NOW I'M REALLY IN LOVE

MUST SEE ARTIST: Mugwort

It's graphic artists like Issac Mills aka Mugwort of Mugwort Designs that make me sit back and my seat and say "Damn."

Click on the pictures provided in this blog and really look at the detail put into them.  I mean come on!! I came upon Mugwort while surfing for vector images as I was in need of inspiration (I'm a graphic designer) to create some cool new graphics.  Looking at Mugworts graphic art in only black and white vector even makes me think, "Do I really want to do this?" HA!

It's inspiration though and while I may never obtain this level of artistry it is most definitely cool to see that someone has.

Now I need to buy one of Mugworts shirts... Trying to make money not spend it people.  Enjoy and don't forget to support!

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PLEASE STEAL AND USE ABUNDANTLY 

VIDEO: DIY Natural Non-Toxic Sunscreen

Since it's the first official day of Summer enjoy this DIY Natural Non-Toxic Sunscreen recipe! 

Additionally from posts on this video
"Since I really don't know (yet) how safe Zinc Oxide is, I'd like to offer you some info that I just discovered: Red Raspberry Oil not only contains high amounts of Omega 3 and 6 AND natural Vitamin E plus other anti-oxidants, but it's also SPF 28+... Also, essential oil of Carrot contains a natural SPF of 30+ when added..."

"Zinc Oxide is actually very harmful to the aquatic life. So, while there are less chemicals in the sunscreen runoff, there is still the zinc oxide that is highly damaging. A lot of sealife near tropical areas are dying because of all of the sunscreen people wear when swimming in the beach.

I would say to just mix some sort of butter (shea butter) with a LOT of red raspberry seed oil."

8 Reasons GMOs Are Bad For You

Do You Keep Your Mask On To Eat This Food?

I figured that I've covered the GMO protesting in Hawaii enough, that really I should explain why GMOs are so bad for us.  

I can still remember a time when I scoffed at the idea, about 10 years ago when friends of mine were going organic and it just seemed so silly and overdone.  

Now, I can see clearly what many have been talking about and WHY many are trying their hand at growing their own food even if it means urban gardens in their front yard.

8 Reasons GMOs Are Bad For You 

Written by Shilo Urban 

Genetically modified organisms or GMOs, are created when a gene from one species is transferred to another, creating something that would not be found in nature.

A large percentage of domestic crops (up to 85% of soybean yields) have DNA that was tweaked in a lab, yet it is nearly impossible to know which food items contain these genetically engineered ingredients. Thankfully new mobile phone apps are making it a bit easier for the consumer to know what she is eating, but this is not enough.

GMOs are bad for your body, bad for the community, bad for farmers and bad for the environment. This is why:

1. The health consequences of eating genetically modified organisms are largely unknown. Genetically engineered foods have not been shown to be safe to eat and may have unpredictable consequences. When trans-fats were first introduced, corporations battled to get them onto your grocery shelves – and it is only decades later that this once novel food has been proven to be extremely unhealthful. Many scientists are worried that the genetically altered foods, once consumed, may pass on their mutant genes to bacterium in the digestive system, just like the canola plants on the roadsides of North Dakota. How these new strains of bacteria may affect our body systems’ balance is anybody’s guess.
2. Food items that contain GMOs are unlabeled in America. Why so sneaky? The European Union has banned GMOs, as have Australia, Japan, the UK and two dozen other countries that recognize that a lack of long term studies and testing may be hiding disastrous health defects.
3. Genetic engineering reduces genetic diversity. When genes are more diverse, they are more robust; this is why a pure bred dog tends to have greater health problems than the dear old mutt. Plants with reduced genetic diversity cannot handle drought, fungus invasions or insects nearly as well as natural plants, which could have dire consequences for farmers and communities dependent on GMO crops for survival.
4. Once the mutant genes are out of the bag, there is no going back.Genetically modified organisms contaminate existing seeds with their altered material, passing on modified traits to non-target species. This creates a new strain of plant that was never intended in the laboratory. In North Dakota, recent studies show that 80% of wild canola plants tested contained at least one transgene. In Japan, a modified bacteria created a new amino acid not found in nature; it was used in protein drinks and before it was recalled it cause severe mental and metabolic damage to hundreds as well as several deaths. Japan banned GMOs after this horrific experience. Monarch butterflies have also died after their favorite food, milkweed, was cross-pollinated from Bt corn which rendered it toxic to the endangered species.
5. GMOs are not the answer for global food security. Genetically engineered crops have shown no increase in yield and no decrease in pesticide use. In many cases other farm technology has proven much more successful, and even Monsanto agrees that its genetically engineered crops yield less than conventional farming.
6. Genetically engineered foods have not been proven to be safe, but the few studies conducted don’t look so hot. The organs of rats who ate genetically modified potatoes showed signs of chronic wasting, and female rates fed a diet of herbicide-resistant soybeans gave birth to stunted and sterile pups.
7. Big biotech firms have very sketchy track records, but then again what would you expect from organizations who want to patent the world’s food supply? These massive biotech companies have a history of toxic contamination, deceiving the public and suing small farmers when their patented seeds blew across the fence. Biotech firms sell sterile seeds to African farmers- meaning the seeds are only good for one season, because the plants that grow up will not be able to reproduce. Farmers must buy new seeds every year instead of growing from the previous year’s yield. GMOs are not the farmers’ friend.
8. GMOs require massive amounts of pesticides, herbicides and fungicides. These things are poisons, and should not be eaten or allowed to run off into our water supply. But they are, every day, by companies who care far more about the bottom line than they do about your health, your environment or your children’s future.

The bottom line is that genetically modified organisms have not been proven in any way to be safe, and most of the studies are actually leaning the other direction, which is why many of the world’s countries have banned these items whose DNA has been genetically engineered. In America, they aren't even labeled, much less banned, so the majority of the populace has no idea that they are eating lab-created DNA on a daily basis.

Now you do; your best defense is to purchase certified organic food, which cannot contain any GMOs, and to tell your friends and loved ones to do the same. http://bit.ly/UPueBG 

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NATURAL LIVING: Salt Dough Keepsakes

Although this came to me as a DIY footprint stepping stone, I've found several useful ways that this salt dough recipe can be used for natural, easy and fun crafts.

Use it to make stepping stones every year with your children or perhaps personal Christmas ornaments! Let your imagination go wild and please share what you come up with!

Salt Dough recipe:

1 cup salt

1 cup plain flour

1/2 cup warm water

Directions:

1. Mix together into a large bowl. 
2. Knead until smooth and stretchy. 
3. If dough remains sticky and granular from the salt add a bit more flour.   
4. If too dry and crumbly then add a tiny touch more water.