How To Grow a First Aid Kit

The best first aid kits are the ones you grow yourself! The Old Farmer’s Almanac for Kids Volume 8 shares how to grow an aloe vera plant, which has long been used for its healing properties.

PLANT OF IMMORTALITY

Ancient Egyptians called it the “plant of immortality” and early Native American tribes called it “wand of heaven,” but we call it aloe vera. Originally grown in southern Africa, aloe vera is a succulent. Its leaves are full of healing substances that have been used medicinally for at least 6,000 years.

HOW TO GROW ALOE VERA

Aloe vera is an easy-to-grow houseplant. Here are the few steps needed:

• Plant it in good potting soil (soil made for cacti is perfect).
• Set it in a sunny spot.
• Water about every 3 weeks and even less during winter.
• Push your finger into the soil to test for dryness. You want the soil to dry at least 1 to 2 inches deep before watering.

LEAF FOR RELIEF

Using the leaf straight from the plant is the best way to get aloe’s healing properties. The gel can help to heal and ease the pain of burns, bruises, boils, canker sores, and chapped lips. It may also lessen symptoms of acne. For aloe relief:

• Remove one of the sword-like leaves from a living plant and open it along its length. Then either squeeze out the gel and apply it where relief is needed or lay the entire opened leaf side directly over the affected area and then bandage it lightly in place.
• Remove a leaf from an aloe plant. Cut open the leaf and use a spoon to scrape out the clear gel. Put the gel pieces into a blender and pulse several times, until the aloe is liquid. Pour the gel into clean ice cube trays and place in freezer. To use, remove an aloe cube and apply to sunburned skin, bug bites, poison ivy rash, or any other ailment that requires relief.

ALOE FOR HAIR AND SKIN

• To condition hair and leave it healthy-looking and shiny, scrape some gel out of the leaves and massage it into your hair. Wait for about 5 minutes, then rinse it out with warm or cold water.
• To use aloe as a skin moisturizer, just scoop out the gel or rub a freshly cut leaf over your skin and let it dry.

3 Easily Grown Flowering Plants

Many homeowners who have acquired a new house or done major renovations to change the look of their existing house long to do something special with the landscaping. Inexperienced gardeners can make mistakes, so it is important to plan out what to buy and where to place it ahead of time to avoid nasty surprises. Plants that are easy to care for are the best friends of anyone who is just learning about gardening, or who does not have much free time to tend to their yard.

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1. Black-Eyed Susan

One of the easiest flowers in the world to grow is the black-eyed Susan. A lovely yellow flower with a black center that stands about two feet tall, it is a great complement to all types of landscapes. It is a perennial plant with a strong root system that ensures it can come back stronger every year. It is native to North America and is hardy to heat and cold. They can spread into other parts of the garden, so it is prudent to keep them in check. There are different varieties available, so make sure that an annual is not selected by mistake, as it will likely not come back the next year. They can be grown from seeds or purchased as seedlings.

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2. Hostas

Hostas come in different shades of green, with some varieties being all one color and others having two different colors on the leaves. They are a leafy green plant that flowers in mid-summer. The flowers appear on long stems that grow from the middle of the plant and are usually white or purple. Once the flowers have died, the stems can be cut down and just the fleshy leaves will remain as attractive foliage until the late fall. They can be purchased as small plants from a garden center, but they can also be gotten from any friends or neighbors who have some. They need to be split in half or thirds when they grow too large, so most people try to give away the cuttings during the spring or fall.

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3. Marigolds

Most commonly known for their puffy orange or yellow blooms, marigolds are incredibly easy to grow. They can be started from seed a month or so before planting season starts to give them a head start in making the garden beautiful. They can be planted directly in the ground to create a stunning garden or walkway border, but they also do great in pots. In fact, pots are a great way for a new gardener to learn how to care for plants, and they come in a variety of shapes and sizes that bring a lot of character to a yard.

Not everyone is born with a green thumb and great instincts for plant care. Most people who are just starting out need to do research into proper plant care. Anyone who is looking for something that can be cared for with minimal effort should plan their gardens with sun and shady spots in mind and get appropriate plants that will thrive in different areas.

Top 4 Types of Cosmetic Dentistry You Should Know About

If you’ve been feeling less than enthused with your smile lately, you may have been thinking about Gainesville cosmetic dentistry. Teeth can get chipped, stained, discolored, worn down, misaligned and more over time, and cosmetic dentistry can provide solutions that restore your smile and your self-confidence. Whether you have concerns about chips, cracks and misalignment, or are simply searching for a flawless Hollywood smile, there’s likely to be a procedure that can help such as same day implants whitening, veneers, etc. If you’re unsure which type of cosmetic dentistry you should look into, there are a few difference popular procedures you should keep in mind.

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1. Dental Implants

If you’re missing a tooth, dental implants can be inserted directly into the bone socket to lay the foundation for a replacement later on. These implants are usually made of titanium and allow your jawbone to heal and grow around the implant. Unfortunately, dental implants tend to be on the pricier side, with some procedures costing up to $3,000 a pop. However, the growth around the implant usually ensures that it’s embedded well, allowing you to get a replacement tooth securely, so the cost could potentially be well worth it in the long run.

2. Teeth Whitening

While teeth naturally occur in several different shades, damage over the years can sometimes cause unsightly discoloration. Regular coffee, tea or wine drinking, for instance, can stain your teeth. If you’d like a brighter smile, consider teeth whitening. You can get this done professionally at your dentist’s office for longer-lasting results than with home kits. This is something many people would like to change about their teeth, and thankfully, teeth whitening also happens to be one of the simplest and cheapest dental procedures!

3. Porcelain Veneers

If you’ve ever looked at a celebrity and wondered how they get their teeth so straight and perfect, there’s a good chance they have porcelain veneers. Veneers are essentially thin layers of durable porcelain that cover up enamel imperfections. If your teeth are chipped, stained or cracked, getting veneers could be a straightforward way to achieve the Hollywood-style smile of your dreams.

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4. Dentures

Finally, if you’re missing a lot of your natural teeth and have experienced problems with eating, speaking or facial sagging, you may want to consider getting dentures. Common among older adults, dentures can restore essential oral functions and your self-confidence all at once. Particularly if you’ve suffered significant degrees of tooth decay, are experiencing gum issues like swelling or simply haven’t been visiting the dentist twice a year, it may be a good idea to ask your dentist whether dentures are right for you.

Teeth are essential to eating and speaking, but can also make a big difference in self-confidence. If you’ve been feeling self-conscious about your smile and are ready to make a change for the better, cosmetic dentistry could just be the solution you need. Whether you need implants, dentures or are simply interesting in veneers or whitening, there's likely to be an answer to your dental woes. Keep these popular options in mind and you’re sure to find the right fix for your smile!

3 Reasons To Keep Your Yearly Eye Appointment

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Our senses are so valuable, yet it's easy to take them for granted, particularly the act of seeing. What color is something? Can you read the paper? Can you enjoy the smile on a loved one's face? Ensure these moments continue by making your eyesight a priority. Yearly doctor appointments can sometimes be easy to overlook. After all, life is busy enough. Squeezing in one more check up just seems to be time consuming. In fact, you simply think that your vision hasn't changed so it's just not worth it. Consider that again. Your yearly appointment could be vital to maintaining your sight. Here are three reasons to visit your eye doctor.

1. Understand the Changes in Pressure

It's hard to know when high blood pressure begins. It's considered a silent killer because people often can't feel it. Usually, it's discovered upon regular visits to a physician. The same could be said of the beginning stages of glaucoma. This form of pressure happens on the optic nerve. This doesn't always immediately impact how your clarity. Instead, you might experience headaches, redness, or halos. Pain and nausea are also sometimes attributed to the disease. What you may think is simply stomach trouble or allergies could be a major concern. When you meet with the doctor, he or she tests this, monitoring any changes or issues. Caught early, people could receive treatment, helping to avoid long-term vision loss.

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2. Detect Dry Eye

In today's world, people constantly stare at screens. Whether it's work or pleasure, many are no longer spending the majority of their life enjoying normal daylight. Rather, the eyes must adapt to the screen. This can grow tiresome, harming the tear production, exacerbating dry eye. The layers begin to lose their moisture, making them rough. They are less protected from irritants and lose the vital nourishment needed to safeguard them. During the exam, tear production can be checked. Drops and treatments may be offered. On an average day, someone experiencing this may not realize this is affecting him or her. Symptoms are usually aggravation or grittiness; however, ignoring this over long periods of time can lead to worse vision.

3. Learn About Your Body

Often people don't see the primary physician for yearly blood work. Perhaps you go for a cough or a fever, but few like to see their lab work every year. It's significant, though, because it identifies changes in your metabolic system that may not be visible. In fact, you may seem fit but still have sugar or cholesterol issues. Sometimes by looking at your eyes, those beginning stages can be noted. That's where the eye appointment could help save you. Diabetes, for instance, may affect the retina in your eyeball, sometimes causing bleeding or giving off yellow fluid. Simple observations may signal warning. Furthermore, plaque buildup is a sign on cholesterol development. This can also appear within the retina, triggering a need for additional investigation.

Visiting the optometrist is about more than glasses. It's really about your general health.

Great Advice for Brand-New Moms

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Last week, after being pregnant for nine long months, you delivered the most beautiful baby you’ve ever seen.

First of all, major congratulations are in order here. Becoming a mommy is something to celebrate, and your precious infant will change your life in many marvelous ways.

Second, let’s talk about some tips and advice that can help you as a new mom and make the next several months not seem as out of control:

Get Sleep Whenever You Can

Growing a brand-new human being and giving birth is hard work. Now, you have an adorable infant who is probably not sleeping for extended periods and you are understandably exhausted. If a friend or relative offers to watch your baby so you can nap during the afternoon, by all means take him or her up on the offer. And when your little one naps, try to lie down at the same time and get some much-needed rest. Eventually, your bundle of joy will sleep through the night and you'll get more snooze, too. But, for now, take every opportunity you can to sleep.

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Treat Yourself to Some Fun New Clothes

Your baby has probably gotten the lion’s share of new outfits, and that’s totally understandable. But don’t forget to treat yourself to some new clothes as well. Anything from some comfortable-yet-stylish new T-shirts and capri pants to a little black dress will be a much-deserved reward and help you to feel your best, so you can, in turn, care for your family best. Even if you don’t plan on going out for a night on the town anytime soon, seeing that hot little number hanging in your closet can be a fun little pick-me-up.

Try to Get Out of the House Every Day

Taking care of a new baby is often a rewarding experience, but you might also feel like you have a touch of cabin fever. Indeed, getting out of the house once a day will do wonders for your sanity and will also get you a much-needed change of scenery. If it's a nice day outside, put your infant in his or her stroller and go for a walk around the block, or bundle him or her into the car seat and go for a drive around the neighborhood.

Moreover, you can certainly head to the drive-thru coffee shop for an iced tea and muffin, run a few quick errands, or go to the drive-up ATM to get cash to buy the next round of diapers. Your daily field trips don’t have to be major excursions by any means, but you'll likely be amazed at how refreshed you feel after seeing the sky and clouds and breathing in some fresh air.

Feel Free to Ignore Well-Meaning Advice

There's nothing like a brand-new baby to bring out the advice machines in everyone. Everyone from your mom, mother-in-law, best friends with kids, neighbors, aunts, uncles, neighbors and the nice older gal in line ahead of you at the supermarket will have plenty of well-meaning words of wisdom for you.

While you might appreciate some of the tips, you're also welcome to skip as much of it as you wish. Let your motherly instinct kick in, and if your mom says it’s okay to let your baby “cry it out” at nap-time and you'd prefer to hold your infant until he or she nods off, then, by all means, do so. Smile and thank people for their advice, and then do what feels correct to you: the one who knows her baby best.

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You’ve Got This!

Being a new mom involves feeling all sorts of emotions, oftentimes all at once. But by remembering to sleep whenever possible, get out of the house for a short period of time every day and treat yourself to some new clothes, you'll know you have what it takes to be an amazing mom. And, all this should help you navigate the first few crazy months with your newborn feeling less chaotic.