Welcome to my
Perfectly Imperfect Life..........

Sunday, July 30, 2017

Staying Healthy When Going Back to School with Essential oils



I can't believe it's possible, but it's already "Back to School" time, which means "Back to G-E-R-M-S" time! 
ICK!

This Amazing Sale is for ALLL the Moms out there.
It begins Monday, July 31st and goes through August 13th. 
We will be releasing our "Back to School Kit" 
and offering it at the discount price of 
only $29.99! (Regularly $34.99) 
We will also offer FREE SHIPPING 
when you purchase the kit!

Awesome, I know!!!
What's in it?

 The "Back to School Kit" includes a 5ml bottle of Jeddy's Focus Blend, a 5ml bottle of Shield Protective Blend, and 2 metal ball roller bottles! 

Why these specific oils? 

Well, this simple kit takes our amazing Jeddy's Blend that can help all kids (and Moms too) stay focused and on-the-ball! Many kids will struggle to get back into the routine of school and struggle to stay focused and Jeddy's will help them to get back into the swing of things! Use topically and also diffuse for crystal clear focus! 
And of course, you cannot go ANYWHERE without our Shield Protective blend in your purse, car, back pocket, etc...This blend keeps all those germs from coming home with your kids and also helps your family to recover quickly IF they do happen to catch something! It's great to use before you send your kids off to school and as soon as they come home! You can diffuse, rub on topically, and even take internally to keep you, your family, and your home protected from alll the things! 
And nothing gets better than a metal ball roller bottle to mix these two blends with Spark Naturals Fractionated Coconut Oil to make an easy, simple, take everywhere you go roller blend! It doesn't get much easier and better than that! 


This is a fantastic opportunity to be able to have as a tool at this sale price (free shipping too) for Moms to use when they send their kids back to school! The LAST thing every Mom out there needs is a bunch of sick kids in their house once school is back in session! 
It always seems like the germs are waiting to jump from one child to another! Be prepared and keep them at bay this year.


Tuesday, July 25, 2017

Sunday, July 23, 2017

Natural Pest Control in the Garden


WHY GO ORGANIC?

''Pesticide use in agriculture is down slightly, from 948 million pounds in 2000 to 877 million pounds in 2007. But that's only about 1% per year, and still close to a billion pounds of toxic chemicals intentionally introduced into the environment and our food supply each year.

These are a major threat to groundwater in every state and the problem keeps growing!

It's also a major health concern.
More than 3.4 million people suffer from medically related side effects from the use of pesticides. Some of the immediate side effects include dizziness, nausea, headaches, low energy and loss of memory. Tests and research have proven that many forms of cancer are caused by 65% of all the pesticides.

The herbicide glyphosate has more than doubled in use, from 85-90 million pounds in 2001 to 180-185 million pounds in 2007. According to a report from the Organic Center, this increase is likely a reflection of the rising popularity of Monsanto's RoundUp Ready genetically modified crops. (Glyphosate is the active ingredient of RoundUp.)''            Mary's Heirloom Seeds

(Yes, these statistics are a little outdated, but you get my drift)


First lets identify natural/organic pest control.
It involves NO chemicals.

Some ways of natural pest control include: predators, parasites, competitors, companion planting, safe insecticidal sprays, etc.

 Bugs are a very important part of the garden. Don't try to fight them all, learn to work with and around them.  There will always be good and bad bugs present in your garden, whether you like it or not.  We have to learn to work with nature, not against it.



Companion Planting 

Companion Planting is planting certain plants near each other which reduces pest infestation or improves the growth of nearby plants.

Some examples:

Tomatoes

Asparagus, basil, bean,  cucumber, garlic, head lettuce, marigold, nasturtium, onion, peas, peppers

Peppers


Cucumbers, eggplant, tomato, Swiss chard and squash. Herbs to plant near them include: basil, oregano and rosemary.

Squash


Beans, corn, cucumbers, icicle radishes, melon, onions, pumpkin, Borage, Dill, Marigolds, Nasturtium, Oregano 

Beans


Carrots, celery, chards, corn, eggplant, peas, brassicas, beets, radish, strawberry and cucumbers

Cucumber


Beans, Corn, peas, beets, radishes, carrots, Dill and Nasturtiums

Eggplant


Beans, peas, peppers, spinach, tarragon, thyme and marigold

Radish


 Beet, bush beans, pole beans, carrots, cucumber, lettuce, melons, nasturtium, parsnip, peas, spinach and members of the squash family.

Swiss Chard


Bean, cabbage family, tomato, onion and roses

Corn


Beans, cucumber, melons, morning glory, parsley, peanuts, peas, potato, pumpkin, soybeans, squash and sunflower

Onion


Planting chamomile  with onions improves their flavor. Other companions are  carrot, leek, beets, strawberries, brassicas, dill, lettuce and tomatoes. Intercropping onions and leeks with your carrots confuses the carrot and onion flies.    



DIY Recipes for Organic Pest Control

*Please remember that some (not all) organic sprays can harm beneficial insects. Just be very careful.*

Simple Organic Insecticidal Soap

Add 1 tablespoon Dawn to a full spray bottle of water.
Mix gently, but thoroughly. Use in your garden every other day or as needed on "bad bugs".

Neem Oil Spray 

This recipe is for edible vegetables and fruit, but be sure to wash all produce before cooking/eating (you can also use this on non-edibles too).

1/2 an ounce of organic neem oil  
1 teaspoon of Dawn
2 quarts of warm water
Spray bottle
Mix all ingredients in a large bottle, then transfer to the spray bottle. This homemade pesticide works best when used fresh, use within 24 hours of making. 
*Works on MITES, Aphids, Mealybugs, Scales, Whitefly and more*


Organic Pest Control

 Diatomaceous Earth (DE)
*VERY IMPORTANT*  ONLY use *FOOD GRADE DE* 
There is a huge difference between food grade DE and the stuff used for pools.  

Diatomaceous Earth is a natural, organic garden pest control and household insect killer. Diatomaceous Earth kills by physical action, not chemical. If used properly, it is safe for pets and people. The tiny diatoms scratch off the insect's waxy coating, and dehydrate it. DE kills spiders, roaches, silverfish, ants, fire ants, carpenter ants, bedbugs, lice, mites, earwigs, flies, fleas, box elder bugs, pubic and hair lice, scorpions, crickets and harmful insects. Diatomaceous Earth is used in the home, yard, animal housing, etc. Sprinkle a 2 inch wide border around the foundation of your house to stop insects from entering. 
Diatomaceous Earth kills aphids, white flies, beetles, loopers, mites, snails, slugs, leafhoppers, and harmful pests. Use Diatomaceous Earth inside your home, greenhouse or outdoors on fruits, vegetables, flowers, grains and grass. Apply Food Grade Diatomaceous Earth up to and including day of harvest.


How to Apply Diatomaceous Earth to your Veggie Garden:

Fill a container with diatomaceous earth. Avoid creating dust by using a spoon to transfer the powder to the container. Although diatomaceous earth is non-toxic, you shouldn't breathe the fine dust. Consider wearing a disposable face mask if you will be working with large quantities of the powder or if you have respiratory issues.

Sprinkle the powder onto the vegetable plants using a spoon. The best time to do this is in early morning when the plants are wet with dew. The moisture helps the dust to adhere to the plant. Diatomaceous earth won't harm insects when it is wet, but it will be effective once it dries. Shake the powder on the vegetables as well as the leaves; the powder can be easily washed off the vegetables prior to consumption. 

Apply the powder to the garden bed and to the area surrounding the garden. This will keep many crawling insects from even reaching the vegetable plants.


Pour a thick ring of diatomaceous earth around the base of plants to deter snails, slugs and squash bugs.

*It is not recommended to use on flowers or flowering plants.  Example, Once your tomato plants begin to flower, use only on the stem and soil surrounding the plant. Never use DE on Milkweed or flower gardens. 


Good Bugs

One of the best ways to control pests in your garden is to encourage their natural enemies. Planting pollen and nectar plants, and providing protection for these beneficial insects, is the basis for organic gardening.  Listed are the most common beneficial insects along with tips on attracting them to your garden.

Ladybugs


The familiar round, orange spotted ladybug is just one of more than 400 species of lady beetles found in North America. Most ladybug adults and larvae feed on aphids and other soft-bodied insects. Adults are attracted to flower nectar and pollen, which they must eat before they can reproduce.


Lacewings


Pale green or brown lacewing adults have distinctive large, veined wings and feed mainly on flower nectar. Lacewing larvae, however, are voracious predators that feed on aphids, thrips, scales, moth eggs, small caterpillars and mites.

Hover Flies 

aka Flower Flies or Syrphid Flies


Adults look like small bees with striped abdomens; the grayish or greenish slug like larvae have pointed heads. Flower flies are attracted to flowers to feed on nectar and pollen. The larvae feed on aphids in tight places where other good bugs can’t go, and are especially helpful in early spring, before other beneficial insects are active. Flower flies also pollinate strawberries and raspberries, producing larger fruits and higher yields.

Predatory Bugs


Including minute pirate bugs, ambush bugs and assassin bugs (soldier bugs, big-eyed bugs). These bugs prey on many insects, including tomato hornworms, thrips, spider mites, many insects’ eggs, leafhopper nymphs, corn earworms and other small caterpillars. Pirate bugs are attracted by willows, corn, nectar and pollen from many flowers. Predatory bugs are attracted to bunch grasses, shrubs and other permanent plantings that provide them shelter. A unique lure is available to attract emerging soldier bugs to gardens.


Ground Beetles


Large, long-legged, shiny blue-black or brown beetles that hide under rocks and logs during the day, and are fast-moving when disturbed. They feed on slugs, snails, cutworms, root maggots, and Colorado potato beetle larvae. Attract them by providing perennial ground covers, stones, or logs. Rove beetles resemble earwigs without pincers, and feed on many insect pests and like similar conditions to ground beetles.


Hunting and Parasitic Wasps


There are hundreds of species of wasps, including many that are so tiny you can barely see them. These mini-wasps often attack the eggs of pests, and are one of the most important insect groups that provide control of garden pests. They can be attracted by growing pollen and nectar plants.

Spiders


All spiders feed on insects and are very important in preventing pest outbreaks. The spiders normally found in gardens do not move indoors, nor are they poisonous. Permanent perennial plantings and straw mulches will provide shelter and dramatically increase spider populations in vegetable gardens.


Tachinid Flies


Although they look similar to house flies, tachinid flies are very important enemies of cutworms, armyworms, tent caterpillars, cabbage loopers, gypsy moths, sawflies, Japanese beetles, squash bugs, and sowbugs. Grow pollen and nectar plants to attract them.
Dragonfly

There are more than 80 species of Dragonflies. They can be identified by their long narrow body, their large compound eyes and the four transparent wings.  There is variation in color. Sizes range from one to two inches.  The larvae are found in water. They eat mosquitoes, aphids and other pest bugs. Dragonflies have decreased considerably in abundance as the wetland areas where they live have dramatically decreased.                                         This Old House


Want Dragonflies? Don’t fill in that marshy area. Better yet, enlarge it, or dig your own pond.

Honey Bees


Honey Bees are important pollinators of many plants. Adults measure 2/3 inch long and are fuzzy, with gold-and-black striped bodies and transparent wings. Honey bees can often be identified by the balls of yellow pollen they carry on the backs of their legs.
Grow flowering plants. 
Encourage wild Honey Bees.  Because the spread of mites has seriously reduced honey bee populations, the wild honey bees that are left are even more important. 
Fun fact Pollinators are estimated to be worth $8 billion to our economy!  Many other insects are pollinators as well.                                     Honey Bee Facts



As with any form of organic growing, not every method works for everyone.  THIS is why I've tried to show multiple ways for organic pest control.

Saturday, July 22, 2017

Some Awesome Diffuser Blends


With one week left of Spark Naturals promotion with 10% (20% with coupon code - dragonflytreasure) off ALL DIFFUSERS and FREE SHIPPING on orders over $15,
I thought I'd share some of the wonderful blends I use on a regular basis.

CLEAN SUMMER KITCHEN
3 drops SN Lime
2 drops SN Lavender 
2 drops SN Rosemary 
3 drops SN Lemon


SPARKLING CLEAN DIFFUSER BLEND
2 drops SN Peppermint
5 drops SN Lemon 
4 drops SN Lemongrass


CALIFORNIA COAST DIFFUSER BLEND
2 drops SN Cedarwood
2 drops SN Wild Orange 
2 drops SN Lavender 
1 drop SN Spearmint
1 drops SN Frankincense


CITRUS BLAST
2 drops SN Bergamot
2 drops SN Grapefruit
1 drop SN Lime


CHILL OUT
2 drops SN Grapefruit
2 drops SN Wild Orange 
1 drop SN Lemon
1 drop SN Bergamot

These really do make a HUGE difference in the health and atmosphere of your home! 


Sale ends July 30th so don't miss out.
Click here 

Friday, July 21, 2017

Hormones and Essential Oils


When applying topically for balancing hormones, 
apply to the inside ankle bones, 
the wrists, and back of neck. 

If you are using the essential oils to assist with cramping, etc...
you can apply directly to the area that's hurting.


When using the oils for Thyroid support, 
you can take them internally, diffuse them, 
as well as apply topically to the thyroid. 
(I do this every morning to assist my Hypothyroidism)

When using oils to assist the Lymphatic system, you can add a carrier oil and then rub all over the body, 
making sure to push down and rub in the direction 
that you are trying to get movement 
(pushing excess fluid out or getting the body to move)

Make sure to add a carrier oil if worried about the heat of the oil (Basil, Fennel, for example)






you can click on image to enlarge

Receive 10% of your Spark Naturals
order 

when using the code: dragonflytreasure

Monday, July 17, 2017

Upcycled Decorative Solar Garden Light


I'm finally taking time to complete some of my projects
 that I have been putting off.
I place everyone's else's in front of mine, 
so they always go to the bottom of the list.
So this Summer I am slowly whittling away at them.

Do you put off your own projects too, in lieu of others?
There's always so much to do
 I just keep putting them on the back burner.  :(

So here's one I've completed, YAY!

My son's ceiling fan died so he had to replace it ~
but not until I cannibalized it!
One of the pieces I kept was the globe.



Do I make a bird feeder, planter...so many ideas. 
Then I thought what a way to use up some of ALL those glass gems I keep ending up with.

It seems at yard, garage, thrifts, estate, etc. sales, a lot of the glassware comes filled with these glass gems.
It's not the gems I want it what they're in - but they come together.
So they've just been adding up in my supplies.

If you aren't "lucky" to find them this way,
you can always pick some up at the Dollar Store. 

Since this was going to be going outside I used GE Silicone


Next I roughly drew a Dragonfly (tough guess, huh?)
and a water lily with a pencil onto the globe.


I had really huge heavy clear ones that
 I placed around the edge of the globe.
  I used tape to hold them in place until they cured. 


As you can see the wings didn't turn out like
 I had (hoped) drawn them. 
And the Water Lily was a bust. 
So I decided to go with just simple flowers.

The light blue and green I used for the wings are kind of "cats eye" like, not sure if that's the right term. They have a shape in a darker shade, inside. A leaf maybe. Anyway I thought maybe that would help make the wings more "dragonfly" like. 


I filled in the background on the top with clear gems
 and pale peach on the bottom.
Wishing I had some pale blue for the bottom to represent water, 
but oh well, I was using up what I had.

I'm happy with the way it turned out ~ 
not bad for my first time doing this type of thing :)


Another thing I had on hand was a cheapy solar light


I removed the light itself and placed it under the globe,
stuck in the ground just a bit..


Was not too happy with the dark spot in the middle.

 

I snagged a globe solar from another area in my garden.
Due to the different style, I needed to drive the entire "holder" into the ground.


The globe just lights the center :(
Disappointing 


So I guess it's back to the cheapy solar,
until I find something else down the road.


I'm just glad I've finished one of the projects!

I still have LOTS of glass gems,
so expect to see more in the future! ;)


Here's another now!

Before I could get this post up, 
I made one for the back yard from 
an old light cover my son gave me. 


For some reason it reminds me of a cake!


Pretty at night.


No special design,
just followed the globe's
"rings".

Other posts you may interested in:

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