Orange Tomatoes Healthier

Orange tomatoes are more nutritious than their red skinned cousins.

Studies done at Ohio State University have found that the lycopene in orange tomatoes is more like the lycopene in the human body.

Lycopenes are cancer fighting substances. Absorbption of lycopene from tangerine tomatoes is two and a half times higher than from red tomatoes.

Red tomatoes contain trans-lycopene and orange tangerine tomatoes contain cis-lycopene. Human blood contains cis-lycopene.

Cooked tomato products are best for lycopene absorption. Scientists from the Liverpool John Moores University Nutraceutical Research group have discovered that tomatoes must be cooked, with some form of oil, in order for the lycopene to become available to the human body for use.

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Author: Marilyn Pokorney
Freelance writer of science, nature, animals and the
environment.
Also loves crafts, gardening, and reading.
Website: http://www.apluswriting.net
Email: Current address on website
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Four Garden Friends

There are four essential friends that every gardener wants and needs in the garden.

Earthworms are the number one friend to have in the garden. They till the soil. They make burrows for water drainage. Earthworm castings are the best fertilizer nature can provide.

Ladybugs eat aphids by the thousands. Both the larvae and adult ladybeetles eat numerous insect pests such as spider mites, thrips, and eggs of the Colorado Potato Beetle, European Corn Borer, and many other insects.

Honeybees are necessary for pollination of cucumbers, squash, fruits, flowers, nuts, and many, many other plants and food crops. Over ninety percent of the honeybees in the U.S. have simply disappeared. Many theories abound as to why. Studies are ongoing. Attract honeybees with flowering herbs and flowers.

Lastly, comfrey. Comfrey is a plant that grows fast. It can be chopped and mixed in the soil, placed on the surface as a mulch, or soaked in water and fed as compost tea to plants. It's especially good for tomatoes and other plants that need a lot of potassium.

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Author: Marilyn Pokorney
Freelance writer of science, nature, animals and the
environment.
Also loves crafts, gardening, and reading.
Website: http://www.apluswriting.net
Email: Current address on website
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Onions Control Carrot Fly

The carrot rust fly is a serious pest for gardeners growing carrots. The carrot fly larva hatches in the soil and feeds on the carrot root, rendering the carrots useless.

Companion gardening is an old method of controlling pest insects before pesticides and insecticides were developed. Because no poisonous chemicals are used, companion planting is a healthier way to control garden pests. Rowcovers are another helpful aid.

Onions, in any form, including chives and leeks, can be planted between the carrot rows to keep carrot flies away. The scent of the onion confuses the carrot fly. Likewise, the carrots confuse the onion fly thus protecting the onion plants.

Additionally, when thinning carrot seedlings do so in the evening when carrot flies aren't around. Remove the thinnings and put them in the compost pile. The scent of the carrot plant attracts the fly.

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Author: Marilyn Pokorney
Freelance writer of science, nature, animals and the
environment.
Also loves crafts, gardening, and reading.
Website: http://www.apluswriting.net
Email: Current address on website
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Celebrate Manure Day

Manure and earthworms are the best fertilizer for a garden. Whether it be a lawn, a flower, vegetable, or herb garden natural fertilizer can't be beat.

On March 15, 2008 Little Creek Farm Conservancy in DeKalb County, Georgia, held it's first of two "Manure Days" of the year. For a small fee visitors can buy a bag full or a pickup full of nature's best fertilizer. March is also the perfect month for the celebration since March is the Earthworm Moon month.

The fertilizer is composted horse manure and is ready to be spread directly onto garden beds and fields. Earthworms will love the additional food and be attracted to the garden. Earthworms help revitalize dead soils and help reduce weeds in addition to adding food for growing plants.

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Author: Marilyn Pokorney
Freelance writer of science, nature, animals and the environment.
Also loves crafts, gardening, and reading.
Website: http://www.apluswriting.net
Email: Current address on website
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Caffeine Awareness Month

March is caffeine awareness month.

According to a survey of 6000 adults conducted by the National Coffee Association of USA in January and February of this year 17 percent of adults drink gourmet coffee daily. This is up three percent from 2007.

Caffeine is consumed daily by 80% of Americans. Besides coffee caffeine is found is found tea, soft drinks and chocolate.

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Author: Marilyn Pokorney
Freelance writer of science, nature, animals and the
environment.
Also loves crafts, gardening, and reading.
Website: http://www.apluswriting.net
Email: Current address on website
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Chamomile For Allergies

While many people are allergic to chamomile, for others, it serves as a useful remedy for the same type of allergic symptoms.

Chamomile is an excellent home remedy for many ailments. fevers, sore throats, the aches and pains due to colds, flu, and allergies. Chamomile has natural anti-inflammatory, antibacterial, antifungal, and antiseptic properties.

For those who like to garden, Chamomile is also very easy to grow.

Anyone allergic to ragweed or sunflowers should avoid chamomile as it is of the same family of plants. Likewise, any people taking prescription blood thinner medications shouldn't take chamomile because chamomile contains coumarin, and will cause the blood to become too thin.

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Author: Marilyn Pokorney
Freelance writer of science, nature, animals and the
environment.
Also loves crafts, gardening, and reading.
Website: http://www.apluswriting.net
Email: Current address on website
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Garlic Banned From Grocery Store

The recent problems with imports from China has prompted one grocery chain to stop stocking garlic and other fresh food products from China.

In 2006 the U.S. imported 138 million pounds of fresh garlic. American growers only produce 5 percent of the world's total supply of garlic. China is the number one supplier with 66 percent!

Garlic is one of the most healthful foods available.

It's time to buy American grown garlic or even better, grow your own. Garlic is very easy to grow in the average backyard garden.

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Author: Marilyn Pokorney
Freelance writer of science, nature, animals and the
environment.
Also loves crafts, gardening, and reading.
Website: http://www.apluswriting.net
Email: Current address on website
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Year Of The Potato

The humble potato is finally being recognized for the healthful food that it is. 2008 is the Year of the Potato.

Today we enjoy potatoes prepared in every way imaginable. Even wine can be brewed from potatoes.

No other major agricultural crop contains as much nutrition as the potato. The potato alone contains most of the vitamins necessary for good health. Potatoes are also one of a few foods that cause very few allergic reactions.

The potato has been cultivated by man for over 7,000 years. It wasn't until the late 1700's that the potato was welcomed in Europe when Ireland accepted them. Ireland also suffered through the potato blight in the 184's.

Today, with just a little care, a large variety of potatoes are easy to grow in the home garden.

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Author: Marilyn Pokorney
Freelance writer of science, nature, animals and the
environment.
Also loves crafts, gardening, and reading.
Website: http://www.apluswriting.net
Email: Current address on website
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Spring Is Garage Sale Time

Warmer weather means garage sales will start springing up in towns across America. For those hosting a garage sale beware of new laws that have been imposed since last year.

Depending on where you live there might be new laws concerning garage sales in your locale.

Some cities have started to require permits or have limits on how many garage sales a year one household may have.

A new twist on the rules is also the starting and ending times. In one Arkansas town, for example, a time frame of 8:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m. is the new law. In still another U.S. city, the time frame is 6:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. Fines for those who don't comply can be as high as $150.00.

Garage sales are fun and profitable. So check with your local chamber of commerce before starting to put up those garage sale signs.

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Author: Marilyn Pokorney
Freelance writer of science, nature, animals and the
environment.
Also loves crafts, gardening, and reading.
Website: http://www.apluswriting.net
Email: Current address on website
*****************************************

Lettuce Relieves Insomnia

For anyone troubled with insomnia lettuce may just be the answer.

Everything from less coffee before bedtime to warm milk, honey, or chamomile tea has been suggested for insomnia. All this advice is good advice. But for those to whom these tips don't help, there is now lettuce as an alternative to drugs for a good night's sleep.

According to Peter Sams, a natural health expert, lettuce contains a sleep-inducing substance, called 'lectucarium'. He suggests making a tea with one tablespoon of lettuce seeds steeped in water and boiled down to one-third of it's original quantity.

Lettuce can easily be grown indoors or out and eaten regularly as well.

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Author: Marilyn Pokorney
Freelance writer of science, nature, animals and the
environment.
Also loves crafts, gardening, and reading.
Website: http://www.apluswriting.net
Email: Current address on website
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Green Tea Increases Metabolism

If you're trying to lose weight with exercise, drink two cups of green tea before exercising and lose weight faster.

According to tests conducted at the School of Sport and Exercise Sciences at the University of Birmingham found that participants who took Green Tea Extract (GTE) equal to 3.5 cups of green tea burned more fat during exercise than those who took a placebo.

Because of teas health benefits some tea varieties are worth more than gold in China.

The active compound called EGCG, has the capacity to help obese and diabetic patients who want to burn fat and lose weight. It can also help prevent diabetes in people who might otherwise develop the disease.

Walking, is one of the best exercises for losing weight and getting fit fast. Rope jumping is a great exercise for indoors.

*****************************************
Author: Marilyn Pokorney
Freelance writer of science, nature, animals and the
environment.
Also loves crafts, gardening, and reading.
Website: http://www.apluswriting.net
Email: Current address on website
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