Gardening Tuesday: Gardening And Essential Oils
We thought we would share this with you for next year’s gardening season.
Whether it is bugs, molds, aphids, or healthy soil, therapeutic grade essential oils will help you garden without the use of toxic chemicals that not only weaken your plants immune system (making them even more susceptible to disease and bugs), but leave nasty side effects for you, the consumer of these plants.
Below are some testimonials of different things people have used, and how they have used them. Interestingly, the Thieves Household Cleaner, which contains the Thieves essential oils blend in it, is one of the most popular, effective and simplest solutions to most garden problems!
I have to tell you about my Thieves Household Cleaner experience!
I went out to my garden one day and to my utter dismay, found my beans
absolutely COVERED with Japanese beetles….like there were TOO MANY
TO COUNT!!!!! I ran back to my house, dumped some THC
(Thieves Household Cleaner) (about ¼ cup) into a 32 oz spray bottle
and added water and ran back out to start spraying.
Well, after two quart bottles of the THC mixture and
darkness falling, I determined I’d done all I could do. Next morning,
I went out to check on things and …lo and behold….MANY, MANY, MANY
DEAD BEETLES on the ground under the bean plants. Now I could
actually count how many were still alive so I got me another spray
bottle and sprayed the remaining beetles. When I found them on my
blackberries and lounging around in the Marigold blossoms (!!), I
decided I needed a bigger sprayer. I continue to spray my garden
EVERY DAY with a generous amount of THC mixture; the plants look
wonderful and I’m managing to stay ahead of the beetles.
Love that THIEVES HOUSEHOLD CLEANER and all the other Thieves
products!! ~ Abundant blessings, Elaine
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Since we are on the subject of Thieves, I have a great testimonial
regarding the new Thieves Cleaner. I have four fuchsia “trees” next to the
sidewalk leading up to my front door. About a month ago I noticed that the
leaves were curling and the plants did not look healthy. I took a few
leaves to the nursery and they diagnosed it as “fuchsia mites” and
recommended a chemical pesticide. They didn’t know of any natural remedies
to this problem. Since I am an organic gardener, I just couldn’t bring
myself to buy it.
When I got home, I pruned the plants of the curled/diseased leaves then I
took a sprayer bottle and filled it with about an inch of Thieves Cleaner
and the rest with water. I shook it really well and sprayed it on the top
and under the leaves of my fuchsia plants as directed by the nursery for the
chemical pesticide. I did this three days in a row. A couple of days later
I noticed that the plants were not only looking healthy again, but there was
lots of new growth! I have not seen any more curled leaves on my plants and
the plants look healthy again. ~ Blessings, Karen Jenkins-Green
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GARDEN BUGS:
Hi, I have a little secret. It’s just THIEVES Essential Oil Blend!!! ,I have recently
given out my plant care tips to a lot of my clients who love to see my assorted
plants. Some have actually brought their plants in for me to nurse back to health.
My brother has me come in and take care of his plants at his stores also.
the truth is I’m really not that diligent when it comes to my plants. They
just look great because I use a lot of Thieves. I use Thieves straight out
of the bottle on house plants that tend to get fungus or mold from my kids
over-watering the plants. I used to use it watered down but this proved
ineffective against hearty molds in a warm house in the winter. They flourish
beautifully. I also use cinnamon powder (no sugar folks) mixed into the
soil with some cinnamon oil, thieves or clove oil with Purification around
my rose bushes and my other outside plants to get rid of annoying insects
and aphids that eat away at my plants. My roses and flowers are always hearty
and pesticide free. I recently got a quote for $850 to get rid of my
termites and property, well I just put 2 bottles of each of the following
oils in a bottle of V6 and the termites are all dead and gone. I figured
that this is costly to buy the oils but it beats having to pay some
exterminator to come and make my soil toxic. To me it was worth the shot.
I’m glad I did it because I had the engineer come back to inspect for them
because I was refinancing and wanted another loan to fix my house and my
home is termite and carpenter ant free now!
I used 2 of each Abundance, Thieves, Clove, Cinnamon, Purification, Lemon,
Lemongrass and a large bottle of V6. I put the whole thing in a larger
bottle and I squirt it all around the perimeter of my house and doorstep or
anywhere termites or carpenter ants would love to hide. I also keep a bottle
hooked up to my hose to spray over the base of the property. I just have to
upkeep it periodically and I’m all good!! I use a lot of Purification on my
dogs to keep off all the ticks and fleas. It works on my cats too. ~ Have a fun,
bug-less, pesticide free spring, Nina
* * *
For plants infested with insects, use one of the following essential oils.
Fill a mist spray bottle with 4 oz. of water, add the essential oils and
mist the infested plant. Use as little as possible. Several applications, a
few days apart, may be necessary.
Spearmint: ants, aphids, caterpillars, black flea beetle,
gnats, lice, moths, and plant lice.
Peppermint: ants, aphids, bean beetle, cabbage root fly,
caterpillars, black flee beetle, flies, lice, moths, and plant lice.
Lemongrass: black flea beetle, fleas, mosquitoes, and ticks.
Tansy: black fly, carrot fly, fleas, flies, greenfly,
mosquitoes, and white fly.
Hyssop: aphids, cabbage root fly, moths, and slugs.
Thyme: bean beetle, cabbage root fly, cutworm, and ticks.
Sage: cabbage root fly, cutworm, nematodes, ticks, and white
fly.
Rosemary: cabbage root fly and carrot fly.
Patchouly: gnats, snails, weevils, and woolly aphids.
Pine: slugs, snails, and wooly aphids.
Sandalwood: weevils and wooly aphids.
Our all around favorite is Young Living’s Blend of Purification….we always
have it with us.
Purification: will not only help keep the bugs away, but when
applied to a bite or sting, will neutralize the venom. We have applied a
drop of Purification to wasp, bee, and yellow jacket stings and felt the
pain go away immediately and the swelling subside. The next day, there were
no traces of a sting. It works well for mosquito bites too.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Thieves Household Cleaner is only $21.50 for a concentrated 14.4 oz. bottle. Very little is needed – just use a little, dilute with water in a spray bottle, and use this for 99% of what you do in your home to clean. Replace toxic products and save money with the Thieves Household Cleaner. Put it on an autoship and save even more, enough to get it for FREE.
These days, between the mosquitoes and bugs I wouldn’t be without it – just for that!
Contact me if you have any questions! Or would like to order some.
Dancing in the Minefields
Found this on another blog this morning…what truth he is singing…
Monday Motivation
Last week’s Monday Motivation:
This week we begin a new school schedule. I had planned to take the first month of Sir Eats Alot’s life to allow us time to enjoy his newborn days and not be rushed to get at school. Well, he turned a month old on Saturday and it was time to revamp our schedule, write some goals down and get the new school year underway. I even got the children’s school/chore lists written up for this week, handwriting for one child done for two weeks and spelling lists recorded on software that I am reviewing (another timely help that came to my door – Thank you Lord for knowing what we need!) So these alone are major accomplishments!
~ Get to the garden to begin gleaning anything left. We just haven’t got out there as often since baby came. We did this a couple of times and still need to get out there again. Not too much is remaining, but we seem to find enough when we go.
~ Sell any remaining produce at a Farmers Market. This will probably be one time at a private business. We had fun at the Farmers Market. Sold out of most of our produce and hope to sell at this market next season, Lord willing.
~ Declutter one area. Hmm….I think we cluttered more areas when a cold snap went through and we were scrambling for warmer clothing!
~ Visit the YMCA regarding their homeschool gym/swim classes. I called.
~ Go for a walk at least two more times this week. Made it one more time, but I did get out shopping for a couple of hours with Sir Eats Alot and two daughters so that plus the standing working at our co-op day and the farmers market account for exercise too, right?
That’s about it. I could add more, but I am trying to only bite off what I can chew. Now I am off to get on with our new afternoon schedule! Enjoy yours!
This week’s Motivation:
~ Go for 2-3 walks.
~ Get most of our summer clothes packed up and winter clothes put away.
~ Work on our office. My area to declutter since it has gotten even more out of control since baby boy arrived.
That is all I am even going to attempt to do this week since I have quite a bit of work to do for clients, plus homeschooling and a number of phone calls.
Movie Review Monday: The Widows Might and The Lost and Found Family
We watched the Widows Might and The Lost and Found Family. I would give them both 8 out of 10 stars.
The Widows Might was about 3 young men who are filmmakers and their friend who is a widow, who is losing her house due to unfair taxes. The boys set about to help her along with their friends and family. They end up making a great western movie, battling untruthful but hurtful news reports about them, helping a friend with his election campaign and still helping the widow! A really great film!
Here are some other reviews of it here.
The Lost and Found Family is about a family with 5 foster children, who are renting a home from a once wealthy widow. She comes to visit the house and is going to sell it to have some money but after she meets the family, she starts to think of ways to help them. The 2 older children hid some drugs in the house but that was resolved. There was no bad language and really no questionable clothing except that the widow could have worn a more modest dress and the girl could have dressed more like a girl than a punk! But I guess that that was just her character! All in all, it was a great movie!I hope that you and your family will check out these great movies!
You may buy both movies at most movie stores.
Easy Lunch Boxes
Faith and Family Reviews received the following product in exchange for writing a review. While we consider it a privilege to receive free products to review, our reviews are our honest opinion and thoughts of the product.
* Eco-Friendly
* For Kids & Adults
* Bento-Style, 3-Compartments
* Less Pieces, More Function
* No BPA, Lead, Vinyl or PVC
* Affordable & Durable
* Easy Prep, Easy Cleanup
* Nesting Containers
* Custom, Washable Cooler Bag
Our Review
The Easy Lunch Box System is a convenient lunch system that makes feeding little ones a breeze. I found that the Easy Lunch Boxes helped eliminate most of the mess in the van. Not as much food got on the floor, the children had a place to put their food while they were chewing or were tired of eating.
When the Easy Lunch Boxes are all full, only three of them will fit into the Easy Lunch Box cooler. Not all four will fit, so an additional bag will be needed or some other small cooler to keep food items that should be refrigerated cold.
As EasyLunchBoxes.com states, the lids of the Easy Lunch Box containers fit loosely. They do not snap shut, which I appreciated so the younger children could easily open their own container. Yet it was odd trying to fit them on because my tendency is to snap the lids of containers, but these just do not snap. They really only set. Despite this, I still very much like the Easy Lunch Boxes and hope to buy a couple of more to make lunches easier at home and on the road.
FFR Giveaway – isABelt Jr. – A Cool Fashion Accessory ****Closed****
Congratulations to Beckee, Kelly, Linda, and Shelby! You are our isABelt winners! You should have a e-mail from us in your e-mail inbox.
Beckee Comment # won the Fruity isAbelt
Kelly Comment # 16 won the Skull isAbelt
Linda Comment #30 won the Cupcake isAbelt
Shelby Comment # 3 won the Peace isAbelt
I think this video explains the isABelt very well. So do you want to win this cool fashion accessory? Our great sponsors are offering to give away 4 isABelt Junior belts (1 of each style belt – see below) to our readers! These would make great gifts for daughters and nieces! ( Check out isABelt JR’s feature in our guide here)
isABeltJr ®: features
• Helps eliminate back-gap, belt-bulk and belt slippage
• Great for fashion issues stemming from low-riser styles
• To be worn with jeans, pants, skirts, dresses over leggings and more.
• Can be worn over or under fitted tops or dresses
• Lead-free
• One Size- adjusts down to accommodate smaller sizes (2T -14 girls) and up to womens size 10
• 1/2” thick
• Made of elastic
• Clean with damp cloth
• Made in China
Comes in Skull, Cupcake, Fruity and Peace designs.
Mandatory Entry: Tell me what you like about the isABelt Jr. or what you think your daughter or niece will like.
Extra Entries (Please be sure and leave a comment and link for extra entries):
1 Entry: Follow Faith and Family Reviews on Twitter.
1 Entry: Follow IsABeltelsie on Twitter.
1 Entry: Like Faith and Family Reviews on Facebook.
1 Entry: Like isabelt on Facebook.
2 Entries: Tweet about this giveaway, but only one tweet per day please. Include your tweet url with your comment. You may write your own tweet or use this one:
Giveaway: Enter to win an isABelt Jr. @faithfamilyrevw! http://tiny.cc/isABeltJrGiveaway Please share! Thx!
5 Entries: Blog about this giveaway and link back to this post and to isABelt’s website.
1 Entry for every comment you leave anywhere else on this blog, but please leave a link with your comment!
Details:
This giveaway will run from September 24th until October 7th at midnight CST. The winner will be chosen through Random.org. Winner will be contacted via email on or before October 30th and asked for their contact and other pertinent info. Winner will have 48 hours to send me their info at [ffr] [giveaways] [at] [gmail] [dot] [com] (without spaces and parenthesis). isABelt will ship one container set and one lunch bag in the color of their choice directly to the winner. Please note: This giveaway is offered to US & Canadian residents only. Please do not enter this giveaway if have won or received free product from EasyLunchboxes within the past 3 months.
Thanks and have fun!
Thrifty Thursday: Cutting Back On Food
In this economic time many people are trying to find ways to cut back on spending, one way to do so is to cut back on how much food you buy and by the way you cook.
For example if a recipe for mac and cheese calls for two cups of cheese for the cheese sauce you could use one and it will still work out. And you can cut butter in half when baking and use half butter and half apple sauce. Usually sugar can be cut back by half as well, after all we don’t need all that sugar anyway. Here’s a list of great tips:
~ You can cut butter in half when baking and use half butter and half apple sauce.
~ Cut back on cheese, use half.
~ Instead of serving meat every night use beans – they are high in protein, taste yummy and can be used in a variety of ways!
~ Instead of serving junk food for snacks buy fruit and veggies in bulk and serve those. It will also save on doctor visits in the future because you and your family will be healthier.
~ Bake your own baked goods instead of buying them. That will often cut the cost down by 75%!
~ Cook your own meals instead of buying them or eating out.
~ Eat out less.
~ Buy locally.
~ Use coupons.
~ Don’t shop when you are hungry.
Happy Shopping and Cooking! Come back next Thursday for more Thrifty Thursday ideas! In the meantime check out our great giveaways! Win a clutch: http://faithandfamilyreviews.com/2010/09/11/ffr-giveaway-chambers-maroon-studded-clutch-100-value/
Cheryl Ricker’s A Friend in the Storm Interview
A Friend in the Storm
1. What prompted you to write A Friend in the Storm?
It all started in 2005 when I went to a Mothers of Preschoolers group. As we were going around the circle introducing ourselves, I learned that one of the ladies, Chantale, had stage four lung cancer.
After a few weeks of getting to know her, she invited me to meet with her in her home for a time of regular prayer and Bible reading. I was honored but nervous because I didn’t know what I’d say. When God reminded me I could write her comfort poetry, it made sense. When I was growing up I used to write poetry to help me deal with my difficult emotions. Besides, people had been turning to the Psalms for comfort for ages.
Some people bring casseroles to hurting friends. I could bring poetry. (Trust me ~ Chantale wouldn’t have wanted my casseroles).
When it turned out she received a lot of comfort in my poetry, I kept writing ~ right until the day she asked if I’d read some of my poems at her funeral.
The month after she died, I attended a writer’s conference because I was interested in publishing a children’s book about a skunk. I quickly came to the conclusion that it stunk, but several people encouraged me to turn my poetry into a comfort gift book. That’s how A Friend in the Storm began. Five years and a thousand revisions ago.
2. How would you describe your book?
A Friend in the Storm is a personal conversation between God and a hurting person. It’s a healing treasury of quotes, Scripture and poetry that leads to lasting hope. It covers forty-five hope-related topics and takes readers on a healing journey through the stages of grief before it crescendos with the splendor of Heaven.
3. What’s the big premise behind A Friend in the Storm?
Why would a God who loves so strong,
allow this blow of senseless wrong,
enwrap me in a shock of pain,
that tries to snuff what’s kept me sane.
With failing strength I’m struck down low,
so where’s this peace supposed to flow?
Inside this hole where dreaming dies,
beneath bare groans and screaming cries?
A Friend in the Storm addresses the question in the world: “why would a good and loving God allow this to happen?” The majority of the book is Christ’s response to that question.
4. What is the basic message of your book and what do you want readers to grasp?
I want readers to know that God hasn’t forgotten them. He feels what they feel. He’s holding them. He’s not going to waste their pain. He’s crazy about them.
It’s illustrated in the poem, “You”.
You’re forever on My mind
And in your presence I rejoice;
Singing out your name with angels,
All your sweetness fills My voice.
Keeping loved ones in My keeping,
I embrace a constant calm.
Whole and holy, I will hold you,
ever-after in My palm
5. How do you describe your style of poetry?
It’s a cross between traditional rhyming poetry and literary poetry. My poems have internal rhyme, end rhyme, sound-bonding, alliteration, and lots of metaphors and similes.
They’re light ‘n tight; deep, but also easily understandable.
6. Why did you choose A Friend in the Storm as your title?
It’s had several different titles, but this one definitely describes it best. Christ wants to be our friend in the storm. He offers comfort like no other. Besides, He’s the only one who can truly say, “I’ve been there. I understand.”
I also like the title because the book itself is a friend in the storm, a valuable companion people can reach for in the dark.
7. A Friend in the Storm is filled with unique and memorable imagery. Could you share one with us? strong>
Sure! Here’s a poem entitled, “Artisan”
Poked inside this wind-licked fire
like a piece of molten glass,
Letting prods and pliers take you
in for yet another pass…
Your smoked-color bends to beauty
‘til you’re clearly made My vase,
held together most transparent,
showing off, through you, My face.
~~~
You bet. This one’s called, “Expecting”
Life’s contractions press you closer
past the door of time’s tight tomb;
Stuck inside this world of testing,
You’re still safe-sealed in My womb.
As My Spirit flows inside you,
Guaranteeing your reward,
I will grow you, Child of value,
‘til the day I cut the cord.
~~~
Would love too, thanks.
On Time
I hold you in My hourglass,
a chosen grain of sand.
Upside down or right-side up,
you move fast-forward like I planned.
Time is just a pressed-in moment,
just a narrow open door,
made to pass you into splendor
that awaits you on My shore.
8. How is A Friend in the Storm different than other gift books with quotes, Scriptures and poetry?
Most gift books with quotes, Scripture and poetry are written by multiple authors with multiple styles and points of view, so they don’t have the same continuity and flow. Because A Friend in the Storm is written by a single voice, it flows like a story. It’s not just a mish mash of broken thoughts and ideas. There’s a logical progression.
9. How did you select the quotes used throughout A Friend in the Storm?
With difficulty. I went on a long quote hunt. It was like digging for gold. Picture me on the floor of various bookstores, pouring over pages for hours. That’s what I did. I also worked at home because I’m blessed with a huge library of great Christian books.
Finding the perfect quote to fit with the perfect Scripture and poem was as tedious as writing the poems themselves, but in the end, as rewarding.
10. How does A Friend in the Storm change people’ lives?
The poetry embraces the heart and emotions, the quotes challenge the mind and intellect, and the Scriptures compel the spirit. It’s only by the Spirit of God that we can expect change. This is what we’re praying for, and this is what’s happening!
11. Your book has some “angry” poems. How are these comforting?
Angry poems are comforting because they honestly reflect what we feel. That’s why David’s Psalms help us. Anger is one of the five stages of grief.
When people hear their feelings expressed they feel understood. When they feel understood, they’re more likely to respond to the One speaking to them. In the case of A Friend in the Storm, that’s Christ. He handles their anger with love and truth. When readers embrace it, they find their deepest comfort.
12. What are the five stages of grief and how does A Friend in the Storm touch on these?
According to the Kubler-Ross model, there’s denial, anger, bargaining, depression, and acceptance.
The poems in A Friend in the Storm touch on all of these through the reader’s point of view. Acceptance takes on a new meaning when readers have an opportunity to accept Christ or trust Him deeper.
13. Who did you write this for?
I wrote A Friend in the Storm for people needing any degree of comfort and peace. It helps people in the midst of job loss, divorce, terminal illness, loss of a loved one, chronic illness, infertility, tragedy and natural disaster, but it also helps people who are just having a bad day.
Of course, it’s also for the friends of people who fit into any of the above categories. A lot of times we want to reach out to our friends, but we don’t know what to do or say. I wrote this book for anybody who likes to share God’s hope. Now they have a meaningful gift they can place in people’s hands.
14. Why does A Friend in the Storm end with a focus on heaven?
Heaven’s our bright, beautiful destination. No pain, no sorrow, no suffering. There’s a powerful peace in remembering this. Whether we’re healthy or sick, living or dying, the Bible tells us to fix our eyes on things above. Heaven gives perspective and stirs a hope that won’t disappoint us.
15. Someone tells you they’ve been diagnosed with an incurable illness. What do you say to them? How can you be a friend in their storm?
First of all, ask God for wisdom. It’s so easy to rely on our own strength. Try to be there for them. Listen, and pay attention to their needs so you know how to help. Don’t say, “call me if you need anything,” because they usually won’t. Instead, offer to help with specific tasks. “Can I bring you a casserole?”
Speak to them with the same kind of love and respect you’d want them to give you.
Offer to pray with them. It’s amazing how many people respond to prayer in desperate times. Not only does it make a difference, but it also sometimes opens the door for more ministry.
16. What are the main things you hope to accomplish through your book?
I want readers to feel loved by God. I want them to be at peace that He’s still in control; He cares about their concerns. I want them to consider why there’s pain and suffering, to remember what God did about it, and to focus on the Day when pain and death with be no more. I pray they’ll know with certainty that heaven is their eternal home. I’d also like them to be excited that they have a faith-building tool they can easily share with others.
17. Where can readers buy A Friend in the Storm?
They can purchase it on my website (afriendinthestorm.com), at most Christian bookstores, Amazon, CBD, Zondervan’s website, and select Barnes and Noble and Borders stores.
If you don’t see “A Friend in the Storm” at your local bookstore, you can always ask them to order it for you.
18. Explain your hopes and dreams for this book.
I hope my favorite ministries offer it as a valuable resource to their partners and supporters. I also hope it catches on with hospital gift shops, prison ministries, Christian crisis centers, counseling centers and evangelistic organizations.
19. Explain your dreams and aspirations outside of this book.
Hmm, I have quite a few. How about I share the big one… I dream about writing an inspirational movie and acting in it. I studied acting in high school and college, and took several years of screenwriting within my degree program. Yeah, the possibility probably defies the probability, but hey, you never know. A Friend in the Storm looked pretty improbable, but “with God all things are possible.”
20. Can you share a neat story behind your book?
Love to. My husband works with a guy who’s turned off of Christianity. The same week A Friend in the Storm released, that gentleman lost a close friend. My husband handed him a free copy of A Friend in the Storm, not expecting he’d even receive it. My husband was surprised that every time he walked by the fellow’s office, he was intently reading A Friend in the Storm. The gentleman later told my husband that he wanted to pay for his copy because he thought it was the perfect gift to share with the grieving family.
There’s nothing like watching unbelievers share the gospel this way!
21. Can you share a story of how someone was personally affected by your book?
A lady who had fallen away from God for awhile told me she started talking with God again while reading A Friend in the Storm. She even returned to church. Stories like this is make it worth every sleepless night!
22. Do you envision another gift book? Where do you want to go from here?
I want to write Poetic Prayers for Parents. I’ve already written dozens of these and paired them with Scriptures. The prayers are great because they cover key aspects of kids’ character growth. Parents get sidetracked when praying sometimes. At least I do. A little gift book of poetic prayers for parents could keep us on track.
I’ve also had people asking me when I’m going to write an accompanying A Friend in the Storm journal or Bible study. One group is already using A Friend in the Storm for their book club. I’d love to write a Comfort Bible Study or a Comfort devotional. There are endless possibilites.
23. Tell us about your website, AFriendintheStorm.com.
It took me more than a year to set it up. Umstattd Media did a great job in pulling it together.
I see AFriendInTheStorm.com as a place where people go for comfort, encouragement, and spiritual growth. It has dozens, if not hundreds of great links. People can find a regular dose of hope on my “Fresh Air” blog. See you there!
