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Here we are at the start of May, and my container vegetables seem to be doing well. I've got 2 larger tomato plants that were purchased at a large size. The early girl has already got 3 tomatoes growing on it. I've also got a big? boy tomato plant. My tomato seedlings are Rutger and they have sprouted and are shooting up. I actually got a pack of these seeds at Wal-Mart for 20 cents. The white eggplant seeds I bought and sowed are sprouting up as well. I also planted some seed potatoes and they are growing too.
This is the first time I've tried growing some potatoes, container or otherwise. I'm not a big potato eater, but I do enjoy new potatoes that are fresh from the garden. As a child when I would visit my father's mother in the summer, sometimes she would have new potatoes from the garden. I can remember her digging them up and using a scrub brush on them to remove the skin. It would come right off without much effort. They were so good.
In the back I've got some Green Pepper plants that seem to be doing well. I also purchased a summer squash plant that I planted in an old fashioned basket that I haven't seen since I was a kid.
I've always enjoyed gardening, but I rent so I'm unable to go out and till the yard up:-) This is my first year of trying out container gardening. My only problem is I am running out of containers. I'm wondering if anyone has any ideas on where I can get used containers for free?
So far I haven't had any problems with pests attacking the plants, but then again, it's early in the season. I really want to try to stay as organic as possible and not use pesticides. What's your favorite tip for fighting insects on your plants?
My children have really enjoyed the experience of planting and sowing. We've really enjoyed the whole process of watching the plants grow, and they loved filling the containers with dirt. They have made wonderful "farmers". Gardening is a great time to bond with the kids.
I'm am looking forward to the first tomatoes getting ripe and ready to eat. When I think of tomatoes, I think of red and ripe tomatoes grown in natural sunshine and fresh air. There is so much difference in the taste.
Tombstone Pizza has an awesome promotion that I want to share with you. Purchase 17 pizzas, and they will send your local utility company $15 toward your electric bill!
You will need to print out the form here. Then cut out the UPC Codes from your pizza boxes. You will also need to mail in a copy of your utility bill to make sure they put the right account number on the check. To get the full details about it, click here.
If you don't want to go for the full 17, you can also send in 7 to 11 upc codes to get $5 towards your utility bill. 12 to 16 will get you $10 towards your bill. I'm really excited about this because we love Tombstone Pizza anyhow.
There are no catches with this except you need to save your upc codes and mail everything in. I wish other companies would start promotions like this!
Relactation is the process of restoring your breastmilk supply and breastfeeding again after quitting.
Many moms decide to relactate for a variety of reasons. Some had to stop breastfeeding due to illness. Others just quit and wished they hadn't. The success rate for relactation goes up if you attempt to get your milk back within two months of your breastmilk drying up.
This article is going to address relactating with a breastpump. If it has been awhile since baby was on the breast, you will have to work with a lactation consultant to get baby back to breastfeeding. Or you might find that baby starts nursing again with no problems. I personally would try daily to put baby to breast while in the process of relactating. The most important thing to do at this point though is work on getting your breastmilk supply back.
When a breastfeeding mom quits and decides at a later point to start breastfeeding again, it takes time and effort. Relactating doesn't happen overnight. Some moms are able to get most of their milk supply back within a few weeks, while others find it takes several weeks to produce breastmilk again. It's very important that you stick with your breast pumping schedule. You have to let your body know that you need to produce breastmilk.
Many women find that using herbs helps the relactation process. There are certain herbs out there known as galactogogues. These have been used for centuries to increase breastmilk supply in breastfeeding moms and wet nurses. These herbs have been a lifesaver to many breastfeeding moms that have low milk supply. Without these herbs to increase their milk production, some moms would not have the full milk supply then need. Without having the milk supply, many would quit. That's why these herbs are important if you are experiencing low milk supply.
A great lactation tea to drink is Breastea. Each tea bag makes one gallon of tea. You make the tea in advance and store in the refrigerator. When you sit down to pump, drink a glass. What many people don't realize is that it takes a lot of herbs to benefit the milk supply. That's why Breastea is such a great deal, and that's why you need this herbal galactogogue blend that will provide enough for you at an affordable price. Try drinking 4 glasses per day, or drink a glass when you sit down to breast pump.
Another important part of relactating is the breast pump you use. If at all possible, rent a hospital grade breast pump from your local medical supply store. They are usually not to expensive, and they give you the best chance at bringing your breastmilk supply back. Make sure to talk to your pediatrician about your plans. If you were unable to breastfeed due to a medical condition with baby, etc many times your doctor can give you a form that will cover the breast pump rental. You can also check with your local health department and WIC program as many times they have programs that will help with the breast pump rental cost as well.
After getting the breast pump, you will want to pump every 2 to 3 hours for fifteen minutes at a time. Overnight, you will want to pump every 3 to 4 hours. Don't skip a pumping! It's very important that you stick with this schedule, even after your breastmilk supply comes back. After your milk supply is back, you can breastfeed on demand, pump, or do both. You just want to make sure you don't go longer than a few hours without doing something. During this time, don't forget to drink Breastea! After your milk supply is back, you can reevaluate and see if you still need to continue using herbs.
Like I mentioned before, there is no way to predict how long it will take to get your milk supply going again. Some moms lactate again within 2 weeks, while others may take 4 to 6 weeks. The quicker you start the process to relactate after drying up, the faster your will get your breastmilk supply back.
There are some things you should avoid when breastfeeding, especially if you are having supply problems. Don't use hormones, for example the birth control pill. Don't eat a lot of mint. Avoid underwire bras. Using antihistamines and certain cold medicines can go against your breastmilk supply. Make sure to check with your pharmacist.
There are also some things that will help in your process of relactating and restoring your breastmilk supply. Continue taking your prenatal vitamin. Drink a lot of water and don't diet. Avoid extreme exercise programs. Get plenty of rest. Practice the art of Kangaroo Care with baby. Make sure to continue drinking an herbal lactation tea like Breastea.
Although it takes work, breastfeeding is the natural way to feed your baby. If you experience any difficulties with nursing, make sure to eliminate the problems in the beginning. For example, thrush, etc. You will find that breastfeeding is one of the most rewarding experiences you have!
This article was written by a service woman in
Afghanistan responding to a column raising the
debate about the sacrifice of America's Sons and
Daughters in Uniform. It is very well written and
something that every American should appreciate.
Her comments bring it closer to those who do not
understand or appreciate that the freedom they
have is fueled by the blood of others.
Service itself is our honor
Saturday, March 21
Sarah Albrycht
United States Army
Afghanistan
It is rather for us to be here dedicated to the great
task remaining before us - that from these honored
dead we take increased devotion to that cause for
which they gave the last full measure of devotion -
that we here highly resolve that these dead shall
not have died in vain.
- Abraham Lincoln,
Gettysburg Address
A few nights ago, I walked a quiet mile with hundreds
of other service members. It was a clear night in
Bagram, Afghanistan. Although it was late, the birds
were singing, perhaps roused by the unusual
occurrence of people walking under their trees at
the late hour. Soft voices broke the solemnity, but
no words were discernible. Suddenly, as if on cue,
soldiers, airmen, seamen, marines, broke off the
sidewalk and lined the road, spacing themselves
regularly and assuming a position of silent
watchfulness. The honor cordon had formed.
Heads began to turn right as flashing blue lights
appeared far down the road. As the vehicles neared,
one by one, service members assumed the position
of attention and rendered the hand salute. In the
back of an open truck sat eight military members,
and between them, at their feet, was a flag draped casket.
As I rendered my salute, I thought about the fallen
soldier. I did not know his name, his unit or his
home. I never saw his face or spoke to his family.
I did not know why he volunteered for the Army or
what he was doing when he was killed. But there
was much I did know. I knew he had fought and
died in an honorable cause, a cause that had little
to do with our policy on Afghanistan. This soldier
had volunteered to put his very life on the line in
service to his nation and his brothers-in-arms.
I see no more honorable cause that that.
In a column, Mr. Putney has again raised the debate
about the sacrifice of America's "sons and
daughters" in uniform. Some have argued that we
must continue the fight to honor their memory
"so that they have not died in vain." Others argue
we must stop the wars to save soldiers from this fate.
I think an essential understanding of what motivates
those of us in uniform is missing in this debate.
We are not your sons and daughters, whom you
must protect and defend. We are your sword and
your shield. We are men and women who volunteer
to place our lives on the line so you do not have to.
We do not decide when or where we will be sent.
We go. You are our advocates, not our parents.
We trust you to care for our families, to hold our
jobs, pay for our equipment, salary and medical
care and yes, to honor our sacrifice. We trust you
to vote for good political leadership, to speak out
against bad policy decisions and to demand public
accountability. However, we do not count on you
to explain the honorable character of our service.
We are ennobled by the very fact we serve.
Our "high moral cause" is one of service to a
nation whose principles we believe in. We miss
the point of political debate when we distill it
down to numbers of service member deaths.
Debate should be about the policy that leads us
in or pulls us out of war. I, as a soldier, am
personally insulted when debate about war
becomes not about policy, but about deaths,
because it implies that my service is at best
uninformed or ill-conceived, and at worst valueless.
I know my life is in the hands of others because
I choose for it to be that way. I am not your
daughter, a child who must be guided. I have
made my choice and pledge my honor to it. I will
thank you to remember that because we serve our
nation, none of us dies in vain, regardless of the
cause; end of debate.
Every day a new Marine enlists or an airman
puts on her uniform is a reminder that our
defenders come from people who still believe
in our nation and the values it aspires to, as
flawed as we sometimes are. War does not make
our sacrifice honorable, death does not make
our service honorable; service itself is our honor.
We, your American service members, do not see
the cause for which we may give our last full
measure of devotion, as our nation's goals in
Iraq or Afghanistan, and perhaps that is the
difference. Our cause is our Nation, in all her
beautiful, imperfect glory.
So on a dark night in Afghanistan we stood
under a velvet sky of a million stars to honor
one man who lay under 50.
We never doubted what he died for.
Pfc. Patrick A. Devoe II died for you, the United
States of America. That, Mr. Putney, is no goof.
Sarah Albrycht is a Bennington native serving in the Army in Afghanistan.
