a new one though. It wasn't there before. This particular pine is one of two that we have in our backyard and it is the one I can see if I lie on the couch and look out the skylight.

In the summer we keep the shades closed on the skylights but in the winter it's a great way to watch the stars. This winter will provide daytime entertainment too and I will be watching that tree when we have storms. It's not a very healthy tree and I was thinking that squirrels may not have a very high IQ for them to build in a tree that's already losing it's bark and has many signs of not being healthy.

You would think all critters would know these kinds of things, but maybe this guy's family likes to live dangerously and adventure is the name of their game. I've seen a branch fall once from high up and it had no blocking on the way down, so it fell straight to the ground. When it hit, a squirrel jumped off and ran through the woods. It seemed to simply be an elevator ride for him, saving him the time of climbing down.

It's a wonder what lies outside your windows. Take time to look today! One tree provides a habitat for many species.

Happy Holidays!
Donna

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About the Critters
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Eco Systems vs. Species

Why does The Nature Conservancy emphasize the protection of entire natural systems rather than individual species? Conservancy President Steve McCormick talks with the editors about the principles underlying Conservation by Design, and why it offers the best chance for protecting the diversity of life on Earth.

What About Extinct Species?

Have you ever wondered what we've lost? What species will we not get to see? Wouldn't it be a cool idea to have a memorial to those species which are no longer with us? Our friend, Scott Boven, thought so and has a site calledExtinction Memorial where you can search by state or type of plant or animal to see what we're missing at www.extinctionmemorial.org

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Those Amazing Birds!
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Chickadees Grow New Brain Cells to Find Winter Food

Researchers have found that chickadees will actually grow new brain cells during the winter. This physical adaptation helps them remember where they have hidden their food.

In the winter months the chickadee has to work extra hard in order to survive. During very cold days, a chickadee will spend 20 times longer at a bird feeder then on a typical summer day. They will seek out goldenrod plants, to feed on the insect larvae that cause “ball galls” to form on their stems. They also collect and hide seeds in a variety of secret caches. Researchers have found that chickadees will actually grow new brain cells during the winter. This physical adaptation helps them remember where they have hidden their food. By comparison, people cannot grow new brain cells to replace those that are slowly lost throughout our lives.

Read more about Black-Capped Chickadees

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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 ways around the home. For health, bath, beauty, and household cleaning supplies. Here's our featured recipe for this issue:

Headache Blend

25 drops lavender fine
25 drops sweet marjoram
6 drops peppermint

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

Herbal and Supplement Solutions by Health Topic

Do you need to build a body system for better health and wellness? Herbs work! They've been used by people all around the world for thousands of years. We've been using Nature's remedies since 1979 and found them to be so much help in gaining and maintaining health. This catalog lists natural solutions by health topic.

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Pets Are Part of Our Nature
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Pet Success Stories Using Nature's Remedies

Free Natural Pet Email Newsletter

Healthy Pet Corner for Birds, Cats, Dogs, Horses, Rabbits & Reptiles

Flint River Ranch - Oven-Baked Dog and Cat Foods and Treats

Healthy Pet Net - Natural Pet Supplements, Treats, Foods

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Environmental Planning for Death
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Not a topic that many want to discuss, but this is a very cool way to leave a legacy behind if you are going to be cremated.

Cremation Burial That Gives Life

Eternal Reefs, Inc. is a company that creates permanent living legacies that memorialize the passing of a loved one.   For families and  individuals that choose cremation rather than burial Eternal Reefs offers a new memorial option that replaces cremation urns and ash scattering with a permanent environmental living legacy built in their loved ones memory and honor.  An Eternal Reef combines a cremation urn, ash scattering and a burial at sea into one meaningful permanent environmental tribute to life.

We have found that  more than 47% of families that take their loved ones cremated remains home still have them more than six months later.  It may be that family members can not bring themselves to do the scattering, or it may be that the family needs and wants a physical location to be able to visit and reflect.  An Eternal Reef can provide the closure for the family that they seek and need. 

Read more about Eternal Reefs

Here's a couple more similar sites with creative ideas:

Life Gem

Creative Cremains

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Shopping With Purpose
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Please Note: We receive no compensation for promoting these businesses,
other than the delight of sharing alternative shopping experiences for those
who would like to make a difference while shopping. :-)

Vegan Cookies Anyone?

Do you have a vegan that loves cookies? Allison's Gourmet, est. 1997, is the premiere online vegan bakery, shipping exclusive baked goods to homes and business all over the continent, including some of Hollywood's most prestigious addresses. Vegan Cookies

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" Green" Info - Making It a Way of Life!
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Socially Responsible Internet Service Provider

EcoNetwork.net donates 20% of gross proceeds. When you sign up for any of their services, a percentage of your monthly fees will go to your local schools, libraries, and other non-profit groups that are dedicated to the betterment of our environment, wildlife, and our communities.

Sunshine Concentrate - Detoxify Your Soaps and Cleaning!

This environmentally-friendly cleaning and washing concentrate is nothing less than wonderful. We've used it for 15 years for laundry, hand soap, pet baths, soaking produce, dishwasher, cleaning, and a multitude of other uses. This product has saved us money and health. No more "itch" of chemical soaps. Sunshine Concentrate

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Muse On Nature
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" The soul is the same in all living creatures,
although the body of each is different."

--- Hippocrates

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The Frugal Life - Learning to Live With What You Already Have
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Living more simply is a great way to effect change in your own personal environment. It helps the planet also. The Frugal Life website has lots of ideas on getting back to basics. They also have a free newsletter emailed twice a month.

Written to encourage families wanting to stretch their dollars, it includes articles or tidbits on topics such as: finance, decorating, gardening, and household tips from subscribers and questions from the website forum. Sign up for their free email newsletter

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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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Copyright and Reprint Information
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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 L. 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 L. 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. This newsletter may be forwarded without any alterations without seeking permission.