Archive for December, 2009

 

Constipation Remedies Using Vegetables

Wednesday, December 23rd, 2009

Here are more constipation remedies using vegetables. Use vegetables every day for good health. When you have constipation then you want to eat more vegetables and fruits than normal. After you clear your constipation, them back off from eating excess vegetables and just eat what you need to prevent constipation.
Carrots, Cabbage and Raisins

Because carrots contain fiber, they help to form a good stool and promote peristaltic action. By combining carrots with cabbage and raisins, you can create an even more powerful food that will help in relieving constipation. Combine the following vegetables to form an evening salad:

” Chopped carrots
” Shredded cabbage (raw or slightly steamed)
” Romaine lettuce
” Cauliflower
” Cucumbers
” A handful raisins
” Sprinkle a tablespoon of grounded flax seeds
” Mix in 1 – 2 tablespoons of olive oil or more
” Mix in 1 tablespoon of flax seed oil
” Mix in 2 tablespoons of apple cider vinegar or more
” One tablespoon of lecithin granules

Eat this salad once or twice a day for three days. After that you should continue to eat a vegetable salad for lunch or dinner. Make sure to drink plenty of water when eating more fiber.

Carrot and Spinach Juice

Combine 10 oz of carrot and 6 oz of spinach juice. Drink two pints daily. Both these vegetables have nutrients to help relieve your constipation.

Cucumber

Cucumbers are good for preventing constipation. But they can be used in the carrot-spinach juice or the apple-spinach juice. Cucumbers make these juices more powerful. Use only about ¼ – ½ of a cucumber when adding it to these juices. You can experiment with how much cucumber you want to add.

Cucumbers are a natural diuretic and help to dissolve kidney stones. Because they are high in potassium, they help to promote the flexibility of colon cells. This helps to keep your colon working, as it should.

Cabbage and Asparagus

Cabbage is high in fiber and contains a good amount of potassium, foliate, beta-carotene and many other nutrients – bioflavonoids, indoles, genistein, monoterpenes. It is these various chemicals that give it its potent ability to reduce or prevent colon cancer and heal various ulcers along the gastrointestinal tract.

Cabbage is anti-bacterial and helps to heal tissues in the stomach, intestines, and colon.

Drinking cabbage juice produces intestinal gas. This gas occurs when cabbage juices combine with putrefied layers in the intestines and colon.

Use little or no salt on any preparation of cabbage. Salt destroys the nutritional value of cabbage.

There are many forms of cabbage you can use for your juices – green, red, savoy, bok choy
Asparagus
Asparagus are also high in fiber. They also provide foliate and vitamins A and C. Refrigerate asparagus quickly if you are not going to use them and keep them for 3 days or less. Asparagus that have not been refrigerated lose their nutritional value quickly.

People with gout should not eat asparagus since they contain purines that can start a gout attack.

Steam your cabbage and asparagus with a slight amount of water for 3-4 minutes or less. Eat just before going to bed and take some digestive enzymes to help digest this food.

Rudy Silva
http://www.articlesbase.com/alternative-medicine-articles/constipation-remedies-using-vegetables-755190.html

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Flowering Dogwood Trees: A Favorite Tree Of America

Wednesday, December 23rd, 2009

The State of Virginia has adapted the dogwood flowering tree as its State tree, and many cities in America have named themselves ‘The Dogwood City.’ Atlanta, Georgia holds a spring festival every April to coincide with the flowering of the of the dogwood trees in Atlanta, Georgia. The Dogwood Festival has continued for 70 years, successfully attracting visitors for events such as outdoor musical extravaganzas in Piedmont Park and the attraction of many artists to display and sell to those visitors who wish to buy pottery, sculpture, oil paintings, and photographs.

Flowering dogwood trees, Cornus florida, were discovered in the South by William Bartram in 1773; these trees were beautifully described in his exploratory book, Travels (page 399). Near Mobile, Alabama. Bartram encountered a grove of dogwood trees that aggressively covered an area 9 miles long. The dogwood trees were growing so thick that sunlight was practically excluded, and almost all other plant life was excluded except for an occasional white flowering Magnolia grandiflora. The land on which the white flowering dogwood tree grew was level soil that was loose with a humid black organic mould on the surface with dogwood roots growing into a stiff yellowish clay. The limbs of the flowering dogwood trees were interlocking and spread horizontally at a tree height of 12 feet. The vast interlocking limbs of the dogwood trees covered the entire area as a shade tree that cooled the camping area used by William Bartram. After exploring for another seventy miles, Bartram wrote “spacious groves of this fine flowering tree, which must, in the spring season, when covered with blossoms, present a most pleasing scene; when at the same time a variety of other sweet shrubs display their beauty.

The white flowering dogwood is a native tree to the forests of America and has been exported worldwide as a seedling dogwood and as a grafted white dogwood also flowering in pink and red. The pink flowering dogwood is available to buy as a seed grown tree, but the most desirable, stable, predictable pink dogwood trees are nursery grafted trees. Red flowering dogwood trees are not available as seedling trees, but as grafted cultivars, such as the Cherokee Chief, red flowering dogwood tree.

The dogwood tree, Cornus florida, is very adaptable in America, ranging from Massachusetts to Florida, and the tree is generally grown as an understory tree 12-15 feet tall, although some old specimens of 40 feet tall are recorded. The flowering dogwood tree is perfect for planting and growing in a small garden or in large parks and as big landscape specimen trees. Dogwood has the unusual quality of growing well when planted beneath pine trees, where only a few other shrubs such as redbud trees, azalea plants, and camellia shrubs can compete successfully, because of the dense root pine tree competition near the surface of the ground.

The flowering of dogwood trees begins in early spring and the flowering lasts 2 to 3 weeks. Oval berries of bright red are formed following the blooms and persist on the trees into fall and winter after leaves are shed, and until they are eaten by wildlife and birds. In the fall the dogwood trees are covered in brilliant red leaves that change to purple. The fallen dogwood leaves are very fragile and usually easily deteriorate without raking. Flowering dogwood trees will grow well underneath oak tree shade as well as under pine trees, but the dogwood tree remarkably will grow well in full sun. Dogwood trees are well adapted to stress and are very tolerant of dry weather. Dogwood trees are tolerant of cold weather, and thrive in USDA zones 5 through 9.

Every landscape gardener appreciates the spring blooms of the white flowering dogwood trees as a background companion tree for flowering redbud trees or in a combination of flowering azalea shrubs in colors of red, pink, purple, or white.

Dogwood trees can be propagated by growing from the seed or by rooting the cutting, but the best dogwood cultivars are grown from grafted trees. The Cloud Nine, flowering, white dogwood tree produces very large (hand-size) blooms, especially in the juvenile stage. The Weaver’s Select, white, flowering dogwood tree is grafted and can produce a flower 6 inches wide.

The dogwood tree has been rumored to have been the wood from which the crucifixion cross of Jesus Christ was made in the year 33 AD. This rumor is ridiculous in several respects: first, there is not Biblical record of dogwood trees in the Scriptures of the Old Testament Bible or the New Testament. Most plant references in the Bible are very vague except for a few references to the date palm tree, olive tree, pomegranate trees, fig tree, and grape vines. The identity of those plants and trees is obvious, because of their fruits that are produced, but accurate plant identity could not be done easily until Carl Linnaeus, a Swedish physician, suggested rules on naming plants in the early 1700′s.

There are many species of dogwood trees and shrubs, but it is unlikely that any of the Mideastern species of dogwood trees grew trunks large enough to shape into a crucifixion cross. The wood of the dogwood tree is so hard and dense that nails driven into the wood would split the wood. That tree definitely could not have been the North American dogwood tree, Cornus florida, since that tree did not grow in Israel at the time of Jesus Christ.

Perhaps the reason for the rumor is that the dogwood tree was the wood of the crucifixion cross is the fact that the four white bracts (flower) are shaped like a cross. This resemblance of a white cross-shaped flower occurs in innumerable species of flowers of trees and, of course, should not be given any weight of evidence of the dogwood tree wood being the substance of crucifixions by the Jewish High Priest and the Roman rulers.

Pat Malcolm
http://www.articlesbase.com/gardening-articles/flowering-dogwood-trees-a-favorite-tree-of-america-82074.html

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A Garden For All Seasons

Wednesday, December 23rd, 2009

All great gardens have one thing in common. That is, they offer something during each of the four seasons. Through spring and summer the colorful flowers of perennials, annuals and flowering trees and shrubs are the focal point in the garden. Once the summer flowers begin to fade, the brilliant, colorful foliage of autumn brightens the garden. In the winter, it’s the evergreens, berries and bark which provide the garden with color as the form and shape of the plants become more prominent.

Green is the dominant color in the garden in the spring as everything seems to be rapidly putting out new growth. The bulbs and perennials which do flower in the early spring do so against a backdrop of green foliage and brown earth. Bulbs are earliest blooming plants in the garden and are essential to the spring landscape. Some bulbs will even provide color until more perennials begin to bloom in May and June.

Early flowering perennials such as iris range in color from white to yellow to purple and in size from a few inches to 4 feet. For spring foliage, plant some hosta, they grow in a wide variety of greens, from blue-green to yellow-green and they’re the perfect backdrop plant for the spring flowers.

Perennial borders peak in mid summer as a wide range of sun-loving flowers begin to bloom. Part of the mix include some leftovers from spring and, towards the end of summer, there are signs of the later blooming flowers as well. Annuals are also in full bloom mid-summer. Though most have finished flowering, fully leafed out shrubs can add a lushness to the garden.

A third wave of blooms begin brighten up the garden once again as the summer flowers begin to fade. The colors in the garden begin to change a bit in the fall with many perennials blooming in shades of yellow, orange and purple. Among these flowers are the annuals, which continue to flower until the first frost. Later in the season, the flowers, especially those of the sedum and black-eyed Susan, turn into brown and rust colored seed heads. They fit in perfectly with the colorful fall foliage of the surrounding trees. The foliage of the late season perennial is attractive on its own.

Once the blooms of the these flowers fade deciding whether to cut them back is up to the individual gardener. Some perennials will collapse to the ground anyways while others will remain standing though the winter with their showy seed heads creating off season interest in the garden.

Winter, the season in which many gardeners forget about the landscape, can offer color and visual interest through evergreen shrubs, bark, plant form and seed heads. For example, a clump of ornamental grass could be left standing through the winter. Redtwig dogwoods are great against the snow and birch trees have colorful, flaking bark. The winter landscape truly would be empty with the hardy evergreen trees and shrubs. Garden walls and fences become more prominent as the foliage which screens them in the summer disappears. Hedges, as well as walls, make a stronger statement in winter.

With some careful planning, it is possible to have a beautiful garden year round. Even in winter, when everything seems to be stark and barren. A few choice shrubs or trees can provide winter interest and a well thought out garden can flower from early spring until the first frost.

anonymous
http://www.articlesbase.com/gardening-articles/a-garden-for-all-seasons-83165.html

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Pool Landscaping – Tips To Create A Breathtaking Pool

Wednesday, December 23rd, 2009

Utilizing around the pool landscaping would no doubt give a stunning look to your pool. This would not just transform an uninteresting piece of patch to be a starry one, but also bring a zest of Hollywood in your backyard.

Give an essence of brick, foliage, and stones!
A fine pool landscaping blueprint would undeniably get your pool in the midst of appeal and create a magnetic lure in your yard. Striking brick walkways towards the yard, around the pool, could be considered in case of bigger yards. This notion could be led to other fractions of the yard too. Patio furniture along with tables and chairs can be placed on larger assemblage of bricks, for that amazing look!

A touch of green patches could also be regarded in pool landscaping. Foliage would add the required oxygen and take away the limestone gaze from the picture. Brick always gives a softer looking touch in the image. It would always ensure a warm inviting look in your yard never getting the standoffish stare within. Furthermore, the greens would double the splendor of the brick as a pool landscaping tool.

It is also suggested that you toss a few landscaping stones about the plants and on the limits of the veranda so that they get the exquisiteness to the overall landscaping design. Petite and spiky stones would give another coat of marvel to your landscape signifying the magnificence.

flowers; what about them?
In addition, multihued flowers too, give that amazing look miraculously. Night blooming flora would be appropriate if you tend to spend lots of time besides the pool especially during the nights. This would make sure to surround you with splendid blooms and ample cologne no matter what time of the day it is! It is not just the sunlight that should be pampered! Collectively, these ideas would without a qualm make your pool landscaping paramount.

It is for all time implied to initiate such pool landscaping at the earliest. Despite the fact that most of it could be done independently, a few facets would demand professional help. Without a question, your acquaintances would be astounded when they become aware about your pool landscaping. So why not begin to implement it right away?

Abhishek Agarwal
http://www.articlesbase.com/landscaping-articles/pool-landscaping-tips-to-create-a-breathtaking-pool-754006.html

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Look to Flowers for Great Landscaping Ideas

Wednesday, December 23rd, 2009

The task of coming up with the best landscaping ideas for one’s home can indeed be daunting. However, one need not think too hard, because some of the best landscaping ideas can come from the simplest gardening decorations, the most popular of which are of course flowers.

Flower Colors and the Seasons

Flowers are the ultimate sign of natural beauty. As such, they are wonderfully incorporated into any landscaping ideas one might have, because flowers are easily procured, and there is always a vast selection of types and colors to choose from.

Landscaping ideas that involve the incorporation of flowers generally depend on several factors. The most important factors are how the flowers will compliment the overall look of the home itself, as well as allowing for seasonal changes in flower decoration.

When one thinks of flowers, one usually equates them with the spring and summer. A popular flower is that of the lilac, a delicate flower that shows its beauty during the springtime. However, as with other flowers that can grow into bushes, it is important to note that the flowers generally bloom for only several weeks, and after that there are just bushes. Thus, if flowering bushes are preferable, be sure that the bush looks attractive with and without the flowers.

It would be a good landscaping idea to not plant flowers of the same color as the house itself. This is because it results in a bit of a boring decoration technique. Be bold, and contrast darker house colors with brighter flowers, such as yellow flowers with a brown house. The same goes for lighter house colors: a house that is white would be wonderfully complimented by red flowers.

When it comes to selecting a flower type, it should be one that is hardy and can last through at least the summer and fall. Thus, a good landscaping idea would be to choose from flowers such as impatiens, which are colorful flowers that are quite durable and require only a weekly watering. Remember, some flowers are beautiful to look at, but very temperamental and do better indoors than outdoors.

Be sure to do research on what type of flower would do best with each particular climate. Also, one can easily get carried away with the purchasing of flowers, which of course can get quite expensive, so it is best to keep the flower decoration within one’s decorative and financial means. Whether the plan is to plant them or to keep them in hanging baskets or pots, there are truly endless ways to utilize landscaping ideas for flowers.

anonymous
http://www.articlesbase.com/gardening-articles/look-to-flowers-for-great-landscaping-ideas-111211.html

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