Jaipi Sixbear
Jaipi (pronounced J.P.) is a published author, regular contributor at Yahoo! and a multi-topic columnist at Examiner.com. Jaipi also ghost writes for several clients and coaches writers new to web writing and marketing.
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Award Winning Freelance Web Journalist - Published Poet - Photographer - Website Co-Owner and Editor
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Beginning Vegans: Watch Out for These Sneaky FoodsSome foods are eaten by beginning vegans out of habit, even when they're trying their hardest. Others may not be thought of as non-vegan. What non-vegan or unhealthy foods should beginning vegans be aware of? -
The Right Way to Go VeganI used to say there is no right way to go vegan. I used to say, it's not rocket science. While that phrase still applies in some ways, I feel a little differently about it now. There really is a right way to go vegan, if you want to stay vegan. -
Redefining Treats as a VeganMy journey to veganism has brought with it many epiphanies. For instance,what is a treat? Here's why I've been redefining treats as a vegan and why I think you should try it too. -
How Do Vegans Keep Vegetables Fresh?Want to know how to keep fresh vegetables from going bad in the fridge? Why not ask an expert? Vegans buy a lot of fresh produce. Do they throw most of it away when the next grocery day rolls around? Absolutely not. So, what's their secret? -
Save Money on Groceries by Changing Your Eating HabitsIt's not more expensive to eat right. In fact, it's a great deal cheaper. You can save money on your grocery bill by changing your eating habits. Here's a few of the money saving discoveries I've made on my journey to better nutrition. -
Things to Consider when Choosing a Tiny HouseChoosing to live in a tiny house is a big step. It would mean going minimalist in a big way. Are you ready for it? What should you consider before purchasing a tiny house? -
Sit and Be Fit While WritingOnline article writers don't always get conventional exercise. This job requires long hours sitting at a desk. I ride my bike in short spurts as often as I can during the week. Meanwhile, I do these exercises daily at my desk to stay active. -
Easy Non-toxic Backyard Ant Repellants that WorkThe ants have come marching one by one into your back yard. Now they're setting up camp. Here's a few non-toxic backyard ant solutions I use when things get a little overpopulated. -
Your Relationship – Don't Try to Fix it If It's Not BrokenHow many times have you read a relationship advice article and compared it to your relationship? Well, just stop that! If it's not broken, stop trying to fix it. Trust each other. Support each other. Leave it at that. -
Keep Your Vegetable Garden Growing While on a Two Week VacationYou have a beautiful vegetable garden. For once, everything is coming along well. Now, it's time for your two week summer vacation. How do you keep your vegetable garden from going bad while you're away? -
Bring More Customers to Your Minimalist Yard, Garage or Estate SaleAre you becoming a minimalist? Getting rid of years of accumulated items? Frustrated by the response to your yard, garage or estate sale? How can you draw in more traffic? -
Keeping Cut Lilacs Fresh Longer in VasesLilacs are my favorite flower. Unfortunately, they don't last long, whether on the bush or in a vase. Do you love lilacs as much as I do? You might be interested in these ways to keep them fresh longer in vases. -
Online Article Writing Tips - Answering Your Own QuestionsWhy should you answer your own questions in articles? What are two ways to do it? -
Home Decorating - Personal Touches Vs Resale ValueHow do you choose between adding your personal touch to your home and keeping up it's re-sale value? -
Keeping Ants Out of Pet Food with Water and GMO'sBefore we used our one ingredient ant cure (and while it was taking effect) here's what we did to keep the ants out of pet food. It worked. However, the reason our one ingredient cure worked surprised us and left us with a dilemma. -
Cheap Covers for Newly Transplanted VegetablesIf you're gardening on a budget, you may be looking for cheap ways to protect vegetable seedlings. Why not use what you have on hand to cover developing plants in inclement weather?
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Choosing a Minimalist HomeHow can you scale back when choosing a conventional home for your minimalist lifestyle? Due to your lack of material possessions, you can certainly live in a smaller space than most people. What are some other considerations?
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Best Non-toxic Ways to Rid Your Home of MiceYou may not want to use poison in your home, especially if you have young children or pets. How do you get rid of mice in your home without using toxic solutions? Is there a method that doesn't involve harming them?
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Clever Outdoor Container GardensCity gardeners use every inch of available space to grow fresh fruits and veggies. Sometimes that entails coming up with unusual ideas for gardening in containers. Here's just a few that I'm working on this year.
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Dressing for Summer when OverweightIt's hard to stay cool in summer when overweight. How do you cover up without sweating it out in the summer sun? Let's take it one flaw at a time.
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Becoming a Minimalist – Buying Clothes that CountBecoming a minimalist means becoming less of a clothes horse. It doesn't mean not having the clothes you really need. How do you buy clothes for minimalist living?
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Benefits of a Minimalist Lifestyle when VacationingThere are many benefits of a minimalist lifestyle for vacationers. Here's just a few.
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Becoming Minimalist – Assessing Your Tech Gizmos and GadgetsAre you on the road to minimalism? Have you taken steps to eliminate unnecessary techno toys from your life? How do you determine which to embrace and which to say no to? Do you really need any of them?
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Becoming a Minimalist in 5 WeeksI recently formulated a plan to go minimalist. My plan involves weeding out a portion of my personal possessions each week for 5 weeks. I'll focus on one category a week until I meet my goal. Maybe it could help you too!
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Becoming Minimalist – Eliminating Unused ServicesBeing minimalist isn't just about eliminating excessive material goods. It's about life simplification. Consider the alternatives when eliminating unused services.
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Becoming Minimalist: Eliminating Unnecessary FurnishingsAre you working toward a minimalist way of life? Furnishings take up a ton of space in the home. Having less large items creates unobstructed paths. It gives you room to breathe. What do you really need in terms of household furniture?
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Benefits of Keeping Your Scrapbook SimpleTry to remember that scrap-booking is about highlighting the memories, not the doo dads. Besides, there are benefits to keeping your scrapbook simple.
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Financial Benefits of MinimalismHow can living the simplistic lifestyle of a minimalist benefit your financial well-being? Let's start by talking about taxation.
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Gardening Closer to the Sun with LupusAre you gardening closer to the sun like me? Do you have Lupus? If so, you might benefit from these tips and tricks I've learned through experience.
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Vegan Tips for Attending Omnivore BarbecuesIt may not seem likely that a vegan would be invited to a barbecue. After all, these events go against everything vegans stand for. Problem is, vegans have meat-eater friends. What do we do at their barbecues? How do we cope? What do we eat?
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Eliminate One Common Facebook Frustration Through Page CreationAre you at your wits end with negative Facebook comments on your cause posts? Have you considered making some interest pages to keep animosity to a minimum? I've done exactly that. I highly recommend it.
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Sweet Stuffed Pepper Fillings for Vegans and Their GuestsStuffed sweet peppers aren't just for omnivores. Vegans love them too. From sweet to spicy to nutty, these ideas are all tasty and easy to make. Why not try one today?
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Vegan Cheese Substitutes – Sweet Salvation or Unnecessary Purchase?By making substitutions for meat or dairy, are we actually supporting the myth that an omnivore diet is superior? Are vegan cheese substitutes even necessary?
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Going Vegan Isn't Rocket ScienceI don't want to sound smug. Still, I shake my head sometimes when omnivores ask me about getting good nutrition as a vegan. Vegans get good nutrition and plenty of it. There's no secret to it. It's not a mystery. Here's a few tips.
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Handling Negative Facebook Comments as a VeganHow many times a day does the word bacon appear on my vegan facebook posts? I'm not sure, but I find it somewhat rude. How do I deal with this issue and other, more mean spirited comments? How can you?
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Going from Vegetarian to Vegan in 5 Easy StepsIf you're a vegetarian who's considering switching to vegan, for whatever reason, maybe trying my step process will help. I'm on step 4. Yes, it is hard, but it's working.
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Shock Value Vegan Facebook Posts – Are They Necessary?What's up with those shocking vegan Facebook posts? Are they necessary? Why do our vegan friends keep showing us bloody images of abused animals and footage of baby chicks being ground alive?
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Prescription Meds for Lupus – Why I Follow Doctors OrdersIt might surprise you that I follow my doctors orders when it comes to taking prescription meds for Lupus. In July of last year, I needed drastic measures. Prescription meds truly saved my life. Plus, my doctors work with me, not against me.
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Mood Boosters that Last More Than a MinuteDoesn't it seem like everyone is into quick fixes these days? Wouldn't it be nice if there were a longer lasting mood booster? I have good news for you. There are several.
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Re-purposing an Old Pool LinerTrying to figure out how to re-purpose your old pool? Basically, as a pool, it's an eyesore that won't last through more than a couple weeks in the sun. What are some ways you could re-use that liner?
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Quick Healthy Drinks for Lunch BoxesIs there a healthy drink choice that tastes good and packs quickly? Yes!
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Healthy Vegan Substitutes for Grated Parmesan CheeseHow do vegans go without Parmesan on their spaghetti, garlic bread and all that yummy Italian food?
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Healthy Vegan Foods that Pack Well for Hiking TripsHow can you effectively pack healthy vegan foods when camping and hiking in wilderness areas? What are some hiking foods that are good for you?
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5 Reasons to Label Your Garden ProduceI think it's a good idea to label your plantings. In fact, I can think of 5 reasons right off the top of my head. Here they are, in no particular order.
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Adding Tropical Flair to a Portable Backyard PoolOur neighbors may think we're crazy but we plan on spending a lot of time in our tropical ghetto pool paradise. Here's how we're making it awesome.
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Top Five Reasons I Live in DenverThere are so many reasons to live in Denver, I don't know where to begin. Here's my top five.
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Starting a Garden with Little or No Money DownDo you want to start a garden this year? It may seem it's no longer an affordable way to feed your family. Big business has taken it over. Luckily, there are ways around the system. You can still start a garden on a budget. Here's how.
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Why Won't My Pumpkins Bear Fruit?Like all garden produce, pumpkins have their own set of rules. Follow them and your pumpkins will grow plenty of fruit. Ignore them and you'll be buying your Halloween pumpkin at the supermarket.
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Growing a Chemical Free, Environmentally Friendly LawnHow can I grow a healthy, chemical free lawn? How can you? Follow my lead.
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Quick and Easy Juicing TipsWhen I first started juicing, I had no idea what I was doing.Luckily, you won't have to go through what I did. You can learn from my experience. Here's some quick, easy tips for juicing with no mess and no fuss.
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5 Ways to Travel Back in TimeI bet you didn't know I had a time machine. Would you like to find out how you can travel back in time too? I have a short memory and a big imagination. So here we go. Enjoy the journey and watch out for that T-Rex.
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Why is it so Hard to Grow Onions from Seed?What do you have to know to grow onions from seed? Not a lot. Still, sometimes small things make a big difference.
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Gardening in Spring Weather FluctuationsIt's possible to garden when spring weather fluctuates from warm to frigid. It's even possible to work around the occasional snowfall. You just have to remember a few things.
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Parental Perfection Without the Ick FactorLet's face it, some parents are icky, sicky sweet. They're just too good to be true. You don't want to turn people's stomachs with your “perfect” parenting. What can you do?
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Online Writing Blunders – Spreading Yourself Too ThinAre you spreading yourself too thin? How many clients, websites, blogs and books are floating around in your head? How many social networks do you belong to? All that clutter can create an atmosphere that impairs the quality of your writing.
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Ban Aphids from the Garden Naturally Using Sprays, Bugs and PlantingsWhy use harmful chemicals to rid your garden of aphids? There are plenty of alternative solutions. Spray them away. Introduce predatory insects. Plant something they don't like or plant something their enemies do like.
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Red Wine, Chocolate and Olive Oil - Healthy or Not?Red wine,chocolate and olive oil have some health benefits. That doesn't mean over-consumption lacks negative consequences. Plus, they may not be as good for you as you think. Here's why.
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Bay Leaf Fights Pain, Inflammation, Cancer, Diabetes and Heart DiseaseBay leaf has been used to combat cancer, diabetes and heart disease. It's also an effective muscle relaxer. Not only that, bay leaf is chock full of vitamins and minerals to promote overall good health.
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Online Commenting Etiquette - Please Read Before CommentingJust what is proper commenting etiquette? Why should you care about comments you leave on the work of someone you've never met?
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Are Nutrient Deficiencies Causing My Inflammation?When autoimmune diseases flare, it's often due to inflammation. But what if the inflammation is actually caused by nutrient deficiency? Are nutrient deficiencies causing my inflammation?
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Simple Tricks that Can Break Your Soda Pop HabitSo, you've been hearing about the negative health effects of soft drink? Why is it so addicting? It's not an easy habit to break. Why not try a few simple tricks like these?
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5 Unhealthy American Habits that Led to My Autoimmune DisordersI've been a perfectly healthy vegetarian for 41 years. Or so I thought. Unfortunately, I had these 5 unhealthy American habits that were undermining the positive effects of my vegetarian diet. What were the 5 habits? What did I do to kick them? Read on.
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5 Awesome Side Jobs for Online Article WritersWhat can you do in between article assignments to make a little extra cash? You can write a little more. Use your online skills to generate a little extra cash. Here's a few ideas to get you started.
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Juicing Produce – Skin or No Skin?Juicing is a great way to get concentrated nutrients into your diet. Should you leave the skin on the fruits and vegetables you juice? Plus, is that what you should really be concerned about?
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Nix Salt Damage on Hardwood FloorsGot salt damage on your hardwood floors? Can it be prevented? How do you fix the damage once it's done?
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Replace Toxic Chemicals in the Home at Your Own PaceWhat can be done with all those toxic products? It can be an overwhelming undertaking. Relax. You didn't accumulate all of them at once. Why not replace them gradually?
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Replace Toxic Bath and Body Products with Easy AlternativesAre toxins lurking in your lotion and shampoo? Are there harmful ingredients in your toothpaste or deodorant? Replace them with these easy alternatives for common bath and body essentials. They work just as well without the toxic overload.
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Inducing Labor NaturallyExperts might argue with me on some of these tips for inducing labor naturally. All I have is the experience of having my own kids. Maybe that experience can help you. After all, some doctors and childbirth experts did concur with my findings.
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Kids Interacting with Backyard Wildlife?Are you working on teaching your kids to be kind to their fellow creatures? The backyard is a good place to start. What are some other ways we can teach kids to interact kindly with backyard wildlife?
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Is Being a SAHM Really the Hardest Job?Why do some stay-at-home moms make such a big deal out of how hard they work? Maybe it's more about the way others look at them.
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Chemical Free Kitchen Cleaning Tips for KidsKids in the kitchen? Concerned about chemicals in kitchen cleansers? Are there alternatives for killing germs that aren't so hazardous to kids' health?
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5 Potential Burn Hazards for Kids You May Not Think AboutYou've done everything you can think of to make sure your kids are safe. Yet you still have reservations. Are there some burn hazards you might not have considered? What are they?
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Cheap Partial Fillers for Raised BedsPlanning a raised bed garden this year? Not sure how you'll afford the dirt to fill all the raised beds you've built? Have you considered filling your garden beds half way with another material first? Here's a few ideas to get you started.
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Is Your Garden Decor Tacky or Tasteful?Everyone has one of those neighbors with the plastic flowers and statuary overload. Maybe they even have flocks of pink flamingos grazing among pinwheels. You're not that neighbor, are you? How do you know if your garden is tacky or tasteful?
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Building Pallet Projects for the GardenI'm really excited about the prospect of adding virtually free wooden pallet structures to my garden. Would you like to join me? Here's some helpful tips I've learned through my experiences along with some ideas for garden structures made with pallets.
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Helping Kids with Their Family Tree ProjectHas your child been assigned to make a family tree for school? Are you gritting your teeth at the prospect? Haven't a clue about your family origins? Work your way down this list of suggestions. You might be surprised what you find.
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Garden Hammock Tips for RookiesWhat's a garden without a hammock to nap in? Problem is, not all of us know how to hang or use them. You'll do better with these tips.
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Are Fabric Toxins Lurking in Your Kids' Clothes and Bedding?Are fabric toxins lurking in your kids' rooms, either on or in clothes and bedding? Here's how to be safe when choosing and caring for your kids' clothing and linens.
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Five Easy Clean Strategies for Kids' RoomsDo you want to spend all day cleaning your room? Kids don't either. Why not make it easier for them to keep it clean?
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5 Fun Uses for a Tiny House in the GardenI absolutely adore tiny houses. So much so, that I've been debating adding one to my outdoor garden. But what would I use my tiny garden house for? I have a few great ideas.
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Stretch Your Family Grocery Budget 5 WaysYou need new strategies for family grocery shopping. You want to get the most for your money. Put a little thought into it. What makes you spend more? Stop doing that.
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Save Money in the Garden with Simple ChangesGardening used to be a money saving proposition. It still can be. By making small changes in the way you garden, you can save big money.
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Growing Garden Hideouts for KidsLooking for a way to keep kids occupied while you garden? Why not grow them a shady garden hideout spot? By mid-summer, they'll have a fun spot to hang out with friends, read or nap away the afternoon.
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5 Tropical Cures for Kids' Winter Sore ThroatsKids and winter sore throats seem to go hand in hand. Why not bring a taste of the tropics to their sore throat cure?
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Abolish Sagging Pants on Kids 5 WaysAh, the lovely, ultra fashionable sagging pants. Will this trend ever die? I'm pretty sick of looking at exposed boxers. That about sums it up for me. How about you? So how do we stop kids from sagging?
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Keep Negative Fears Out of ParentingThere are certain fears that need to be edited from your parenting agenda. What are they? Why are they so destructive? How can you avoid them? Guess what Grandma Jaipi thinks the worst one is?
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Stress-Free Winter Garden Planning StrategiesWe gardener types start stressing about next year's garden well before spring. Through it all, we remain hopeful for a bigger harvest, a better technique or just a glass of lemonade in the shade. How do we keep winter garden planning stress levels down?
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Physically Limited Solutions – Moving Landscaping RocksAre you physically limited? Got rocks where you want garden beds? Rocks are heavy. They're cumbersome. Once they've been in place a while, they work their way into the ground. What can you do when there are rocks where you don't want them?
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Re-Purposing Mesh Produce Bags in the GardenI've always felt slightly guilty about throwing away those mesh bags that produce comes in. As an organic gardener and green living advocate, I've found multiple uses for those mesh bags in my garden. Here are my favorites.
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Surprise Your Kids on Valentine's DayWhat will you do to surprise your kids on Valentine's Day? It doesn't have to be elaborate. Why not use one of these 5 ideas?
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5 Best Tween Valentine's Day Goodie BagsWhat's in a tween Valentine's Day goodie bag? There's always the obvious candy, stickers, tattoos and baked goods. We can do better. Here's the top 5 tween Valentine's Day goodie bags, according to Grandma Jaipi.
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Re-purpose Mismatched China in the Home and GardenYou have some mismatched china you don't know what to do with. You don’t want to throw it away. How can you re-purpose mismatched china in the home or garden?
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What's so Bad About Plastic Flowers in the Garden?Here are 5 quick answers to one of the silliest questions I've ever been asked. Just what is so bad about plastic flowers in the garden?
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5 Reasons Every Kid Needs a Garden to TendKids and gardens are a natural mix. For example, there's all that playing in the dirt. Here's 5 more good reasons kids and gardening are a perfect fit.
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Your Kids Really Are ListeningYour kids really are listening. Maybe you haven't seen any evidence of it yourself. Nevertheless, they are listening. Believe me, I know. Let me explain.
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Top 5 Healthy Food Habits to Instill in Your KidsHere's my recommendation for the top 5 healthy habits to instill in your kids. It may not be everything they need to know, but it's a huge step in the right direction.
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Helping Kids Beat Valentine's Day StressWhat is it about Valentine's Day that makes kids so anxious? What can you do to help?
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Easy Step Garden Space Savers from Found ItemsWhat will you make your perfect step garden from?
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Shape Your Raised Beds for VarietyYour garden doesn’t have to be an endless sea of rectangular beds with gravel paths. One thing you can do is change the shape of those garden beds. Start with simple triangles. Work your way into stars, hearts, flowers and more.
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Re-purposing Broken Clay Garden PotsDon't toss those broken garden pots, no matter how bad they look. They can almost always be turned into something useful.
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Throw a Tween Foodie Facial PartyWhy throw a tween foodie facial party? Your tween is growing up. She's not quite ready for makeup. Still, she likes looking her best. She also loves having friends over for primping sessions. Here's some pointers and a few recipes to get you started.
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Keeping Kids Busy at Your Super Bowl PartySuper Bowl parties are usually a mix of kids and adults. The casual atmosphere is perfect for families. Still, with all the excitement going on, kids can get a little crazy. How do you keep them busy and out from under your feet?
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Super Bowl Snacks Your Kids Will Love MakingYou're hosting the super bowl party this year. Get kids into making some of the food. Here's some super bowl snacks they won't mind helping you with.
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Make Kids Diets Healthier Without Them Knowing ItHow do you change the diets of modern kids without them knowing it? Well, as usual, Grandma Jaipi has a few ideas.
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Keep Kids Healthy in Winter with CitrusKids got the winter blahs? Maybe all they need is a little sunshiney citrus nutrition. Here's how each type of citrus fruit works to keep your kids healthy all winter.
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Stop Taking it Easy in the Garden – a New ResolutionDon't I garden, at least partially, to stay in shape? Don't I garden to get exercise? Of course I do. I write about it all the time. So, I think it's time for me to stop taking it easy on myself in the garden. How about you?
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Maximize Your Me-Time on Mom's Night OutSo you want a Mom's night out? How do you make sure it's worth your while? How do you know your kids' won't intercede, whine or otherwise interfere? How do you make the most of your me time?
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Taking Family Photos that Focus on the FamilyHow many of your family photos are real keepers? How many actually have your family in them? How many depict your kids doing something truly special? Here's why you should focus on your family when taking photos.
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Best Paint, Paper and Clay for ToddlersToddlers go through craft supplies pretty quickly. What are the best choices? What type of paint lasts longest? Which paper is cheapest? What's the best kind of clay for your toddler? Here's my top picks.
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Stop People Pleasing Your KidsWhen did parents stop accepting their role in the family and start this nonsense of people pleasing their kids? why don't your kids call you Mom? What's so bad about being known as Grandma?
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Raising Vegetable Garden Height Without Raised BedsAre you looking to raise the height of your vegetable garden without the expense of building and filling raised beds? What are the some viable alternatives?
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Sorting the GMO's Out of Your Seed StockThe potential health risks of GMO crops have many gardeners sorting through their saved seeds this year. Here's how and why I'm doing it, plus some bonus sorting tips for you.
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Super-Size Kids' Positivity 5 WaysI was struggling, divorced mom of three for most of my kids' childhood. So how in the world did I teach them to keep smiling through so much adversity? How did their positivity get super sized?
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4 Tips for Praising Kids the Right WayKids just feel better about themselves when other people approve of their actions, don't they? You don't need me to tell you that. Here are my top 4 tips on praising kids the right way. I hope they work as well for you as they have for me.
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Fill Your Kids' Lives with Small SurprisesWant your kids to have memories to last until they're grandparents? Fill your kids' life with small surprises like these.
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Single Parenting – Spend Time to Save TimeWhat? How can spending time save you time as a single parent, Jaipi? You see, it all depends on what you spend time doing. How do you use what little time you have? Are your activities efficient, streamlined and minimalist, or complex and time consuming?
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Dreaming Up Crazy Gardening ProjectsMy crazy gardening projects are often the subject of my gardening articles. Many of my readers ask me where I get all my unconventional ideas. I didn't go to horticulture school. That doesn't mean I don't do a little research from time to time.
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How to Get Kids into Gardening for ProfitAre your kids sick of lemonade stands? Why not get them into selling home grown vegetables instead? Here's some tips to help you get (and keep) your kids interested in gardening for profit.
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Starting Seeds in Shells - Pretty and PracticalWant to save money on seed starting containers this gardening season? Try using empty produce shells to start your seeds.
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Facebook Farmers - No Time to Garden?Imagine if all the virtual gardeners on Facebook actually used their money and energy to garden for real. Wouldn't that be something?
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Finding Cheap Practice Fabric for Your Fashion Designer KidGot a future fashion designer in your family? Maybe you just have a kid who wants to learn how to sew. Either way, they're going to need cheap fabric and lots of it. So, where can you find this cheap fabric?
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Honeymooning with Kids in TowHoneymooning with kids? Hey, why should they miss out on all the fun? Face it, if you didn't want them along, you shouldn't have chosen Disney World as your destination. But now, what do you do with them while you sneak in some romance?
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How to Be a Minimalist with KidsHow can you possibly be a minimalist with kids in the picture?
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How to Get Your Kids to Take You SeriouslyMany modern parents can't seem to get through to their kids. Why is that? Why don't modern kids seem to take their parents seriously? Well, of course, Grandma Jaipi has an opinion on the subject. Here it is.
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5 “New” Gardening Techniques to Try This YearEverything old is new again in the garden. Here are some old time gardening methods seeing a revival in today's gardens. Why not try one or all this year?
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5 Ways Contaminants Sneak into Your GardenListen up, organic gardening gurus. Is your garden a contaminant free zone? Don't be so sure of the answer. Pollutants and toxic chemicals are everywhere these days. What's more? They may sneak into your home and garden, despite your best efforts.
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Garden Time Savers for Single, Stay-at-Home MomsBeing a single, stay at home mom is hard enough without adding a garden to the mix.That is, unless you incorporate a few time saving gardening tricks. Here's a few that helped me when my kids were young.
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Kids Drawing and Painting on Walls and FurnishingsThirty years ago, when I was a kid, most parents would have agreed kids needed to be taught not to draw randomly on walls and furniture. Now it seems there are parents who not only think it's OK, they encourage it. My viewpoint?
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Farmers Markets - What Crops Sell Best?This past summer, I decided to do some research. I wanted to know what crops sell best, for future reference. Here's what growers told me as I perused local farmers' markets.
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Garden Accents Can Be Both Pretty and PracticalYour garden accents can and should be both beautiful and useful. Here are some ideas to get you started.
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5 Ways Gardening Boosts Your MoodYou don't have to be a gardening pro to harvest happiness. Why is it that even beginning gardeners seem happier than other folks? Here are 5 ways gardening increases happiness levels, even for rookies.
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Catering to Your Kids' Tastes in FoodShould you go out of your way to feed your fussy kids special meals? Some parents feel bad if they don't. They're afraid their kids won't get enough to eat. I guess that's understandable. Me? I never had the budget to offer those accommodations.
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Can Sick Kids Play Outside in Cold Weather?It's winter break. Temperatures are in the single digits. Your kids are sick with the common cold. Is it OK to let them play outside?
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5 Mental Health Benefits of Single ParentingAre there really mental health benefits to single parenting? Absolutely. Is single parenting rough? Absolutely. Now, about those psychological benefits. What are they?
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Single Parents - Kids Don't Want You Dating?Are you a single parent whose kids refuse to “let” them date? If so, I have something to say to you. Please don't take this personally, but.... Are you kidding me?
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New Year's Eve Fun with Kids Not Necessarily DullIt's OK to have a little fun on New Year's Eve, even with your kids right there. In fact, it might be good for them.
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Can Kids' Self Esteem Be a Negative Force?Can the power of self esteem have negative effects? Is it possible for kids to like themselves too much?
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Are You Teaching Your Kid to Be a Bully?Are you teaching your kid to be a bully? Here's why this grandma believes you could be, without even realizing it.
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How I Garden All Winter, Despite the WeatherHere's how I work on my garden all winter long, despite the cold and snow.
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Bedtime Battles - Calming the Sensitive ChildIt's way past bedtime. Your highly sensitive child is throwing a fit for the third night in a row. Been there, done that, many times over. What's my best advice for calming a sensitive, overtired kid?
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Gardening is Scientific – Does that Make Me a Scientist?Nope. I don't have to be a scientist to be a good gardener. Neither do you. Here's why. (Or not.) You be the judge.
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Why Gardeners Love the SnowWhy would a gardener love the snow? Isn't that depressing for gardeners? Well, actually, just like anything else, it depends on how you look at it. There's more to snow in the garden than you might think.
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What Not to Do when Kids' Tempers Flare in PublicI've used just about every trick for battling temper tantrums in the book. That being said, here's my list of what not to do when kids' tempers flare.
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Make Staying Active in Winter Easy for KidsHow did I get my kids and grandkids to stay active in winter? I made it easy. I made it the natural choice. I made it part of the family routine. Here's how I did it.
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Easy Indoor Winter Activities and Crafts for ToddlersHow do you keep your toddlers busy in winter weather without turning them into miniature couch potatoes or letting them turn your home into a three ring circus gone wild? Here's some suggestions borrowed from my own childhood that might help.
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Foraging for Fresh Produce in the CityLiving in the city doesn't mean you can't forage for food. On the contrary, there are plenty of places to find fresh food for free in a metro area. You just have to know where to look.
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Why Kids Belong in the Kitchen on ChristmasDo you shoo your kids out of the kitchen on Christmas? You've just dismissed all the willing help with a wave of your hand. What else?
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Tips for Designing a Garden Pathway That's Beautiful and FunctionalWhat type of look do you want for your garden walkway? Have you given thought to how your garden will develop in the future? These tips can help you design a beautiful and functional garden pathway.
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Creating a Kids' Literature Themed GardenThink of all the kids' songs, poetry and literary excerpts with a garden theme. Wouldn't it be cool to create a kids' literature themed garden?
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Beginning Gardener's Tips: Surprising Garden Disease FactorsNew to gardening? Doing everything right but plants are dying? If you have a garden that's failing despite your best efforts, one of these surprising factors may be to blame.
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Make Sitting at the “Kiddie Table” Fun for ChristmasThere's not enough room for the whole family at the big table. What can you do to make the kiddie table the place to be? How can you convince kids it's not so bad?
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Keeping Carols in Christmas with KidsThere's a lot of talk these days about keeping Christ in Christmas. I believe in making personal choices about that and respecting the choices of others. I do, however, feel very strongly about keeping carols in Christmas, religious or otherwise.
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Making Your House a Home for the HolidaysThese inexpensive touches will welcome guests to your holiday home with peaceful warmth. Some are even free.
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The Health Hazards of Living with a PlumberIf you live with a plumber, chances are, you've cleaned up your share of what I like to call “the plumbing nasties”. Sure, they wear protection. What about the germs they carry home on their shoes, clothes and equipment?
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Making a “Charlie Brown” Christmas Special for Your KidsYou can't fulfill your kids' wish lists. In fact, you can't even come close. How can you make Christmas special for your kids in hard times?
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Keeping Kids' Christmas Presents a SecretHow can you keep kid's Christmas presents a secret when they're so good at playing detective? Here's a few of this Grandma's tips for wrapping and hiding gifts that may help.
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Teaching Kids What Really Matters During the HolidaysIf you want to teach kids what really matters during the holidays, you have to live it. Here's how.
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Obsessive Habits I Passed on to My KidsHere's a humorous look at some of the routinely obsessive things I do that have kept my kids safe over the years, even now that they're grown.
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Strange Parenting Advice – Where Do They Get This Stuff?Every parent has one. You know, that weird friend or relative that gives you equally weird parental advice? Please join me in alternately laughing and crying over these bits of strange parental “wisdom”.
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Stop Doing Your Kids' Homework!It's their homework, not yours. You're not supposed to do it. They are. Stop doing your kids' homework. Yes, at all. Here's why.
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What to Get an Organic Gardener for ChristmasFrom pricey to dollar store, common to unusual, here's what this organic gardener would like for Christmas this year. Chances are, your favorite organic gardeners may have the same sugar plums dancing in their heads.
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Sudden Illness Limiting Garden Tasks?Is a sudden illness limiting the amount and type of work you can do in your garden? What solutions have I come up with to keep my garden thriving, despite my physical limits?
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Another Front Yard Garden Deemed IllegalAm I the only one who's sick of hearing about cities forcing people to remove their front yard gardens? Today I read about yet another homeowner in this situation. So, why do city ordinances often forbid front yard gardens?
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Got Houseplants but Few Windows?Gardening indoors in a home with little natural light can be frustrating. That's especially true in winter when you can't put plants outside. Not everyone can afford or make room for grow lights. How can you make the best use of the light you do have?
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Parenting Publicly on FacebookDo you log your kids' every move on Facebook? I'm sure your intentions are good, but have you thought about the consequences? Are you risking your kids' safety? How do your posts make you look as a parent? Do you keep it real?
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Simple Thanksgiving Gifts from the GardenWhy let your generous holiday spirit out only on Christmas? The word Thanksgiving has both thanks and giving in it. Why not give items from the garden for Thanksgiving? Here's a few ideas to get you started.
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Leave Kids a Legacy of Compassion, Not HatredWhy do some parents feel it's alright to leave kids a legacy of hate, instead of one of compassion? How can we insure that our kids don't pick up on our own hatred?
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Can you be fair to both kids?I believe in judging kids' battles as fairly as possible, or not at all. Can it be done? Of course. They don't call me Grandma for nothing. I know what I'm doing. So, what's my secret?
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5 Ways to Discipline Toddlers Without SpankingIs spanking toddlers the only way to get through to them, since they haven't yet mastered communication skills? Absolutely not!
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5 Green Thanksgiving Activities for KidsHere's some green Thanksgiving activities I've done with my kids and grandkids that your family might enjoy.
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Inviting an Atheist Family to ThanksgivingAtheist families don't believe in God, so who are they thanking on Thanksgiving? What if you have atheist Thanksgiving guests? How do you accommodate them? Here's some information from an atheist parent that might surprise you.
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Celebrating Thanksgiving With Vegetarian or Vegan KidsAre you having young vegetarian Thanksgiving guests? Has one of your kids gone vegetarian just in time for the holidays? Relax. Everything will be fine. Feeding vegetarians just isn't that complicated.
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Fun Ways to Use Old Clothes as Garden PlantersThere are literally hundreds of ways to use your old clothes as garden planters. Don't throw away those holy socks or the jeans with the worn out knees. Try one of these 5 unique ideas instead.
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Handling mega teen temper tantrumsSometimes when my kids were teens, they would go so ballistic, it left me speechless. How did I remain so calm? What are my deep dark secrets for handling supernova teen temper tantrums?
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Is Your Vegetable Garden a Good Neighbor?Have you ever had complaints from neighbors about your garden? How can you convince them to love your garden as much as you do?
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Is Your Garden Stuck in the Comfort Zone?Are you stuck in a garden comfort zone? Here’s some ways to make gardening an adventure again.
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Winter Gardening Activity: Growing SproutsGrowing sprouts isn't strictly a winter activity. Still, it does keep the off-season doldrums in check for gardeners. It's loads of fun. It requires no special equipment. Just grab a few household items, some seeds and you're good to go.
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Is Getting Baby to Sleep that Important?Is getting baby to sleep all that important? In my book, if baby's tired, baby will go to sleep without tips and tricks. Consider this:
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Single Parent Burning the Midnight Oil?Are you a single parent? Do you stay up all night to make ends meet? I urge you to find a better way.
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Can Parents Be Completely Fair?“That's not fair!” It's the battle cry of many teens and tweens. Is it even possible for parents to be completely fair? Should they be? I
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No Spanking Doesn't Mean No DisciplineJust because a parent doesn't spank, doesn't mean they don't have rules, regulations and consequences in place. In fact, sometimes they have more.
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Is it ever OK to give kids the silent treatment?In my experience, sometimes being a good parent means knowing when to keep your mouth shut. It's OK to give kids the silent treatment. Of course, you have to have the right intentions.
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Confession: My Kids Did More Than Poop on the BusHave you heard the story about the pregnant woman who got kicked off the bus when her baby soiled his diaper? What should you do in that situation? What would I do?
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Talking to Your Kids About Buying PowerHave you talked to your kids about how their purchases influence society? Teach your kids to build the type of society and environment they'd be proud to call home with their own buying power.
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4 reasons my average kids are happier than the rich and famousWhy do I think my kids are happier than the rich and famous? Well, let's just say we prefer sunrises and starry nights to tiaras and limos. What else?
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Family peace: Lower the volume 5 waysEven if your family isn't at odds with each other, things can get pretty noisy on the home-front. How do you keep the family peace?
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Tools, Tips, and Tricks for Leaf Raking SuccessHow do I manage to give everyone their fun and still get the leaf raking done each year? It's just a matter of using the right tools and having a few useful tricks up my sleeve. Sure, I'd be happy to share them with you.
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When's the Best Time to Rake Leaves?There are good and bad times to rake your fall leaves. Don't believe me? That's OK. Try skipping these tips. You'll soon agree, when it comes to raking, timing is everything.
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5 Reasons I Go Natural with Garden BordersWhy do I go natural with my garden borders? What are the benefits I get from using natural materials?
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Why is Using Organic Pest Control so Important?Here are some things you may or may not know about why it's so important to use organic pest control in your garden. Is it for everyone?
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5 reasons your kids will be fineIt's a tough world out there but don't worry. Your kids will be alright. What makes me so sure?
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What Would Mom and Dad Do?Next time you're facing a parenting dilemma, look to your mom and dad. Chances are, they have the answer.
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When Kids Don't Share Your Religious BeliefsHere's a few tips that might smooth things over when your kids' beliefs don't coincide with your own.
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Rock Those Mom Jeans with PrideI'm getting really sick of those anti mom jean commercials. Aren't you? I earned my mom jeans, just like I earned my gray hair. I rock my mom jeans with pride and so should you.
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Bonding with Kids Doesn't Have to Be FancyBonding with kids doesn't have to be fancy or pricey. It just has to be fun.
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Growing the Best Greens for Your Winter SaladHere's some tips on growing the very best greens for your winter salads.
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Tone of Voice and Your KidsParents, do you watch your tone of voice when speaking to your kids? Do you feel it's OK to be gruff with them if they deserve it? Think again.
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Prevent Disease with Fall Garden MaintenanceWe all know the importance of fall maintenance in the yard and garden. Did you know proper fall maintenance helps prevent disease in the spring?
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Are Your Kids Smarter Than You Are?Should you tell your kids they're smarter than you sometimes?
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Cold weather shouldn't stop kids' outdoor funCold weather shouldn't stop kids from playing outdoors. In fact, it should enhance the fun.