Why Plants Bend Towards Light
There are a number of plants that grow towards sun. This activity of plants, to bend towards light, is known as phototropism. Usually, the upper portion of the plant i.e. the stem and the leaves look for a sunny spot and try to reach out. For instance, sunflower follows the path of the sun across the sky. This characteristic of the plant enables its leaves to receive the light energy required for the process of photosynthesis. This is an extremely important process for the plants to grow and reproduce.

This bending toward light is called phototropism. Phototrophism is a response that causes house plants to lean towards the window and trees to branch over the road. Take a walk in the woods and look for fallen trees. Auxins cause fallen trees to turn at their tips and grow upright again.

The gene that causes plants to reach for the sky has been cloned. To the scientists who found it, the big surprise is that part of the protein made by the gene is duplicated in many other organisms, from simple bacteria to humans. And while that protein section, called a "domain," controls a plant's tendency to bend toward light, in other organisms it governs responses to different environmental factors, such as changes in oxygen levels.

You may have noticed that a houseplant grows toward the window and turns its leaves towards the light. It does this because light coming from the window side of the plant destroys the auxin in the shoots and leaves on that side, so that growth on this side slows down. On the shaded side of the plant there is more auxin, so growth on this side speeds up. The result is that the shoots and leaves are turned towards the light - maximising photosynthesis. This is an example of positive phototropism.

Many plants, too, move their flowers and their leaves so that they face the sun the greater part of the day. If you walk through a wood carpeted with wood-anemones on a sunny day, with your back to the sun, the ground seems covered with the little white flowers; but if you turn round and face the sun there are hardly any to be seen; for all the anemones are turning in the same direction, with their faces towards the sun, so they now have their backs towards you.

Plants can see the light, the very same way, which we do, by using specific macromolecules called as photoreceptors that candetect the light. In case of mammals rhodospin is the visual pigment of the eye. Plants too have similar type of the photoreceptor molecules to gather information about its light environment. Plants obtain information about its light environment by several ways using one of the properties of the light. The way plants elicit this information is illustrated in the table. To detect an unidirectional light the plants have to make a two point measurement to detect a light gradient within the plant body.

How to Grow Flowering Herbs
How To Grow Flowering Herbs

Annual

Petunia- (Petunia spp.)

Petunias are tender flowering herbs that adorn the garden with a variety of striking colors such as, red, pink, white, violet or a mixture of white stripped with violet or blue.

They are more attractive when planted closely in flower beds forming a blanket of red or velvet blossoms. Petunias are mostly cultivated in pots or window boxes.

Soil Requirements.

The best soil where petunias are more adaptable is a well-drained, fertile, sandy loam soils.

Propagation.

Petunias are propagated by seeds sown in germinating trays or seed boxes and later on thinned and planted in pots or beds.

Plants in full bloom may be brought inside the house for a day or two but should be exposed to full or partial sunlight to maintain normal growth.

Cock's Comb - (Celosia argentia cristata )

There are two types of cock's comb like; dwarf and tall or medium height varieties.

There are as many colors of the rainbow as there are cock's comb varieties. Most often, the dwarf varieties are planted in group as low borders, while the taller varieties serve as background and foundation planting.

Thee flowers stalks vary in size where the taller ones have bigger clusters.

Propagation.

Cock's comb are easily propagated by seeds either by direct seeding or transplanted singly by seedlings.

When direct seeding is applied, you should do the thinning to avoid overcrowding of the plants.

Marigold - (Tagetes erecta)

Marigold, a native of Mexico is a member of the sunflower family is a hardy annual, bushy, producing flowers with raised centers of golden-orange petals gradually turning to reddish-brown in the outer petals.

Soil Requirements.

Marigold thrives best in a light loam soil with a good drainage and exposed to full sunlight.

Propagation.

Propagation by seeds is the only method to multiply marigold. They are easy to grow although they seem to disappear in most gardens.

Balsam or Touch-Me-Not - (Impatiens oppositfolia, I. glandulifira )

A native of Africa, balsam or touch-me-not derived its name from its characteristics where the fruits when touch at ripening stage burst even just upon a slight contact.

They have a striking beautiful flowers ranging from pink, white, purple, and red double petalled which resembles the rose flowers.

Soil Requirements.

Balsam usually prefers rich fertile soil with abundant sunlight.

Propagation.

Balsam can easily be germinated by seeds. The seeds easily germinate when touch to the ground.

Carnation - (Dianthus caryophyllus)

Carnations are lovely, double-fringed, fragrant flowers. They are favorites as cut flowers, for borders and beds.

Good as potted plants, carnation, when planted properly blooms 5 to 6 months. They may last for more years if you'll properly care them and fertilized properly.

Soil Requirements.

The best soil for carnation is a well drained and rich in organic matter soil with a cool climate and enough supply of solar radiation.

Propagation.

Carnation is propagated by seeds sown in germinating trays or seed boxes before they are transferred to individual pots or plots when planted in the field.

Verbena - (Verbena hortensis )

An excellent ground cover because of its compact habit of closely massed of flower heads.

There are three colors of verbena such as, red, purple, and white flowers which are attractive when planted in group as ground cover.

Soil Requirements.

Verbena grows best in a well drained, fertile soil and enough supply of sunshine in high altitudes during its growing period.

Propagation.

It is propagated by seeds when planted in temperate countries. However, they can also be propagated by cuttings where, you have to include the rooted portion of the stem to make a sure growth development.

Periwinkles- (Vinca minor)

Known as chichiricas or tropical periwinkles, they have a white or lavender flowers and said to have medicinal values.

They are excellent as border flowers, flowering hedges or foundation plants along bases of walls, fences and buildings.

They are attractive because they flowers the whole year round. You need less attention in replanting them since they grow vigorously.

The only attention you'll make is to continuously pinch the tips to keep them bushy and busy producing flowers.

Soil Requirements.

Periwinkles grows in any type of soils especially in a well drained rich in organic matter soil medium.

Propagation.

Propagation by cuttings is ideal for periwinkle but they multiply even faster when grown by seeds.

They prefer to bloom abundantly when exposed to full sunlight, though they also produce flowers in partial shaded areas, but not as good when planted with open sun exposure.

Bachelor's Button - (Cyntaurea cyanus )

Belongs to the Amaranth or Colitis family, bachelor's button is also known as butones, butonisan or botoncillo and is relative of cock's comb, Joseph's coat and cucharita.

Their flowers varies from purple which dominates of all varieties to white, pink, and orange colors.

Propagation.

The methods used in propagating bachelor's button is by seeds. They multiply fast and are easy to reproduce.

Perennial

Star cluster- (Pentas lanceolata )

A native of Africa, this flowering plant is a newly introduced to the Philippines.

They are an attractive herb with a cluster of red, star-like flowers. Although there are pink, white and lavender varieties, the red is considered the most attractive.

Star cluster becomes shrub reaching a height over seven feet as it develops woody tissues through the years of its growth.

To produce a continuous blooms the whole year round, you have to cut the flower stalks after the flowers have fallen down.

Propagation.

Propagated usually by young cuttings ( the hard or matured stems generally do not develop roots).

Anthurium - (Anthurium andraeanum, A. spp. )

Anthurium ,also called flamingo flower because of its showy, waxy bract of flaming, deep red or pink color, often mistaken as the flower, is gaining popularity as a cut flower or potted plant.

When used as cut flower, anthurium lasts for as long as one month which explains why it's expensive and prized by many florists.

There are a hundred varieties of anthurium scattered in the Philippines, but only a few are truly attractive accepted by florists.

Proper care and watering of anthurium is advised to enhance a continuous flower blooms.

Soil Requirements.

Anthurium thrives best in a well drained rich, sandy loam soils.

They usually favors in a cool climate and high elevations, like Baguio and Bukidnon. However, they can be made to flower just as beautifully in greenhouse or controlled environment.

Propagation.

Propagation is usually done by dividing the suckers or shoots, including some roots.

The newly propagated plants must be placed under the shade until they have recovered and new shoots developed.

You have to avoid anthurium exposure to the noon day sunlight. They are intolerant to too much heat of the sun.

African violet- (Saintpaulia spp.)

A native of Africa as the name implies, also known throughout the world as Saint Paulia by gardeners, this flower plant is loved by many because of its soft, waxy leaves and flowers that stays the whole year round in different shades of blue, white, pink, and purple colors.

This plant loves the morning sunlight. They dies easily when exposed to extreme heat and too much water.

African violets can be grown successfully when grown in pots as well as on screened window boxes.

They can also be grown in greenhouse of which they produce more attractive flowers.

Spanish flag - (Gonioplectus hispanus )

Spanish flag also known as canna or bandera espanola are ideal when you want to establish a new garden and an instant supply of flowers.

They are in handy, bearing a profusion of attractive colored flowers within a few weeks.

Their flowers are numerous from streaked to just plain white, cream, pink, deep red, purple, tangerine, lavender or sometimes a combination of two or more colors.

Spanish flag have numerous hybrids. You can select from among the hybrids you think attracts your interest or plant all them if you wish a colorful flowers in your garden.

If you want to maintain large, continuous flowers the whole year round, you have to cut the stalks which have flowered since they'll compete for food with the rest of the developing plants. These stems will eventually dies anyway.

Soil Requirements.

Spanish flag grows best in rich, friable, sandy loam to loam soils. However, they also grow well in clay loam soil.

Generally, they produce attractive flowers when planted in an open field with abundant supply of sunlight.

But there are other hybrids that shows an excellent flowers even in partially shaded areas.

Propagation.

The easiest way to propagate Spanish flag is by separation of rhizomes which multiplies easily.

However, seeds may be used in propagation but it will take a long time to bear flowers compared to those propagated by rhizomes.

Red Billbergia- (Billbergia spp. )

A member of the pineapple family, red billbergia have a strikingly beautiful red or pink flowers which blooms during the months of May, June, and November in Luzon, Philippines.

They grows well in partial shade or full sunlight.

Soil Requirements.

Billbergia thrives best with a mixture of soil, ground charcoal, moss and other medium used in planting orchids.

Propagation.

They can be propagated by separation or by division of the young shoots which comes out after the flowers have wilted and the old plants have died.

Camia- (Hedychium philippinense K. Schum. )

Camias are shade loving plants to which they can be grown under trees. Their flowers are white with a fragrant scent which makes them favorite as cut flower and also for corsages or bouquets although they doesn't stay fresh very long.

Their flowers are numerous during the rainy season and the plants gradually die as the dry season sets in. However, the rhizomes send out new shoots again once the rain starts to pour in.

You should prune the stems which have flowered just above the ground level to induce more flower blooms.

Camias have a cousin called the yellow camia or India Ginger which produce yellow flowers and a native of the Himalayas.

Soil Requirements.

The best soil for camia is sandy or clay loam with sufficient amount of moisture.

Propagation.

Camias can be propagated by division of the rhizomes or root stock. They are planted at a distance of half a meter apart directly in the field which have been properly prepared.

Cassumunar ginger- (Zingiber montanum )

A native of the Philippines and tropical Asia, cassumunar ginger produces a brick red flowers which last for a period of 2 to 3 weeks even when used as cut flowers.

They are in great demand by florists and interior decorators because they are hardy and attractive. Their demand is great that there is always a shortage of supply.

Soil Requirements.

Cassumunar ginger grows successfully in a rich soil, well drained, and partial shaded location.

Propagation.

Propagation is done by planting portions of the rhizomes or roots directly to the site that have properly prepared prior to planting.

Torch ginger - (Phaemeria magnifica)

Torch ginger are very large and tall plants that grows to a height of more than three and a half meters.

The flaming red or pink flower bract is truly an outstanding contribution to Philippine ornamental enthusiasts.

Rising separately from the ground, the flowering stem, 90 to 180 cm in height, bears its tip the shiny, bright red or pink flower bracts which form into a large and almost conical head measuring from 15 to 22 cm.

It is indeed a lovely sight to behold numerous flowers under the shady stems looking like flaming torches.

The true flower rises at the center of the head and is hardly noticed but for the red lips with yellow margins.

Soil Requirements.

Torch ginger thrives best in a loamy soil with plenty of manure or organic matter.

Propagation.

Successful propagation of torch ginger is done by division of its root stocks or by separation of its shoots.

Costus, Spiral ginger- (Costus speciosus)

Introduced Malaya, Spiral ginger, a perennial and hairy plant got its name from the nature of its soft stem which twists or forms a spiral as it grows older.

The flowers are found at the tip of the stem in a cone-like head similar to cassumunar ginger, usually in pairs of white to creamy blossoms. There are several species of spiral ginger growing wild in the Philippine forests.

Soil Requirements.

Spiral ginger grows well in any kind soil, however, they response better to rich soil with available organic matter and in cool places.

Propagation.

Propagation of spiral ginger is similar to that of the other ornamental ginger family.

Red ginger - (Alpinia purpurata )

Red ginger have equally attractive with its numerous bright red flowers or bracts as its name implies. Its cut flowers stay fresh up to as long as two weeks in vases.

The leaves are broad and usually new plants or shoots sprout on the spikes or flowers.

Soil Requirements.

This attractive flower plant grows and blooms well on rich, well drained sandy loam or loam soil. They may either planted in partial shaded area or full sunlight environment.

Propagation.

Red ginger can be propagated by planting some divisions of root stocks. Sometimes the new shoots that develop on the spikes are planted but they take longer time and extra care to make the plants bear lowers.

Heliconias - (Heliconia pogonantha, H. bihai L. )

Member of the banana family (Musaceae), heliconias reached a medium height about 90 to 180 centimeters.

They are ideal for beautification purposes because of their different flower colors of pink, purple, and striped leaves.

Together with the different lobster claw species (false of paradise) as companion crops they can add and undoubtedly grace any scenery, dab or otherwise.

Soil Requirements.

Heliconias produce attractive and beautiful flowers when planted in a rich, well drained loam or sandy loam soils. They prefer a full exposure to sunlight and to display a vigorous growth.

Propagation.

They can be propagated by separation of the suckers or corms from the mother plant.

Bird of paradise- (Strelitzias reginae)

A native of South Africa and widely grown in Hawaii, this herbaceous plant has a rare, outstanding orange flower with a blue tongue, its two boat-shaped bracts forming the semblance of a beautiful bird.

In the Philippines, bird of paradise is especially adapted to elevated regions with cool climate Baguio and the plateaus of Bukidnon and Mindanao.

With proper care, they can be made to produce flowers in lowland areas especially under a greenhouse. As a cut flower its stays fresh for two or more weeks in flower vases.

The flowers of the White Bird of Paradise is very similar to that of the Bird of Paradise. The main difference lies only in the color of their sepals.

The tongue-shaped protuberance at the center of each species look alike in shape and blue color.

Soil Requirements.

Bird of Paradise thrives well in a fertile soil, rich in organic matter and well drained location.

Propagation.

Propagation of this plant is similar to other heliconias family.

Hanging red lobster claw - (Heliconia langa)

Easily the most showy among heliconias, its blossoms has a red bracts with yellow fruits at the base.

The flowers look like real lobster claws altogether hanging in a bunch. Its leaves are waxy white in the undersides.

Soil Requirements.

The soil requirements for this plant is similar to that of other heliconias family.

Propagation.

Hanging red lobster claw can be propagated by separation of suckers or corms from the mother plant.

They are planted directly to the prepared land in the field or raised in germinating pots in the nursery for future planting, while the planting area is not yet thoroughly prepared.

False bird of paradise - (Heliconia psittacorum)

This herbaceous plant grows a height up to 90 centimeters with erect orange flowers and bracts and narrow elongated leaves.

They are ideal as ornamental plant for garden accent.

Soil Requirements.

False bird of paradise prefers a well drained, rich soil with organic matter content. They produce good flowers when planted in the open with full sunlight.

Propagation.

Propagation of false bird of paradise is similar to other heliconia species.

Splash Prevention For Your Indoor Fountain
Preventing splashes with your indoor fountain is a very important precaution. Splashes can create water damage, harm furniture, create a breeding ground for mold and mildew, and even pose a risk of fire if the fountain is kept near electrical outlets. Taking the necessary precautions to prevent splashes in your indoor fountains is an excellent way to help keep your home beautiful while still being able to retain your decorative fountain.

With many fountains, preventing splashes is quite easy. Always ensuring that you never add more water than is required to run the fountain is an excellent step towards preventing splashes. Ensuring that water is not falling onto bare rocks or glass from a high distance is also important, as this will certainly create a large splash. Most indoor fountains should retain all water within the basin itself and your furniture and surroundings should never be damp.

Indoor wall fountains should be especially monitored for splashing, as moisture on the walls is the primary cause of mold development in your home. Most fountains are equipped with controls that allow you to adjust the flow of water, and setting your fountain to the ideal blend of relaxing sounds and splash free movement is the best way to prevent moisture loss. Wall fountains should also be maintained for splashing due to the risk of water seeping into outlets or onto the carpet.

Preventing splashes can be as simple as adjusting a switch or control on your fountain. If you find that this is not enough, using decorative stones or items can help shorten the length of waterfalls in your fountain and reduce splashing as well. Taking the time to inspect your fountain periodically for splashes is certainly an important thing to do and can help you prevent many potential complications.

Note that a properly installed and designed fountain is not likely to splash and cause damage. The largest problems are usually found when too much or too little water has been used or when the water flow is simply set too high. Regular maintenance and proper checking of water levels are the most important tools you will need when ensuring that your indoor wall fountain is not splashing its surroundings. By taking the time needed to perform these simple steps, you can prevent damage to your walls, carpet, and furniture while also serving to help eliminate any risk of fire and electrocution caused by water leaving your fountain through splashes.

Marijuana Hydroponics - How To Build Your Own Marijuana Hydroponic Garden These are plans to make a fairly portable, and very inexpensive advanced hydroponic system. These plans only explain how to make the garden itself, and do not explain how to use or maintain it. If you plan on using this garden, you should get yourself a good book on hydroponics, and look it over.
I am intentionally leaving out those parts about plant nutrition, light cycles, etc. so as not to appear to be writing a guidebook for growing marijuana. It is also to make you seek out another source of information so your knowledge of hydroponics comes from more than just this article. I do not grow marijuana, and never have. I'm just a high-tech home gardener with information to share. If you are caught growing marijuana while using the system described herein, don't even think of running to me, I didn't tell you to grow marijuana. In fact, I'd suggest planting a crop of cherry tomatoes, which can be fooled into producing fruit indoors year round, and is a very easy plant to start hydroponics with.
Materials needed:
1 5-10 gallon bucket
2 Pieces of PVC or ABS pipe, 8-10" long, 5" or greater diameter.
4 Caps for PVC/APS pipe ends.
1 waterpump capable of about 50 Gallons per Hour (you will need a bigger pump if you choose to make this a larger system)
4' of hose that will fit the waterpump (often 3/8")
1 TEE joint (or Y-splitter) that fits the water hose
4 clamps for the water hose (one for pump to hose, and 3 for hoses to TEE fitting.)
1 Airpump, airstone, and some airline from a fish tank.
1 Can White epoxy based spray paint
1 Can Black Epoxy based spray paint

Procedure:

1. Everything must be made light tight. Paint all hoses, the bucket, the PVC/ABS and the lid of the bucket with a layer of black paint. Let it dry overnight, and then cover it with a layer of white paint to make it reflective, and reduce the temperature of the nutrient solution.
2. Take each of PVC pieces and drill a 1 inch hole on the side, about one inch from the end. Then epoxy the caps onto the ends of the PVC.
3. Drill the inlet/outlet holes; these should be located on the caps of the PVC. The inlet hole should be as low as possible or as close to the wall of the PVC, and the outlet-hole should be as high as possible.
4. Now cut two 5" holes in the sides of the bucket (close to the top), and epoxy the PVC in place, so about 2" of pipe (and the outlet hole) are inside the bucket, and the 1" hole is facing straight up.
5. Oxygen into the nutrient solution, and not to dissolve CO2. CO2 can kill root systems. If you are growing outside, or not enriching CO2, then the pump can sit anywhere.
6. Place the water pump in the bottom of the bucket (assuming it is a submersible one) and attach a hose to it long enough to reach the top of the bucket. Cut a hole in the lid of the bucket for this hose to go through. Then attach the TEE fitting to the hose. Now attach hoses to the free ends of the TEE, and run them to the inlet holes on the end of the PVC pipes. Use clamps on the TEE fitting and on the pump itself, but use epoxy to attach the hoses to the PVC. This seal must be completely water tight. Let them dry for 24 hours.
7. Put some water in the bucket and turn on the pump. What should happen is the PVC pieces will fill with water, and then when they are full, they should begin to continuously drain out the outlet holes, and back into the bucket. If you are getting leaks anywhere, fix them immediately. If water is coming out of the 1" hole on the top of the pipe, then either your pump is too strong, or your outlet hole is too small. Fix one or the other.
8. Empty the system (hint, remove the hose from the pump to drain the arms), and replace the water with some form of hydroponic nutrient solution (look in a hydroponics book for details on what exactly to use, or visit a gardening store, and ask)
9. Place your plants into the system. The best way I have found to do this is to take a 1 1/8" garden hose and cut a 1" tube off of one end. Then slit the tube down one side. Wrap the stem of your plant (just above the roots) with polyester fluff (available at aquarium stores, for stuffing into external water filters) and then wrap the garden hose around the fluff. Then force the hose into the hole at the top of the PVC arm. People also have used rubber stoppers.
10. Turn on the air/water pumps, and let your garden grow.
This is obviously just a small setup, but these plans can easily be modified for much larger systems, using longer pieces of PVC, or more than one pair of arms, and a larger bucket to hold the nutrients (I've seen one made with a 55 gallon drum, and 8 separate arms, each holding 4 plants)
I personally use this setup indoors (under a skylight in my apartment) to grow 2 cherry tomato plants. What you do with your own garden is your own business, and obviously I can't be held responsible if you choose to grow anything illegal.

Natural Ways to Keep Food Fresh Longer
If you are interested in health and diet, you have probably read all the research which points to the benefits of fresh, unprocessed foods. Eating healthier nearly always means opting for fresh fruits, whole grains and unprocessed meats and fish. Unfortunately, choosing foods without preservatives does have a down side - food spoils faster. That is no reason to go back to eating over-processed foods full of chemical preservatives, though. Long before our dependence on chemical preservatives, our mothers knew the secrets to keeping food fresh longer naturally. Here are some tips to help you keep fresh fruits, grains, vegetables, meat and fish fresh longer - the natural way.

General Tips

1. Keep your refrigerator at the right temperature. It should be kept between 38 and 40 F. to keep your foods as fresh as possible without freezing them.

2. Keep your eye on expiration dates when you shop.

3. Do not store highly perishable foods in the refrigerator or freezer door. They are more prone to temperature fluctuation.

4. Moisture promotes rotting and mold. Wipe vegetables and fruits dry before storing and avoid storing in plastic bags.

Fresh Fruits and Vegetables

Vegetables and fruits give off a gas called ethylene as they ripen. The ethylene sets off a chain reaction that causes the release of more ethylene, causing the food to ripen further. When fruits and vegetables are exposed to ethylene, they ripen faster. Some fruits and vegetables give off more ethylene than others - and some of them are more sensitive to ethylene than others.

1. Ethylene producers include apricots, avocados, bananas, cantaloupes, honeydew melons, kiwis, mangoes, nectarines, papayas, peaches, pears, plums, and tomatoes.
2. Fruits and vegetables that are sensitive to the effects of ethylene include: apples, broccoli, carrots, cucumbers, eggplants, green beans, lettuces and other greens, potatoes, summer squash, and watermelons.

3. To keep fresh fruits and vegetables fresh longer, do not store any of the former group n the same drawers as those in the latter group.

4. Store fruits and vegetables in the warmest part of your fridge to preserve flavor.

5. Remove produce from plastic bags before storing. The bags trap the ethylene close to the fruit so that it ripens faster.

6.Wash produce and then dry well before storing. Moisture speeds rotting.

Meats and Eggs

1. Keep fresh meats refrigerated between 38-40 F.

2. Keep meat in original wrapping in refrigerator if you will be using it within two days.

3. Wrap meat in foil or freezer paper before freezing.

4. Make sure that there is plenty of air circulation around meat products in your refrigerator.

5. Store eggs pointed side down.

6. Wrap smoked meats like ham or bacon in a vinegar-soaked cloth.

7. Cool cooked meats quickly and completely before placing them in refrigerator.

Bread and Cereal Products

1. Store fresh bread in a cool, dark, dry place like a cupboard or breadbox.

2. Close the waxed paper inner bag of breakfast cereals tightly to preserve freshness. Better yet, transfer the cereal into a zipper lock plastic bag and put it back in the box.

3. Freeze bread that will not be used within a week. If you freeze artisan breads pre-sliced, you can just take a slice when you need it.

4. Keep soft cookies soft by storing them in a cookie jar or airtight container with a slice of bread.

5. Cut slices from loaf cakes like banana bread and pound cake from the middle instead of the end. After slicing, push the two ends together to reform the 'loaf'. You don't leave a cut end to get stale that way.

6. To keep cake moist, store it with half an apple in the container.

Dairy Products and Cheese

1. Store milk in its original container.

2. Do not store milk in the door where temperature is warmer.

3. Put milk back in refrigerator immediately after using.

4. Wrap cheese in waxed paper or plastic, then store in deli drawer.

5. Do not store ice cream in the freezer door. Keep it in the main part of the freezer.

6. Place a sheet of plastic wrap or wax paper directly on the surface of the ice cream before storing. It will keep fresh longer.

Miscellaneous

1. Store coffee in an airtight, opaque container to preserver flavor and freshness.

2. Buy coffee in whole bean form and grind enough for one pot at a time.

3. If you buy more coffee than you can use in 3-4 days, store in an airtight container in the freezer/

4. Store avocadoes unbagged in the refrigerator.

5. Store bananas on the counter, unbagged.

6. Berries (blueberries, strawberries, raspberries) should be stored in their plastic container or a resealable plastic bag in the back of the refrigerator.

7. Wrap lettuce in damp paper towels and store in a plastic bag.

4 Top Food Sources as Your Natural Sleep Aid
Sometimes we don't really need to look far for a natural sleep aid. Most times we should at least get our diet right before we try sleeping medications or herbal sleep aids. Do you have all the top 4 food sources in your diet as your natural sleep aid?

They are:

1. Tryptophan rich foods

Tryptophan is an amino acid that your body converts to melatonin and serotonin- both of which are thought to induce sleep. Hence, tryptophan is popularly regarded as a very strong natural sleep aid. Since it's not available in supplements, doctors usually advice you to get it from food.

"Famous" tryptophan foods are:

1. Milk and cheese (dairy foods). Your mother was right after all to give you a cup of warm milk before sending you off to bed. Cheese like Cheddar, Gruyere and Swiss are especially rich in tryptophan
2. Banana
3. Turkey- didn't they say that eating turkey makes you sleepy? However, you need to take it with an empty stomach or with carbohydrate rich foods to get enough tryptophan. This is because protein rich foods have other amino acids that compete with tryptophan.
2. Carbohydrate rich foods

Carbohydrate consumption, acting via insulin secretion and the "plasma tryptophan ratio", increases serotonin release.

"Famous" and common carbohydrate foods are:
1.Bread and pasta
2.Cereal and rice
3. Potatoes

We said before that you must eat turkey combined with carbohydrate rich foods. This is because carbohydrates act as natural sleep aids by stimulating the pancreas to secrete insulin. When this occurs, some amino acids that compete with tryptophan leave the bloodstream and enter muscle cells. This causes an increase in the relative concentration of tryptophan in the bloodstream. Serotonin is produced and you feel that familiar sleepy feeling.

3. Chlorophyll-rich foods

Vegetables rich with chlorophyll, the green pigment of plants, is said to contain an opium-related substance, a natural sleep aid, along with traces of the anti-cramping agent hyoscyarnin.
Lettuce is a chlorophyll-rich food that has a long-standing reputation for promoting healthy sleep. Mixed with a little lemon juice for flavor, lettuce juice is an effective sleep-inducing drink highly preferable to the synthetic chemical agents in sleeping pills.

4. Vitamin and Mineral rich foods

Magnesium:
Magnesium is important for muscle relaxation. It becomes a natural sleep aid by topping up low levels to fight the muscle cramps and involuntary twitches that may be keeping you awake.
Magnesium rich foods - sesame and sunflower seeds, wheat bran, almonds, cashews

Specific vitamins are regarded as natural sleep aids because they are involved in the production of serotonin in our body.

Vitamin B6 (pyridoxine):
Vitamin B6 can help prevent sleeplessness. Your body needs adequate B6 in order to produce serotonin. An excellent source of vitamin B6 is a tablespoon or two of nutritional yeast which can be stirred into a glass of fruit juice.

Vitamin B3 (Niacin)
Vitamin B3 is involved in serotonin synthesis
Vitamin B3 Foods fish, legumes, poultry, or peanuts

Different Types of Cake Pans and Their Uses
Cake pans are available in different shapes and sizes. They are very useful equipment in baking.

There are many types of pans that can be used in cake recipes and it is important to use pans appropriate to the recipe, baking time and occasion. There are different basic types of pans with specific uses.

Springform is a type of pan without a non-stick coating and has a side and bottom parts that can be detached. This pan is ideal for cake recipes like cheesecakes and frequently used in molding mousse cakes and layered cakes. The pan is commonly made of shiny tin. However, new products in the market also feature assorted color of exteriors.

Angel food is a type of tube pan with detachable side and cone, and has no bottom part. These are made specifically for angel food cakes. The pan requires no grease in baking angel food cake. One of the characteristics of these cakes is that they need to stick or have close contact to the sides of the pan. After baking, they need to be cooled in reversed position. A knife then is used to run between the cake and the sides of the pan to let loose the cake without damaging the form.

Ring shaped pans on the other hand comes in three kinds. First is the ring or tube. These pans are made in plain aluminum materials. Some of the pans come with opening at the center or without opening and with or without a non-stick coating. This is ideal for most type of cakes and it needs to be oiled prior to baking.

The second type is bundt. These pans are made from aluminum or cast iron materials. Bundt pans are available with or without non-stick coating and generally needs to be greased before using. Cakes baked in bundt pans are very appealing and carry unique shapes.

The third kind is Savarin. These baking pans are especially designed for Savarin cakes. They come in unique shapes, with ring pans made from aluminum. The products that are baked from this pans offer interesting and lovely looking desserts.

Another type of pan is round pans. They are usually made from aluminum and with or without non-stick coating. They are wonderful for layered type of cakes and genoise cakes. Round pans are come in several sizes, with sizes ideal for cakes are 8.5 to 9.5, 9.5 to 10.5

There are also square pans, usually made from both aluminum and tin. The standard size of 9 inches by 9 inches by 2 inches is ideal for preparing brownies, bars, and slices. The cakes that are baked in this pan appear uneven, with the side portion thinner while those near the center portion are thicker and mounted.

Rectangle pans are variations of the square pan. These create a rectangular shaped cake, as the name connotes. Rectangular pans are made from aluminum or tin. The size of the pan is 9 inches by thirteen inches by two and a half inches. Similar with square pans, desserts baked in this type of pan have irregular appearance, with the center thicker and higher than those on the sides of the pan.

Loaf pans are ideal for any cake recipes and loaf breads. It normally holds an aluminum body. Loaf pans have nonstick surfaces to easily remove finished products.

There are also special pans for making muffins. This muffin pan comes with non-stick coating and is made in aluminum or cast iron.

The Importance Of Outdoor Play For Children Within childhood education and development fields, the principal that free play is one of the best methods whereby children learn and develop is widely accepted. Free play occurs most spontaneously in outdoor settings where little adult supervision is required. It is important that children have the opportunity during the day to experience spontaneous play where they can utilize their creative potential and safely explore the world around them. During outdoor play, children have the freedom to yell and run, and they are encouraged be more enthusiastic and energetic. Outdoor play allows children to experience the world in which they live through sounds, textures, smells, and hands-on interaction. Research indicates that playing outdoors can enhance both the psychological and emotional well-being of children.

Children reap many benefits from outdoor play. Not only do they expend energy and exercise their bodies, but they also learn, grow and develop through outdoor play. Outdoor play is essential to motor skill development in children. During outdoor play children practice physical skills such as running and climbing. While adults often have to remind children of the hazards of certain actions, it is often the case that children will have to learn through mistakes. Children learn risk management while participating in various types of outdoor activities. With practice the child can learn to master the skill and experience the satisfaction of overcoming a previously difficult task.

Outdoor play can enhance a child's intellectual and cognitive development. The outdoors provides endless prospects for exploration and discovery. Children are able to discover how things work, and they also have the occasion to learn about plants, animals, insects, and the environment in general. Children may discover how long it takes them to run a certain distance or how much sand a pail will hold. Perhaps they will have the chance to see a bird building a nest or watching a garden grown. The possibilities for learning in an outdoor setting are unlimited. While playing outdoors children exercise both their bodies and their brains.

Social development and interaction are also important aspects of outdoor play. Children learn to differentiate between behaviors that are appropriate outdoors and those that are appropriate indoors. Sharing, negotiating and communication are all important ideas that children learn while playing with other children. Additionally, children can begin to experience independence. They can begin to assess who they are in relation to others and who they are independently. This is important in the development of friendships and this also helps the child to build confidence in their abilities.

Dish Gardening
DISH GARDENING

Dish gardening is the art of planting small ornamentals in pots, shallow vases or dishes. Or it is in itself a miniature garden which you can carry them to any part of your home.

There is no record as to the origin and who started dish gardening, though it is very popular today among gardeners, florists ,and plant lovers.

If you're creative and resourceful, you can make your beautiful dish garden. It's only a matter of your initiative to create your own dish garden.

The soil medium for your ideal dish garden is an equal mixture of compost, ordinary garden soil, and sand or crushed charcoal. This medium provides the fertility, porosity, and drainage which the plant needs in its growing period.

This becomes even more important when the container does not have drainage holes.

For those with drainage holes, water should be allowed to drain before the dish garden is brought inside the house.

Containers for dish gardens differ in size, shape or texture. Clay or earthen pots, shallow dish or trays with or without drainage holes may be used.

The depth of the container may vary from 2.5 to 10 cm ( 1 -4 inches). Glazed clay pots or dishes are of course more attractive, but the color of the containers should not be more attractive than the plants which are the main attraction.

Plants for dish garden may be classified into

1) Climbers and creepers (e.g. wandering jew, yellow water plant, brown water plant, snail plant, metal leaf, creeping fig)

2) Cacti and other succulents (e.g. siempre viva, small species of cacti, dwarf snake, peperonia, silvery episcia, common episcia, white torch cactus, velvy episcia

3) Ferns and Leafy Ornamentals (e. g. lacy-leaved papua, small varieties of dieffenbachia, corn plant, spotted dracaena, mayana, coleus, heart-leaved philodendron, aglaonema, prayer plant, elephant grass, lacy-asparagus).

Before you establish your dish garden, you should select the plants which have the same soil and water requirements.

Don't plant cacti and water plants together in one dish. Water plants will die when water or moisture is withheld for a long time, while the cactus will rot with too much water.

You should always bear in mind that plants for dish gardens should remain healthy and vigorous inside the house for long periods without sunlight.

Generally, dish garden plants are shade loving. However, bring them out gradually to the open especially to the morning sunlight.

Don't expose them immediately to the noon day sunlight, since they will get scorched.

Fast growing plants should be avoided but trimming them regularly will keep the dish garden beautifully balanced.

There, you have your dish garden guide. Follow it up and send me your comments.

_________________________

Cris Ramasasa, Freelance writer, writes about home gardening and Internet marketing tips. Subscribe his latest ebooks, titled; "How to get started in Flower Gardening" and "Vegetable Gardening Made Easy" and other gardening articles, tips, and tools all FREE at: crisramasasa.com

Home-based Business Opportunity:flower Garden Flowers are constantly in demand. Even when there are no national holidays, people adore flowers. They buy almost everyday from the market or flower shops. If you are contemplating on starting your own home-based business, having a flower garden is perfect especially for the approaching summer.

If you have a small yard, you can convert that area into a flower garden. If you have a lawn, you can use that too. If the area is too small, you can maximize that by adding stepladders and cultivate flower plants on pots. You can also try hanging gardens.

If you have picked the right spot to start your flower garden, you need to fence it with wood or plastic material. Cultivate the land by plowing. You can also buy organic fertile soil from local nursery garden to enrich your existing soil.

You can check on the web on which flowers are ideal for hanging gardens and pots. You can also visit your agricultural office at your local government to help you decide on the flowers you will cultivate. Depending on your location, there are States that provide free seeds or seedlings along with orientation

If you have thought of this home-based business in winter, you can at least grow some flower plants from seeds and watch them bud into plants. However, if you are in a hurry, you can visit the nursery garden to shop for your full-grown flower plants or seedlings.

In planting your flower plants, ensure that each plant is one inch and a half apart from each other. Since there are different seasons in your area, you can suit your flowers according to seasons. The profits can also be increasing.

However, you need to carefully plan for this idea. You have to consider your soil. If your soil allows it to grow different flowers every year that would be alright. You can also consider annual flowers. If you think focusing on one or two seasonal flowers is the best, go for it.

After you have thought on the variety of flowers to plant, it is time to plan for their protection. You will need pesticides and fertilizers to prevent pests from eating your leaves and withering your flowers.

If you are a supporter of green earth, you can choose organic fertilizer and pesticides. You can either buy these products on the local store, or find an organization that hands out free organic fertilizers and pesticides. You can also try the website and do some research on how to prepare home-made organic fertilizers and pesticides.

Marketing your home-based business is not very difficult. There are hundreds of flower shops that need flowers everyday. Some florists even cater to clients who are overseas. Thus, they need regular supplies of flowers.

You can also start your own flower shop at home. You can set up a small booth within your front yard, and display some of your harvests. Put a signage on your fence that you are selling flowers.

Your neighbors would be glad to pay a visit to your home-based garden business. Vendors at the markets are also willing to buy your flowers. Grocery stores and shops can also display some of your fresh flowers.