Janet Visloski Strang's Blog (399)

"Hometown Vacation?"~GREEN Inspirations~July 12, 2011

If you are short on travel/vacation time or would like to save money by NOT staying at a resort/hotel plus airfare, but you still want to take a vacation, why not become a "tourist" in your hometown or a city within about 50 miles of your home?...We all have attractions nearby that during the course of our everyday lives we may not have time to see or they are always crowded on the weekends...Take day trips in…

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Added by Janet Visloski Strang on July 12, 2011 at 9:00am — No Comments

"Knife Holder"~GREEN Inspirations~July 11, 2011

When traveling with a knife to a picnic or a covered dish dinner, place the knife into the cardboard core of a roll of paper towels with a few paper towels stuffed into the one end or use an empty, flattened paper towel core with one end stapled/taped shut...Gets the knife to the destination safely.

Added by Janet Visloski Strang on July 11, 2011 at 9:00am — No Comments

"Japanese Beetles"~GREEN Inspirations~July 10, 2011

Are your rosebushes bothered by Japanese beetles?...Simply sprinkle the bush(es) with self-rising flour!

Added by Janet Visloski Strang on July 10, 2011 at 9:00am — No Comments

"Garden Bug Repellents"~GREEN Inspirations~July 9, 2011

We grow our own vegetables/fruits in our own garden to avoid the use of any pesticides in the growing process...But how can we reduce the attack of insects that will infest our home grown foods?...With the use of plants...Plant savory and chamomile to attract the good kinds of insects that will pollinate your garden...Mint and nasturtiums will repel white flies and aphids...French marigolds have a strong odor to… Continue

Added by Janet Visloski Strang on July 9, 2011 at 9:00am — No Comments

"Building Sandcastles"~GREEN Inspirations~July 8, 2011

Building sandcastles at the beach (or at home in the sandbox) can keep the kids busy (and the adults, too) for several hours with the right tools...Recycle and reuse those empty yogurt and cottage cheese containers (any size plastic containers will work)...An old rubber spatula or spoon,

a plastic, flat bottom bucket…

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Added by Janet Visloski Strang on July 8, 2011 at 9:00am — No Comments

"Jellyfish Stings"~GREEN Inspirations~July 7, 2011

A day at the beach, swimming in the ocean, can be interrupted by a sting from a jellyfish...If you should happen to come into "unfriendly" contact with one, here are a few tips to help ease the pain...Wash the area with sea water...Use tweezers to remove the tentacles or apply shaving cream/hand lotion and "shave" with the edge of a butter knife (the smooth edge) or use an old credit card...Apply vinegar, rubbing… Continue

Added by Janet Visloski Strang on July 7, 2011 at 9:00am — No Comments

"Baby Powder and Sand?"~GREEN Inspirations~July 6, 2011

Spent the day at the beach and you're covered with sand?...Sprinkle baby powder on your body and gently wipe away the sand...Also, works great for when the kids have played in the sandbox.

Added by Janet Visloski Strang on July 6, 2011 at 9:00am — No Comments

"Going to the Beach?"~GREEN Inspirations~July 5, 2011

Summer fun at the beach in just that F-U-N...Here are a few tips to "green" your fun day in the sun...Pack a picnic basket with healthy foods, snacks and drinks from home...Take recyclable paper/plastic utensils, plates, cups and napkins...Carry water/drinks in a stainless steel thermos and refill your own eco-friendly bottles...Remember, barefeet and glass do not mix...Dispose of your trash… Continue

Added by Janet Visloski Strang on July 5, 2011 at 9:00am — No Comments

"Independence Day Trivia"~GREEN Inspirations~July 4, 2011

Happy 235th Birthday, America!...Here's some history, facts and trivia pertaining to our nation's Fourth of July celebration...It was on July 4, 1776 that the Declaration of Independence was approved by the Continental Congress...The first Independence Day celebration was on July 8, 1776, in Philadelphia...The first public Fourth of July celebration at the White House occurred in 1804...Both Thomas Jefferson and… Continue

Added by Janet Visloski Strang on July 4, 2011 at 9:00am — No Comments

"Fireworks Displays"~GREEN Inspirations~July 3, 2011

Most large cities or municipalities present fireworks displays on a large scale for the Fourth of July...Public safety during these events is the responsibilty of the fire service...The following tips will make the display more enjoyable for public viewing...Please obey all rules and barriers set up, they are for public safety!...Most experts agree that the best viewing of fireworks is about a quarter mile away or… Continue

Added by Janet Visloski Strang on July 3, 2011 at 9:00am — No Comments

"Fireworks Safety"~GREEN Inspirations~July 2, 2011

Fireworks are a part of any Fourth of July celebration, but here are a few safety tips to follow...Purchase fireworks from reliable sellers...Use any type of fireworks under adult supervision...Keep a hose or a bucket of water handy...Never re-light a "dud" firework (wait 20 minutes then soak it with water)...Light only one firework at a time...Never carry fireworks in your pocket or throw/point… Continue

Added by Janet Visloski Strang on July 2, 2011 at 9:00am — No Comments

"Safety Tips for Sparklers"~GREEN Inspirations~July 1, 2011

Sparklers are fun for young and old alike, but special care should be taken to avoid any injuries...Children (under the age of 12) should use sparklers under adult supervision...Keep a bucket of water near by to drop in the burned sparklers...The wire/stick remains hot long after the flame has gone out...Always wear close toed shoes (no bare feet) when handling sparklers...Hand an… Continue

Added by Janet Visloski Strang on July 1, 2011 at 9:00am — No Comments

"Aloe Vera Plant"~GREEN Inspirations~June 30, 2011

If you don't have one, you should get an Aloe Vera plant to have on hand as a first aid remedy...They are very easy to grow, even if you have a brown thumb...First, wash the affected area with soap and water...Then cut off several inches of a large leaf, slice it open lengthwise and squeeze out the gel...The gel forms a cool coating to soothe sunburns, cuts, minor burns and skin irritations...A popular… Continue

Added by Janet Visloski Strang on June 30, 2011 at 9:00am — No Comments

"Garden Pests"~GREEN Inspirations~June 29, 2011

If you've planted cabbage (this will work with broccoli and cauliflower, too), those darn cabbage worms will get to your plants at some point this season...Here's a home remedy for protecting your garden from those pesky insects...Mix together 1 cup of flour and 1/2 cup of salt...Dust the mixture on the leaves of the cabbage plant especially when they're damp or dewy...No chemicals needed!

Added by Janet Visloski Strang on June 29, 2011 at 9:00am — No Comments

"Produce Abundance"~GREEN Inspirations~June 28, 2011

When harvesting the produce from your garden, if there's more than you can eat, preserve, cook, freeze, etc. for your family, please share with friends and neighbors, especially those who do not have their own vegetable garden...Or if you just like getting your hands in the dirt and like to grow things for the pure enjoyment of it, donate your extra produce to the local food bank or soup kitchen.

Added by Janet Visloski Strang on June 28, 2011 at 9:00am — No Comments

"Blinking Christmas Lights?"~GREEN Inspirations~June 27, 2011

When the garden raiders are out in full force at night, here's a way to discourage the critters...If your garden has access or is close to an electrical source, simply string up some blinking Christmas lights on the plant stakes around your garden and light up the area...Watch out, your unusual deterrent may be the talk of the neighborhood!...Caution: Don't forget to unplug the… Continue

Added by Janet Visloski Strang on June 27, 2011 at 9:00am — No Comments

"Do You Need Water?"~GREEN Inspirations~June 26, 2011

It would be so much easier if our potted plants could tell us if they need water, but they can't...It's hard to tell just by looking if your potted plants need watering, unless you stick your finger down into the dirt...But who wants dirty fingers?...Try using a crochet hook, knitting needle, chopstick, wooden skewer or a pencil (eraser end in) instead of your finger...If the item comes out dry, it's time to water the plant.

Added by Janet Visloski Strang on June 26, 2011 at 9:00am — No Comments

"Refrigerator Hygiene"~GREEN Inspirations~June 25, 2011

When storing food in your refrigerator, store the cooked food on the upper shelves and the raw/uncooked food on the lower shelves...Why?...It will minimize the risk of contamination from raw/uncooked foods that drip onto the cooked foods (even if they're covered)...Wrap any foods with strong odors and avoid storing them next to/near any dairy products. The strong odors may taint the dairy products...It really… Continue

Added by Janet Visloski Strang on June 25, 2011 at 9:00am — No Comments

"Grilled Fish"~GREEN Inspirations~June 24, 2011

When grilling fresh fish, the skin tends to stick to the grate...To prevent this, place thinly sliced lemons (or limes) on the grill then top off the fruit with the fish...The result will be seafood with a citrus flavor and easy clean up!

Added by Janet Visloski Strang on June 24, 2011 at 9:00am — No Comments