There is so much JOY in raising chickens you just have no idea.
If I would have known back then what I know now, I would probably have been a chicken farmer.
But being CEO of Tooth Soap® is fine too. It's all good.
When Do Chickens Nap?
April 29, 2011 By
The Surviving Garden
April 28, 2011 By
Before I planted a seed I didn't think much about the backyard or the front yard for that matter. I wanted the grass cut and the edges trimmed but other than that, I never gave it much thought.
Now, however, my thoughts are both outside and inside…I am concerned about the chickens and the crops and every little thing that has to do with that very small patch of real estate that is all dirt.
The garden has been like a baby since its inception and I have even had sleepless nights over it. Storms, storms and more storms have been dumping on Georgia since I planted the Tooth Soap® garden. My prayers have been taken to a new level as I am adding new and different requests.
In my idealistic mind I hadn't considered all the storms or maybe, I had forgotten about them because I am not an Atlanta native and have only lived here for less than years.
Since I planted the three different types of lettuce and cucumbers, carrots, cilantro, chard, etc. from seed there have been several storms raging through Atlanta. The first storm (back in February) I thought for sure wiped out everything I had planted and I was shocked when I went outside the next morning and everything looked untouched.
I also planted a little too early… In my naive zeal I neglected to read the info about planting at specific times like other farmers do when they sow their seeds.
I began to think I really blew it, because a few freezing nights found their way in too, in between the violent thunderstorms and two tornadoes.
These same storms dumped radioactive rainwater from Fukashima all over the young trees, blueberry bushes and baby plants.
The garden has had a very rough time from day one and it has had to be tough and resilient though all of it.
The garden has been a surviver since the beginning. At a tender age it had to fight through hard rains, frost, unusually hot weather, hurricane winds, tornado threats, a few attacks from chickens and even the killing storm from yesterday.
Through all of it the garden continues to survive and thrive. The garden just keeps on growing, no matter what. After each storm the garden has obvious visible growth too, which I find incredible.
It is like I couldn't keep this garden from growing and being all it wants to be, even if I tried. This garden knows its purpose and it is very determined to grow. Obstacles are nothing more than exercise to gain strength. Plants must know how important resistance exercise is.
The garden is a gift beyond the food it provides and it contains many lessons for all of us. One is that we are to weather all the storms of life, standing strong and tall and growing beautifully through all of the challenges.
What I just typed sounds good… and I agree we should all do it. But there is one important thing I need to add to the mix.
We need to know who the Gardener is and we especially need to know we have no control over the weather.
For All to See
April 28, 2011 By
Why do some people believe there is no Creator when destruction comes to the world?
When we see ruination, it should be most obvious to us that the mighty force behind it is none other than the Creator.
When we realize this fact we should be afraid, very afraid. And then we should cry out for mercy and beg to be saved.
That is what I am doing now as I see constant strobe-like lighting and hear thunder raging through the sky.
And I'm praying hard for mercy as the tornado heads towards Atlanta.
April 26th, 25 Years Ago
April 24, 2011 By
On April 26th, 22 years ago, my mother passed away. May she continue to rest in peace.
On April 26th, 25 years ago, the Chernobyl nuclear disaster occurred and it was considered the worst nuclear accident in history at that time.
It was said weeks ago that if they were not able to contain Fukashima, it would surpass that of Chernobyl.
Dr. Kaku stated: “If it goes to a full-scale evacuation of all personnel, it means that firefighters are no longer putting water onto the cores… Once they evacuate, then we past the point of no return… leading to a tragedy far beyond that of Chernobyl, creating permanent dead zones in Japan.”
There haven't been any firefighters putting water into the cores for a few weeks. We now have a very bad situation. And the government is not talking about it. At least the US government is not talking about it or downplaying it when they do.
In Europe, however, they are showing concern for their citizens and issuing warnings.
There was a French document published on April 7, 2011 that advised pregnant and nursing mothers and children to avoid consuming:
- rainwater
- vegetables with large leaves
- fresh milk
- creamy cheese
Spinach, salads, cabbage and other vegetables with large surface areas are among those foods that are sensitive to iodine-131 contamination because they are grown outside and exposed to rainwater. This type of contamination cannot be washed off either.
Cattle, sheep and goats that graze on grass need to be monitored because the grass is also contaminated.
As I look in my beautiful garden I know that I would be eating contaminated greens if I ate them right now and some are ready for harvest. They were planted and shortly afterwards, the radiation plume floated over my area.
My entire backyard is contaminated, albeit lightly, it is contaminated nonetheless.
My chickens love the contaminated grass and they have been snacking on it daily.
We have had several seriously hard core rain storms; like buckets of water were pouring out of the sky, almost like it was cleansing the earth. But the truth is, the rain was contaminated so all my plants are now too.
The leaves of the plants absorb the rain water quicker than the roots, making leaves more of a risk of being contaminated.
I am moving some of my 'greens' gardening indoors and putting up two greenhouse type of growing systems outside.
Greens are especially important because they are vital for healthy teeth and gums and the immune system. My family loves salad greens and even the chickens love greens.
Our world cannot live without greens and vegetables so we need to make sure we are eating produce that is the least contaminated as possible. Produce from greenhouses and indoor growers is what you will want to purchase now.
I don't believe that eating healthy will be an option anymore. People will be forced to do it because it will be the only way to survive in the future.
Surprise Vacation Plans
April 22, 2011 By
My girls (ages 13 and 17) are on school vacation this week and as usual they want to know what we are going to "do".
I am not big on entertainment and it's very difficult to get me out of the house so if a school holiday rolls around the girls know they have leverage and can say, "You never want to go anywhere. Can't we go somewhere?"
I have to agree and out of guilt I begin to make plans in my mind and psyche myself up for a family outing.
My choices are always the same:
- Zoo (I am sensitive to smells so I need to hold my breath in some sections…)
- Aquarium (I've have been there so many times the fish know my name…)
- Ice skating (Ummm. No.)
- Bowling (wearing the sweaty shoes of others… grosses me out!)
- Miniature Golf (I am not a putter but a sincere driver so mini golf doesn't cut it…)
- Shopping (I prefer online but the girls won't go for that…)
Honestly, I don't get very excited over these family outings because, well, they are boring sometimes. Watching the girls happiness is the only part I really like and that alone makes it worth it.
But was it possible to make this outing more exciting… somehow? So much so that it was worth blogging about and sharing with others? I could kill two birds with one stone if I could accomplish that one!
I kept thinking and thinking. Then it hit me like a ton of bricks. Of course! I should take them on a trip to a place that we have never been before!
Immediately I knew what we should do. It would be the trip of a lifetime and the bonus was that I could also blog and vlog about it. 
I searched Google and found a place right around the corner. When I called to make the appointment they made sure I knew they only accepted cash or a check. They were able to schedule all three of us for 2:30 pm.
I told the girls that I had a big surprise for them and that we were leaving in the afternoon. I told them we were going to a place that I had never been before and we were all going to experience something new and very different.
The look on their faces was sheer excitement and pure wonderment. They had no idea where they were going or what they were going to encounter. But they were thrilled nonetheless! Until they found out exactly what we would be doing, of course.
I wonder if they will be as excited as they were today for the zoo tomorrow.
Chicken Busting Myth #1
April 17, 2011 By
When people find out I have a flock of chickens, they are immediately surprised and intrigued… then slightly repulsed.
I see that semi-disgusted look on their face as they ask, "Aren't chickens dirty?"
That is comical to me since those that ask the dirty chicken question eat chickens on a regular basis. Do they ever contemplate the 'dirty chicken myth' when they bite into chicken that is breaded and deep fried?
Now that I am a seasoned chicken farmer and have been raising chickens for a while (almost 2 weeks today…), I can honestly answer the question with an absolute, "NO! Chickens are not dirty (but those that keep them might be)."
If left on their own, chickens would choose to graze on grasses, weeds and bugs during the day and at night would rest in the trees to avoid ground predators. If chickens were wild, their dirty doo would never be a topic.
Why don't people ask if hawks or bluejays are dirty? Or cardinals that swoop through the air and leave their doo trails to fall or splash where they may (my sliding glass patio door)?
It is the coop and those that don't clean up that coop (often enough) that perpetuate the 'dirty chicken' myth. It is the factory chickens that have to live in filth because they don't have enough room to be a real chicken that are accused of this dirty myth. Factory chickens may appear to be dirty chickens, but it is not their fault.
No chicken would choose to be dirty in my opinion. Especially the Chix in the City.
If chickens had no coop to collect their doo, no one would ever say chickens were dirty again. But the way of the 'kept chickens' keeps them cooped up and since the coop is basically a bathroom and the chickens sit in the bathroom for a large part of the day, that nasty "dirty birdy" assumption has taken root and the chicken has been wrongly accused ever since.
So… hear yee, hear yee! Chickens ain't dirty. Nope, not at all.
In fact, my Chix take regular baths every week… without being asked. 
Urban Garden Plant Bed Chic
April 12, 2011 By
For those that want to garden in style you will love, love, love these Hornbaek natural rubber boots. They smell just like a tire store too.
Once they arrived I decided they might not be hanging out in the garden too much. The garden is gorgeous and so are these rubber boots but that soft fleecy lining will make them too HOT for me in Atlanta. They will be great in the fall though.
Besides being beautiful they are quite practical as well. Chicken doo is easily rinsed off of these so they are a great choice for the coop (in my opinion).
Why not make your feet as beautiful as your garden while doing your urban chores?
Being made from all natural rubber of course they are not cheap. At $170 a pair they are pricey but would last forever if taken care of properly.
Each pair is unique and individual with tiny flaws that let you know you are definitely wearing an all natural product.
Who can garden without a large floppy hat? Not me.
I need a big, HUGE hat and I want it to be very cute (the Chix like cute garden hats too) so this flopper from the San Diego Hat Co. suits this urban farmer to a tee. It is lightweight and offers SPF 70 sun protection (if that is really possible).
Don't get me wrong. I love the sun and need the sun to make vitamin D. But I only need 10-15 minutes and I have been spending hours outside lately so I have been loving this hat.
I only wish it offered protection from radioactive particles too. I picked it up at Pikes Nursery for $39.95.
These sloggers garden boots are adorable and at $29.95 they are a bargain. These are super comfy (just like their clogs) with a cushioned liner inside.
These sloggers are so cute and soft so if you want to keep your tootsies from getting wet, these will do the job quite well and also ensure that you are ready for the urban garden runway (if that is important to you, being a city slicker and all).
REVIEW: Original Bach Flower Essences
April 7, 2011 By
I have been a fan of Dr. Bach remedies for a few years and I can't think of a better time to review them than right now.
Years ago I worked with thousands of people, trying to help them achieve a healthier lifestyle. Some were just overweight while others were very sick and overweight.
Not everyone I encouraged was able to get healthy though, and it had NOTHING to do with what they were eating. Rather, it had to do with what was eating them.
I firmly believe that many illnesses are birthed in negative emotions and that if a person can get to the root of who they are and heal the way they feel inside, good health will ensue.
Dr. Bach remedies help a person along that path and are completely natural, effective and with no side effects. You can't even taste the remedies when put into water.
These remedies are easy for children to take too because they are literally tasteless.
Dr. Bach flower essences are a 'must' for your survival arsenal.
Chix Pick Up Line
April 6, 2011 By
I paid extra to have the Chix overnighted (instead of being shipped 3-day) so I was disappointed when I called USPS twice trying to track the package (I mean the Chix), only to have them tell me that the package wasn't "guaranteed" to be delivered until another day.
I kept thinking they would be stuck in that box for another day and I was not happy so I put it out of my mind and planted 11 strawberry plants.
Before noon I got a call from the post office in Atlanta and the guy said, "Maaamm, your chickens done arrived."
At that point I began to act like a first time mother in labor who forgot to pack her bag for the hospital.
I was confused and anxious and then realized I hadn't set up the Chix new home because I was busy planting anything that I could get my hands on that wasn't already rooted in dirt.
There was no water or food out in the coop, and the containers were still covered in bright yellow pollen that had fallen weeks before plus the dirt from the rainstorm (tornado warning type) that passed through two nights ago.
I was frantically washing the containers and thinking of the poor Chix who had been in a box and who were still in the box. The poor Chix!
When I got to the post office we stood in line and waited to pick up our Chix.
They were chirping and bawking and making various birdie noises. I noticed that each one had a different voice and was communicating in their own unique way.
It reminded me of how all people have a different voice too and how we need to listen so we can learn from each other.
This Urban Farm thing is getting really fun and I am feeling the chicken wisdom already.
Chix in the City
April 4, 2011 By
We are counting down the days until the pullets (teenage hens) will arrive.
The chicken coup custom made by Farmer D is being delivered today and we are ready for the flock to come aboard.
We have the chicken watering containers designed to keep the Chix from drowning and I have constructed the nesting box that will be used in a few months to lay those golden eggs.
These Chix will be eating premium chow along with bugs, grubs and organic veggie scraps.
The chicken coup is limited in space so I purchased a separate chicken "run" to give them more room to do their free ranging.
Keeping Chix in the City means they must be protected. Their enemies are dogs, raccoons, hawks and animals that will dig tunnels under the coop to get to them and their eggies.
It just so happens that people are not the only ones who like the taste of chicken and their eggs.
I have read many stories of chickens being snatched up by a hawk or choked by a raccoon and since these Chix are defenseless, they must have wire or a wooden shelter around them at all times.
It has been confirmed that these Chix are not going to be carrying mace or any other weapons for protection.
So these Chix in the City are going to be pampered while living in "Cage City".
Pampering the Pesticides
April 1, 2011 By
I released 1500 lady bugs in the garden a few nights ago. If you scatter them after sundown, they won't fly away because they only travel during the day.
I waited until it was pitch black so I would insure that the lady bugs couldn't leave. These are the type of bugs that you want to have around and I am determined to have a hefty supply of them roaming in the plants on the Tooth Soap® Urban Farm.
Lady bugs love flowers and they also like water so many of them found some housing amongst the fruit trees still dripping from the storm.
I definitely want the lady bugs to stay and I'm willing to do whatever it takes to make them feel comfortable and at home. I will go as far as pampering them if I have to.
When Farmer "R" showed up with pansies, not only did they make the Tooth Soap® garden more beautiful but they also gave the lady bugs a reason to stick around.
Pansies were the perfect pesticide pampering pick.
Farmer R believes that the lady bugs feel secure in the Tooth Soap® garden and I have to agree.
There is something soothing and peaceful about the Tooth Soap® garden and it makes me want to stay, so I think the lady bugs may follow suit.
I am hoping that the lady bugs will enjoy and feast on the array of aphids and other delectable creatures that are here for them to enjoy.
The lady bugs might not realize it, but when I released them into the garden, it was like they landed in a 24 hour fast food restaurant.
Yes indeed, these natural garden pesticides are pampered to the core.
Hopefully they will see all the good that is in front of them and decide to stay a while.
