Plants 🥀 That Repel Mosquitoes 🦟

🥀 11 Plants 🥀
That Repel Mosquitoes 🦟

The days are finally getting longer, the snow is (slowly!) beginning to melt, and spring officially arrives in just a few days! While the prospect of warmer weather has us all a bit giddy, we can’t forget the unwelcome intruders that tag along with the sunny summer weather.

Yes, we are talking about mosquitoes, and everybody knows that they can be a huge nuisance. However, using chemical products to keep them away is not on the top of everyone’s wish list.

Read on for Some Ideas of Plants
That Repel Mosquitoes 🦟 Naturally!

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Citronella

 

Chances are, you’ve heard of this one before- it’s one of the most common ingredients in most mosquito repellents. Strange enough though, many people don’t even know that citronella is actually a plant! Citronella is a beautiful perennial clumping grass that emits a strong aroma. That aroma masks other scents, and keeps mosquitoes from being attracted to things located around it. The citronella plant has a much stronger aroma than other mosquito repellents that contain citronella, so it is a great choice. Citronella is very easy to grow, and can get to be a very tall 5 or 6 feet high! You can grow citronella in pots and place it around a porch or patio, or you can plant it directly in a yard or garden bed. It’s a great choice for repelling mosquitoes naturally.

Lemon Balm

 

Another great choice for a mosquito repelling plant is lemon balm. A member of the mint family, the plant also known as horsemint and beebalm is a very easy plant for beginning gardeners to grow- even if you don’t have a green thumb! Lemon Balm is a very hardy plant, it resists drought, and it grows well even in shade. It is a very fast growing and sometimes aggressive plant, so you might want to contain it to a pot, where you can move it to wherever you like to ensure that it doesn’t take over your garden! An added bonus? You can dry the leaves and use them to make a delicious herbal tea!

Catnip

Your feline friends will be happy to know that catnip is a great mosquito deterrent! In fact, in a 2010 study, researchers found that catnip is 10 times more effective than DEET, the ingredient commonly found in bug repellents. It is a very easy plant to grow, and if you have cats in the house, they will surely be happy to have it around. However, be careful not to plant catnip in with other flowers, veggies, or herbs if you have cats around your garden. They will surely roll around in the catnip and smash everything nearby!

Marigolds

 

A bright, hardy annual plant, marigolds are a great choice for repelling mosquitoes. Marigolds contain Pyrethrum, an ingredient found in many insect repellents, and they have a unique aroma which bugs find repulsive. The flowers themselves are beautiful and can make a great border or addition to any flower bed! Try placing them around borders of your home, and mosquitoes might not want to cross over!

Basil

 

Calling all cooks! Want a double whammy when it comes to mosquito protection? Plant some basil! Not only will you have a quick and easy mosquito repellent, you will also have a delicious fresh herb on hand to add to all of your favorite recipes! There are many different varieties of basil around, so feel free to experiment and find the ones that you like best. Many expert gardeners recommend trying lemon basil or cinnamon basil to deter insects.

Lavender

 

You probably know that lavender is a gorgeous purple flowering plant with a soothing, calming scent. But, did you know that it is also a natural mosquito repellent? Grow it indoors near a sunny window, or outside in your garden or flower bed to keep the bugs away. While you’re at it, make a delicious herbal tea, or use lavender to fill your home with a wonderful calming aroma.

Peppermint

 

Most bugs despise the smell and taste of peppermint, so planting it around your home is a great way to keep them from dropping by uninvited! Plus, if you do happen to get bitten, peppermint leaves rubbed directly onto the skin make a great itch relief treatment! Added bonus for the wonderful minty smell that makes a delicious addition to food and beverages!

Garlic

 

Unfortunately for all of us who love Italian food, studies have shown that EATING garlic does not repel mosquitoes. (Unless, however, you were to eat a HUGE amount!) However, having garlic around DOES! Make sure to add some garlic to your flower bed or vegetable garden for added protection!

Pennyroyal

 

The adorable pennyroyal flower is a natural deterrent for mosquitoes! Make sure to plant some around your flowerbeds! Pennyroyal plants also make great groundcovers, and they attract a plethora of beautiful butterflies. Some people even use pennyroyal to flavor certain fish dishes. As you can see, this plant has plenty of benefits!

 

Rosemary

 

Rosemary is a beautiful flowering plant that is often used to flavor lamb or fish dishes, but did you know that it is also a natural mosquito repellent? It’s perfect to add to your herb garden or flowerbed to keep bugs away, and it even attracts butterflies!

Plus you can simply snip a few springs off every time you need to add extra flavor to your lamb or steak!

Geranium

 

This beautiful flowering plant is a great choice for mosquito repellent. When planted in a hanging container, the colorful blooms will cascade over the side of the pot, providing a beautiful visual piece as well as a very useful bug repellent!

As you can see, there are many different plants out there that can help to keep bugs away! Next time you reach for the chemical bug spray, take a minute and think again, and choose something more natural!

       

March 13, 2014

http://www.naturallivingideas.com/11-plants-that-repel-mosquitoes/

Great Protein Sources That Aren't Meat

5 Great Protein Sources

That Aren't Meat

By Corrie Pikul

Posted: 07/22/2014

You know you can easily meet your daily protein requirements with a steak or a platter of sashimi, but you can get the essential nutrient from these lesser-expected foods, as well.

1. The Best for Dieters

What They Are: Nuts and seeds

How Much Protein You Get: Almonds and pistachios have about 5–7 grams per ounce; macadamias and hazelnuts have 2–3 grams per ounce.

Why They're Great: Packed with protein as well as healthy monosaturated fat and fiber, nuts are surprisingly filling. This could be why studies keep finding a relationship between eating nuts and dropping pounds. In one, people who ate 70 almonds a day (in conjunction with a reduced-calorie diet) lost 18 percent of their body weight.

One More Thing: The average 150-pound woman needs 60–100 grams of protein a day, says Lauren Schmitt, RD, founder of Healthy Eating & Training. Instead of trying to get all of your protein in your entrées, eat smaller amounts throughout the day, to better regulate your mood, hunger and blood sugar levels, Schmitt says. Sprinkle nuts on foods like cereal, oatmeal, salads and fruit.

2. The Best All-Purpose Alternative to Chicken

What It Is: Soy

How Much Protein You Get: One half-cup of soybeans has (are you ready for this?) about 34 grams of protein (in comparison, a half-cup of chicken has about 17 grams). In tofu form, a half-cup of soy has about 10 grams.

Why It's Great: Soybeans are the only plant food that are considered a "complete protein," which means they provide all the essential amino acids in the amounts needed for good health, says Sumner Brooks, RDN, founder of Not on a Diet. There's a reason vegetarians love soy: Tofu can rival chicken in stir-frys, and tempeh (which is compressed soy) is a ground-beef doppelganger in chili and sauces. Try roasted soybeans with pumpkin seeds for a convenient, filling, high-protein snack.

 

One More Thing: Processed soy foods, like veggie burgers or soy dogs, are often made with soy protein isolate (SPI). While you are getting protein, this means that you're not getting soy's other nutrients or its soluble fiber, explains Brooks (and because of the way the protein is isolated, you could be getting other unnatural chemicals instead).

3. The Best Treat

What It Is: Dairy

How Much Protein You Get: A cup of milk has about 8 grams, an ounce of cheese has 6–7 grams, yogurt has 4–6 grams (per 6-ounce serving), Greek yogurt and kefir have 15–20 grams.

Why It's Great: Dairy foods are a high-quality protein food, and a little goes a long way toward meeting your amino acid and protein requirements. Greek yogurt and kefir are veritable protein powerhouses, and a serving has as much protein as a serving of lean meat.


One More Thing: Brooks says clients who talk about giving up dairy and replacing milk with nut milk are shocked to hear that almond milk is so diluted from the source of the whole nut that the liquid has little to no protein.

4. The Best for Antioxidants

What They Are: Beans

How Much Protein You Get: A cup of cooked beans generally has between 12–16 grams.

Why They're Great: They're low in fat and high in insoluble as well as soluble fiber, which help promote a healthy digestive tract, lower blood cholesterol levels and can reduce the risk of some types of cancer. A growing body of research suggests that eating beans, as well as fish, chicken or nuts in place of red meat can lower the risk of several diseases and premature death. Eat a mix of colors to get different types of heath-promoting, free-radical-fighting antioxidants.

One More Thing: Beans are considered "incomplete," because they're missing essential amino acids, explains Schmitt. Pair them with whole grains that have complementary amino acids as well as extra protein. Good combos: Lentils and quinoa, black beans and brown rice, hummus and whole wheat pita.

5. The Best Choice for Those Who Work Out a Lot

What They Are: Eggs

How Much Protein You Get: One large egg has 6 grams of protein (about 12 percent of the recommended daily value).

Why They're Great: Eggs are another perfect, complete protein, with all the amino acids your body needs, says Schmitt. What's more, they contain vitamin B12, which is involved in processes like fat breakdown, muscle contraction and promoting a healthy metabolism.

One More Thing: Most of an egg's protein is found in the white, but don't toss the yolks, says Schmitt. That's where you'll find vitamins A, B12 and D, as well as calcium, folate and omega-3s. (And you know that eating an egg a day won't have any ill effects on your cholesterol level.)

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2014/07/22/vegetarian-protein-source_n_5591896.html?ncid=fcbklnkushpmg00000063

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Repel Pests With Nature

Repel Pests With Nature!

 

It’s that time of the year when, apparently, bugs are on vacation and head to Florida to enjoy the warm weather.  Mosquitoes and roaches are out in full force and they’ve brought their village with them.  Tim hates bugs and he’s very vocal when they’re around.  All you’ll hear is, “Gawddamn bugs!” if you’re within a one mile radius of us at any given time.  Sprays are nice but they leave a residue that I really don’t want my dogs to lick up.  So I’ve turned to plants.  As it turns out…plants do the job nicely!  

Here’s what works for us:

Mums (or their scientific name: Pyrethrum Chrysanthemums) look like daisies.  
I remember when we first got these I told Tim they look like weeds to me.  It turns out that this little plant is the lethal weapon to repel quite a few pests such as roaches, fleas, ticks, bedbugs, lice, silverfish, ants, and a whole lot more.  

According to Wikipedia, the plants affects insects nervous systems.  And it will inhibit female insects from biting.  That’s one half of the mosquito population neutralized!! 

Catnip (Nepeta Cataria) is that legal drug for your feline friend.  
But it also works to repel mosquitoes, flies and roaches.  In fact, research studies showed that some distilled catnip in a test tube repelled mosquitoes ten times more effect than DEET.  Just don’t put it on your skin.  You’ll be raped by all the neighborhood cats.  

Basil is not a favorite herb of mosquitoes although it’s good in pasta dishes.  You can’t eat your OFF…but you can sure eat the basil.  The added bonus is that flies don’t seem to like basil either.  

Lemongrass (Cymbopogon) is everywhere in Florida.  Why?  Because it keeps away mosquitoes and bees.  Or maybe because you can put it in tea if you’re feeling ill.  But I think it’s mostly the mosquito and bee problem. 

Mint (Mentha) not only smells awesome but it keeps ants, roaches, wasps and hornets away.  
If you pick some off the plant and let them dry out, then crush them into little flakes…you can spread this around your doors.  This will keep the little insects from coming into your home without an invitation.  

Bay Leaves can be spread around the pantry and closets to repel moths, flies, roaches and silverfish.  You can also crush them up to spread around windows and doors to keep these critters outside where they belong.  

Rosemary (Rosmarinus Officinalis) not only adds some zing to your pork dishes, but can also be used to keep mosquitoes away.  These are the easiest plants to cultivate since they need very little water.  They actually live off of the humidity in the air or the seabreezes, which we have plenty of here in Florida! 

Citrus will repel spiders.  It won’t kill them…but it’ll make them think twice about setting up home where YOUR home is.  Simply mix some lemon, lime or orange oil or juice in a spray bottle and spray the area you don’t want the spiders to be.  Spiders taste with their feet and they’ve got eight of them.  Give them some citrus to show them who is boss!  I spray lemon juice around window frames and door frames to keep them away.  

Venus Fly Trap (Dionaea Muscipula) 
Tim has a huge venus fly trap right outside of the back door.  It cures his curiosity about morbid ways to kill an insect.  This plant will lure the flying insect or spider into it’s leaves thus triggering little tiny hairs to close up on the bug and digest it.  Tim will water this plant first before others. If there was ever a fire here….this venus fly trap would be one of the items he would try to rescue.  I have to admit..it’s a fascinating process to watch the plant eat its prey.

I’m sure there are tons more plants out there that will keep your pests away.  This is what we use here at the House O’ Chuck.  They’re easy to get at any nursery or Home Depot or Lowes.  

Show your mosquitoes and roaches and flies and ants that you mean business!! 

http://bohica2k.com/?p=3649

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French Supermarket: Keep Food From Going To Waste

This Supermarket

Came Up With A Brilliant Way

To Keep Food From Going To Waste

People don’t really think of starvation when they’re about to toss a perfectly fine batch of vegetables into the trash after dinner.

Furthermore, people don’t think about all of the food being wasted when they sort through their refrigerators.

Perhaps what’s even more frightening, is the fact that no one thinks about the fact that “spoiled” fruits and vegetables found at supermarkets can be used to create juices and supplements. Instead, they just go unused and wasted.

However, Intermarché, a French supermarket chain might’ve found the answer to stop things like that from happening.

Instead of tossing out spoiled-looking fruits and vegetables people refuse to buy at supermarkets, the company decided to transform these batches into soups and fruit juices.

The end result? 

Everyone bought the juices and soups!

Check out the video above for a closer look!

http://elitedaily.com/envision/food/supermarket-keep-food-going-waste-video/672280/?utm_source=huffingtonpost.com&utm_medium=referral&utm_campaign=pubexchange

How To Eat 🥐 Like A Local In Paris 🇫🇷

How To Eat  Like A Local

    🥐  In Paris  🥖

 

Café des Musées 

Café des Musées is a charming restaurant serving classic French dishes like entrecôte steak and house-made pâtés.

http://cafedesmusees.fr/

La Butte Aux Piafs 

La Butte Aux Piafs opened last summer and is already a favorite among local students who go to school in the area. One of our French editors tells us the bistro sells a special squid ink burger.

31 Boulevard Auguste Blanqui, 75013 Paris, France
+33 9 83 51 07 50
http://www.tripadvisor.com/Restaurant_Review-g187147-d4754832-Reviews-La_butte_aux_piafs-Paris_Ile_de_France.html

Pho 14 

Our French editors think the best Pho and Bo bun (a noodle bowl) in Paris come from Pho 14. Locals love it. As food blog Paris By Mouth says, "It’s easy to find Pho 14. Just look for the line."

Racines 

A favorite Paris wine bar, Racines serves market-driven food with simple ingredients. It's situated in a 19th-century shopping arcade and is known for its natural wines. A location has just opened in New York City.

http://www.tripadvisor.com/Restaurant_Review-g187147-d1054409-Reviews-Racines-Paris_Ile_de_France.html

Big Fernand 

Burgers are trendy in Paris right now and one of the most popular places to get them is Big Fernand. There are five house burgers, or you can build your own in true American style.

http://www.bigfernand.com/fr/browse/home/index.php 

 &

 

Little Fernand 

If you're looking for a hot dog, Big Fernand's little brother, Little Fernand, is here to fulfill your American dreams. You can also get a bag of chips, coleslaw, brownies and Dr. Pepper with your hot dog.  http://www.littlefernand.com/

 

Dédé La Frite 
Dédé la frite is where to go to get your French fry overdose. 

Chez Jeannette 

For French and Mediterranean cuisine favored by Parisians, Chez Jeanette is the place to go.

 

La Candelaria 

If you're looking for a bar that's trendy with Parisians, head to La Candelaria. (You'll have to walk through a taqueria to get there.)

 

Balls 

There is a trendy new restaurant in Paris called Balls, it serves primarily meatballs, and we need to go there. Plus, the waiters wear T-shirts that read, "Eat My Balls," or so we hear.

L' Eclair de Génie 

As if it weren't enough that Paris is home to a store where you can only buy cream puffs, it is also home to a store where you can only buy eclairs. L' Eclair de Génie is partly responsible for the revival of this classic 19th-century pastry that may have been eclipsed by the macaron in recent years. Thank you, L' Eclair de Génie, for reminding us of the glory of this fantastic dessert.

Popelini 

Popelini is a small pâtisserie where you can only buy cream puffs. The legendary cream puffs are one of the best things one of Le Huffington Post's editors have ever eaten in Paris. Need we say more?

Le Marché des Enfants Rouges 

Le marché des Enfants Rouges is the oldest covered market in Paris. Built in 1615, it is a bustling and loud market and food hall in the Marais, where you can find pretty much anything you'd want to eat, from Lebanese food to Japanese. It may be visited by tourists, but that doesn't mean it's strictly a tourist destination. Locals love and frequent Le Marché des Enfants Rouges too.

Le Petit Cambodge 

Cambodian restaurant Le Petit Cambodge is home to the second best "bo bun" (noodle bowl) in Paris, our editors tell us.

French Foods

That Are Better Than A Burger

France, the home of haute cuisine, has a new food obsession that you've probably heard about: the humble hamburger. According to a study released by Gira Conseil, the country downed a staggering 970 million hamburgers last year. Nearly half of all sandwiches sold were hamburgers. What happened to the baguette?

Seventy-five percent of traditional French restaurants now offer at least one kind of burger. More depressing is the fact most burgers are sold from one of France's 1,300 McDonald's.

We're all for a good burger. Don't get us wrong. A big, juicy patty sandwiched between a buttery bun, oozing with cheese or caramelized onions -- we're in favor, trust us. The wonderful and vast world of French cuisine, however, is not to be underrated, and certainly not be overtaken by a single comfort food. Here are 30 French foods that are better than a burger:

Salade Lyonnaise

 
Get the Salade Lyonnaise recipe by Ann Mah via Food52

Pâté En Croûte

 
Get the Pâté En Croûte recipe by Manger

Gratin Dauphinois

Get the Gratin Dauphinois recipe by Beloved Green

Coq Au Vin
 
Get the Coq au Vin recipe by thirschfeld via Food52

Quick Cassoulet
 
Get the Quick Cassoulet recipe by Dinner with Julie

Croissant

Get a Croissant recipe from How Sweet It Is

Garlic Soup

Get the Garlic Soup recipe by Manger

Rillettes

Get a Creamy Peppercorn Duck Rillette recipe from Mandy @ Lady and Pups via Food52

Pan-Fried Foie Gras

Get the Pan-Fried Foie Gras recipe by Manger

Bouillabaisse With Red Pepper Rouille

Get the Bouillabaisse with Red Pepper Rouille recipe from What's For Lunch Honey?

Jambon Beurre
 
Get the Jambon Beurre recipe from meganvt01 via Food52

Beef Bourguignon

Get the Beef Bourguignon recipe by TasteFood via Food52

Dijon Chicken

Get the Dijon Chicken recipe from Simply Recipes

Escargots à la Bordelaise

Get the Escargots à la Bordelaise recipe by Manger

Croque Monsieur

Get the Croque Monsieur recipe from Verses from My Kitchen

French Onion Soup

 Get the French Onion Soup recipe from Simply Recipes

Steak Au Poivre
With Red Wine Sauce

 Get the Steak au Poivre with Red Wine Sauce recipe from Hungry Cravings

Brioche

 

Get a Chocolate Brioche recipe from Buns In My Oven

   Tartiflette
 

Get the Tartiflette recipe by Ferdakost

Moules Marinières

 

Get the Moules Marinières recipe from Simply Recipes

Chicken Provencal

 

Get the Chicken Provencal recipe

Braised Rabbit With Prunes

Get the Braised Rabbit with Prunes recipe by Simply Recipes

Quiche Lorraine

Get the Quiche Lorraine recipe from Simply Recipes

Ratatouille

Get the Ratatouille recipe by Genius Recipes via Food52

Niçoise Salad

Get the Niçoise Salad recipe

Gougères

Get the Gougères recipe by Manger

Sole Meuniere

Get the Sole Meuniere recipe from Bunky Cooks

Blanquette De Veau
(Veal Stew)

Get the Blanquette De Veau recipe by Manger

Duck Confit

Get the Duck Confit recipe from Simply Recipes

 

 Crepes

Get a Crepes with Salted Lemon Butter Caramel from Steamy Kitchen
  

  Some popular french dishes:

• Magret de Canard (speciality of South Western)
• Mussel and french frie (speciality of the North)
• Choucroute (speciality of the North)
• Couscous (speciality of North Africa, ex colony)
• Saumon au beurre blanc
• Tomates farcies
• Jarret de Porc
• Pates aux 3 fromages

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2014/02/10/burgers-france_n_4745668.html