Susan Patterson 
Getting into the world of hydroponics can be more than a little intimidating. If you’re new to this type of gardening and just want to get your feet wet (no pun intended), you don’t have to have an extensive growing system with complicated pumps, electricity, or miles of land. All you need is a few basic supplies, and you can get started growing your own food right away…no work required.
Potatoes are one of those staple foods that you should always have on hand. They last for a long time (especially when stored properly), are super filling, and can be incorporated into a wide variety of dishes. Plus, they are incredibly easy to grow, even in a tiny space like a balcony, porch, or small yard. All you need is some soil and a few five-gallon buckets, and you are well on your way to a bountiful potato harvest.
During our teenage years, we suddenly found ourselves in an embarrassing predicament. With the onset of puberty, hormones were running rampant and our libido was skyrocketing, but where was the outlet for all this sexual tension? Well, masturbating, obviously.
But in most cultures, masturbation has consistently been viewed in a negative light, with parents shunning it and religion badmouthing it. If we were ever caught masturbating, it was seen as a punishable offense and one that would never be spoken of again. Masturbation became taboo — something that was laden with guilt and that you were ashamed of but had to do out of necessity.
As we mature into adults, most of us carry this notion of “masturbation as a crime” with us. Our need for it may be somewhat less urgent than in our teenage years, but it’s still there. But when it comes down to it, masturbation is a healthy, normal part of being a post-pubescent human, and it’s time to bring it out in the open and give it the credit it deserves.
Here are seven reasons to help you do just that.
It can improve your sex life
Contrary to popular belief, masturbation can actually improve your sexual relations with others. This is because it enables you to work out your hotspots — what gets you going, what doesn’t, and how to get the most out of pleasuring yourself. You can pass this on to your partner during sex, making the experience more enjoyable for both of you.
You’ll feel great
It’s a well-known fact that sex makes you feel good. Newsflash: so does masturbation! That’s because our bodies release a heady wave of dopamines, endorphins, and oxytocin, all of which make you feel great and improve your mood. This influx of feel-good hormones helps to lower the feel-bad hormones swimming around in your body, specifically cortisol. Chronically elevated cortisol can have a strong detrimental effect on your body, increasing inflammation, feelings of anxiety, and weight gain.
And you’d be hard-pressed to find a more enjoyable way to get rid of it!
Your waistline will thank you
Not only does masturbation keep the pounds at bay by fighting off elevated cortisol in your body, it also reduces your junk-food cravings. During and after masturbation, the inflow of oxytocin into our brains makes us feel happier and keeps emotionally triggered food cravings for sugar-rich or salt-rich foods away.
It promotes a healthy heart
We all know that exercise is good for your heart, but it turns out masturbation, similar to exercise, gets your heart pumping and your blood flowing. Done regularly, this significantly lowers your risk of heart disease and diabetes.
It helps you sleep
Happily, masturbation has the same effect as sex in dropping you into a gloriously deep sleep. It’s believed that this is due to the flood of endorphins produced during orgasm, which produces deeper sleep and can even help you get to sleep faster, as you’ll be more relaxed.
For men, it improves sperm health
Men will be universally pleased to know that frequent masturbation keeps your sperm production on top of its game. This is because regularly masturbating minimizes DNA damage to sperm and encourages good sperm motility.
Oh, and it lowers your risk of prostate cancer, too.
For women, it improves vaginal health
Orgasms from masturbation help keep your pelvic floor strong and healthy, helping to prevent urinary problems and promote general sexual health. If you have uncomfortable periods, muscle contractions from masturbating can help to relieve period cramps.
Part of who you are is being comfortable with masturbation and the benefits it can provide. Keep these benefits in mind next time you feel the misguided taboos of masturbation creeping in.
-The Backyard Vitality Team
Finding the perfect deodorant can be hard. You want to stay away from the chemical-laden, aluminum-heavy, propylene glycol and paraben-infested commercial deodorants on your pharmacy shelf, but those natural deodorants and antiperspirants just don’t seem able to keep the sweat or stench away. And going au naturel isn’t an option since you don’t want to smell like you just finished running a 5k when you’re simply going about your workday. Thankfully, baking soda is to the rescue. Here’s why you should use this powder in your armpits and other ways it can prove useful in your personal-care lineup.
Baking soda as deodorant
One of the baking sodas’ most well-known benefits is its ability to effectively absorb odors and actually get rid of them, instead of just covering them up. So it makes sense that it would rise to popularity as a natural alternative to harsh chemical deodorant. Though most of the evidence proving its effectiveness at smell control is anecdotal, studies have found that baking soda has antimicrobial benefits, which could explain its ability to fight off odor-causing bacteria under your arms.
Remember, baking soda could be irritating for your sensitive armpit skin, so it is important to test it on a small patch of your forearm before using it under your arms. Also, while baking soda is a great way to reduce odor, it may not be useful for preventing sweat since it is not an antiperspirant.
Make a paste with water for the low-key, easy version, or use cornstarch as well to help increase the antiperspirant effects. Many people enjoy combining baking soda with shea or coconut butter and their favorite essential oils to create a more traditional deodorant paste. Experiment and do what works for you! It may take some time for your body to adjust, so be patient and don’t ditch it right away because it “just doesn’t work for you.” You can also buy natural deodorant with baking soda as an active ingredient if you don’t want to go the DIY route.
Other ways to use baking soda for personal care
Odor removing handwash
Hate the lingering scent of garlic or fish on your hands after you finish cooking dinner? Is hand soap alone just not cutting it? Rub a 3 part baking soda to 1 part dish soap mixture into your hands and wash with warm water. The nasty odors will be gone, and your hands will even be a little softer due to the extra exfoliation.
Halitosis busting mouthwash
Nasty odors can accumulate on your hands, but it’s even worse when your breath starts to smell up a room. Instead of chowing down on mints and gum that merely mask the scent, dissolve 1 tsp of baking soda in a glass of water and swish it in your mouth for about 30 seconds. Spit and rinse out your mouth with clean water. Because baking soda has a neutral pH, it is perfect for neutralizing acidic odors in your mouth.
Relaxing and exfoliating bath soak
Add ¼ cup of baking soda to your warm bath along with ½ cup of Epsom salts and your favorite essential oils. The baking soda will make your skin extra smooth, while the Epsom salts and aromatherapy from the essential oils will help you relax and unwind.
Rejuvenating foot soak
Target your feet specifically and give them some much-needed love with a rejuvenating baking soda foot soak. Simply sprinkle some into your foot soak container along with warm water, let your feet sit for about 15 minutes, and then scrub them with some extra baking soda. This gentle exfoliation is perfect for sensitive feet and will help eliminate dry, cracked heel skin, and leave your feet sandal-ready.
Hair product eliminator
Do you feel like your shampoo isn’t getting your hair as clean as it used to? If so, you may have a buildup of styling products and conditioners on your scalp that is preventing your shampoo from doing its job. The next time you wash your hair, sprinkle some baking soda into your hand and then mix with your shampoo in your palm. Use it as you usually would, making sure to scrub your scalp. This will help eliminate the product buildup and leave your hair squeaky clean. Remember, don’t use it every wash as it can dry out your hair follicles if used too frequently.
-Backyard Vitality Team
Believe it or not, people enjoyed fresh produce for hundreds of years before refrigeration was introduced! You don’t need a fridge to keep food fresh. In fact, refrigeration could actually decrease the lifespan of some fresh produce. Plus, if you want to become self-sufficient, it is a good idea to stop relying on the potentially unstable power grid to keep your harvest fresh and edible, and if you have a large garden, you’ll likely need more space for storage regardless. Here are our favorite tips for storing fruits and veggies without refrigeration and a few methods that will keep your produce good for months on end.
In the wake of WWI and WWII, millions of American citizens embraced the idea of the victory garden. With food shortages, rising costs, and the need to support the war effort overseas, the government called upon communities and individuals to grow their own food for nourishment and to keep up morale in a country afflicted by the mounting effects of such an enormous war. Citizens answered the call with relish, and by 1943, almost 40% of all fruits and vegetables in the U.S. were being produced in victory gardens.
Food preservation is an ancient technique that allows you to stockpile a large amount of food for a rainy day, or even a global health or economic crisis. Dehydration is easy once you get the hang of it and the food you preserve goes a long way! Read on to find out how you can get started saving food today.
Peonies remind me of my grandparents and my mother, who always had these beautiful anchor flowers in their gardens. My mother even had an offspring of one of her father’s best peony plants right outside of our living room window. Not only can peonies continue to grow and bloom for over 100 years, but they have a unique vintage look and feel that makes them such a joy to grow.
Portulaca grandiflora, or moss rose, is a member of the purslane) Portulacaceae family. This small family contains less than 100 species, including the edible purslane weed, which is a prolific self-seeder. Moss rose plants are beautiful when used in pots and container gardens and also make an excellent ground cover. Don’t let this plant’s small stature fool you; portulacas are sturdy and beautiful at the same time. They are a great option for hot and dry climates and have a short and sweet spreading habit.
Mustard is an ancient plant that has plenty of appeal for today’s gardeners. This hardy plant is easy to grow and produces seed in as little as 60 days. The greens are edible and can be used in salads, soups, stews, egg and potato dishes, casseroles, and more. Mustard flowers are a beautiful bright yellow, and when you allow the seeds to mature, they will self sow and allow for more and more mustard.
If you have a garden, you will also have weeds. In reality, weeds are just plants out of place. This does not change the fact that these plants will steal nutrients and water from the plants that you are growing. Ultimately, weeds will take over unless you employ a full-on weed management plan. Here are six easy steps to help you get your weeds under control so that you can enjoy your garden.
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