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	<title>Mom&#039;s Online Retreat &#187; outdoors</title>
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	<description>Hobbies &#38; Interests for Mom</description>
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		<title>5 Yard Gardening Tips</title>
		<link>http://momsonlineretreat.com/2010/02/5-yard-gardening-tips/</link>
		<comments>http://momsonlineretreat.com/2010/02/5-yard-gardening-tips/#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Fri, 19 Feb 2010 18:16:21 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>Lauren</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[5 for Friday]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Gardening]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[home grown]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[outdoors]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://momsonlineretreat.com/?p=1732</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[If you are as tired of winter as most people are, your thoughts are turning to Spring! And with those thoughts comes the planning or plotting for your yard. Gardening might be one consideration. If you only have a tiny &#8230; <a href="http://momsonlineretreat.com/2010/02/5-yard-gardening-tips/">Continue reading <span class="meta-nav">&#8594;</span></a>]]></description>
			<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p><img src="http://momsonlineretreat.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/05/fiveforfriday.jpg" alt="fiveforfriday" title="fiveforfriday" width="125" height="125" class="alignleft size-full wp-image-843" />  If you are as tired of winter as most people are, your thoughts are turning to Spring! And with those thoughts comes the planning or plotting for your yard.  Gardening might be one consideration.  If you only have a tiny space though and would like a simple but well-maintained yard garden, you only need two things &#8211; determination and know-how.  Here are some gardening tips on how to keep your space looking spruced up and glamorous.</p>
<p><strong>1. Deadheading</strong><br />
Keep your border free from wilted flowers and dried leaves. Deadheading or removing dead flower heads will encourage the plants to produce more blooms for longer. Many perennials such as geraniums and dahlias, and some annuals benefit from having spent blooms removed </p>
<p><strong>2. Pinch out tops.</strong><br />
Certain plants &#8211; especially foliage plants like Coleus &#8211; respond with a spurt of growth when their tops are pinched out. Pinching out makes the plant much bushier and so more blooms are produced. </p>
<p><strong>3. Fertilize lightly.</strong><br />
A minimal amount of fertilizer will further boost the growth of your vegetation. If you water your yard frequently, you have to fertilize it more regularly because of nutrient depletion. A regular application of liquid fertilizer is sometimes more beneficial than granules as it is more readily absorbed by the leaves. Container plants will be considerably healthier with a half-strength solution of liquid fertilizer applied regularly. Chemicals are dangerous to humans and often kill the natural predators of the pest in your garden, so avoid them if possible. There are many organic alternatives that work almost as well.</p>
<p><strong>4. Weed out.</strong><br />
This is one of the best ways to preserve the beauty of your garden by the yard.  Remember, weeds compete with your plants for both nutrients and moisture. If the weeds are not close to seeding, leave them on the bed to rot down for mulch. If you must use a weedicide, try and get a wick applicator, rather than a spray. This will protect you plants from spray-drift.</p>
<p><strong>5. Water them well</strong><br />
One good tip when it comes to watering your yard garden is to give it a thorough soaking once a week, making sure there is no run-off to cause erosion. Deep watering will encourage the growth of deeper roots that will be able to withstand dry spells weather-wise.</p>
<p>With these simple tips, your yard garden will soon be the envy of your neighbors.</p>
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		<title>5 Ideas for Healthy Grilling</title>
		<link>http://momsonlineretreat.com/2009/07/5-ideas-for-healthy-grilling/</link>
		<comments>http://momsonlineretreat.com/2009/07/5-ideas-for-healthy-grilling/#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Fri, 24 Jul 2009 15:07:45 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>Lauren</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[5 for Friday]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Grilling & BBQ]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Retreat Cookbook]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[eat healthy]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[outdoors]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://momsonlineretreat.com/?p=1111</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[Grilling food is actually better for you than one would think. The type of grill you have is not important so much, as it is the grilling process that helps make the grilled food healthier. Here are some ways to &#8230; <a href="http://momsonlineretreat.com/2009/07/5-ideas-for-healthy-grilling/">Continue reading <span class="meta-nav">&#8594;</span></a>]]></description>
			<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p><img src="http://momsonlineretreat.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/05/fiveforfriday.jpg" alt="fiveforfriday" title="fiveforfriday" width="125" height="125" class="alignleft size-full wp-image-843" />Grilling food is actually better for you than one would think. The type of grill you have is not important so much, as it is the grilling process that helps make the grilled food healthier. Here are some ways to make your next grilling adventure a healthy one for you, and your family.</p>
<p><strong>1. Start with your cuts of meat.</strong> Cut off the excess fat when working with chicken. If you aren’t the type who likes to mess with chicken parts, buy them already skinned and boneless. With steaks, cut away the outer fat but don&#8217;t worry about the marbled effect within the meat. Do the same for pork. A butcher can guide you to the right cuts of meat for grilling if you ask them. </p>
<p><strong>2. Steam your vegetables on the grill.</strong> You are cooking the meat on there, why not the rest of the meal? Spray a piece of aluminum foil with non-stick cooking spray and then wrap your sliced vegetables in it. The heat from the grill will create convection current inside the foil. Make sure that you tent the foil so that the air can move among the vegetables.</p>
<p><strong>3. Fish is a healthy alternative to other meats.</strong> Fattier fish like salmon are rich in omega-3 fatty acids. Fish is tasty and tender when cooked on the grill. Fillets of fish crumble up easy so put them in foil just like the vegetables to keep them together during grilling. Fish steaks are better for direct grill cooking than fillets. They are thick but will cook quicker than other meats so don&#8217;t turn your back on them.</p>
<p><strong>4. Spice it up!</strong> Instead of using salt on grilled foods, experiment with other seasonings. The process sears the outside and the seasonings that you have applied. Combined with the succulent juices that will be released once the meat is cut, these seasonings will add flavor to your meal.</p>
<p><strong>5. Grilled fruit is a healthy dessert option.</strong> Pineapple, apples, or bananas are all made even sweeter as their natural sugars are brought out when warmed on the grill.  Top with vanilla yogurt or icecream for a sweet, creamy yet healthy treat.</p>
<p>To grill healthy doesn’t mean you have to sacrifice flavor or your favorite meats. The fat that is in the meat will all drip away as it cooks leaving you with a tender and heart-friendly main course. Your veggies steamed right on the grill will be a healthy addition, with grilled fruit to cap it off</p>
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		<title>5 Tips for Natural Gardening</title>
		<link>http://momsonlineretreat.com/2009/07/5-tips-for-natural-gardening/</link>
		<comments>http://momsonlineretreat.com/2009/07/5-tips-for-natural-gardening/#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Fri, 17 Jul 2009 14:53:49 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>Lauren</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[5 for Friday]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Gardening]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[all-natural]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[organic]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[outdoors]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://momsonlineretreat.com/?p=999</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[Maybe you don’t want to use chemicals on your garden because you feel natural garden care is best. By using natural gardening practices, you not only help protect the environment but you’re also doing your best to take care of &#8230; <a href="http://momsonlineretreat.com/2009/07/5-tips-for-natural-gardening/">Continue reading <span class="meta-nav">&#8594;</span></a>]]></description>
			<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p><img src="http://momsonlineretreat.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/05/fiveforfriday.jpg" alt="fiveforfriday" title="fiveforfriday" width="125" height="125" class="alignleft size-full wp-image-843" />Maybe you don’t want to use chemicals on your garden because you feel natural garden care is best. By using natural gardening practices, you not only help protect the environment but you’re also doing your best to take care of your children.  There are many farmers, and growers who have done it, and you can use the same tricks to help your own garden, and the planet.  Try using some of these ideas for natural gardening care this year in your garden. You, too, may decide that natural gardening is best.</p>
<p>1. <strong>Pick appropriate plants.</strong> Not all plants are appropriate for the area you live in. If you pick appropriate plants for your area, you may be able to avoid using fertilizers and saving on water too. Research, what plants are native to your surrounding areas and try planting them in your own garden. </p>
<p>2. <strong>Pick natural repelling plants. </strong>You don’t need to rely on poisons to keep away garden ruining pests. Many plants produce chemicals that repel these animals naturally. By putting them in or around your garden, you can keep your plants safe with little effort and no chemicals. </p>
<p>3. <strong>Use companion planting.</strong> By planting vegetables by flowers or other plants, it is feasible to drive pests away. For instance, if you plant tomatoes near marigolds, the plant secretions from the marigolds will repel harmful nematodes. You can also plant garlic near plants to drive insects away.</p>
<p>4. <strong>Pull weeds.</strong> If you take time every day to pull the garden weeds you find, it will only take a few minutes and won&#8217;t seem like a lot of work.  You can even get the kids involved, just be sure to do it properly so you don’t spread the seeds around. Grab them out of there while they&#8217;re young, and before the weeds&#8217; roots get too long.</p>
<p>5. <strong>Crop rotation.</strong> Farmers all over the world use crop rotation to naturally fertilize plants. The concept is to change what crop you’re putting in a certain field each year. Plants use different nutrients and put other nutrients back into the soil. You can use this same concept in your garden by planting different plants every year, or just rotating where you put specific plants in the garden. If you rotate crops that replace the nutrients the other plants use, you will have to fertilize the soil less.    </p>
<p>So, you’ve made all these changes and are using a low-water, chemical free garden?  Well, you still haven’t done the most important thing: <em><strong>pass it on</strong></em>! One garden can make a dent, but more can make a bigger difference. Tell your friends, teach your kids, you can even visit their school and teach your kids friends! Every little bit helps make a better world.</p>
]]></content:encoded>
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		<item>
		<title>Gardening Tips</title>
		<link>http://momsonlineretreat.com/2008/05/gardening-tips/</link>
		<comments>http://momsonlineretreat.com/2008/05/gardening-tips/#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Sat, 10 May 2008 03:20:13 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>Retreat Coordinator</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[Gardening]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[outdoors]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Quick Tips]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://testblog.momsonlineretreat.com/?p=298</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[Gardens come in different varieties like the plants you find in them. There are several gardening tips that can be used for all type of gardens. 1. Mulching protects your garden topsoil from being blown away. It also provides nutrients &#8230; <a href="http://momsonlineretreat.com/2008/05/gardening-tips/">Continue reading <span class="meta-nav">&#8594;</span></a>]]></description>
			<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p>Gardens come in different varieties like the plants you find in them. There are several gardening tips that can be used for all type of gardens.</p>
<p>1.  Mulching protects your garden topsoil from being blown away. It also provides nutrients as it decomposes and improves the appearance of your gardens. Mulching has other benefits and is one of the most recommended gardening tips by gardeners and farmers alike.</p>
<p>2.  Healthy plants are more disease resistant. Plants are like people, a person with a strong immune system can combat diseases. A healthy plant does the same.</p>
<p>3.  Pests can be eradicated by cleaning the plant with a watery solution of soap. Just make sure to rinse after. This gardening tip is best heeded for fruit bearing trees or edible plants.</p>
<p>4.  Using compost fertilizers are a great way to have healthy plants. It is also a great way to save money on expensive fertilizers. Non -organic fertilizers also tend to leave chemical residues that can accumulate in garden soils and harm not only the plants but the gardeners as well. They cause toxins to go to the water supplies. Another gardening tip recommended not just by farmers and gardeners but also by environmentalists.</p>
<p>5.  There are several plants that are only suitable for a specified climate, a certain kind of soil or can only grow with certain plants. You have to know what plant grow in the conditions you have in your area this is for you to avoid unnecessary purchases. This is a money saving gardening tip.</p>
<p>6.  Landscaping is a good investment which can double the value of your home. This is one gardening tip that can earn you money.</p>
<p>7.  Growing grass on bare ground is an easy way to make your home look better and appreciate in value. This is one gardening tip that promotes earning money while growing grass legally.</p>
<p>8.  Aside from looking great in your home, trees also provide some sort of protection from direct sunlight exposure and strong winds.</p>
<p>9.  Vines on the walls, fences and overhead structures also would offer some protection and would also look great.</p>
<p>10.  Flowers are beautiful, but they are also expensive. Get one that is resistant to many elements. Flowers from your local community already have developed resistance to conditions present in your area.</p>
<p>11.  For most gardens plants, their roots go only as deep as 6 inches. Putting fertilizer deeper than that would be a waste of money. Put them shallower as they seep down when the plants are being watered.</p>
<p>12.  Earthworms are important to plants. They till and aerate the soil for the roots to breathe. Non-organic fertilizers can kill them. This gardening tip dates back to the old days of gardening.</p>
<p>13.  Having several kinds of insects that are beneficial to your garden would be good. These insects can be encouraged to stay by having diverse plants in your garden.</p>
<p>14.  Spot spraying weeds with household vinegar, instead of using commercial weed-killers, can eradicate them. This is another environment friendly gardening tip.</p>
<p>15.  Avoid putting too much mulch on tree trunks; this would encourage unwanted pests to reside on them.</p>
<p>16.  Use plant varieties that are common to your area or have been taken from an area with similar conditions.</p>
<p>17.  Be sure to know the plants that are poisonous. If you are intent on growing them, make sure to have the necessary cure available in your household. Take note of this gardening tip, it can save your life.</p>
<p>18.  The best time to water plants is during mornings.</p>
<p>19.  Before planting a new plant in your garden, you must consider its height and size when it matures. This garden tip can help you save money in the future.</p>
<p>20.  Newly transplanted plants may require special attention during its first week. This is to reduce the stress and shock it got during transplantation.</p>
<p>And last but not the least of the gardening tips&#8230;</p>
<p>21.  Plants are living entities. If you want them to grow in your garden you have to treat them as such. They need to be taken care of. They are like your pets, you look out for them. In return you get that feeling of contentment watching them thrive.</p>
<p>A good way to take care of them is to consider that plants might have some feelings too.</p>
<p></p>
<p><b>About the Author:</b><br />
Hege Crowton is an expert copywriter. She is known for doing in-depth research before writing her articles. Many of her articles are posted on www.submitcontent.com and she also does a lot of writing for <a href="http://www.CrowSites.com"target="_blank">www.CrowSites.com</a>.</p>
<p>Article Source: <a href="http://www.ArticleBiz.com"target="_blank">http://www.ArticleBiz.com</a></p>
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		</item>
		<item>
		<title>Vegetable Garden Ideas</title>
		<link>http://momsonlineretreat.com/2007/04/vegetable-garden-ideas/</link>
		<comments>http://momsonlineretreat.com/2007/04/vegetable-garden-ideas/#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Mon, 30 Apr 2007 04:12:26 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>Retreat Coordinator</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[Gardening]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[outdoors]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://testblog.momsonlineretreat.com/?p=308</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[The first year I lived in a &#8220;real house&#8221; I was excited to get a garden started. I just couldn&#8217;t wait until spring when I could plant all kinds of veggies. While this seems like a good idea, it really &#8230; <a href="http://momsonlineretreat.com/2007/04/vegetable-garden-ideas/">Continue reading <span class="meta-nav">&#8594;</span></a>]]></description>
			<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p>The first year I lived in a &#8220;real house&#8221; I was excited to get a garden started. I just couldn&#8217;t wait until spring when I could plant all kinds of veggies. While this seems like a good idea, it really wasn&#8217;t. Being a new gardener, I let my excitement get the best of me. Luckily, part of my family made sure I still had a very nice garden that year.</p>
<p>Here are a few tips I learned:</p>
<ol>
<li>
<p><b>Make sure you have enough room</b><br />
Some plants get bigger than others, and take up more space. Make sure you give certain plants more room than others, and plan enough sunlight for smaller plants. I&#8217;ve had smaller plans die in previous years because they eventually end up in the shadow.</p>
</li>
<li>
<p><b>Start small</b><br />
Don&#8217;t plant everything you can find. Ask your local gardening supply store what will work best in your area for beginners. Tomatoes work best where I live, but don&#8217;t work well in other areas.</p>
</li>
<li>
<p><b>Start with plants, not seeds</b><br />
Instead of throwing seeds in the ground, start off easy buying plants that are already started. They have been started at the right time of year by experts, and are much easier to grow. </p>
</li>
<li>
<p><b>Know your time limits</b><br />
If you can only devote 10mins per day to your garden, make sure you only have a few plants. Pulling weeds can quickly become a problem, so if you have limited time don&#8217;t make a big area that will take a long time to weed.
</p>
</li>
</ol>
<p>I hope these ideas will help you this spring when you start your first garden!</p>
<p>
<b>About the Author</b>: Kara Kelso is the mother of 2 and owner of several online businesses.<br /> For more ideas like this, visit: <a href="http://www.idea-queen.com">http://www.idea-queen.com</a></p>
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