Natural and Sustainable

Getting started: Besides your own herbal springs, leaves, flowers, and seeds, you’ll need a few basic craft supplies. You can buy both the blank cards and the cardstock at any arts and crafts store. For adhesive, you can use plain white glue, but rubber cement works fine, too. A note about attaching fragile botanicals: Either brush the glue gently onto the plant material, or apply the glue to the card where you intend to place the plants, then press the plant gently onto the glue. For gluing paper to paper, you can also sometimes use a glue stick because it is a little drier and there is less chance that the paper will wrinkle from moisture.

Hopefully the following ideas will inspire you to share your passion for herbs with family, friends and neighbors.

For Leaf Prints:

No need for fancy pre-printed papers, when you can create your own. By adding color and shape to your card with leaves, the recipients are sure to be impressed.

You will need:

Fresh leaves with obvious veins and detailed edges
Paint
Paper glue
Small paints or ink roller
Small, dry paint brush
Blank card or cardstock
Thin paper, such as tissue paper

Be sure the leaves are clean and dry before your begin. Pour enough paint onto the plate to completely cover your leaves; use roller to thinly distribute paint across the plate.

Next, position the leaf, paint-side down, on the card. Cover with a sheet of tissue paper and lightly press down on the leaf, particularly through the center and around the edges. Remove the tissue and the leaf. Make multiple leaf prints, re-painting the leaf as needed, or keep it simple by using just one leaf print. Allow the paint to dry before adding your written sentiments.

Windowpane Card:

Create a window for your expressions by drawing all eyes inside the card. When they see the front of this card, recipients can’t help but wonder what you’ve written inside. Adjust the shape of dimensions to suit your taste.

You Will Need:

Copy of a window pane pattern done on card stock
5-by-5-inch piece of cardstock
Craft knife
Double-sided adhesive foam )precut or cut to size)
5-by-5-inch blank card
Two or three dry, pressed herbal sprigs

Center the pattern on the cardstock square and secure with removable tape. On a safe cutting surface, use the craft knife to cut around the pattern. If you want to add writing or decoration to this windowpane square, do it in this step before going to the next step.

Place the pressed herbs near the center of the front of the card. Check placement by holding the cardstock window over the botanicals, lining up the edges of the card, then set the window piece aside. Glue herbs in place.

Next apply adhesive foam to the backside of the cardstock window; adhere the window to the front of the card, framing the botanicals. Write a short sentiment and then deliver.

*Natural and Sustainable Living Tip: Opt for an Energy Star-qualified laptop instead of a power guzzling desktop.

Putting plants to work for environmental sustainability and economic development within The Oregon Garden falls under the name of SPROut: (SUSTAINABLE PLANT RESEARCH AND OUTREACH).

SPROut’s Misson is to develop and promote the use of plants and plant material to solve environmental challenges. They build project partnerships and provides outreach and education to integrate research efforts with public and industry development.

What does SPROut offer:

• Outreach:
1. Website and publications
2. Educational literature for Oregon Graden visitors
3. Professional develpment courses
4. Curriculum for Chemeketa Community College’s 2-year Horticulture degree
5. Workshops/Conferences/ Research summits

• Research Support:
1. Research suppoert for Oregon State University’s Horticulture students and faculty
2. Start-up grants to launch research and implementation projects
3. Collaborative grant proposal develpment
4. Background researchg and literature reviews
5. Project management
6. Use of The Oregon Garden site for field-based research

• Research Priorities:
1. Wetlands/Wastewater Remnediation
2. Phytoremediation
3. Urban Water Management and Ecoscaping
4. Native Plant Restoration and Invasive Species Control
5. And Riparian Area Restoration

Current SPROut Research Projects:

• Landowner Tools for Quanitfying Multiple Environmental Services of Riparian Vegetation Buffers for Use in Water Quality Credit Trading in Oregon Watersheds.

• Sustainable Parking Lot

• Botanical Burrito & Floating Nursery Production for Water Treament

• The use of high rate irrigation of Poplar Trees as a nutrient reduction system

• New uses for the World’s Oldest Crop; using Barley straw to control algae in Aquatic Environments.

• Developing Green Roof Plants for Oregon’s Nursery Industry.

For more information contact: Renee Stoops, SPROut Coordinator at rstoops@chemeketa.edu or 503-584-7252 or by visiting The Oregon Garden or SPROut

(SPROut is currently funded by the Natural Resources Conservation Service of the USDA)

**Catch the weekend events over at Albuquerque, New Mexico blog written by Mary McIntyre. If you will be taveling soon, check out the rest of her blog to see if a stop off in Albuquerque will fit in your travel plans by clicking here.**

*Natural and Sustainable Living Tip: Use rechargeable batteries whenever possible. There is many uses in one rechargeable battery then a single use battery. It helps control battery waste in the landfill as well as the carbon impact on the Earth.

Native to North America, evening primrose (Oenothera biennis L.) can also be found in Asia and Europe. It has been used for stomach upsets, coughs, and even bruises while eating the root of the plant.

The health of the oil include, essential fatty acids (EFA) and it is used today to maintian health and prevent disease. It guards against breast cancer, heart disease, high cholesterol, attention deficit hyperactivity disorder, and stomach ulcers. Evening primrose (EP) oil is rich in omega-6 fats containing both linoleic acid (LA) and gamma linolenic (GLA). The only other oils that have shown the same fatty oil and to bring to the table the same health benefits in their plants seeds include borage seed oil, hempseed oil, and black currant seed oil.

Some important uses of this essential oil also are:

• Premenstrual Syndrowm (PMS): Women with PMS may have a deficiency of prostaglandina in the central nervous system. Supplementing with GLA in the form of evening primrose oil appears to increase production of beneficial prostaglandis.

• Osteoporosis: This is another area where EFAs, including evening primrose oil, may be useful. EFas help increase clacium absorption from the gut. In part by enhancing the effexts of vitamin D, reduceing urinary excretion of calcium, increases calcium deposition in the bone, and improve boen strength.

• Healthy Pregnancy: As well as fetal development, depending on the right EFA balance. Essential fatty acids have a unique role during pregnancy because of the rapid development of new cell growth, new tissue, and new organ systems in a delevopment of new cell growth, new tissues, and new organ systems in a developing fetus. Fetal development demands a high EFA requirement, and this supply is dependent on the amount and availability of EFAs from the mother.

• Arthritis: Person suffering from arthritis symptoms responds to GLA supplementation. Using EP oil consistently shows that individuals can benefit from taking up to 2,800 mg of GLA. There are benefits using evening primrose oil supplements in osteoarthritis as well as rheumatoid arthritis.

• Diabetes: Has been associated with abnormalities in essential fatty acid metabolism. One of these abnormailities involved interference with the conversion of LA and GLA. GLA can improve muscle strength, hot and cold therapy assoicated with sensation and reflexes.

• Cholesterol: Levels of cholesterol may benefit for GLA. Although fish and flax oils have received considerable attention for their effects on blood lipids and the blood pressure, other essentail fatty acids can also be useful in lowering or leveling out the cholesterol count.

The safety issue with this oil is normal. Other than cautions using evening primrose oil on person with epileptic disorder, all other disorders or health concerns are free to attempt the oil to help benefit them and their condition. With any oil, always read the contraindications before use or talk to a health care provider to see how the oil can benefit you.

**Looking for some books to cuddle up in the couch with this winter and read? Then check out JM’s book list over at The Book Stacks to help get your started. There are great books that made her list, one being If I Were You, by: Julia Llewellyn. Check out the rest of the list by clicking here.**

*Natural and Sustainable Living Tip: If you see litter or trash anywhere, pick it up and place it in either a nearby trash can or a nearby recycle bin. The more we all pick up the better our Earth will look and have to get rid of on it’s own.

FUEL EFFICIENCY: It’s as simple as driving a more fuel-efficient car. Chevrolet currently offers eight 2007 and 2008 models that get an EPA of 30 MPG highway miles. Some models offer the best V8 fuel economy and have a better standard highway fuel economy than some other brands out on the market. It’s all due to new technology and this technology is helping achieve greater fuel economy in most vehicles no matter what the brand.

E85 ETHANOL: For the last seven years, Chevy has been producing vehicles capable of running on a fuel that growns from the earth. The fuel is called E85 ethanol ( 85% ethanol and 15% gasoline). It is the renewable fuel source made from U.S. grown biomaterial. what falls under U.S.-grown biomaterial is corn, and other grain products. It will help us decrease our dependence on petroleum and it burns more clearer than gasoline as well. It has a higher octane rating over gasoline as well. Chevy has over 1.5 millionm E85 FlexFuel vehicles on the road presently.

HYBRID: This fall, Chevy is bringing to the table the Tahoe Hybrid. This hybrid will provide the power of a regular gas-only SUV, but what it will do a step more is control gas-loss and fuel waste. It will also be 25% more fuel-efficient as well. The Malibu® Hybrid will also be added to the line of Chevy cars the end of the fall season.

FUEL CELL: Chevy is bringing to their car line up a test-fleet of 100 hydrogen-powered fuel Equinox® SUVS coming to New York City, Washington, D.C. and Los Angeles in a program called “Project Driveway”. Hydrogen fuel cells use zero gasoline and produce no emissions and it will also help reduce our dependence on petroleum.

ELECTRIC: The Chevy Volt® has a revolutionary GM® E-Flex Propulsion Systen. It is different than any other electric vehicle, because it will use a High-Energy Battery and range-extending onboard pwoer source that can run on gas, or biodiesel to recharge the battery while driving. Also the electric car no matter what the brand helps toward the ultimate goal in reducing our dependence on pretroleum and produce zero emissions.

**There are a lot of fun and cool things to do in Sacramento, California on Veteran’s Day. Read Jennifer Springers suggestions for Sacramento, CA here.**

*Natural and Sustainable Living Tip: Babies go through about 2,500 diapers before they’re potty-trained; cloth diapers washed at home cost $0.03 per use, while disposables costs about $0.22 each. Disposable diapers produce at least 70 times more waste than cloth diapers, and Americans trash 18 bil diapers each year. To help reduce this waste, the only other option is cloth. Cloth diapers have come along way since the 50’s and 60’s and some cool brands to try are: Under The Nile velcro diapers, G-diapers starter kits, and Seventh Generations chlorine-free diapers.

• Calcium: While 99 percent of total calcium is found in the teeth and bones, the rest is crucial to myriad body functions, including those that air in weight loss. Taking 1,000 milligrams of calcium daily, you could loose as much as 17 pounds over four years. Too much calcium however can hurt your the kidneys and decrease absorption of minerals such as iron, zinc, magnesium, and phosphorus. Take 1,000 to 1,500 mg daily with meals. Adding magnesium (400mg) works with calcium to air in relaxation and exercise recovery.

• Chromium picolinate: This trace mineral may air obese people, who can be glucose-intolerate or insulin-resistant. When this triggers insulin production, blood sugar levels peal, increasing diabetes risk and making weight loss more difficult. Chromium mitigates these effects by keeping blood sugar levels steady. People who are taking insulin and those diagnosed with hypoglycemia or metabolic syndrome should not take chromium without their physicians’ approval. Since chromium can be hose to get consistenly from the typical diet, a supplement is often the best way to go. Taking 200 to 400 micrograms daily is best. (Many multivitamins contain 120 mg.)

• Citrus aurantium: Also know as bitter orange or zhi shi, this fruit derivates is used for a variety of purposes in Traditional Chinese Medicine. One of its metabolism-boosting and appetite-curbing ingredients, synephrine, is chemically similar to ephedrine, which causes it to be condemned by association. The FDA has recorded “adverse events” from taking bitter orange and in most cases, the supplement also had caffeine or ephedra. Only one stand alone bitter orange supplement was tired to an adverse event. Those with heart disease or hypertension should always consult their health-care provider.

• CLA: Conjugated linoleic acid inhibits lipoprotein lipase, an enzyme made by the fat cell that’s responsible for the uptake of fat by the cell. CLA may prevent the accumulation of fat as animals age, but the shirt-term human studies are less conclusive. The fat reduction was slow and modest, but fairly consistent, so while CLA has been shown to reduce body fat, it may be better at preventing fat accumulation. The supplement may increase markers of inflammation, such as isoprostanes, a confusing result as animal studies have clearly shown CLA to be anti-inflammatory. A range of 2 to 6 grams per day. An average of 3 grams daily is a typical dose. Taking CLA capsules with meals improves absorption.

• Green Tea: Green tea (aka Camellia sinensis) has a modest effect on weight loss, usually attributed to a mix od caffeine and catechins. It may also work on anitoxidant level as well. It produces heat to burn calories within the body. People with sensitvity to caffeine shouls monitor their green tea intake. Symptoms to watch for include increased restlessness, insomnia, and anxiety. For weight control, take two 250 mg capsules of green tea extract three times daily with meals.

• Guarana: With guarane seeds boasting twice the caffiene of coffee beans, it’s easy to see how this supplement built its reputation as a metabolism booster. Anyone who’s caffeien-sensitive should consult their physisian, as should those with high blood pressure or heart trouble. A standard dose is 250 mg per day. It is often found in formaulas with other ingredients as well. Look for no more than 1,000 milligrams of guarana.

• Hoodia gordonii: This appetits suppressant, from an African succulent, tricks the brain into thinking it has all the energy it needs. Due to its slow-growing nature, there isn’t much of the plant out there. Demand is well ahead of supple. It is possible and maybe even probable that many products claiming to contain hoodia don’t. From 750 to 1,000 milligrams a day is a good recomendation as part of a formula.

• HCA: Hydroxycitric acid is derives from Garinia cambogia, and Indian fruit. No side effects or complications from taking HCA have been documented. It has a number of years of safe use. From 750 to 1,000 milligrams a day is a good recommendation as part of a formula.

• Yeba maté: The caffeine in this plant-derived beverage from South America compares to tea. Yogi Teas to be exact sell a tea similar ot the source. Caffeine-related side effects include restlessness and increased high blood pressure and heart rate. Drinking hot yerba maté may be linked to oral concers, so drink the tea in moderation, and at a moderate temperature. Consume yerba maté as a tea once a day, using 2 to 4 grams of unadulterated cut leaves per cup of hot water.

** If you are a habitual writer and feel the need to express that, then become a member of NaNoWriMo. Over at Artists Passion, Wendy Withers states how to get involved and also talks about who here at 451 Press are involved as well as some others. Read the whole story here.**

*Natural and Sustainable Living Tip: If you use hairspray give ones a try that are carcinogenic chemical-free, which is converted into carbon monoxide in the body. Nonaerosol is safer and better for the environment. Also products made with certified organic ingredients ensure that chemicals don’t wash down the drain and into natural waterways. And always try to find products that are in containers and bottles that can be recycled post-use, unlike difficult-to-recycle steel aerosol cans. Give these two brands a try: Aveda Withc Hazel Hair Spray, or Giovanni Organic L.A. Hold Hair Spritz.

Scan the label of nearly any skin-care product and you will find them there, clustered toward the bottom of the ingrideints list; rose, lemongrass, peppermint, chamomile, rosemary, white willow bark, and more. Herbs are making their way into everything from facial cleaners to foot creams-and not just because of their names and alluring aromas, because they work. Though they may be present only in small amounts, they’re a powerful presence nonetheless. Some plants can be highly active at low dose, so you don’t need a lot of these herbs. They can have active properties at 1 or 2 precent. Here is a list of the top 6 to look for and use:

• Chamomile (Matricaria recutita):
Chamomile can be a source of serenity for your complextion. The plant, which has small, daisy like white flowers with yellow centers, has been used throughout history to calm itchy, reactive skin and ease rashed., Chamomile cream worked better than 0.5 precent hydrocortisone in the treating of inflammation and irritation associated with eczema. It’ s calming, anti-inflammatory powers also make it highly effective at evening skin tone. Chamommile is vasoconstrictive, meaning it helps shrink blood vessels temporarily, decreasing facial redness and blothiness. The bottom line: It soothes the skin.

• Rosemary (Rosemarinus officinalis):
Rosemary is for remembrance. But its stimulating more than just memory; when it comes to skin, rosemary is invigorating, energizing, and protective. It has an anti-aging ingredient that works to safeguard skin from the sun’s ultraviolet rays. Because rosemary also has astringent properties, which both stimulate the scalp and remove excess oil. The bottom line: It protects and stimulates.

• White Willow Bark (Salix alba):
The bark from the white willow shrub contains salicin, which has been used for centuries to break fevers, relieve pain, and reduce swelling. (It’s the original source of asprin .) Willow bark is also an effective natural exfoliant-in fact, it’s the source of the salicylic acid contained in many beauty products today. Willow bark extract helps break down oils, so it’s great at helping to clear oil plugs and breakouts. The bottom line: It exfoliates congested skin.

• Rose Hip (Rosa affinis rubiginosa):
Rose Mosqueta is a pink-colored wild rose that grows throughout the Americas and lives for one breif but glorios day. As the petals fall off, its seeds-known as rose hips-are revealed. These seeds contain essential fatty acids called linoleic and linolenic acids, which can help soften dry skin, fade scarring, and even erase sun damage. Rose hips oil is also rich in antioxidant vitamin C. It helps protect the skin from sun damage and improve the appearance of fine lines. The bottom line: It rejuvenates dry, aging skin.

• Lemongrass (Cymbopogon citratus):
This topical Asian plant is harvested for its earthy, lemony flavor and pungent aroma. Lemongrass is marvelous for acne since it’s an astringent and it’s anit-bacterial. It’s great for circulation, refines the pores, increases skin elasticity, and, when used as a toner or spritzer, can refine and even out skin tone. The bottom line: It calms acne.

• Peppermint (Mentha x piperita): (My personal favorite)
Pepermint’s essential oil is a source of cooling menthol-which makes it a natural rememdy for aches, pains, and itches. It is an effective topical treatment for pain and stiffness of joints and muscles. Peppermint oil cools the itch because it increases blood flow to the skin to temporarily reduce pain and discomfort. The invigorating aroma also helps awaken the senses. The bottom line: It cools and refreshes.

**Survivor: China has love in the air over at Grid Effect. Read the whole story here.**

*Natural and Sustainable Living Tip: Cooking your food at temps above 116 degrees depletes nutrients and uses more energy. Eating more raw foods boosts your health and saves energy. Do it for 3 weeks and feel the difference mentally and physically.

Don’t think that just because it is getting to be winter that mosquito control doesn’t need to take place. Mosquitoes normally keep their eggs in shallow, warm water till the babies are large, and mature enough to take flight out of the water and become adult mosquitoes. Those of which, sting you while sitting in your lounge chair, sipping on lemonade in the summer sun. The year-’round prevention is what will keep your summer barbecue mosquito-free. In the winter months, keep all containers that can collect water turned over, or pop a lid on them If you have a lot of water collecting items in your yard or back porch, maybe it’s time to clear things away. The rainwater that comes as the winter months approach won’t drain itself and it will end up sitting way into the summer. Mosquitoes look at this as a perfect place to have youngins’.

To prevent West Nile and other mosquito-borne disease. It’s not necessary to spray insecticides. Natural insect-repellents containing the herb nemm will do the trick. Neem oil kills more than 200 types of insects and fungi, without harming honeybees and vertebrates. Even public utility companies have begun-treating underground drainage catch basins with Bacillus sphaericus, which kills two generations of mosquito larvae before they are capable of transmitting disease. But, the best treatment for mosquito repellent is prevention. As stated above, don’t let rain water from the winter sit through till the summer. Clean up and prevent.

**Dana Hanley over at Backyard Birding took a vacation trip to The Great Smokie Mountains. She comes back with tales to tell and beautiful pictures. Read all about her adventures with her family here.**

*Natural and Sustainable Living Tip: Take the stairs instead of the elevator. This statement has been around forever and it still holds true now even more than ever. Elevators run on electricity and you don’t burn any calories. So by taking the stairs you are taken care of two tasks in one.

The bark of the pau D’arco tree battles yeast infections, food poisoning and maybe some cancers.

A thousand years ago, the Incas of Peru found the inner bark of the pink-flowers lapacho tree indispensable for treating fever, sore throat, dysentery, snakebite, bladder and yeast infections, and even some cancers. They also used its wood to make bows for hunting. Now called pau d’ arco (pow-DAR-co), which is Portugeuese for “bow-stick”, the term refers to various trees of the Tabebuia family that frow in the mountains of Brazil, Argentina, Bolivia, Paraguay, and Peru.

The facts about the Pau D’arco Tree:

• Anti-Bacterial.
• Helps treat Staphylococcus aureus infections that reisit antibiotics.
• Active against human intestinal bactiera, which cause food poisioning.
• Has certain anti-inflammatory and anti-viral activity, including against herpes I and II.
• May reduce viural replication.
• Is especially effective agains Candida albicans, the fungus that causes vaginal infections ( soaking a tampon in a strong pau d’arco tea while also taking the herb orally.)
• Has been found useful in the treating of leukemia and other cancers. (It may kill cancer cells of the lungs, colon, and prostate. Pau d’arco is some time away from being used to treat cancer on a medical level, but the Incas may have been on the right track with this herb.)
Dosage for the herb should be in tablet or capsule form, 1 to 4 grams per day in divided doses-or 1 to 2 tsp. of tinture three times a day. Consuming 1.5 grams per day or more may cause dizziness and GI upset, so consult your herbalist. Avoid pau d’arco if you’re taking anticoagulants or hacing surgery, or if you are pregnant or nursing.

(Source: Some information pulled from Herbs Inc.)

*Natural and Sustainable Living Tip: Ride your bike whenever you can. If you live withing the city and it’s less than a 10 blocks from your normal store, ride you bike there. Don’t think of riding a bike as “poke-fun-at” activity. Riding your bike is one way you can help save fuel consumption and who knows, your little effort may be the one effort that lowers the fuel cost rate.

Check out Pedaling For The Planet And Yourself on ways riding your bike can save not only the planet but your health as well.