A Touch Of Nature

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Nature's Cortisol - A New Approach to Weight Loss

Researchers have begun to notice a connection between cortisol levels and
weight management. Cortisol is a hormone produced in the adrenal glands in
response to stress and promotes the formation of glucose. This new formula
has a three-pronged approach: to manage stress and cortisol levels and
maintain normal blood sugar levels. You will be impressed with what the
ingredients are and what they will do for stress, energy and weight loss.
Finally a safe formula for those with high blood pressure or diabetes. Read more.

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A Touch Of Nature
February 1, 2005 Issue

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What's Happening Here at Bluebird Cove
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We've been having some cold weather. Those bulbs that were coming up and budding are now frozen. Poor things! The weather has been so very strange this year across the country.

We'll be able to get a bit warmer later this month since we are going to Dallas for a Nature's Sunshine conference. We'll have the warmth of seeing old friends and the excitement of getting to see our son also. He lives in Oklahoma City which is only three hours away, so he will be coming down for the weekend. The Fort Worth Botanical Garden is on our agenda and the Fort Worth Nature Center and Refuge. Can't wait to see what we find in the natural world there!

If you've taken a look at our online gallery (http://www.theherbsplace.com/gallery) to virtually make a visit to our place, you've probably seen a few photos from our neighbor, Ken Bushell. He's got a good eye with the camera for birds and crawly things. I've discovered that he's also a painter so he's making good use of his retirement time for sure. If you'd like to take a look at his gallery.

Until next time, stay warm and watch the bird feeders :-)
Donna

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Critter Facts
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Sharing Space With Wildlife -- And Not Sharing Space

Sharing the environment with wildlife can sometimes be a challenge. When faced with problems, consider the enormous hardships wild animals encounter because so much of their habitat has been destroyed. Each year they're forced into closer contact with humans and must compete with us for food, shelter and space. Fortunately, common sense solutions can help us coexist in peace.

Take Mice and Rats for Instance - Rats are highly intelligent mammals capable of squeezing through openings the size of a quarter. Rats can survive on only one ounce of food a day, while mice require only 1/10 of an ounce. Mice can squeeze through openings the size of a dime.

House mice are "commensal", which means literally that they share our table. Unfortunately, like their rat cousins, they rarely experience much hospitality. Rodents are considered such a "nuisance" that some people resort to the use of cruel poisons, spring traps and glue traps. Surely humans have much to learn from these clever, resourceful beings and would do well to extend our circle of compassion to include them. Read more

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Those Amazing Birds!
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Annual Great Backyard Bird Count
February 18-21, 2005

It's so much fun! Be part of this event sponsored by Cornell Lab of Ornithology and Audubon. All ages and skill levels are welcome to participate. More than 500,000 submissions were entered last year.

Meal Worms

Winter is a great time for feeding extra protein to your feathered friends. Meal Worms aren't only the delight of bluebirds, but are accepted by many species of birds and you'll find turtles, fish, frogs and even lizards happy to share your feast. Here's a link to an article with detailed information on buying, storing and handling mealworms. All About Meal Worms

Here's a great bird supplies website that we discovered while we were in Charleston in November. They provide free shipping and a large variety of seeds and supplies. Bird Supplies With Free Shipping

House Finch Disease Survey

It's free to help. This epidemic is spreading across the US and researchers need your help in watching for birds with symptoms. It is spreading between species so we must act quickly. You can enter your data online if you see birds with or without the disease. It's important to know where the disease has not been seen. Learn more about how you can help.

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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:

Antiseptic Blend - Make Your Own Cleaning Spray

40 drops lavender fine
20 drops tea tree
10 drops lemon

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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Gardening For Wildlife - Restoring the Balance
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The Edible Schoolyard

Urban public school students now have a one-acre organic garden and a kitchen classroom. Using food systems as a unifying concept, students learn how to grow, harvest, and prepare nutritious seasonal produce. Experiences in the kitchen and garden foster a better understanding of how the natural world sustains us, and promote the environmental and social well being of our school community.

Children learn about the connection between what they eat and where it comes from, with the goal of fostering environmental stewardship and revolutionizing the school lunch program. Linking garden and kitchen activities with classroom lessons using ecological principles, students develop a deep understanding and appreciation of how nature sustains life.

Since the inception of The Edible Schoolyard, the school garden movement and the demand for fresh, organically produced foods has spread nationally. We are at a threshold of growth in the shift toward sustainable food systems– these resources may guide your involvement to have one in your own community: Edible Schoolyards

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Shopping With Purpose
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Leather Alternatives and Cruelty-Free Products

Leather does not come as a by-product of meat production and in many cases it does not come without cruelty, but you can find plenty of information on that subject online. I wanted to share some links to shop for stylish non-leather shoes, handbags, and accessories:

In the USA:
Alternative Outfitters
Ethical Wares
Moo Shoes
Otsu Vegan Style
Shoes With Souls
Sparklecraft
The Vegetarian Site
Vegan Essentials
Vegan Store
Vegan Wares
Vegan Line

In the UK:
Free Rangers
Vegetarian Shoes

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.

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"Green" Info - Making It a Way of Life!
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Holistic Pest Solutions for Home and Garden

Close to 100,000 accidental pesticide exposures are reported annually to poison control centers and many involve children. Millions of children age 5 and under daily ingest doses of organic phosphate pesticides that exceed the EPA's adult reference doses according to USDA and FDA analysis.

Holistic exterminators are becoming more common in many areas. Be sure to check your yellow pages and use the telephone to ask exterminators if they have a safer solution to pest management.

For gardening issues, here's a great site with lots of ideas on things you can use from around the home to handle garden bugs. You'll feel good about spraying natural ingredients in your yard knowing they won't injure pets and children.

Master Gardeners has a Holistic Pest Management course you can take. Contact your local Master Gardener organization to find information for local plants and problems.

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.

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Muse On Nature
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The control of nature is a phrase conceived in arrogance, born of a Neanderthal age of biology and philosophy, when it was supposed that nature exists for the convenience of man. It is our alarming misfortune that so primitive a science had armed itself with the most modern and terrible weapons, and that in turning them against the insects, it has also turned them against the earth."

--- From "Silent Spring" by Rachel Carson

See Green Info segment above for information on the concern about pesticide poisoning and for links to resources for holistic pest solutions.

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Nature Organizations - Making a Difference!
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Project Seahorse

Its origins can be traced to Cambridge University, where the team's director, Dr. Amanda Vincent, carried our her early seahorse research.

Seahorses are still a central concern of the team, but members are also involved in studying marine protected areas, bycatch, small-scale fisheries, and other aspects of marine conservation.

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The Frugal Life - Learning to Live Better 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.