I Am Honoring Earth Day with some Tree Hugging

A few years ago when Central Florida was hit with 4 hurricanes in one season, my house had a great big X target on the roof to assure that Charlie and the rest could not possibly miss us. And miss us they did not.

We had two large pines fall on the house. Worse yet were the 4 large pines that each lifted 12-15 feet of sidewalk high into the air, leaving it resting precariously on their root systems.

Our yard was such a sad sight that neighbors showed up with their chain saws to assist with cutting the pines down and removing them to the street. And all this was occurring as it was still raining. What it amounted to was that they felt sorry for us. Our home was clearly hit the worst of anyone in the neighborhood. Ugh!

Two deductibles and $30,000 later, we finally got it all fixed. Unfortunately the insurance only paid about $6500. The price of living in sunny Florida.

After having the roots ground, each area where a tree fell became a rounded bump in the lawn, brimming with mulch. The guys who did the job told me that in a few years the mulch would decompose and we would be left with an indentation. They recommended waiting to replant until this occurred, as new trees would not survive well in the pile of pine mulch left behind. The sap would kill the roots.

This year those dents in the grass are clearly noticeable. The mower often catches on their edges, skinning the grass to the ground. It's time to replant trees. This is kind of exciting, as I enjoy improving the property, yet hate to spend a lot of money at this unpredictable time in our economy.

In order to keep my cost in line, I set two criteria:

• Plant a small tree, which is fast growing to reach a reasonable size quicker.
• Choose a drought resistant tree which requires little water after establishing itself.
• An extra perk would be a flowering tree, if possible.

I shopped the local tree farms and home improvement stores and easily found the tree I wanted. This darling little Jerusalem Thorn Tree is drought tolerant, has beautiful yellow blooms in the spring, and grows very fast to its 20-25 foot maximum. This is perfect for my first spot, in front of the house.

You can learn more about this tree at Floridata, if you're looking for something similar. Here is a photo of the tree's flower:

So much for my weekend excitement. While I'm still contemplating the possibility of an organic vegetable garden, the only really sunny spot (10 hours a day) happens to be in direct view of a neighbor's back windows. For now, I've got Basil and tomatoes growing in large containers. I think I'll add some Sunflowers, just for fun. They are so bright and cheery when they bloom. You just gotta love them.

Last Summer's efforts at growing organic tomatoes ended in a feast for my local Raccoon family. I'll take evasive action this year. Once my plants are bearing fruit, I'll either fence it or bring it inside the screened porch to a sunny spot. Ricky Raccoon and his family will have to subsist on the things they steal from the compost pile this year. Sorry fellas.

Tomorrow is Earth Day, which probably means the last day for big savings in Amazon's Earth Day Sale. If you need anything through Amazon, now is the time to get it at a reduced price. You can click below to begin your search. Happy Shopping!

National TV Turn Off Week is Here

photo courtesy of TV Turnoff.org

Grab your remote control and hide it! It's time to take your family time back and learn to spend spare time on other, more educational and bonding activities with your family. Here at the national website, you will find questions, history, tips and a thorough list of ideas for spending your newfound hours each afternoon or evening. Let me know what you did. I'd like to hear!

You might also enjoy checking out Screentime, The Center for Screentime Awareness. Center for SCREEN-TIME Awareness, where they are "Making screen-time-reduction a vital and integral part of all plans that improve health, education and wellness while building stronger families and communities."

If the average family watches 2-3 hours of TV each weekday, you'll be saving at least 12 hours of electricity by turning off the box. Good job!

If you decide to spend the week reading a good book, let me hear from you. I'm always looking for tips on new titles. My husband's favorite Tshirt reads, "So Many Books, So Little Time." So true!

Green Seniors Can Guide our Children

As all three of my children are moving into the realm of adulthood, it has occurred to me that I will probably become a grandmother sooner or later. I really hadn't thought much about that until recently. What kind of grandmother will I be? Doting, spoiling, gruff, aloof, clueless or involved? Hopefully involved, but I suppose it will depend on our proximity to our kids.




This topic has been an ongoing one at my house for sometime now. You know, the "when we retire" conversation. Never mind that "when" is never discussed. "Where will we live?" is the more important question. With 3 kids who could land just about anywhere, it's truly anyone's guess as to where we will choose to live. Of course, we have considered settling within an hour or so of one of them in our later years. That subject always leads us to the obvious quandary; which one of them will be likely to stay put, if we move nearby? Right now, who knows?!




Ugh! For now, we'll just stay put. We are in a wonderful location where we can bike or ride to just about any place we need to go. We're looking forward to doing more of that as time allows.


Our home is an inviting place for 3 kids and a few grand kids too. We have a lake, a pool, a tennis court across the street, and 3 pups who are always willing to play ball. What more could a grand kid want, right?!!


Refocusing the looking glass, I am starting to think further down the road. When they are 3, 4, 5 and older, I'd love to do more than just play ball and go to the park. I'd like to teach them something. Drawing, painting, sewing, gardening, dog training, crafting--oh my; such a list.

Grandparents have a unique opportunity to guide their young grandchildren onto a green path. I'd love to instill in my grand kids some of the ways of the world that are healthier than those we practiced when their parents were growing up and I was clueless to the many challenges of the Earth.

Clearly I have grown since then, and I'd like to share some of that with my progeny. When I think back on trying to teach my own children things, I worry, though. They weren't often interested in the skills I had to share. They each had their own special talents which they pursued with vigor and great success, so I have no complaints. Just concerns that this same scenario may replay itself with my grand kids and I will leave this Earth without ever teaching a child to sew or garden or train a dog.





Perhaps the fact that the offer won't be coming from mom or dad, and it won't be tied to allowances or chores, just perhaps I'll be able to pursue my dream. I'd love to grow a vegetable garden with my grandchildren, or cook, sew or train the dog--just to leave something of myself behind. Just to know that my grand kids will have stories to tell in their later years--stories of grandma making compost, baking pies or training Tanner--makes me feel all warm and fuzzy about having grand kids someday. Not today, but someday. Oh how I hope they will live greener than I did.

Toxins: How Do They Get in Our Food, Water and Air?

A Few of the Personal Care

Products Under My Sink

To be sure, I am no scientist. I have read a lot about this subject though, and want to shed a bit of light on it. Just a bit. I'll keep it simple, so you can explain it to your kids, students or nieces and nephews. The goal here is simply to build awareness.

Toxins are released into our atmosphere, or air, primarily by automobiles, manufacturing and other processing plants, including operations such as mining. This is the source of much of the smog in big cities. What can you do about it? Choose your employer carefully. Where you spend your 8 hours a day is critical to your future health. Secondly, pick your home with the same care. What businesses surround the area and which direction are the predominant winds? These and many other questions will help you to choose a healthy place to live.

Remember too that our choices affect the viability of businesses. For instance, if we all chose not to smoke, the tobacco industry would be defunct. You can vote with your dollars in this way.

The ground is another story, and not quite so easy to simplify. Let's use an example. Each day you put personal care products on your skin: lotions, sunscreen, makeup, medications such as hormones or skin ointments, deodorant, hair gels and sprays, soaps and more. It's all invisible when you're through, so you may not think about it again.

But what happens when you shower? Residues of all of these products wash down the drain with the water. You may think it is hardly enough to cause any problems. But think about the thousands of other people doing the same thing in your community. Now the picture changes, doesn't it?

Residues of food colorings, preservatives, synthetic fragrances and chemicals all accumulate in areas where runoff occurs. Lakes, rivers and land where gray water (used water) is discarded all contain increasing amounts of these toxins, that wield a powerful impact on the environment. Just the thought that this is where our food is grown is scary to me.

I'll stop there for now. Think about what you put on your body each day. Count the substances you use on your skin and you'll be surprised, as I was, to see just how much potentially hazardous stuff is being washed down the drain. I would ask you now to consider replacing a few of the most often used products with biodegradable, nontoxic, organic products. It's a start. It will make you feel good about yourself. You're doing something good for the Earth.

Earth Day is Wednesday, April 22. Wouldn't this be a good way to honor mother Earth? Try it. Make it a family event. I'd love to hear from you. What did you learn? My list was scary. It's one of the reasons I've almost totally switched to organic products. Check in sometime at the comment link below and let me know what your reactions are. Happy Earth Day!

Organic Journey Online's Green Team Helps You Find Eco-Friendly Toys

© photo copyright Carrie Boyko

Happy Earth Day

from our Pack to Yours!

My canine green team is here today to help spread the word about Earth Day savings on green toys. Yes, toys! If you're a mom or a grandma, or simply have a friend with a lovable child, now is your chance to check out Amazon's great selection of Eco-friendly toys. I even found some green goodies in there for my pups, so enjoy a shopping spree. Call it your personal economic stimulus package. Hope it's fun.

Speaking of fun. My dogs have another message. Well, to be honest, the message is mine. Vacation time is coming and I'd like to share with you an alternative form of housing for your furry friend, when you venture off for your well-deserved time off from the work-a-day world. So here goes.


Dogs were not meant to me left in a crate or kennel for days on end. The traditional boarding that is found at many veterinary clinics is abhorrent to me. As much as I have loved many of my vets, I cannot back their boarding practices.


I suppose they do it out of a need to help their patients' families with an affordable place to keep Fido and Fluffy, while they are out of town. I'll give them that assumption and forgive them.




I have found a wonderful alternative for this in my area, and it is a concept that is growing. Many doggie daycare and boarding facilities provide a social, play area for their visitors to run and play. Buyer beware; they don't all work this way. I've found more than a few that offer only periodic outings from their crates during the day. Your job is to ask the tough questions and meet some of the other families. Tour the facility and see what goes on. You know what your dog needs, and that will guide your decision.







Bow Wow Resort, our local, hometown dog daycare, is close by and family owned and operated. They are located on Highway 436 near Bear Lake Road, for those of you in Central Florida.


Xena, Tanner and Oliver each have their choice of places to play, each to suit their needs. Aging dogs and ones too tiny to play with others, are kept indoors, if their owner prefers, interacting with the people who come and go, as well as the staff. Plenty of toys are provided and the "kids" learn to play nicely together.


A covered, outdoor area is provided for the heat sensitive or smaller pups, with plenty of room for all when the rains come. The outdoor yard has shade areas, obstacles for interesting play, and a splash pool to cool off on sizzling, summer days. While, most of the bigger dogs spend their day in the yard, a few of the smaller ones join them, bringing along their big-dog attitudes. Supervision is provided along with a good fetch game, assuring me that my pups will come home satisfied after a long day of play.


Of course, every dog needs a nap. Each is offered his own private room for nap time, along with a snack to reward him for his willingness to take a rest. Siesta time at Bow Wow Resort is amazingly quiet, as they all catch up on their ZZZs at the same time. So peaceful!


Like many other boarding facilities, Bow Wow will keep your pup overnight or for your whole vacation, and offers grooming and training services, as well. Their friendly, experienced staff is always willing to work with me on special requests, and my pups love it there. How do I know this? All I have to do is check out the back of the car about 2 blocks before we arrive. All 3 of them are in full body wiggles, eager to get out and start their play date.


I hope you are able to find a similarly accommodating boarding facility for your furry friend when vacation time comes around. After you consult the yellow pages, try your vet, friends and other dog owners. And don't forget Google. Your best friend is counting on you. Best of all, wouldn't you like to come home to a happy, well-adjusted, and sufficiently tired dog, that will be ready to help you sleep off the jet lag? Of course!

***************************************

Late Breaking News:

My latest post at the Central Florida Green Guide was published yesterday. The topic is Green Family Fun: Let's Visit the Dog Park. Hope you'll stop in.

My Earth Day Plan Goes Something Like This:

Earth Day is Wednesday, April 22, 2009. I would be remiss if I didn't give you a reminder to sign up for the big sweepstakes at Amazon. They're giving away a bunch of laptops and printers. Who wouldn't want to be in on that take? And to be politically correct, I have to remind you to read the sweepstakes rules. Good luck!




On another note, my latest post at the Central Florida Green Guide has just been published. Feel free to stop in and read Green Family Fun: Let's Visit the Dog Park.

Silica Desiccant Gel: Safe or Toxic?

I find these little packets of stuff in everything. This past weekend a few packets of it turned up in shoe boxes. I thought back to all the times I gave a kid their new shoes, in the box, and did not check to see if everything in the box was safe. Yikes!

So, now I'm curious to know if this stuff is really dangerous. The little packages almost always say "Do not eat" on them, but most kindergartners would not be able to read that, so I suppose I committed a grievous error. I went straight to Wikipedia to see what I could find out. According to Wikipedia, "Silica gel is a granular, highly porous form of silica made synthetically from sodium silicate. Despite its name, silica gel is a solid."

It's purpose is to absorb moisture, thereby retarding spoilage and damage caused by mold, mildew, fungus, etc. Some packaged desiccants contain fungicides and/or pesticides, making them dangerous for human consumption. According to Wikipedia, pure silica gel is unlikely to cause acute or chronic illness, yet is toxic. Further, Wiki's article stated that " Food grade desiccant should not include any poisons which would cause long-term harm to humans if consumed in the quantities normally included with the items of food." Somehow I wasn't terribly consoled by that statement, so I'll be steering clear of those little tagalongs in my pizza crust packages--food grade or not.

Reading on, I learned that Silica gel can irritate both the digestive and respiratory tracts, as well as the skin and eyes. Taking precautions is recommended. I'm picturing a face mask, safety goggles and gloves while shoe shopping and this does not present a pretty image.

That being scary enough, I further learned that some Silica beads include a moisture indicator called cobalt II chloride, which is toxic and considered to be carcinogenic. If your Silica beads are deep blue or pink, rather than white, they're likely doped with this dangerous stuff. Steer clear and don your safety gear.

Back in the days when we didn't worry about the safety of our foods, we used rice inside our salt and sugar shakers, to absorb excess moisture. This was a natural form of moisture absorption, and one of the safer forms of a desiccant. So why aren't they putting rice in those little packets, or simply dumping it into the shoe boxes? It wouldn't bother me to find a few grains of rice inside my shoes.

Desiccants are manufactured in little packets and included with many packaged products to maintain acceptable moisture levels. In addition to Silica gel, other commonly used desiccants are available, but may be used for various applications related to moisture level and food safety. I dug around in all of my shoe boxes and found the packets in the picture above. Nothing but Silica gel there.

Surprisingly, I found nothing about proper disposal of these little packages, so I'm creating my own set of rules. I started a new milk carton, labeled "Silica Desiccant Gel", to save for hazardous waste disposal. I can't say I'd want this stuff in the landfill, seeping into our groundwater. And that doesn't even begin to address the chemical reactions that could occur when these products react with others in the landfill. It's downright scary to imagine that this is going on right under our shoes and we're not noticing a potential safety issue. How many millions of these packets are there in our landfills?

Here is my new To Do List: Look for these packets in all boxes and shipping packages. Save them separately for a safer disposal than my curbside trash. Watch for other food grade desiccants in my packaged foods. What more can I learn?

Organic Jouney Online's Extreme Earth Day Offers:

Here's a start on what more we all can learn. In celebration of Earth Day, Amazon is offering information on how to go Extreme Green, Ease into Green, or be Eco-Chic. Your pick!

Healthy Spring and Summer Skin Care is Paraben Free

© photo copyright Carrie Boyko

Oliver Waits Permission

To Eat His Organic Carrot

That's too big of a carrot for Oliver, right? Of course. Carrots have a lot of natural sugar, so this big carrot will have to go to 60-pound Tanner. I would even hesitate to give this whopper to 45-pound Xena. A her age, I'm not sure that much of a sugar high would be good, although the vitamin A would be great for an immune system boost. Oliver will be happy with a smaller carrot--no problems.

Is everyone out there ready for Easter? You can guess what my guys will be getting for an Easter treat.

I've noticed that in addition to all the candies and baskets appearing in the stores, the personal care aisle suddenly seems to be stocked to the top. I want to caution you to watch for parabens when you make your choices for Spring and Summer skin care. These nasty preservatives have been linked to breast cancer and are still not off the market.

I know it takes time to find replacement for your daily regimen. Start with the products you use most, such as moisturizers, sunscreens and lip gloss.

There are plenty of products out there without parabens; you just need to watch the labels. Need help? Check out this site: Environmental Working Group. Here you will find a ranking of the hazards of 30,000 beauty products and 10,000 ingredients from over 50 international government and university databases. You can search by category or plug in the product you want to check out and see how it stacks up. I hope that this database will help you to get thinking and take action. It's your health. Nobody else is going to watch out for it.

One final note. Earth Day is now only 2 weeks away and it has grown bigger with each passing year. This year, Amazon is supporting Earth Day with big savings, which you can access through this link, right here on Organic Journey Online. They are offering savings on organic groceries, home products, CFLs and more. Each day, I'll be adding more offers to the bottom of my posts, so be sure to stop in for my Extreme Earth Day offers.

So You Reduce, Reuse and Recycle: Now What?

© photo copyright Carrie Boyko

Unpackaged Soap Means

Less Waste in the Landfill

On my journey to reducing my contribution to the landfills, I have perhaps become just a bit anal. Not to the point of becoming a pack rat; it's just that I really think through everything that goes into the trash.

The flip side of not throwing stuff away is not buying stuff I do not need. This is strategy number one. I have to give credit where credit is due. I adopted this attitude from Ed Begley Jr. When I shop, I seek out and choose items with less packaging. Less packaging means less trash. It is a simple concept that can have a big impact when we all employ it.

Strategy number 2 is to look for packaging that is biodegradable and compostable OR recyclable. I'd rather compost it that send it to a facility where it goes through more processing, but honestly, my compost piles are pretty full. The first one is nearly ready to harvest, which means this is not the time to add new materials to it. But it won't be long and I'll be adding to it from the bottom up...again.

I am seeing a move toward limiting packaging in some stores, although not in all product areas. Some products, pricey as they are, do not lend themselves well to minimal packaging. Small, expensive products are often packaged in large, difficult to open packages to discourage shoplifting. Such a shame!

One thing I can't help but notice is the lesser packaging at places like Whole Foods Markets. I LOVE LOVE LOVE it! They carry a couple of lines of soaps that are shelved with only a bar code sticker on them--no box, plastic or shrink wrap at all. I have to sometimes wonder if we'll reach a point where we can do that with most products. It would do my heart good to see it. Don't you love the feeling of selecting each piece of produce, without having to negotiate through cellophane?

So, that brings me to my final point. How can we collectively encourage manufacturers and merchants to limit their packaging? Our greatest weapon is to choose products with very little packaging. When those products become the best sellers, the producers will sit up and take notice.

The reusable bag conversion is all but a sealed deal now. Can't we do better than that? When we buy bulk items from dispensers, such as nuts and dried fruits, why not bring our own containers for those? I don't use plastic bags for veggies at the market. I simply place all the veggies into one of my reusable bags to take to the checkout.

We bring reusable cups to Starbucks; why not reusable containers to the grocer's bulk aisle? We can change things. We can limit our packaging needs by simply being more responsible shoppers. Join in.

Next time you're thinking about a new lunch box for yourself or your kids, check out some of the new Bento Boxes--garbage free lunch containers:




I picked up a take off on this concept from Target. There are many options available now, but the goal is simply to use your own container and bring it home for reuse.

Spring has Sprung and Organic Journey Online is Growing With It

At 9 months into this blog, my readership is growing steadily. Thank you all for your emails, ideas and comments.

By launching with 5 days a week of vigorous posting, I am finding that there is little time for the other jobs a blogger must engage in, in order to be successful. I won't bore you with the details, but let it suffice to say that the time has come for me to make hard decisions. I am going to try combining my Monday and Friday posts into one Friday posting. In other words, Mondays are going to disappear. I figure that's the least likely day you would find time to read my blog anyway. Am I right? Your comments are encouraged, as always.


I still have plenty to say and a post schedule that goes well into Fall, so no worries about a shortage of topics. We can never live green enough.


My new schedule will begin immediately. If you are a subscriber, this will not change your routine. My posts come to your email box when posted. Thank you for being a loyal subscriber, and for spreading the word about my blog.

Also, to those of you who collect my posts via RSS, many thanks to you. If you would like to receive posts via RSS, you can read my post on how to set this simple archiving up in its own email account, available for you to read whenever you find a few minutes in your busy day. Set up is quick and easy, and instructions are at Free and Easy Subscribing to Organic Journey Online.


To all of you, I hope to continue to earn your precious reading time for many years to come. Thank you again.

Organic vs. Natural: What is the Difference?

Thanks to Money Talks News for producing this brief, educational report on the real meaning of organic vs. natural. Let me know if you like viewing these. There are a number of these out there that are simple and to the point. I'd like to hear from you as to whether you enjoy the video format. Thanks and have a great weekend.

Hazardous Wastes Require Special Disposal Methods

photo copyright http://www.teign.bridge.gov.uk/

We all know that much of what goes into our landfills is hazardous waste. What some may not be aware of is that these contaminants are not contained by the landfill. Landfill liners break down and get pierced by sharp, heavy materials, and leaking begins. Landfill sites have been found time and again to be among the most hazardous places to build a home--years after the landfill is closed and developed for other uses.




The best thing you can do to start your own personal journey of not worsening Earth's contamination, is to know what materials should not go into the landfill. Holding these for special disposal sites and collections is your best way of protecting the quality of our environment. Here is a list of some of the materials you should never toss into your curbside pick up, courtesy of Ed Begley, Jr. and his book, Living Like Ed:

• oven cleaners
• drain cleaners
• wood polish
• metal polish
• toilet bowl cleaners
• tub, tile, and shower cleaners
• bleach
• pool chemicals
• motor oil, tansmission fluid, and brake fluid
• carburetor and fuel injection system cleaners
• antifreeze
• air-conditioning refrigerant
• rat poison
• flea repellents
• mothballs
• bug sprays
• roach traps
• snail pellets
• weed killers
• adhesives and glues
• oil or enamel based paints
• wood stains
• pain thinners and turpentine
• painstrippers and removers
• photographic chemicals
• driveway sealer
• batteries
• mercury thermostats or thermometers
• flourescent lightbulbs, which contain mercury
• incandescent lightbulbs, which contain lead
• propane tanks and other compressed gas cylinders
• kerosene
• home heating oil
• diesel fuel
• gasoline and oil mixed togther
• lighter fluid
• automotive starter fluid

You're probably asking yourself, "Where will I put all that stuff if I can't toss it?" You can start by calling your local solid waste management facility for information on collection places, dates and times, as well as guidelines for various materials.

If your facility is unable to accept all of your wastes, then move to good ole Google. Type in "hazardous waste" and your state or city and you'll find out where collections are planned and get the scoop from the sites that are returned in your search.

Every time I write a post like this one, I get a couple of emails asking how I handle this particular matter personally. This time I'm going to beat them to the punch. My laundry room and garage have a variety of small boxes and bags containing all kinds of things that might be recyclable at some place, some time. There's a milk carton full of old batteries, a plastic berry carton full of bottle caps, a bag of styrofoam, a box of lightbulbs, and another milk carton of wine corks, to name a few. I label each container to make them easier to find. Nothing to it.

Spring Has Sprung...Finally!

© photo copyright Carrie Boyko

Tanner is Happy to Have

Spring's Warmer Water to Swim In

This past weekend we enjoyed cousins visiting from Michigan and Tanner was tickled to have someone new to play with. He put on quite a show in the pool and enjoyed many tug games with our family. Need fetch toys?

I, on the other hand, was surprised to find a renewed appreciation for our warmer weather, despite this unusually cold Winter. Revered with stories of Michigan's Winters, I realized how truly lucky I am to live in Florida.

First, we took our cousins on a back-to-nature adventure, canoeing down the Wekiva River, while observing wildlife such as Gar Fish, turtles, Egrets, and alligators. I saw my husband eyeing the kayaks we passed with clear interest. Should I get him one? Comments, please! Finally, we enjoyed a beautiful hot air balloon ride over rural Central Florida, taking in the peaceful quiet that you can only experience while traveling without an engine at 1200 feet.

© photo copyright Carrie Boyko

Now that Spring has sprung, our trees are greening up and the scenery was beautiful. My once tiny Elm outside my office window is now blossoming into a real shade tree. Which brings me to something I've been meaning to share with you. I saw a billboard ad recently which inspired this idea for a tree planting campaign. Imagine a tall tree beside this ad:

Tall outdoor type seeks relationship

with healthy living advocate

I know this post has been all over the place. It's one of those days...tying up all the loose ends and tidbits I've wanted to include.

Here's a Woofing Wednesday website offering for your enjoyment. Check out Lighter Footsteps for another version of living greener. I suppose each green blog you visit will put a different twist on things. Hope you learn something interesting at this one, and let me know what you think.

I'll be here tomorrow with Ed Begley Jr.'s list of toxins to avoid. I know you wouldn't want to miss that, right?!

If you enjoy Woofing Wednesday's photos of my pups, you might also find my other blog appealing. The All Things Dog Blog is exactly what its name hints. Today's post features Xena helping with a few tips on preventing food aggression. Stop in and cruise through sometime. Tanner and Oliver make regular appearances and we would love to have you join us. Subscribing is just as easy as with this blog: just type in your email address in the upper right and you'll be off and running.

Dr. Oz Helps You Learn Your Real Age

You've probably seem him on Oprah, or perhaps seen his book at Borders. You Staying Young, by Drs. Oz and Roizen, is a remarkable book indeed. Yet even after reading it, I was not compelled to visit Real Age to find out my real age. I think I was a bit concerned I would not like the answer.

I'm over that worrying about my age business now, so this past weekend I checked it out. The quiz is a bit longer than I anticipated. Actually quite a bit. I didn't time it but it probably took me a good 20 minutes. Time well spent. Not because I liked the result, although I did, but because I was impressed with the thoroughness with which this test evaluates your inner health. Only once before have I been interviewed this completely by a doctor. That is clearly saying something about how deep they dug.

In any case, I was delighted to learn that I am 9.8 years YOUNGER inside than the calendar would tell you. Wow! That was a surprise, given my health history. What I had going for me was my lack of vices and excess weight, and my low blood pressure...I think. I suppose if they had asked about vices other than those on their list, I might have scored a bit older. I have a sweet tooth and love my vanilla lattes, but I guess these vices have clearly not had the effect that 2 packs of cigarettes a day (or a pint of ice cream) might have had.

Whatever the outcome, it is good information to know approximately how your general health stacks up, based on your lifestyle and heredity. Even so, I have thought of a couple of things that could have swayed the results in the opposite direction, if asked. I am sure that Drs. Oz and Roizen struggled with just how thorough they could be without having people abandon the quiz in the middle, when it ran too long for their patience.

If you are interested in seeing how old your insides are, I invite you to visit the Real Age site and take the test. It may make you think about some of your choices, which could be a good thing. The other option is simply to read the book. I enjoyed their well-illustrated manual and found many things that made me take a second look at my lifestyle. After all, isn't that what we're looking for when we read a self-help book?

More on Naturally Enhancing Your Compost

© photo copyright Carrie Boyko

Free Coffee Grounds

for your Compost are a

Good Excuse to Get a Latte!

I know I've shared with you some of the strange things I put into my compost. Geeky as it may seem, I find it rather fascinating that I can toss odd things like receipts, straw wrappers, and dryer lint. The thing is, good compost needs a balance of green (live stuff) and brown (dead, like paper) stuff to maintain its balance. This keeps it smelling like a rain forest.

So, what am I getting at here? I suppose I am just trying to let you know that you'll need more brown matter than the small items I listed above. We all have it everywhere around our home, so you shouldn't have a problem finding enough. If your newspaper is printed with Soy ink, its safe to include in your compost. Same with catalogs, junk mail and the inside of magazines.

If you're eager to have good, rich compost ASAP, run the sheets through your paper shredder. The smaller the paper, the quicker the compost. If you don't have a shredder, you should. Did you see the movie Catch Me If You Can? Leo DiCaprio played a real life character named Frank Abagnale, a con artist and identity thief. Abagnale wrote a book, THE ART OF THE STEAL, and now works for the government as a consultant. One of his recommendations is that you shred anything and everything that you discard, if it contains a bar code or account number, name and address, or other personal information. Nowadays, that's just about all of your junk mail. That's why I compost mine.

If you haven't read this book, you probably should add it to your list. Like me, you will likely learn a lot of things that you are doing, that can set you up for identity theft, like throwing out those pre-approved credit card applications. Did you know that someone else can change the address on that form and get a credit card, using your name? Then they'll have a shopping spree and screw up your credit. It's a scary world out there, but Abagnale's book goes a long way to helping you avoid scams like this. I highly recommend you read it.





Besides the book being helpful in saving your credit, it is entertaining as well. Maybe not as entertaining as the movie, but some of the things this guy got away with are truly amazing. He just figured out how to get around the things that were checked.

I guess I got a little off track there, but it was my intention to let you know about identity theft and credit card fraud. I've been hit 3 times myself, and it is a lot of trouble to straighten out the mess. Better to avoid it, if possible.

Now back to business. To enhance the nitrogen in your compost, save your coffee grounds. Starbucks gives them away in big bags for gardening. They're great for compost and are a wonderful addition at those times when you discover that your compost doesn't exactly smell like a rain forest. If you open your compost pile and get smacked with a garbage dump smell, my advice is to add coffee grounds and lots of paper products. Stir and recover.

The coffee grounds will camouflage the odor, while the paper will give the microorganisms what they need to balance the smell through their digestion. The smaller the paper the better, so make use of that shredder whenever you can.

One final thought. Lots of people who are really into composting have a ceramic or aluminum compost container for their kitchen. They use it to hold scraps of food until it is full and then dump the contents in the compost pile or bin. This is great, as long as you remember to balance it with brown matter.



If you're striving to keep the toxins out of your soil and your compost, leave out anything with preservatives or food coloring. You could even go so far as to eliminate items that are not organic. It's up to you.

One way to do this, that will save you money and reuse items you already have, is to use paper bags or paperboard boxes (cereal, gift boxes, cookie boxes, etc.). Paper bags are fine for items that aren't too wet, but if you're peeling a bag of carrots, use a box. Large brown envelopes and anything made out of "poster board" type paper is also acceptable if it isn't buried in tape or stickers, or heavily varnished (shiny coating). Watch everything you are about to discard, and you'll find yourself storing a lot for reuse as compost containers. There you go again--reusing instead of sending it to the dump. Good job!

Ten Tips to Save Big on Your Food Bill

© photo copyright Carrie Boyko

Save on Food with Dollar Savvy's Tips

As reported by MSNBC, here is an abbreviated form of Dollar Savvy Magazine's 10 ways to save on groceries. Dollar Savvy suggests turning grocery shopping into a game, using strategies just like any other game. Following are their tips:


1. Read grocery ads before shopping. Building your menu around sales items.

2. Navigate the store like a pro. Shop the perimeter of the store. Food essentials (produce, meats, dairy, and bread) are usually located around the store’s perimeter.

Shop the middle of the aisle. Pantry staples are usually smack-dab in the middle of the aisles. Look up, look down, look all around. Generally, the most expensive brand-name items are on shelves at eye level. Less expensive store brands are on the upper and lower shelves.

3. Get organized! With grocery store sales in mind, make a list of what you need to buy and stick to it. By being organized, you not only make fewer trips to the grocery store but also end up throwing out less food.

4. Do the math. When comparing prices at the store, always compare price per pound (or per gallon, for liquids). It’s the only objective way to compare costs.

5. Study your store’s selling patterns for sales. Grocery store sales often occur in patterns. For example, we know of a grocery store that puts our favorite ice cream on a “buy one, get one free” sale on the third week every month. On the first week of the month, it’s only a dollar off. Learn the patterns (and keep track of them in a notebook).

6. Learn the tricks of their trade. Here’s a well-kept secret: When a grocery store advertises a special — say, buy ten containers of yogurt for $5 — you don’t have to buy the number of items they’re advertising. In this case, you could buy one container for 50 cents. Unless the store specifically states otherwise, you should buy as few as you want.

Here’s another: Sometimes it’s hard to find handheld grocery baskets — they are usually tucked into a corner at the store’s entrance. You feel like a cart is your only option, and that’s what the grocers want. Once you have a cart, they reason, you won’t even think twice while filling it up. If you only need a few things, seek out the baskets … and stick to that shopping list!

7. Use coupons (wisely). Buy extra copies of the paper for high-value coupons on items you use a lot of. Trade and save. Have friends or family that you know use coupons? Offer to host a twice-a-month coupon-trading session over coffee. Use Facebook or Meetup to exchange coupons with friends and family.

Go online to save. More and more Web sites are offering coupons you can print out. (Right here on Organic Journey Online, I do a coupon post monthly, bringing you a large selection of savings that are easily printable. Click this link to take you to the most recent one).

12: Sort your coupons smartly. Organize your coupons the way you organize your shopping list: in the same order as the store aisles.

Seek out stores that double or triple coupons. Some grocers double coupons up to $1 in face value; others triple coupons regularly (or on certain days of the week).

Know when small packages can yield the biggest discounts. Buying the largest size of most items is usually the thriftiest option, but calculating bargains might work out differently when using coupons (especially “two-fer” coupons that require you to buy two of the same item to get your discount). Using a coupon and buying two smaller-size items may yield you a better price per pound.

8. Save rain checks for a rainy day. If you go shopping on Saturday or Sunday, these sale items are probably already out of stock. Good — that’s exactly what you want. Ask for a rain check on the sold-out bargains, and you can cash in on those sales when it’s convenient for you.

9. Layer, layer, layer. Use a manufacturer’s coupon with items already on sale and you'll save double. Use them at grocers who double or triple their coupons, and you'll save even more.

10. Watch the register. Knowing this, keep a watchful eye on the cashier’s display as the cashier scans each product. Make sure that discounts for sales and coupons are applied. Make sure that the clerk keys in the proper produce codes for perishables without price tags, so that you’re not paying for exotic mushrooms when you’re buying green peppers. And make sure that the register is logging items with price tags correctly — when there’s a mistake, many stores give you the product for free when you point out their errors.

And after you have confirmed that your purchase was correctly tabulated, be sure to keep your receipt. This is a good practice for a few reasons: If the item is on sale but doesn’t ring up with the sales price, you can bring the receipt back to the store for a refund. (Some stores may refund you the difference if that grocery item is on sale at a competing store, too.) If you get home and find out that one of your items is damaged or has a broken seal, you can easily return it. Finally, many register tapes are printed with valuable local coupons on the reverse side. Read carefully and keep saving!

Excerpted from "Dollar Savvy: 317 Ingenious Money-Saving Tips." Copyright (c) 2009 The Reader's Digest Association, Inc. To read more from Dollar Savvy, click here.

Cell Phones for Soldiers

Got a new cell phone, Iphone or Blackberry? If you have an old one, even a bit scratched up, there can be a new life for it. Cell Phones for Soldiers is a recycling program of sorts, that takes your used phone and turns it into prepaid phone cards for soldiers to call home with. Isn't that better than sending your phone to a recycling facility?

You can get a free shipping label, so the donation costs you nothing, by visiting Cell Phones for Soldiers Shipping Label. Give the gift of a phone call to a loved one. It will make you feel good all over.

If you're planning to purchase a new phone soon, save this information. Or better yet, make that purchase right now:

Puppies are Green Entertainment

© all photos copyright Carrie Boyko

Oliver Enjoys Playing with his

Ball in a Tube Toy

Isn't it amazing how relaxing it can be to watch a child or a puppy playing peacefully with a toy? As I captured the photos above I was marveling at what a relaxing episode he was having. The pure enjoyment of mouthing the soft, chewy tube and trying to retrieve the ball from within it had captivated him for quite a while. Me too. I lost myself in his play until a sudden interruption brought us both back to reality. I guess we were both in FLOW, that concept of total engrossment in an activity that completely disallows any other thoughts from entering your mind. Have you read the book? Check it out:

It occurred to me then, what a green form of entertainment that had been. No gas, no cost, no electric, no water consumption, just the pure enjoyment of trying to solve a problem--how to get that ball out of the tube. Oliver has not yet solved that problem, even in ensuing playtimes with the same toy. His big brother, Tanner, has easily managed to outsmart his Ball in a Tube toy (much larger sized for a Golden Retriever) with his exceptional jaw strength. He was easily able to squeeze the ball out, much as we would with toothpaste. Oliver simply doesn't have the chopper strenth that Tanner has, but he certainly is determined. That's what makes this such a good toy. It is challenging fun, a problem to solve.

Mental challenges are good for dogs, especially on a rainy day when he can't go out to play. Dog games, obstacle challenges and even obedience training are all forms of mental challenges that will help to establish you as the leader, while giving your dog something to focus on and learn from. These types of challenges are fatiguing mentally, which will result in better naps, too. What's good for pup is good for the owner.

While my dog's mental challenges usually revolve around Agility training, obedience training and following household rules, sometimes a challenging toy like this one can also give my dog a mental workout. These are the best kinds of toys to choose for them--the ones that make them work toward a goal for satisfaction. Enjoy your pup's journey.

For all you pup lovers out there, check out my other blog, All Things Dog Blog, where I yammer on about everything you can imagine, as long as it has something to do with dogs. I guess I just needed another outlet for my blabbering about dogs. Today's topic is our "cousin" Jacque, Oliver's Papillon relative who was recently adopted by my mother.

The Scoop on Green Pest Control

Do It Yourself

Green Pest Control

Is An Option

Moving toward a green lifestyle certainly has been a journey for me. Each and every aspect of my life seems to have its own unique concerns, and pest control has been one for a long time. After calling countless pest control companies advertising Eco-friendly pest control methods, I've finally hired a small, local company.


It has been at least 19 years since I have used any type of pest control inside my home. Doing so almost inevitably triggered a migraine headache. Even sprays outside could elicit this same response, so making this change should have been an earlier decision. I've just been slow to move on this one because I felt it was nearly impossible to KILL anything without poison. Thanks to my friends at Jolly Green Planet, I learned that there are many natural, even food grade products, which can repel or eliminate pests.


A few months back, I purchased an all-natural spray at a natural foods store to use on one spot that was having a sugar ant problem. It is along a window sill, so I suspect there are cracks for the little creatures to slip through, and there is a pet dish located there. They must have great noses, just like my dogs. The product did the trick, and I have only treated it once. That really surprised me.

This product, available at Whole Foods Market, is called Bugs 'R' Done. I found their link to be problematic, but I also found this product at Isabella Catalog. You can check it out at that link. While it is clearly not an organic product, it is much less toxic than anything else I have found. To be sure, as with anything non-organic, use with extreme care and as little as possible.

The good news for me is that the scent is not a headache trigger. That's a huge plus, as insecticides have always had that affect on me.

Back to the organic pest control. The representative of the company I am going to try was honest about the shortcomings of the organic products. He said their biggest downfall is a lesser residual. For this reason, he treats slightly more often when using these products. I requested the official labeling from all the products he plans to use, and he gladly e-mailed them to me.


Each of the products are approved for exemption from registration as an insecticide (etc) by the EPA. Some are Organic Program compliant, meaning they have no known danger to humans, wildlife or the environment. Two products did include a concern for usage in or near water, as fish can be affected. I did a double take on these two items and decided they would be used only on an as-needed basis, and only inside walls or in the attic. Outside use of these could allow trace amounts to seep into the water table. Additionally, since I live on a lake, it is my duty to protect the lake's inhabitants.


Primary ingredients include plant oils, corn, baking soda, boron (borax), and mineral oils. I'm feeling better already, knowing that my organic lawn care has taken care of the bugs in the grass, and now my occasional household visitors will be held at bay as well.


The plan is to dust inside the walls, since it hasn't been done for 13 years, add a perimeter barrier and retreat about every 6-8 weeks. If needed, we'll add a treatment to the attic. Currently, I rarely see bugs inside, with the exception of the sugar ants near the dog bowl. I told the new provider about that situation, and he basically said, "hey, if it works and it's safe, go for it!". When he told me he uses the organic materials in his own home, I finally knew I had my guy.


I'll keep you posted, or should I call it "bugged"?!!!

Thrill-Seeking Green Fun

Alan and I are thrilled to have cousins Tom and Debbie, from Michigan, coming to visit soon. I'm sure they're looking forward to experiencing our milder Florida weather, so we're planning some outdoor activities to get some fresh air and green scenery. Green outdoor activities in Florida abound, and Alan brilliantly came up with a couple of ideas that are sure to be big hits.

The first idea, hot air ballooning, is a bit pricey, but perfect for this special occasion. Have you even been up? The experience of floating on air is like nothing else; there is no feeling of a floor or solid ground underneath as you lift up ever so lightly. You're close enough to the ground to know what you're seeing, yet far enough up to get a twinge of heart-pounding excitement. Not quite the kind you get when you sky dive; nevertheless it is a thrill.

Taking off at daylight, you watch the sun slowly slip into view, larger than life, and enjoy its boldness as you rise along with it and a dozen or more other balloons. The sight is truly breathtaking. The flight plan will take us over the Walt Disney resort area and surrounding rural Central Florida. Much of the scenery will include dozens of lakes, Central Florida's trademark.

My first experience was particularly surprising at landing time. I expected to hit the ground with a plop, and tumble over with the balloon basket, but was surprised to find our talented pilot could set us gently on the ground, just as soft as a marshmallow. An assistant reached out from the ground and helped us each out, as we were still in shock at the powder puff landing.

Helping to gather the balloon and repackage it was more fun that it would appear. The balloon was immense, yet packaged into a tidy roll which fit into the back of a pickup truck. In the air, hot air balloons are clearly quite large, but on the ground, they suddenly are three times the size you may have expected. I enjoyed seeing the process of preparation and pack up, as each was its own learning experience, with a new story to tell.

Our nearby State park areas offer canoeing through wilderness, and the peaceful serenity of this experience is quite similar, yet less passive that hot air ballooning. On this adventure we will be the conductors, paddling and steering our way through low, caressing branches and watching for water life along the way. An occasional gator, spring flowers, or perhaps an Egret will be our thrills on this green adventure.

Hang gliding has been considered, but perhaps cast aside. There appear to be questions as to its safety which I cannot confirm or deny. Any input from you out there would be most appreciated. Thoughts on hang gliding in our area or other ideas are welcome. Mikey?

My personal thrill would be to take my dogs on a hike through the woods at the State park, but alas, the dogs are not welcome there. How is it possible that Tanner could be denied an opportunity to run through a forest and along a river, exploring the scents along the way. Isn't that what Golden Retrievers are supposed to do? Although Tanner's only fetching experiences have been in our pool and at dog parks, he is quite the fetcher, and would enjoy the water immensely, chasing a fetch toy into the river and returning it countless times to be tossed again. I'll have to find other hiking areas for this eventual outing, or go to a dog park with a lake.

If you know of a place where dogs are welcome to "hike" and swim, I would be most happy to hear from you. Hit the COMMENT button just under this post. Thanks!