Ashley Montagu summed it up best when she said, “The idea is to die young as late as possible.” Now who wouldn’t want to do that? Who doesn’t want to stay or feel young … forever if possible?

More importantly, how can we do that? How can we possibly get older yet still feel young?

Our bodies age and change naturally. We get wrinkles and aches and pains and wobbly thighs. As we get older, the sense of vitality that we once felt usually lessens. As natural as it is to age, it is also equally natural to dislike and want to stop the process – and amazingly enough, the proven very best way to combat the aging process is all natural, too.

First off, reduce your stress. It causes physical changes in your body that speed up the aging process. Meditation helps great with stress reduction, but if you’re not into that, try yoga or running. Consume the right kind of fat. Omega-3 fatty acids help you inside and out. They help steady moods and keep skin radiant while also helping with keeping bones strong. Salmon, walnuts and seeds (among other foods) contain Omega-3s. Exercise helps your body stay fit and also your mind. It’s proven to help people think more clearly. These are just some of the natural ways that you can fight the natural process of aging that so many of us naturally dislike.

yoga

I have to admit, I used it when it first came live, in beta mode and I haven’t touched it since.

There’s only one reason, well maybe two.

(1) There’s a fee to join
(2) Haven’t needed it yet

Of course, I can SO see why Angie’s list is a great resource for anyone looking to hire a professional, especially when they don’t already know one, or have a recommendation from a friend.

Recommendations from friends is how we find many people that we need for repairs, updates and more.

But, what if your neighbor or friends or family have never needed the pro that you need? Think solar panel repair…. how many friends would know a solar pro?

Or a plumber for an ‘unusual’ situation?

Or… the list goes one.

Suppose you finally got the ‘pasture pretty’ (a horse of course) that you’ve always wanted, but you really have no clue of what you’re supposed to do when the horse needs shots, or his teeth floated or… and you have no friends or family with a horse.

That’s when you turn to a resource like Angie’s list. Angie’s list is divided up into different categories so that you can find any professional for just about any specialty!

Think Tulsa Tornado Shelters…. OR Kansas City box manufacturers, Houston horse trailers, or even Austin Veterinarian.

You’ll not only find your professional at Angie’s list, you’ll find reviews from people, just like you, that have used those companies, to get that tornado shelter, buy that horse trailer, order those specialty boxes and find that large animal vet.

Angie’s list is a resource like no other and next time I’m in the market for something a little out of the range of my friends, family and co-workers realm of expertise, you can know that Angie’s list is where I’ll turn.

pasture pretties

Organic cotton sheets, organic fruits and vegetables and even organic makeup!

Do your body a favor and use products that are as close to nature as possible. Toss those nasty chemicals for an all natural makeup and your skin will thank you.

Your face is probably tired of being slathered with things that even you can’t pronounce. Why do that do yourself when you could be using makeup made with pure water, jojoba esters and natural oils?

Yes, even VEGAN! Certified organic ingredients, NOT tested on animals, free from chemicals and from fair trade sources.

Earth would approve (and your face will too!)

organic beauty

The North American Manure Expo will be held at the Northeast Community College’s Agricultural Complex on July 20, 2011. The event is hosted by the University of Nebraska and other land grant schools in partnership with Nebraska custom manure applicators and businesses and the Iowa Commercial Nutrient Applicators Association. The annual event travels to a new venue every year and has previously been held in the Upper-Midwest including Michigan, Wisconsin, Minnesota, Ohio and Iowa and most recently held in State College, Pennsylvania in 2010. The event may be a once in a lifetime opportunity because it will not return to Nebraska for some time.

It is an industry trade show with manure technology demonstrations and many educational events. Anyone with an interest in agriculture should plan to attend including livestock producers, manure handlers, consultants, and the general public.

About 50 exhibitors from across the United States and Canada will display and demonstrate all types and sizes of manure handling equipment including manure and fertilizer spreaders, manure incorporation equipment, GPS equipment for manure application, and manure storage options. New this year are sprinkler irrigation systems for manure application. Ride-and-drive style demonstrations will be available at the end of the day for those that want to get behind the wheel. All demonstrations will be held on 40 acres adjacent to the Complex.

Leslie Johnson, co-chair for the 2011 Expo states, “I’ve attended two previous expos and both were very different and informative. There’s something for everyone, including anyone (even those not directly involved with agriculture) that is concerned for the environment and wants to know how livestock producers are handling manure to avoid water contamination.”

Previously, the event has drawn between 1,200-1,500 people from all across the United States and Canada.

“Professionalism in Manure Management” is the theme of the Expo. Educational topics will include: manure stockpiling, applying manure on frozen ground, manure pit foaming and safety, center pivots for irrigation of manure, nutrient management plans and much more. Many of these sessions will be approved for continuing education units for certified crop advisors and others.

The University of Nebraska’s Mobile Computer Lab will also be there to help producers with manure related computer programs such as the P-Index (revised in 2011), the Purdue Manure Management Planner, and the National Air Quality Site Assessment Tool (NAQSAT).
EPA will be at the Expo to discuss Nutrient Management Plans. Another session will discuss the latest research on winter application of manure on frozen soils. A panel of crop consultants will discuss how to value and market manure.

This event will meet recertification (not initial) training requirements from the Nebraska Department of Environmental Quality for livestock operations that have a Waste Control Facility Permit (NPDES). Attendees need only attend two hours of sessions to obtain their certificate.
There is no cost to attend. To learn about the North American Manure Expo, visit http://manureexpo.org.

I saw a single crocus last week.

I saw one yellow forsythia yesterday.

But, I know spring is here, because the daffodils are smiling!

daffodils

Gather around 0830 on Saturday, April 23rd at the Overholser Pavilion which is located around NW 14th and East Overholser Drive in Oklahoma City. Volunteers will be divided into groups to clean up different parts of these areas. We need most of the volunteers to help pick up trash on land, but will also need people to collect trash in the water around the shorelines. To help with that, OKC Kayak is donating the use of their watercraft. We will clean up until 12:30 when we meet back at the Pavilion for a free lunch provided by Earl’s Rib Palace. Volunteers will need to wear long pants, sturdy shoes, insect repellent, sunscreen, and sturdy gloves.

If you have not participated before, this is a fun event. There is not one group who participates in this event; it is a group of groups plus many individuals. Groups who have participated before include Department of Environmental Quality Green Team, Oklahoma Sierra Club, Girl Scout troops, Boy Scout troops, church groups, Chesapeake Energy volunteers, Texas Roadhouse Volunteers, 10th Street Volunteers, the Audubon Society, OKC Outdoor Network, Putnam City West Honor Society, Putnam City Outdoor Club, and many others.

In order to have enough supplies and food, we ask that those who are planning on attending let us know. Our Facebook link is: http://www.facebook.com/pages/Friends-of-Lake-OverholserStinchcomb-Wildlife-Refuge/105680642809050?v=app_2344061033

Upcoming schedule for Fourth Friday Green Bag Lunch Series for March and April will be:

March 25- Earl Burden
Timber Frame Homes / Structural Insulated Panels

April 22- Josh Miller
Tulsa Beautification Foundation
George Kaiser Family Foundation

For more information please call Tulsa Partners at:
918-632-0044

While this would make a very sad movie, it’s no way for someone to act in real life.

The owner of the Whistler company that allegedly had 100 sled dogs slaughtered to cut costs after the Olympics will speak for the first time following reports of the tragedy.

Outdoor Adventures Joey Houssian has scheduled a number of media meetings Monday along with his lawyers, and had a “letter to the editor” published in the Vancouver Sun. Joey Houssian, in his first sit-down interview since news of the killings sparked headlines and outrage around the world, told The Globe and Mail that his company knew nothing about the scale of the slaughter, when the dogs were killed, or the manner in which they were killed until late last month.

Houssian points to “discrepancies” in the WorkSafeBC reports filed by the employee who allegedly completed the “execution” of the dogs.

Houssian adds he can’t say much about what happened as investigations into the case move forward.

This is a crying shame. I’m certain that with a little effort homes could have been found for every single one of those 100 dogs. Loving homes, where they could be part of a family, not just part of a business’s assets.

sled dogs

This Spring, throw a WiLD party; blog; engage your book club, congregation, or co-workers; staff a booth; make a donation.

This Spring, women around the world are counting on you to do something WiLD!

Will it be worth the drive?

You betcha!

You’ll get to hear five dynamic botanists and horticulturalists talk about their favorite topics and have the opportunity to purchase ONPS merchandise at clearance prices. There will be goodies prepared by members of the Cross-Timbers Chapter; a silent auction; and a scrumptious lunch prepared by Chef Peter Thomas. Also you can listen to an ONPS storyteller explain the origins of the colors of our state wildflowers; walk the grounds of the Oklahoma Botanical Garden & Arboretum, the gardens of OETA’s Oklahoma Gardening, and the new pedestrian walk; and meet new and old friends from elsewhere in the state. Six hours of non-stop fun! As an extra bonus, be one of the first in the door and receive absolutely free an ONPS travel coffee-mug.