One of the things I miss about living in California is the preponderance of oak trees. They’re all over the hillsides with their beautifully twisting branches. Even small patches of oaks provide food, shade, and habitat for a wide variety of plants, mushrooms, and creatures. Not to mention, oaks are great trees for climbing, and, if big enough, lounging in. Oaks are trees in the genus Quercus, of which there are hundreds of species.
Healthy teeth don’t just make us look good. Our teeth and gums are critical for health. We obviously need our teeth for chewing so that we can break down food in one of the most important steps in the digestive process. Inadequately chewed food leads to many problems down the line. But, did you know that the
Shepherd’s Purse (Capsella bursa-pastoris), is a common weed in the Mustard family. It is not native to North America, but was introduced by Europeans and has since naturalized to all states in the U.S. and provinces in Canada. Shepherd’s Purse is common along trails, sidewalks and roads; in disturbed areas; in lawns; and as a volunteer in gardens.
Puppies. Adorable, entertaining, but a real responsibility to take on. If one of these exuberant little bundles of fur comes into our life, then it’s our job to give them the best start we can to, hopefully, a long and healthy life. (Though really, dogs don’t live nearly long enough!)
Here are some ideas to help you get started.
Polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS) is one of the most common reasons for fertility issues in the West. The name reflects that fact that in some of the cases, one or both of the ovaries accumulate multiple cysts…in some cases so much so that the ovary looks like swiss cheese on an ultrasound.
Stomach cramps and bloating are uncomfortable at best, and downright painful at their worst. Almost all of us are familiar with dull pains that originate in our lower abdomen and cause us to curl up, swearing to avoid dairy or roasted garlic for the rest of eternity.
Star of Bethlehem is a member of the family Liliaceae or Lily family of the genus Ornithogalum L. or star of Bethlehem P, containing five species.
Hot flashes may be a sign of entry into perimenopause, though not every woman will experience them. In fact, here in the West a majority of women will experience them, while in Japan, significantly fewer will.
Glucose, the main form of sugar circulating in our blood stream, is also the main form of fuel burned by our cells so that we can live and function. For getting into many types of cells, glucose (and certain other nutrients) needs a key to open the “door.” That key is insulin, a hormone made by the pancreas. Though glucose is necessary for life, sometimes the level in circulation can get too high and cause all sorts of problems.
Mints are easy-to-grow perennials that are a beautiful and (usually) lovely-smelling addition to your garden—even if your garden is limited to a balcony, like mine is. They do well at sea level. They do well at mountainous elevations. They can hack cool, damp summers or hot, intense summers. They are fine being buried in snow and will be there waiting for you in the spring. While mints generally prefer rich and well-drained soil, I’ve grown them in heavy clay soils.