Nothing marks the official beginning of Summer like a good watermelon, but how many times have you stood over a bin of watermelons in the store wondering which one to choose? The stakes are high... choose wrong and you're stuck with 15-20 pounds of gritty, bitter, or unrripe fruit that will either be reluctantly eaten or thrown away- neither of which is a desirable option. Watermelon is full of so many incredible nutrients that help balance your body's fluid levels, reduce inflammation and muscle soreness, and support heart health, don't miss out on these great healing properties by choosing a melon you won't eat. Here are our tips to choosing a great melon every time, plus a delicious watermelon slushy recipe! How to...
If you've followed us on social media or subscribed to our email newsletters, I'm sure it will be no surprise to you that we are passionate about gardening here at Nature Works. The herbs and veggies in our gardens are almost like family- we put a lot of thought into their placement and care, some get talked to or scolded for not staying in their designated area (I'm looking at you, Motherwort), and all have a purpose and plan in place for their value as medicine, food, or beauty. When we surround ourselves with growing plants, we’re getting more than just a lovely view. The sensory experience of being involved in nature and the growth process of plants stirs powerful healing processes in our bodies...
Spending time outside in nature, camping, picnicking, fishing, and getting plenty of vitamin D are synonymous with summertime around here. Like many active families, we do our best to protect ourselves from harmful sun damage and bug bites while we're out enjoying nature. Did you know that rates of tick-borne diseases such as Lyme Disease are on the rise, along with West Nile Virus and other diseases carried and spread by our six-legged neighbors? Thank goodness for bug spray... right? Well, I hate to be the bearer of bad news, but the main active ingredient in most bug sprays, DEET, is known to cause adverse effects such as neurological deficits, seizures, skin rashes, and cardiovascular events. Just like the toxins found in your sunscreens, this stuff is almost as detrimental to your...
Nothing ruins a backyard barbecue faster than unwanted guests of the six-legged variety. Mosquitoes, flies, beetles and other pesky party-crashers can be more than just annoying- their bites can carry diseases like West Nile Virus or Lyme Disease. Before spraying your party down with toxic chemical insect repellents, try adding some of these helpful plants to your garden. These plants are lovely additions to any garden, and many of them add flavor to barbecue recipes as well! 1. Petunias In addition to brightening your yard with colorful flowers, these flowers are often planted near produce to repel squash bugs, beetles and aphids. 2. Basil Basil contains an essential oil that kills mosquito eggs. Plant basil in pots near gathering areas to ward off flies and mosquitoes, and...
Have you walked down the sunscreen aisle at your local store lately? SO. MANY. CHOICES.And I'm sorry to tell you, but most of these products contain toxic chemicals that may not be any better for your skin health than the UV rays they're protecting you from. Recent studies show that the chemicals found in sunscreen don't just sit on top of the skin, they absorb into the bloodstream in alarmingly high amounts, and stay in your bloodstream for up to a week after use. These chemicals were found in the bloodstream of study participants for up to a week after use, and are known carcinogens and hormone disruptors! In fact, sunscreens containing certain ingredients are actually BANNED in coastal states, because...
