Non Toxic Garden Pest Control: Homemade Bug Spray!

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Hiya, happy people!

So—> yesterday,  there was mention of bugs in the front yard garden…

well– last night, the hubz and I came up with a concotion that were hoping combats the “little black bugs” .

Basically, these bugs appear to be sucking out the chlorophyll in the plant by attacking the leaves.

These nasty buggers initially started in on the watermelon, which resulted in a melon loss

The entire watermelon plant crippled over and is not happy.

It looks very  unhealthy at this point and has infected the other plants. Grr!

Such as my beautiful cuke plant that is healthy and covered in yellow blossoms.

So far, we managed to get one cuke out it but they’re are two others which started to grow but now seem to be stunted from the buggy effect.

Double grr!

Our pumpkin plants are starting too look unhappy as well. Aye carumba… the joys of gardening… you LIVE & LEARN.

Over the years we haven’t really dealt much with bug infestations but have had some aphid issues and maybe a few worms too. We done lot’s of reading on how to get rid of pests naturally and have put together a few different methods.

Bugs definitely don’t like heat from peppers and one year (2009) we made a batch of pepper spray using the green peppers we grew in our garden. It worked wonderfully.

All we did was cut up some peppers and placed them into water and let it sit for a couple days or so before we used it.

Now it’s sat for 2 yrs. and the smell of peppers is SUPER strong. I don’t think any bug will live through a spray of it. hee, hee! Bye–bye, you hungry bugs!

Anyhoo- I didn’t actually find our homemade pepper spray till after we concocted a new spray (of course).

Non Toxic Garden BUG Control Spray

In a 12 oz bottle mix the following:

- 1 tbsp of vinegar

- 1 tbsp of oil (any kind- & pretend it’s pictured;)

- 3-4 drops of peppermint oil

- 3-4 squirts of dish soap (we used Mrs. Meyers)

-  2 cut up peppers… any HOT pepper will do!

Next, fill bottle/sprayer up with water & it’s ready for use!

** Remember to label your bottle and keep out of reach from children.

Simple. Easy & Effective.

No nasty chemicals involved… all natural & organic, baby!!!

Most of the ingredients can be found in under your kitchen sink.

Safe to use around children too!

We like to use our homemade garden bug control spray in the early AM’s or late PM’s of the day.

Spraying in direct sunlight/heat could damage your garden plants so just be aware.

I’ll definitely keep you posted on our bug sitch…

…keeping my fingers crossed the plants live through it.

(there is some new life on the watermelon, so we’ll see- maybe it’s not toast afterall;)

Have you had any problems with bugs in your garden this year?!

If so, what have you done to combat them naturally?

What natural solutions do you know of?

click on pic for a larger view!

Green Drinks: Solar Brewed Tea + Teeccino

chocolate mint rooibos & mango rooibos iced tea!

Hola!

How are things with everyone??

I heart the summertime. It just brings out the best in everyone/everything!

It also leaves you feeling thirsty on some days. I’m a tea lover … hot tea, cold tea…but I mainly stick to herbal teas and every once in awhile will treat myself to a chai (black) tea. Oh, okay and coffee too! I’m no saint. But, I’ve recently learned about an awesome alternative to coffee… more on that in a sec!

What I love about the summer is you can utilize the sun for many things and one way I find the sunny sun helpful is to brew up a pitcher of tea. Yep, that’s right. Use the sun to make iced tea. This method is so fun and satisfying. It doesn’t take long for a pitcher of water that contains fresh herbs, dried herbs,  dried fruit, or  tea bag (your choice) to warm up.  I usually like to put in orange slices or lemon slices but I was out of both the other day.

It’s approximately 2-3 hours before you can enjoy a fresh cup of iced tea. I usually put about a tsp. to one cup of fresh/dried herbs/dried fruit and follow the directions on the box for tea bags.

It’s so worth it to try this method +you’ll be saving energy while you’re at it. Bonus points, from Mother Earth.  Just find a great sunny spot in your yard for the pitcher, cover the top with a lid and walk away. You’ll have sun tea in no time.

Oh boy! Yes, I know my life is boring…I get kicks off of freshly solar brewed iced tea.

What can I say…I’m an eco geek! lol!

I also really enjoy water with lemon just as much and in the summer time with all the fresh fruit. I love, love, having a pitcher around with fresh fruit slices marinating in it. It’s the best ever.

And the other day while I was perusing the bloggy blogs I found an awesome giveaway for a fruit infusion pitcher. I wish for one of these bad boys…a kitchen must have in my opinion!

Oh and while I’m linking up… I forgot to mention this fabby giveaway on this weeks Meatless Monday’s post! I was drooling over Ani’s new book the other day while at Barnes & Noble. I had to keep my impulses in check.

Anywho…

I FINALLY had the chance to pick up some teeccino (prounounced teaCHIno).

Teeccino is a coffee alternative…tastes, brews, and looks just like the real deal but instead of the caffeine high you’ll get and herbal high. No, it doesn’t contain any of that silly stuff  but it does have various other herbs in it which are much easier on the adrenal system system than coffee.

It’s marvy. I highly recommend it!! It’s great for pregnant and nursing mother’s too.

Here’s a little info from the brochure I picked up at the natural foods store:

- gluten free

- non acidic

- natural energy boost

- prebiotic

- naturally caffeine free + more great benefits!!

I’ve been whipping up iced coffees lately and using Hazelnut coconut creamer by So Delicious (dairy free)… da bomb, just sayin’!!!

I must say, it did give me a little pep in my step without the jitters which is always a good thing.

Have you tried Teeccino?

What about sun tea… have you done it yet, this summer?

It definitely keeps me smiling… what about you… what’s making you smile lately?

the {upcycled & recycled} Easter Egg Dyeing, au naturale!

Hola!

Happy weekend to you!

Can you believe that Easter is just a couple weeks away?!  I can’t. I still can’t believe it’s the end of March either. What the heck happened to the first three months of the year? I’m ALSO in disbelief my “Baby C” is going to be ONE. Holy moly, a true toddler in 2 wks. Aye carumba!

{Anywho}

I remember looking forward to Easter, as a kid,just so I could dye eggs for our family egg hunt. We always used the traditional boxes of egg dye as I’m sure most did. Due to the birth of Baby C, last year;  we were unable  to do anything fancy with our eggs. We wanted to do the natural method but our time was very limited with a newborn. Instead my mother in law happened to pick up an organic egg dye pack from the health food store and we called it good. It was better than the toxic kits nothing.

This year, I’m hoping to plan ahead and try out a new (to me) natural method. Most commercial kits contain chemicals, artificial ingredients and have petroleum based products  (crayon) which aren’t earth friendly and are usually labeled non-toxic; so beware.

For this weeks, edition, of the {upcycled & recycled}; I ran (not literally) across another way of having fun with eggs for Easter…

Silk dyed!

Thank you, Martha Stewart’s site. The other day, I was browsing for craft/sewing ideas for the boys birthday parties and found this gem…

You’ve gotta see the video on how to do it! EASY PEASY.

I can’t wait to find a few silk ties or blouses from garage sales or thrift stores for this project. No finger staining  whatsoever. Doesn’t that sound enticing? ! But, then again a little nostalgia without the chemicals does too!

Now, check it out; if you don’t have time to go thriftin’ or to yard sales …

a silk dye kit is available through …drumroll, please… ETSY!

My favorite place to  find {upcycled & recycled} goods.

The silk dye kits are recycled & reusable. Did I say, how much I loved this idea!

I LOVE this idea!!!

Upcycling at it’s finest.

AND if you’re interested in au naturale egg dye kits…

check out one of my fave companies eco-kids

who now has an all natural plant, fruit and veggie based dyeing kit!

Jupiter’s Child also has an all natural kit with a twist!

Pretty eco rad, if you ask me.

P.S. this is Part 1 of Eco Egg Dyeing, au naturale… stay tuned for my personal experience!

Have you silk dyed eggs before?  Please share!

Have a great weekend! 

The No ‘Poo Method Update!

Hey guys & gals!

I promised you an update on this crazy no ‘poo journey of  mine… and so far it’s been 3 months without using any shampoo. Wow! I seriously can’t believe it. Honestly, nothing feels better than being liberated of having to spend the crazy amount of cashola on a bottle of shampoo goo!

I’ve been playing with the conditioning part of the recipe by allowing fresh herbs and essential oils I have on hand. So far I’ve done peppermint, mint and rosemary. In fact, I just made the rosemary version last night and haven’t cracked the jar open yet. I’m excited. I’ll give it a few more days to infuse. So far the peppermint wins over the mint… and I love mint! Mint alone isn’t strong enough for apple cider vinegar (ACV).

The no ‘poo method doesn’t mean you have to be a dirty hippie type just because you aren’t producing any suds upon washing. I still “wash” my hair. I still work the no ‘poo solutions into my my scalp  as I would with “normal” shampoo. I’m not shy about letting my hair go a few days before washing it out with baking soda and vinegar just to experiment and see what state my hair is in. So far, nothing funky has occurred.  Phew! My hair and face have always been a bit on the oily side so it’s hard to say whether the no ‘poo has really affected the oily factor.

When I say oily… I don’t mean greasy or matty (my hair is really fine). It just has a bit more shine to it.  When I run my fingers through my hair it actually feels great. Going a few days without any routine either shampoo or no ‘poo it usually proves I do need to cleanse my hair unless I plan to dread it….which has actually crossed my mind.

In all actuality, most of my life I grew up with short hair. Just after I gave birth to the eco tot I chopped it off. Lately, I’ve been feeling the need for some change and have thought about hacking it off again.

But, I digress.

I still feel like I’m in the “transition” period. It’s only been 3 months… so maybe some of the oily business will let up… OR NOT! Either way, I’m on this journey for good!

The Routine

When I first started (original post here), I would fill up my pint mason glass with the baking soda and do the same with the ACV in a reused peri bottle. It was a bit of a time killer at first but now it’s part of the routine as with anything else when first learned. I’m still working on figuring out a way of having pre-made solutions without spoiling. I’m waiting on an agave nectar bottle for the baking soda rinse to switch out having glass in the tub. Then I will  have two squeezie tops which makes applying both solutions much easier.

A few months back, I cleaned out our cupboards and saved two Malt O Meal boxes for reuse. I remembered them last week and immediately filled up an empty box with baking soda for the ‘pooing part. Prior to the Malt O Meal box, I was scooping out the baking soda from a plastic bag… gross! At least this way the baking soda is contained and makes for easy storage and pouring ability.

Next, I take the ACV infusion and dump some of it into the peri bottle with water. I like adding in peppermint essential oil too. BUT, not too much or your head will tingle. ALL. DAY. lol! I learned this the hard way. One or two drops is plenty. Believe. I’ll let you know how it goes with the rosemary infusion. I’m hoping it’s heavenly… I think I may just do a rosemary mint combo too!

All in all, a few extra steps hasn’t made this a make or break deal. I still feel like I’m in the “transition” period. It’s only been THREE months…so maybe some of the oily business will let up at six. OR NOT!

Either way, I’m on this journey for good.

How about you?

Do you no ‘poo?

Put a Little Green “umph” In Your VDay Plans: Natural Aphrodisiacs

Photo credit: Flickr creative commons

(Put a little “umph” or hump… whichever applies!)

Valentine’s day is on Sunday and you know what that means… lot’s of lovin’ will be going around.

Is it possible to green that area of your life, you ask? Why, yes it is!

Valentines day is all about LOVE so why not put a little eco in it…

If you find yourself one of those who just can’t resist all the candy hearts and red, pink and white decor …

perhaps, consider a few eco-friendly options for your loved one!

The Checklist

Flowers: Organic Bouquet or VeriFlora

Gifts: Check out Guffly or Etsy for some pretty eco rockin’ gifts!

OR make your own special something … felted mittens, jewelry; turn something old into something new, etc.

Treats/Food: Organic & Fair Trade if at all possible!

Green Condoms: Skip the latex and go for Natural Lamb

Lube: 3 words… Good Clean Love!

OR, you could just use straight up coconut oil /EVOO (I use it for a number of things!)

Skip the card: Say it all with your actions.

Now, how about a few natural aphrodisiacs to help set the mood or rather get in the mood!

An aphrodisiac is a substance such as food, drink, drug, scent or device that can arouse or induce feelings of sexual desire. Aphrodisiacs are named after Aphrodite, the ancient Greek goddess of sexual love and beauty. Aphrodisiacs can be powerful as they trigger the release of chemicals in the brains which then stimulate certain organs.

I heart Better Nutrition magazine…

February’s issue has an interview with author Chris Kilham on how to boost libido and improve sexual health- naturally, or in non toxic fashion, if you will.

His new book,

Hot Plants; Nature’s Proven Sex Booster for Men and Woman

sounds very interesting…  I’ve already requested it at my local library. LOL! 

I’m all about doing things the natural way; even in the bedroom.

Natural Aphrodisiacs

- Chocolate: It’s the LOVE drug! Contains compounds that mimic the brains natural chemistry when we fall in love.

- Oysters: High in zinc which is considered the “sexy” mineral; important for healthy sexual function.

- Maca: Considered the King Kong of herbs in the aphrodisiac catagory!! A natural sex booster.

-  More Sexually Stimulating Foods: Mushrooms, Asparagus, Onions, Garlic, and Chili Peppers/ Banana, Fig, Pomegranate, Avocado

- Panax Ginseng: For men, nuff’ said!!

- Scents: Vanilla, Patchouli and Musk

- Touch: Skin is the largest organ and made up of many nerves… give your special someone a massage with coconut oil then to soak up the oil sprinkle on some cornstarch (for silky effect). It’s very relaxing and tingling at the same time. ooooh la, la!

So; skip the trip to Europe for the Spanish fly because these items for your sweetie could very well be in your own home.

Make this year’s Valentine’s day sustainable and eco sweet.

Peace & Love!

UPDATE:

Here are a few links that relate to this post!

Super Natural Mom discusses green romance;

Evergreen at the Happy Raw Kitchen has a wonderful breaky treat you can put together in minutes for your loved one on VDay;

Send an e card through the David Suzuki Foundation and a “generous donor” will match your donation;

What are you planning to do for your loved one?

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