Fast Five – Edition No. 4 (Summer Edition)

When considering what materials to use to make garden beds, whether raised or simply outlined, it is wise to take a look at how the materials are made/what “ingredients” are used. For our family, outside of natural stone, untreated wood is our favorite way to build and outline garden beds.

Eco Wood Treatment is a fantastic option for a non-toxic wood treatment that prevents white rot fungi, therefore effectively extending the life of your garden beds. It develops a natural patina on the wood, is made of naturally occurring plant and mineral substances, leaves NO harmful residue in soil or water, requires NO maintenance, works on ALL untreated wood, and can be applied in ANY weather, in ALL conventional ways (roller, sprayer, brush, by dipping, etc.).

If your interest has been piqued, check it out here! (Note: We have also seen it sold on Eartheasy.com and Amazon.)

This article is an excellent read if you are wanting to change up your wardrobe! Not only does it give you five questions to ask before bringing a new (or new-to-you) garment into your home, but it also breaks down each question and teaches you about types of fabric (aka the “ingredients” in your clothing) and common labels in the fashion industry.

Note: It appears as though the original website is no longer up and running, so the link below is a PDF download of the original article.

Reduce waste and minimize toxins by switching to a DIY retainer cleaner. Check out the two options below (both get the Barlows in the Bluegrass Seal of approval and have been used for many years).

For both options, Step 1 is to rinse your retainer, then place the dirty retainer in a small jar and cover with cold water.

DIY Option #1 – Add 1 TBSP hydrogen peroxide + a sprinkle of baking soda, then stir. Full recipe here.

DIY Option #2 – Add a few pumps of Branch Basics Foaming Wash or sprays of All Purpose, then stir. Reference here (page 4 of “Everything You Can Clean Guide”). *$10 off referral link for Branch Basics here.

The final step in both “recipes” is to leave your retainer soaking for at least 10 minutes (I typically leave mine in all day/until the next use), and rinse it in cold water.

Most of the following are linked to Amazon, but there are probably many other places to purchase these! With each game, there are multiple skills being reinforced/developed. These skills may include recall of fact knowledge, communication and observation, strategic thinking, decision-making, time-management, and comprehension, to name a few.

• Sequence – State and Capitals
• The Scrambled States of America
• Tell Tale
• Spot It! 123
• Fast Flip
• Robot Face Race
• Guess Who – optional version: U.S. Presidents with these printable inserts
• Zingo
• Doodle Dice
• Uno

No summer blog post would be complete without mention of the gorgeous sunshine that graces summer days. If you feel the need to wear sunscreen and are in the market for a non-toxic sunscreen (with UV protection from minerals rather than synthetic chemicals), look no further. This is our favorite brand! It is non-nano, SPF 30, and broad spectrum. Poofy Organics also sells a stick version if you prefer that.

Sometimes, summer also means bugs. Check out this Pest Protection Spray, another product thoughtfully made by Poofy Organics. It is free of harmful chemicals like DEET, and it is USDA certified organic! (Pro Tip: Spray into hands first, then apply to body.)