Do You Eat Dirt? (And why you should)

This is the filthiest post you'll ever read here.  It's about Dirt!  Seriously!

I have posted twice here about *Food Garde* Diatomaceous Earth (DE).  

My husband calls it Dirt...It's actually fossilized fresh-water algae.

Ever heard of Spirulina?  That's salt-water algae (not fossilized).

In case you missed it, check out
 Food Grade DE and Using DE for Natural and Organic Pest Control.

We know you should use DE in your garden.  But did you know that it is safe for human consumption?  Did you know that some people swear by the health benefits of taking DE every day?  My husband drinks 1 tablespoon in a small glass of water every morning.  I only recently started so I'll wait to share any benefits.  We have a patient that shares here success with EVERYONE!

Below is a recent e-newsletter we sent out to our patients.
Please leave a comment if you have questions!

Newsletter Do You Need Diatoms? February 2014 In This Issue Is It Healthy? Article Headline Article Headline Is it Healthy? Diatomaceous Earth (DE) has been reported to absorb methyl mercury, E. coli, endotoxins, viruses (including poliovirus), organophosphate pesticide residues, and drug residues. DE is a natural organic colon cleanser and detoxifier. This cleansing and detoxification alone has a myriad of positive effects in the human body. Quick Links Our Website Diatomaceous Earth Mary's Kitchen :: We are absolutely loving our new office.  Have you seen it?  In June 2013 we moved 3 doors down.  Our new place is spacious and serene.  If you haven't been in, now is a great time to check it out! Diatomaceous Earth Diatomaceous Earth ("DE") is an off white talc-like powder that is the fossilized remains of marine phytoplankton (Diatoms). When sprinkled on a bug that has an exoskeleton (such as bed bugs, ants or fleas) it compromises their waxy coating so that their innards turn into teeny tiny bug jerky. But it doesn't hurt mammals. We can eat it. We do eat it! It's in lots of grain based foods because lots of grains are stored with diatomaceous earth to keep the bugs from eating the grain! What are Diatoms? Diatoms are known to be eukaryotic algae. One of the most common types of algae is considered to be phytoplankton. Diatoms can take on the shape of filaments or ribbons. Reported Benefits of Using DE? Other Reported Health Benefits of DE Include Blood Pressure, Cholesterol, Osteoperosis, Weight Loss, Cosmetics, Hair, Nails, Teeth & Gums, Energy, Bacteria, Mucus, Anti-Aging, Urinary Infections, Headache.

Natural Detox and Wellness In an effort to provide safe and affordable ways to assist our patients in natural detoxification and healthy living, we are now carrying Food Grade DE AND Greens! If you are interested in easy and simple detoxification, weight loss, Health and Wellness we are happy to help.

Tuesdays with a Twist #46 is LIVE

Good Morning and Welcome to another No Rules Party!

I've been a busy girl over here.  There are only a few hours left to enter the
Heirloom Seeds GIVEAWAY!
Yesterday I shared Dept of Defense: You're an "Extremist" if you Grow Your Own Food
Definitely worth reading!

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We're your hosts 

Joyce @ It's Your Life! 

and me...Mary @ Back to the Basics and Mary's Kitchen
And your Co-Hosts
Marci @ Stone Cottage Adventures
Angie @ God's Growing Garden
Please welcome new co-host for the month of February
Debra @ Ms Moozy's Open House

Features!
Each co-host will be sharing her own picks for Features. This gives everyone a better chance of being featured. Be sure to check all of our blogs to see if you were featured! 
My Features this Week are:

My Worm Farm from On the Home Front

6 Power Smoothies from My Lamp is Full

DIY Mozzarella in 30 Minutes from Modern Vintage Housewives

If you've been featured we'd love for you to grab a button.

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The party starts every Tuesday at 7am EST and will continue until Friday at 11:59pm.  Feel free to stop back any time and "like" your favorites.  Please visit other blogs if you have a moment. 

Share older posts as well as new ones.  No limit on links!

*Pictures should be your own* 

By linking up you give us permission to use these photos

 (with proper link backs) in our features.   And now for the party!

Dept of Defense: You're an "Extremist" if you Grow Your Own Food

The time to sit idle is history.  Do you grow your own food?  Do you believe in making the world a better place for you and your family?  Do you have strong religious beliefs?  If you answered yes to any of these questions, the US Department of Defense considers YOU and "Extremist."

This is me!  They call me an "extremist" but I prefer Rebel Gardener!

From documents obtained from the DoD:  

A statement that “Nowadays, instead of dressing in sheets or publically espousing hate messages, many extremists will talk of individual liberties, states’ rights, and how to make the world a better place.” 

Under types of extremists:
 f. Eco-Warriors

– Environmental activist’s who take action to fight against the exploitation of the environment and/or animals. An eco-warrior can be someone non-confrontational, such as a tree-sitter, or someone who engages in direct action.

Under the section, "Extremist Ideologies," the manual states, "In U.S. history, there are many examples of extremist ideologies and movements. The colonists who sought to free themselves from British rule and the Confederate states who sought to secede from the Northern states are just two examples." 

If I read that correctly, they are saying that THE FOUNDING FATHERS OF AMERICA were extremist or terrorists!

Has our current government completely forgotten about the VICTORY GARDEN movement?  

What's a Victory Garden? From Wikipedia, "Victory gardens, also called war gardens or food gardens for defense, were vegetable, fruit and herb gardens planted at private residences and public parks in the United States, United Kingdom, Canada and Germany^[1] during World War I and World War II to reduce the pressure on the public food supply brought on by the war effort. In addition to indirectly aiding the war effort these gardens were also considered a civil "morale booster" — in that gardeners could feel empowered by their contribution of labor and rewarded by the produce grown. 

From Judicial Watch, “The Obama administration has a nasty habit of equating basic conservative values with terrorism. And now, in a document full of claptrap, its Defense Department suggests that the Founding Fathers, and many conservative Americans, would not be welcome in today’s military,” long-serving JW president Tom Fitton said.

This isn't the first time the federal government, one of its agencies or some other "official" source has equated freedom-loving Americans who have an originalist view of the Constitution and its meaning with extremists.

Call me what you want.  I have fresh Eggplant and heirloom Tomatoes!!!

In light of this information I am taking a stand and I invite YOU to do the same.  Today of all days is the PERFECT day...It's President's Day! 

Seedlings in Coconut Pellets and plastic cups!

Today I will:
-SHARE this information on every social media outlet and with friends and family.

-I am going to out to my garden to plant more veggies.

-I am going to include FREE seeds with every purchase from Mary's Heirloom Seeds

-Start a trend on Twitter #growyourown

I would love to hear from YOU about what we can all do to get more involved.  If you write a post about this very topic I will also share your link everywhere.  Just leave your link in the comments.

Mary's Seeds of the Month Club

Have you given any thought to you garden yet?  Have you already started planting?

Mary's Heirloom Seeds offers one of the coolest Seeds of the Month Club programs.  There are 4 options to choose from to fit just about any budget.

The first mailings went out (some as early as December) and included a variety of Heirloom, Non-GMO garden seeds and some included Organic Wildflower seeds.  You can always make a suggestion for your initial mailing of seeds.

This initial mailing included:  
Blue Lake bush beans, Cal Wonder Bell pepper, Tom Thumb lettuce, Pink Oxheart Tomato, French Breakfast Radish, Detroit Dark Red Beet, Hi She Ko Bunching Onion and Genovese Basil for the 8 Heirloom Seeds packs.

 Because they chose the "SUPER" membership, I also included 4 Wildflower seed packs...Bachelor Button, Lemon Queen Sunflower, Nasturtiums and Giants of California Zinnias.

That's a bunch of seeds!!!  Bonus: FREE Shipping! 
There's still time to get your Seeds of The Month membership.  This is a one-time purchase.  The Seeds of the Month Club membership does not automatically renew.  Grow your very own Heirloom, Non-GMO garden!

How does the Seeds of the Month Club Work?

There are 4 options to join the Seeds of the Month Club:

        -The 12 Month SUPER Membership includes 8 seeds packs the first month and 4 seed packs each month for a total of 12 months.
        -The 12 Month Membership includes 4 seeds packs the first month and 2 seed packs each month for a total of 12 months.
        -The 6 Month SUPER Membership includes 8 seed packs the first month and 2 seed packs each month for a total of 6 months.
        -The 6 Month Membership includes 4 seed packs the first month and 2 seed packs each month for a total of 6 months.

All of our seed varieties are open-pollinated, Non-GMO Heirloom Seeds.  The "SUPER" membership options also includes 4 extra packets of Organic Wildflower seeds with your first month.

Your first 8 or 4 packs of seeds are mailed right away (if your order is place Monday-Thursday).
We ship via the United States Postal Service. The length of delivery time will be based on your location. You can expect your first shipment to arrive within 7 to 10 days.
Then each month you will receive 2 or 4 packs of seeds (depending on membership option)by the last week of the month for your upcoming month.

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PRESIDENT'S DAY SALE @ Mary's Heirloom Seeds

GROW YOUR OWN!!!

PRESIDENT'S DAY SALE Happy President's Day! Get up to 50% OFF select Heirloom Seed Varieties! MARY'S HEIRLOOM SEEDS Check out the HUGE SAVINGS this weekend!!! Tomatoes, Peppers, Asparagus,   Herbs such as BASIL and BORAGE (companion plants) All available @ MARY'S HEIRLOOM SEEDS and at the Yellow Green Farmer's Market in booth #281 sale ends February 17th @ midnight! STAY CONNECTED:

REAL Food Friday and HEIRLOOM SEED Giveaway!

Hello and Welcome to REAL Food Friday! 
We have a very special party today with a GIVEAWAY!

This week we are inviting you to share your Organic Gardening posts!  Homegrown is the best organic, pesticide-free and non-GMO food source.

To make your organic gardening experience even better, our giveaway is from
 Mary's Heirloom Seeds!

Mary has signed the Safe Seed pledge.   

Mary's Seeds are open-pollinated, non-gmo and non-hybrid, non-patented,  untreated, heirloom garden seeds.
Seed Orders placed Monday-Thursday are shipped within 24 hours, except for holidays.

Mary's Heirloom Seeds is owned and operated by Mary(me) and her husband Doc.  
"Our goal is to educate people about growing their own food and the benefits of growing Heirloom seeds.  We started Mary's Heirloom Seeds to offer friends, family and communities a trusted source for non-GMO seeds." 

This giveaway includes: 
Family Garden Pack and the "Wild about Wildflowers" seed combo packs!

A great family or market garden pack. A variety of heavy producing seeds.  Includes One packet of each: Pink Oxheart Tomato, Cal Wonder Bell Pepper, Golden Crookneck Squash, Crenshaw Melon, Calabrese Broccoli, German Giant Radish, Anaheim Pepper, Detroit Dark Red Beet, Marketmore Cucumber, New Jersey Wakefield Cabbage, Little Gem Lettuce.   Wildflowers include: Bachelor Button, Butterfly Garden, Lupine Arroyo Blue, Marigold, Nasturtium, Lemon Queen Sunflower

That's $43 worth of seeds!  We can't put a price on Food security...

 

In case you missed "What is Real Food" here's a recap...

I know "Real" food may not seem like as much fun as the sugary, chemically, DIY recipes out there on the internet.  This is why REAL Food Friday is so unique.  This is the place to share your unprocessed, gmo-free, locally grown and/or fair trade posts. We are trying to make a difference 1 recipe at a time!

Here's a great reference from Food Myths:
Do you ever think about how far the food you eat travels?  Who grew it?  Who picked it? How much in processing it's been through before you took a bite? Real Food is:
-Supports fair farmworker wages
-GMO Free
-Little to no processing/processed ingredients
-Supports local markets/vendors and isn't transported long distances to get to my plate
-Honors fair trade principles when I buy from other regions
-Meat and dairy should be humanely raised and on real food themselves-Not genetically engineered feed, drugs, hormones and antibiotics.

We're your hosts
Joyce @ It's Your Life
Lydia @ Lydia's Flexitarian Kitchen 
me...Mary @ Back to the Basics and Mary's Kitchen
Deb @ Kneaded Creations 
Janine @ My Lamp is Full 
Also, please welcome Marla @ Organic4 Greenlivings 
and Angie @ God's growing Garden 

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If you're interested in co-hosting let us know! 

You can email Mary at mari_backtonature@yahoo.com

Each host chooses their own features so be sure to hop around and see if you were featured.  There were SO MANY amazing links last week it was tough choosing.


a Rafflecopter giveaway

Link up your Real Food posts!  Processed and "junk food" posts will be deleted.
The party runs from Thursday at 7pm EST through Monday at Noon.

Please follow your hosts and consider adding the Real Food Friday button.

Food Grade Diatomaceous Earth

Did you happen to read my post
Using Diatomaceous Earth for Non-Toxic, Natural Pest Control?

I just needed to clarify...
There are 2 types of DE:  Food Grade and Industrial Grade (for pools).  
AND...Not all DE is created equal! 

What is Diatomaceous Earth (DE)?  Diatomaceous earth consists of fossilized remains of diatoms, a type of hard-shelled algae. 

Mary's Heirloom Seed now carries Food Grade Diatomaceous Earth
for Organic Pest Control.  Our DE comes from fresh-water deposits in the USA.

Diatomaceous Earth (DE) is a natural, organic garden pest control and household insect killer. Diatomaceous Earth kills by physical action, not chemical. It is safe for pets and people. The tiny diatoms scratch off the insect's waxy coating, and dehydrate it. DE kills spiders, roaches, silverfish, ants, fire ants, carpenter ants, bedbugs, lice, mites, earwigs, flies, fleas, box elder bugs, crabs(std), pubic and hair lice, scorpions, crickets and harmful insects. Diatomaceous Earth is used in the home, yard, animal housing, etc. Sprinkle a 2 inch wide border around the foundation of your house to stop insects from entering. 

Diatomaceous Earth kills aphids, white flies, beetles, loopers, mites, snails, slugs, leaf hoppers, and harmful pests. Use Diatomaceous Earth inside your home, greenhouse or outdoors on fruits, vegetables, flowers, grains and grass. Apply Food Grade Diatomaceous Earth up to and including day of harvest.

Click Here to see Food Grade Diatomaceous Earth in our Store

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Tuesdays with a Twist #45 is LIVE

Good Morning and Welcome to another No Rules Party!

Last week was another fun and hectic week.
I had a blast @ the farmer's market selling Heirloom Seeds.
Before we get started...I'd like to offer you a chance to sign up for our FREE e-newsletter from Mary's Heirloom Seeds.

Sign up for our E-Newsletter

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<a href="http://back2basichealth.blogspot.com/"><img border="0" src="http://i1287.photobucket.com/albums/a627/greenmary_smith/ad9dc0c5-5f80-4ed7-a18c-c6e9fb42d156_zpsde41d9bb.jpg"/></a>

We're your hosts 

Joyce @ It's Your Life! 

and me...Mary @ Back to the Basics and Mary's Kitchen
And your Co-Hosts
Marci @ Stone Cottage Adventures
Angie @ God's Growing Garden
Please welcome new co-host for the month of February
Debra @ Ms Moozy's Open House

Features!
Each co-host will be sharing her own picks for Features. This gives everyone a better chance of being featured. Be sure to check all of our blogs to see if you were featured! 
My Features this Week are:

Composting in Preparation for Spring from The Mind to Homestead

If you've been featured we'd love for you to grab a button.

<a href="http://back2basichealth.blogspot.com/"><img border="0" src="http://i1287.photobucket.com/albums/a627/greenmary_smith/FeaturedMorningglory_zps96ec9fee.jpg"/></a>

The party starts every Tuesday at 7am EST and will continue until Friday at 11:59pm.  Feel free to stop back any time and "like" your favorites.  Please visit other blogs if you have a moment. 

Share older posts as well as new ones.  No limit on links!

*Pictures should be your own* 

By linking up you give us permission to use these photos

 (with proper link backs) in our features.   And now for the party!