Linda asks…
What are some low cost but healthy meals?
My husband is gluten intolerant so keep that in mind 
We eat tacos or something of that nature at least twice a week because it’s easy. I like easy too, I’m not the best cook, mainly because my kitchen is tiny so I have no room to do anything. Anyways, what are some low cost but healthy meals I could make. We have been having money problems so our cupboards are close to empty, we eat a lot of fresh fruit and I have a garden full of tomatoes and onions no shortage there, I made some taco sauce this weekend and eventually I’m going to make salsa too. My husband is no help when thinking of dinners so it’s up to me and we have very different tastes in food. I love soup, he hates soup, I love salads, he can’t digest salads. So this often leaves me confused as to what I can make, because I can’t make what I would like to eat. My husband just says steaks or lobster, obviously that’s not cheap though. I buy a lot of very cheap steak and beat the heck out of it for steak tacos and stir fry’s. Can’t eat sandwiches because of gluten and we have gluten free pasta on a regular basis, don’t need any idea’s on pasta dishes. So what are some other idea’s. I can always cook a piece of chicken and put a veggie with it but I would like something more creative if possible
Well yes rice is obvious, especially with a gluten free diet. We eat it with stir fry’s and with fish.
Oh, trust me we don’t have lobster, I was just giving an example of how unhelpful my husband is…lol. As far as the small kitchen goes, I can makes some stuff but my space is limited, Usually the only space I have to work on is my freezer top and the stove of course.
GardenersCardiff answers:
-Dried beans and lentils, make sure the companies are clear of cc. (I can buy local beans, try looking at farmer’s markets or if your grocery store carries any local brands). Canned beans are more likely to have cc and are also more expensive. Lots of indian and Mexican foods are meat free (therefore they’re usually cheap >>) that use legumes. Falafel, chili, dahl, plain baked beans…well, those are the things I know names of, but just do some searching if you want a different take on beans.
-Roast!!! I am a celiac and I can’t tell you how important roast is to me. I buy a roast every week, and it usually covers 3 meals for protein. I buy expensive cuts of meat for them as I find they taste a lot better (and since being gf we stopped eating out and actually spend less money on food regardless), but a cheaper one cooked on a long, low heat is delicious and makes for a huge variety of leftovers. Roast pork is cheapest where I’m from, but I rotate with chicken, beef and pork regularly (lamb thrown in there, but that’s not so cheap.)
Key things to do with roast: Keep all drippings and bones. When dinner’s done, pour boiling water in your roasting pan and scrap off all the tasty stuff with a whisk or fork. Then transfer to a jar and keep in the fridge or freezer until you want it for soup (well, I eat soup every week :-p) or gravy.
Roast leftovers: -stir fry, roast pot pie (basically like a shepherd’s pie but with chunks of meat), fried rice, cream-based pasta with meat (I’m dairy-free too, I use coconut milk), fajitas, curry, stew etc. Probably cheaper than buying individual steaks or pork chops, but maybe I’m wrong. I also keep all the bones and boil them down for stock. 1 roast with drippings is enough stock for 1 batch of soup I find.
-Tofu. Sounds plain, but fried with gf soy sauce with a crispy skin, it’s really, really good. I make all my stir-fry’s with tofu now, I just like it better.
-Try different types of soups, not liking any soup is a little weird. There’s pureed/cream soups, some personal favorites: celery with cumin, carrot with nutmeg, leek and potato zomg that’s comfort food, French onion, asian-style ones (I make a lot of these, my husband hates cream soups) like pho and thai. Basically they use fish sauce and hot peppers along with whatever broth you have.
-vege risotto…you can use your roast broth in this for flavor…spinach/other green with mushroom, spinach tomato. If you can eat dairy you’re set, just sprinkle some parmesan or other sharp, dried cheese on it. I make ‘false’ risotto that uses regular rice instead of more expensive Arborio rice, which involves around 4x water to rice ratio and baking it in the oven, but stirring it every 20 min still.
-Liver and onions. Well, I can only stomach this with bacon added, so it’s not really cheap anymore, but liver is like 1$/lb and chock-full of nutrients. Chicken or beef liver is best.
-Stew and curries: (do these qualify as soups?) You cannot go wrong here….oh wait you can…use gluten free spices only! As many stews and curries exist as people in the world, I swear.
-Root vegetables. Potatoes, turnips, carrots, sweet potato, they are always cheap for the amount of calories you get. Cabbage too…fried cabbage with soy sauce and some caraway, yum! Mmm, colcannon with kale and bacon
-Eggs! I eat eggs nearly every day, but my husband can’t stomach them, however, a frittata or spinach/collard green/swiss chard/ soufflé would be good for supper. Quiche is also good if you’re ready in an excersise in frustration in making gluten free pie crust.
-pork chops…so many options, stuffed, teriyaki style, bbq.
-pulled pork using pork hocks…simmer them all day in water and your spices, when it’s time to cook supper, boil them down, remove the skins and bones, and you’re done! Soooo good, and really cheap.
-ratatouille
-moussaka (I like a vegetarian one best, with red lentils instead of ground lamb…I really like red lentils)
I hope your husband can stomach raw vegetables soon, cuz salad is a great side, especially this time of year with so much free, local stuff.
Look into different culture’s foods, there are SO many foods I have yet to make that I’d like to, even with being gluten and dairy free.
Some links to recipes I like that should be fairly cheap:
http://smittenkitchen.com/blog/2010/10/spicy-squash-salad-with-lentils-and-goat-cheese/
http://jeenaskitchen.blogspot.ca/2008/01/red-lentil-vegetarian-flan-recipe.html
http://allrecipes.com/recipe/beef-pho/
(I gotta say I only use the spices in this, I just throw in whatever shrimp/beef stock I have frozen and use whatever leftover meat or tofu I have for protein chunks)
http://www.foodnetwork.com/recipes/tyler-florence/thai-coconut-chicken-soup-recipe/index.html
Helen asks…
Getting a guinea pig tomorrow I need care tips?
My parents agreed to get me a guinea pig i need a list of things it literally NEEDS!Some Care tips And Good names (leave male and female names please!)
An easy 10 points!!!
GardenersCardiff answers:
Basic requirements
· Companionship
Guinea pigs are social species and are happiest when kept with other guinea pigs. Make sure that both animals are the same sex to avoid having any unintended litters of baby guinea pigs. Male guinea pigs are more likely to tolerate one another without fighting if they are introduced at a young age.
· Housing
Although small, guinea pigs require plenty of space to exercise – the more the better, although at a minimum each guinea pig requires 70xm x 70cm x 70cm (ie. Two guinea pigs will require double this space). Make sure that the design of your hutch allows for easy cleaning. Outdoor hutches must be kept in sheltered areas to protect their inhabitants from weather extremes. Hutches should have a covered section so that your guinea pigs feel safe and protected while they sleep, as well as a well-ventilated compartment. Hutches should be lined with newspaper and then soft grass hay to prevent foot injuries, the bedding should be changed at least every second day to prevent illness. Do not use sawdust or wood shavings as these are more likely to cause respiratory problems. Straw should also be avoided as it does not absorb urine well and the hard stalks can cause injuries. Hutches should be fitted with a water bottle (and small water bowl as well) and gnawing log (made of untreated wood).
It is important to regularly change bedding and floor material and clean out the hutches to avoid ammonia build-up from urine and also to help reduce attracting flies to the area. Guinea pigs can be susceptible to flystrike (which can be fatal). It is important to fly-proof the hutch using fly-screen wire or mosquito netting.
If possible create an outdoor exercise enclosure for your guinea pigs. The enclosure needs to be escape-proof and predator-proof and should be enriched with hollow logs and pipes, rocks caves and shrubbery to provide cover and protection. Keep your guinea pigs safely in their hutch over night and during bad weather.
Guinea pigs are susceptible to heat stress (which can be fatal) – always ensure the area they are kept in is well- ventilated, provides adequate shade and does not become hot. Animals in hutches and cages can die form overheating easily.
· Diet
Guinea pigs are herbivores. They need to be fed the types of food they have adapted to eat.
Offer a constant source of grass and/or grass hay such as Timothy, Oaten, Wheaten, Pasture, Paddock, Meadow or Ryegrass hays. They should not be fed Lucerne (alfalfa) or Clover hays as they are too high in protein and calcium. This is paramount in providing the ‘complete’ diet and encourages ‘chewing’ for long periods of time. This “chewing” helps to wear down their continuously growing teeth and is very important in maintaining dental and gastrointestinal health.
Offer fresh leafy green vegetables & herbs. Some examples of these include; Vegies: broccoli, cabbage, celery, endive, carrot tops, brussel sprouts, Bok Choy/other Asian greens, dark leafed lettuce varieties. Herbs: parsley, dandelion, coriander, basil, dill, mint
High quality ‘Guinea Pig’ pellets may be offered in small quantities only
Guinea pigs require a dietary source of Vitamin C. This is usually supplied sufficiently by the fresh leafy green veggies. It is safer however, to supplement this with small quantities of vitamin C rich foods such as citrus or kiwi fruit
These should not be offered to guinea pigs: cereals, grains, nuts, seeds, corn, beans, peas, breads, biscuits, sweets, sugar, breakfast cereals, chocolate, buttercups, garden shrubs, lily of the valley, onion grass, onions, potato tops, raw beans; beetroot, spinach and rhubarb leaves; and any bulk plants (may cause digestive problems)
Any dietary changes should be made gradually over a few weeks
Provide fresh water at all times
· Grooming
Daily grooming is essential for long-haired guinea pigs to help keep their coat in good condition. Using a stiff brush to gently remove dead hairs, tangles and pieces of twigs, dry leaves or burrs. During grooming take the opportunity to check your guinea pigs’ health and to ensure that it is free from external parasites. Also check the length of your guinea pigs’ toenails and, if found to be overlong, have them clipped by a veterinarian or someone experienced in clipping. Daily handling and grooming is important in building your guinea pigs’ confidence and for developing friendly and social guinea pigs.
· Health Problems
Most of the common health problems seen in pet guinea pigs are preventable by good husbandry and feeding practices. Guinea pigs may be susceptible to respiratory infections, usually due to poor housing conditions. Inadequate cleaning can also lead to skin ailments. Guinea pigs, like most pets, are also susceptible to fleas. Ask your vet about an appropriate flea treatment if required. Guinea pigs may also suffer from mite infestation – which cause intense itchiness, hair loss and discomfort but
William asks…
Can you please tell me about my Ac unit?
The unit is huge, made for 2,200 sq ft. Its a Carrier brand. There is a white pvc pipe coming out from next to the evaporator coil. Condensation builds up and drips from this hose. It has a black double hose valve with a red cap on one side and the PVC coming out the other to the water pump, which looks like a battery pack. Imagine my fear when I thought it was a battery pack buzzing! Should the water pump make a grinding sound when it filters? There are all kinds of air leaks that I need to tape with foil tape. In some parts duct tape was used by the previous owner, which I intend to take off and properly seal. The term “converted” was mentioned to me about either the heat or Ac. Only 1,800 sq ft of the house was used before, so by converted I think they mean upgraded.
I really want to try to understand more about my Ac unit. I know I need to hire an HVAC specialist. My home warrantee provider says that they can only fix the Ac if there is an actual problem, so I have to wait for my electric bill to double before they’ll remedy the problem. The little round thermostat is set on 86* and its a bit chilly in here. Could someone please help me get a better understanding about what kind of Ac unit I have, how it should work, and if anything sounds odd so far?
GardenersCardiff answers:
Home warranty will only fix, what has broken. This system is doing great from what you have said!
“its a bit chilly in here” is the best situation to have when you are a home owner.
There is no water pump. The drain is gravity flow. The battery box on the PVC pipe is a mystery to me. These systems can grow slime in the drain pan that clogs up the gravity fed drain. The double hose valve can be used to flush the pan with a Clorox solution, followed by clear water to flush out the Clorox (it is corrosive). The solution is applied through a very short garden hose held upright and solution funneled into it. Use your imagination as to how to do it without getting it all over the place (think bag and small white hose). Let the Solution set for half an hour in the drip pan by closing the valve to the PVC. Have some one on a cell phone watching the drain output to verify that it is draining when you open the valve back to the PVC to flush it with clear water afterward. Don’t assume it is draining. It can get sticky. Go real easy at first till you are sure it is draining well.
Your thermostat sounds bad. I would look into replacing it or figure out why the system is not shutting off sooner. That it is “a little round one”, says that it is older design, but those are tough and trouble free in my experience. Listen and see where it has to be set to get the system to turn off. Also the fan for the forced air may be set to continuous. It should be set to “auto” .
The buzzing sound is probably coming from a control relay inside there.
The term “converted” was used because it likely was only a heater up there before. Now it has both.
For advice with the air filter take a look at my answers in the links below.
You are getting way more help here than you will from a hired hand.
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Joseph asks…
Guinea pig fruit/ veggies and grass question?
I’m getting 2 male guinea pigs from a pet store (I know about these things please don’t discuss the pet store)
Some info on them and some questions:
They aren’t from the same litter, they are both around 1 month and they have lived together for 2 weeks and they have never fought (according to the pet store)
( I checked for marks, and there are none, no hair loss etc. ) so when I bring them home can I just put them in THIER cage? Or do I have to re- I troduce them or something? The cage is a 2 gridx5 grid c&c cage (28 inches wide and 70 inches long) and there is 2 of EVERYTHING! Two food bowls two water bottles and double the toys. (btw can i give my guinea pigs cardboard to chew EVERYDAY?! My gerbils do and i was just wondering that if giving them cardboard is safe)
But thier daily veggies will be fed in ONE plate, is this ok? Can a guinea pig cage for 2 males ever be too big? Cause I know that with gerbils if thier cage is too big, they will actually claim thier own territory and may fight. Is this the same with guinea pigs?
and they are not used to veggies and fruits. How do I introduce new veggies and fruits to them slowly, so they won’t have an upset tummy? I know veggies should be given daily and fruits weekly. (I already did my research)
One more question: is it necessary for guinea pigs to run in the grass? I saw on a video that your guinea pig should run on fresh grass for 4-6 hours a day? What the heck? I doubt that.
But anyway can I let my guinea pig run on my back lawn? A neighbors cat has gotten in to our backyard and pooped in it, and we rarely water it but it’s still green. And we haven’t cut it in a few months. Because of this I don’t want to let my guinea pigs run in this type of grass… Can I get a handfull of grass from my front yard the grass from the front has been sprayed with this chemical stuff, but that was 7 months ago and we haven’t cut it in 1 year, but mushrooms do grow in the grass sometimes.* I’m not sure of that’s safe or not
GardenersCardiff answers:
1) if they have lived together in the pet shop then no, u can just put them together in there cage, but if they haven’t u can still just put them in the same cage and see if they fight, babies don’t normal fight other babies. The veggies can be feed on 1 plate its ok, and none of my guinea pigs (14) have ever fought cuz the cage is to big its better for them to have a big cage
2) well i just gave them veggies i didn’t just give them a little bit i just gave it to them and they were fine
3) guinea pigs should go out and eat grass, i only leave mine for about 2-3 hours cuz i have an outside cage that cats can’t get into, ur gp can run as long as its in a cage cuz they are so hard to catch, and don’t give mushrooms to them
Mary asks…
If you are one of the advisers of the President how do you deal with illegal settlers in the Philippines?
Ok you are one of the President adviser on urban planning in the Philippines. How would you work out the plan for illegal settlers in Metro Manila? These people are literally growing or multiplying like mushroom in every cities in Metro. Manila. In 1977, one portion of the International Airport was ordered by Imelda Marcos to be covered by concrete fences in order to hide the squatters in that particular place so that every airplane coming down the tarmac would not get a glimpse of the sorry state of the country. Well our problem do not seem to go away, 25-30 years ago. And it keeps on coming. What do you think is the best solution for squatters in the Philippines?
For my own opinion, why not built more tenement buildings for these people instead of them making make shift housing on their own. Thereby making their municipality earn rent from these people, ok they maybe poor but obviously some of them can work in any manner they can and pay the housing rent. Not allow anymore new illegal settlers to come to the city, and thereby making every provinces where this people came from more progressive, it is obvious these people are concentrated in Metro Manila. What is your opinion?
GardenersCardiff answers:
To solve this problem, the government must deal with the issues of various types of illegal settlers. Some of them already earn some decent amount. They just stay that way because of the convenience of not paying monthly rentals. Some are professional squatters. Still there are those who despite of offers dont want to relocate due to lack of jobs in the new location. Others do not really earn enough and can’t send the whole family back to the province even if they want to.
These issues must be addressed. Ill recommend the following to the president:
1. Create more job opportunities in the provinces though i know it’s not as easy as it may sound.
2. Offering paid travel tickets for families who would like to go back to their home province plus some cash loan or a ‘kabuhayan’ package (maybe sponsored by private companies) so they can start a decent life in the province. They must sign certain terms and conditions that will prohibit them from going back to metro manila as illegal settlers again.
3. Low-cost housing programs for those who doesnt want to leave metro manila. Like in any gawad kalinga village, they must help build their home to significantly reduce the cost attributed to labor. Again, there should be a contract that will prohibit them from selling the property. Those who can afford to pay rent must be asked to do so.
4. Policy making that focuses on illegal settlement, most especially professional squatting. For instance, a sanction from access to any economic or medical help from the government for habitual offenders. Some illegal settlers had already been beneficiaries of housing programs in the past. They earn money from it by selling the unit then become illegal settlers again.
5. Simple ordinances that will move the job away from every part of the street into specific locations with more decent carts or structures. Some of them who work as street vendors make every part of the city their workplace and habitat. They will not leave because they earn without paying anything for their small business. If they cannot keep up with the local government ordinances, they’ll be forced to take the offer to go back to the province.
Charles asks…
Need help finding the right career, the right school, natural medicine.?
I’m a senior now in high school, and everyone asks me what I want to do with my life.
I thought college immediately, but what I realized what I would love to work in, there aren’t much colleges for it.
I love working with herbs and plants, my grandmother is this little old Mexican Indian lady who swore eating certain berries, aloe plant, and herbs would help cure a sickness or improve your liver or something. I grew up with those things, and even today I try to find natural cures for small ailments.
I don’t like like taking or using ‘normal’ medicines, I wouldn’t want to work with that.
I don’t know what kind of jobs I can do to work with creating natural medicines, or help prevent and heal the body with plants, herbs, and spirituality. I’ve also been interested in massaging, Taoism, and tai chi.
I don’t know if there are colleges, or places to train at for these things, or the costs.
I come from a low income family, I didn’t do wonderful in school, I can’t afford to move somewhere expensive for college for a long time.
If someone could help me find out a career or a a school, training.
It would be great.
I believe that the body can heal itself and you could use natural plants(and techniques) that were given to us by the land to cure and prevent illnesses and diseases, if that helps more.
I loved to read this book on herbs, on how to make teas out of glass pots and dried herbs you could later grind into powder.
Is it possible to open up a natural medicine store? I’d like to give people recommendations, for their problems, I once helped my dentist with her sleeping problems.
Could I open up my own business?
How long do you think it would take to have my own place or finish school.
I really need help in this, I really can’t see myself doing anything else, I like to hunt for mushrooms, and look for plants and herbs to eat and make teas out of.
Average Salary?
GardenersCardiff answers:
My training is a bit on the unusual side, but if I were to choose a school for alternative medicine, it would be the University of Maryland. They have an extensive complementary medical school, and it’s scientifically based. To me, that’s important.
I use my training to write. That’s where both of my talents are strongest. It is possible to work in several fields involving herbal medicine, but you need both the scientific knowledge and the knowledge of what you can legally say.
Length of time depends on the school you choose. With a university, it will take longer but you will have better credibility. Earnings depend on many things, including your background, training and desire.
I do encourage you to get many books and read many web sites. Look for those who use science as a base to begin with. Once you have the basics, it’s interesting to look at our own and other cultures. Pioneers rolled spider webs up and used them as aspirin…and as it had salicylic acid, it worked.
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James asks…
What is the best way to tame guinea pigs?
Yesterday I bought 3 male guinea pigs (9 weeks old). They’ve made themselves quite comfortable in their new hutch overnight and have eaten loads already. Naturally, they are still very skittish and nervous of people walking up to the hutch, but I am keen to get them hand tame as soon as possible. What is the quickest and easiest way (and most stress free for the guineas) of doing this? I’ve read conflicting info online.
GardenersCardiff answers:
There are two main factors in taming any small animal. The first is not doing anything unpleasant to them when they are being brave, and the second is naked bribery. Because there are lots of foods that guinea pigs really like that they can have quite a bit of they are actually quite easy to tame. I use dark green salad leaves for treats, but also nice fresh grass and dandelions from the garden in the summer (don’t overdo dandelions as they are diuretic). If you don’t have access to a garden why not grow some nice fresh grass or greens on the window ledge!!
When you first get your guinea pigs it is best to leave them alone as much as possible for the first couple of days. It is very tempting to keep picking them up and showing them to people but this is very stressful for them when they are in a new environment so please resist this until they have settled in.
Make sure that each guinea pig has a nice house to hide in. Otherwise when they are startled the more dominant piggie will kick the other one out of the box and this can cause fights particularly amongst males. If possible don’t disturb your pet when he is in his box as this will make them feel more secure. It is sometimes necessary to catch them by tipping over the box but do this as little as possible in the early days.
Feed your guinea pigs at the same time every day. They will soon learn to assoicate the sounds of feeding with something nice happening. Ours squeak when they hear rustling and/or the frige opening. Also have times a couple of times a day when you give them treats.
At first you may have to just put a treat outside the door of the nest box and move away but over time you should be able to get a guinea pig to take it from your hand. This is the most difficult part of the process and it is worth persevering. I had to have a rule that if he didn’t come and get it in a reasonable period of time I take it away again. This is because he had learnt that I would eventually give up and leave it and wouldn’t take it.
Once you have a guinea pig feeding from your hand it is often quite a quick process to get them to come further and further out of the box and eventually come to the edge of the cage to be fed. Before long your guinea pig will be standing ready for a treat. It is absolutely essential that you don’t use a treat to catch the guinea pig at this point as it will stop them trusting you. Once they get to trust you really well you will be able to pick them up.
Thomas asks…
College student with more fridge space then freezer space, meal ideas?
Our pod has a tiny little freezer thats always full but oodles of refridgerator space (not including my empty minifridge). I normally like just buying costco frozen meals and throwing those in the oven, but with our limited space im looking for ideas for easy meals that will keep well in the fridge. Any help greatly appreciated, Thanks
Also if possible looking for high calorie high protein meals (athlete looking to gain weight)
GardenersCardiff answers:
Here some ideas
http://www.bettycrocker.com/recipes.aspx/garden-fresh-lasagna/3ba05ac1-14b1-46fd-937b-d51e91388bc5
http://www.bettycrocker.com/recipes.aspx/chicken-alfredo-with-sun-dried-tomato-cream/736a04e4-a42b-47c9-9805-f16430c3ed9f
http://www.bettycrocker.com/recipes.aspx/healthified-mexican-pasta-skillet/e86a1cb2-a7b3-4cb7-906a-9a2d7a9c218f
also if you want a home-made veggie beef soup here is one that is soo easy you can make it fast
1/2 lb of ground beef
1 can of tomato soup
1 can of diced tomatoes (italian or regular)
1 tsp. Worchestershire sauce
a small/ med onion diced
1 can of corn
2 cans of beans (whatever you like)
1 can of mixed veggies
1 cup of rice
salt & pepper
2 tsp. Sugar
Brown Beef til no longer pink, add onion and cook for 3 – 5 min. Add rice, tomato soup,diced tomatoes, worchestershire sauce, corn, beans, and mixed veggies. Stir together. Salt & pepper and add the sugar (if ya want). Bring to a boil. Once to a boil turn down to low and simmer for 15 – 20 minutes or until rice is tender and soup is hot.
This is great with some crackers, grilled cheese or toast
Cherry Brownies (soo good)
1 box of brownie mix
(whatever ingredients needed for brownie mix)
1 can of cherry pie filling
Prepare brownie mix as directed on box and pour into greased baking pan. Pour pie filling in and mix up. Bake as directed on box.
They are oh so good and guys love them! Add some vanilla ice cream for an even better dessert.
Hope this helps! ENJOY
Susan asks…
What are some ideas for recyclable crafts?
What are some ideas for easy, medium, or hard crafts made out of recyclable crafts? For example, I once made a snow globe out of a baby food jar, a small object, water, and glitter. I don’t want to have to buy anything such as those Crayola Crayon Makers. Ideas?
GardenersCardiff answers:
The first link is a baby food jar garden,this can also be done in other jars tall short,you could do a scene of woods or garden or any other view you like.
I like shadow box’s myself for some reason doing miniatures relaxing to me so i might do this above in some fashion using a large pickle jar.
Second link is a Time capsule idea..I am thinking you could do this short term or long term.
I have one I open about every few years. However was thinking of doing one for just the time between now and the end of summer. Most likely it will my writing and a few photos of my yard now.
Third one is decorating a bottle I have done this myself since I was around 6yrs old..My first one was using food coloring or shoe polish anyway I took some masking tape and covered the bottle in the tape then went over it with stain(color) looked interesting after I was done. Sat on my Granny’s shelves for 20yrs along with other children’s art pieces.
Other sites
http://www.allfreecrafts.com/recycling-crafts/index.shtml
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Daniel asks…
Is scotts EZ seed guinea pig safe?
We recently got 2 guinea pigs and I want to grow a small patch of grass for them to run around in. The difficult part is that I live in a 3rd floor apartment, with a deck made of wood, so my growing options are very limited.
I went to home depot and explained to the people in the gardening section EXACTLY what I was doing, and they assured me that Scotts EZ seed is safe for pets (they knew I was doing this for a guinea pig) and that it grows literally anywhere making it very easy for being in an apartment. The guy checked the back and said the only thing rough in it was 3.9% fertilizer that will disperse out as I water it, so it will be fine eventually.
I ask the experienced pet owners, is this stuff safe for me to grow a patch of grass on a thin layer of dirt, or does it contain harmful chemicals?
Please note that I am not already doing this, I am not even going to open the container until I am sure it would be ok for them, if its not I will return it and seek other options.
Thank you in advance for any help you can give me.
We have no local park close by, and I know the grass outside of my apartment is kept up by a local company that I’m fairly certain uses chemicals. If I asked the front office they will probably tell me its fine even if it wasn’t.
If the Scotts seed is bad, feel free to give solutions that would be cheap and easy to do in a small apartment environment. Thanks again for the answers so far!
GardenersCardiff answers:
Frankly, anything but a good seed and some potting soil is a waste of money. If you want to use some fertilizer like miracle grow that will be fine since you will be clipping the grass to feed it and you can rinse it. Any seed that grows well in your area is fine except fescue which can contain an endophytic fungus (passed from generation to generation in the seed) that may produce a toxin. Most fast growing “patching” seed mixes are largely annual rye grass which will be fine.
I don’t think that you will have a problem with the Scotts product. It is mostly a system to manage the water and keep the delicate seedlings well hydrated. Just be sure to leave the mix behind when you clip the grass.
There is nothing wrong with grass that has been fertilized as long as the fertilizer has been taken up by the plant and converted to grass. Plants get all their nutrients (except carbon) from things dissolved in the soil/water they grow in. Fertilizer is merely a way of assuring that they get enough. You don’t want to have fertilizer splashed on the grass leaves but that is what rinsing is for!
Why everyone seems freaked about chemicals is beyond me. It is not like chemicals are automatically bad. After all, our entire bodies, everything we eat and drink and everything in our environment is made of chemicals. There is no question that there are harmful chemicals (usually man made but many natural toxins as well) and there is no question that too much of some “safe” chemicals can be harmful. The key, however, is to keep things in perspective and neither be overly panicky or overly complacent.
Sharon asks…
what is a fair price for a garden clean up?
The house i rent out has been let go and the real estate has called in there garden man to give a quote, the quote came in at $415. That included mowing, cutting back alot of shrubbery which was very overgrown, clearing the driveway of weeds and grass growing through, cutting back about 5 rose bushes, the side passage was so overgrown with grass and weeds that you couldn’t see the paver pathway anymore, the garden beds are quite big and there are 4 of them which is so full of grass and weeds that you can’t see the dirt anymore and of course the rubbish removal. Overall i reckon the job would take about a day to a day and a half to complete, it isn’t an easy task. Just curious as to what people have paid to have their gardens cleaned up and made to look good again. I have never had to have a gardener/handyman before as previous tenants have been fantastic.
Thanks for any feedback
Sorry should have added I am in the South Coast Area of NSW Australia, I know some areas charge different rates.
GardenersCardiff answers:
Actually, for the work involved, that sounds OK to me, especially when you consider he’ll be taking all the rubbish away – not cheap to get garden rubbish removed these days. I paid a guy $90 to go through and prune six big-ish rose bushes and take the prunings (Melbourne) – took him about an hour. On another occasion he wanted $20 to take about 1/2 trailer load maximum of weeds/clippings off my hands (I did the weeding and clipping, he just took the stuff).
John asks…
Did you know the Surah regarding the war between the Romans and the Persians?
In the name of Allah, the Beneficent, the Merciful.
[30.1] Alif Lam Mim.
[30.2] The Romans are vanquished,
[30.3] In a near land, and they, after being vanquished, shall overcome,
[30.4] Within a few years. Allah’s is the command before and after; and on that day the believers shall rejoice,
[30.5] With the help of Allah; He helps whom He pleases; and He is the Mighty, the Merciful;
[30.6] (This is) Allah’s promise! Allah will not fail His promise, but most people do not know.
[30.7] They know the outward of this world’s life, but of the hereafter they are absolutely heedless.
[30.8] Do they not reflect within themselves: Allah did not create the heavens and the earth and what is between them two but with truth, and (for) an appointed term? And most surely most of the people are deniers of the meeting of their Lord.
[30.9] Have they not travelled in the earth and seen how was the end of those before them? They were stronger than these in prowess, and dug up the earth, and built on it in greater abundance than these have built on it, and there came to them their apostles with clear arguments; so it was not beseeming for Allah that He should deal with them unjustly, but they dealt unjustly with their own souls.
[30.10] Then evil was the end of those who did evil, because they | rejected the communications of Allah and used to mock them.
[30.11] Allah originates the creation, then reproduces it, then to Him you shall be brought back.
[30.12] And at the time when the hour shall come the guilty shall be in despair.
[30.13] And they shall not have any intercessors from among their gods they have joined with God, and they shall be deniers of their associate-gods.
[30.14] And at the time when the hour shall come, at that time they shall become separated one from the other.
[30.15] Then as to those who believed and did good, they shall be made happy in a garden.
[30.16] And as to those who disbelieved and rejected Our communications and the meeting of the hereafter, these shall be brought over to the chastisement.
[30.17] Therefore glory be to Allah when you enter upon the time of the evening and when you enter upon the time of the morning.
[30.18] And to Him belongs praise in the heavens and the earth, and at nightfall and when you are at midday.
[30.19] He brings forth the living from the dead and brings forth the dead from the living, and gives life to the earth after its death, and thus shall you be brought forth.
[30.20] And one of His signs is that He created you from dust, then lo! you are mortals (who) scatter.
[30.21] And one of His signs is that He created mates for you from yourselves that you may find rest in them, and He put between you love and compassion; most surely there are signs in this for a people who reflect.
[30.22] And one of His signs is the creation of the heavens and the earth and the diversity of your tongues and colors; most surely there are signs in this for the learned.
[30.23] And one of His signs is your sleeping and your seeking of His grace by night and (by) day; most surely there are signs in this for a people who would hear.
[30.24] And one of His signs is that He shows you the lightning for fear and for hope, and sends down water from the clouds then gives life therewith to the earth after its death; most surely there are signs in this for a people who understand
[30.25] And one of His signs is that the heaven and the earth subsist by His command, then when He calls you with a (single) call from out of the earth, lo! you come forth.
[30.26] And His is whosoever is in the heavens and the earth; all are obedient to Him.
[30.27] And He it is Who originates the creation, then reproduces it, and it is easy to Him; and His are the most exalted attributes in the heavens and the earth, and He is the Mighty, the Wise.
[30.28] He sets forth to you a parable relating to yourselves: Have you among those whom your right hands possess partners in what We have given you for sustenance, so that with respect to it you are alike; you fear them as you fear each other? Thus do We make the communications distinct for a people who understand.
[30.29] Nay! those who are unjust follow their low desires without any knowledge; so who can guide him whom Allah makes err? And they shall have no helpers.
[30.30] Then set your face upright for religion in the right state– the nature made by Allah in which He has made men; there is no altering of Allah’s creation; that is the right religion, but most people do not know–
[30.31] Turning to Him, and be careful of (your duty to) Him and keep up prayer and be not of the polytheists
[30.32] Of those who divided their religion and became seas every sect rejoicing in what they had with them
[30.33] And when harm afflicts men, they call upon their Lord, turning to Him, then when He makes them taste of mercy from Him, lo! some of them begin to associate (others) with
GardenersCardiff answers:
Yes.
Kthxbai
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