BEE FRIENDLY Organic Seeds Giveaway from Mary's Heirloom Seeds!

I am THRILLED to announce a HUGE GIVEAWAY and just in time for SUMMER!

From Mary,
"In case you missed it, there have been numerous reports over the last few year about mass bee die-offs, CCD and the possible correlation between bee deaths and neonictinoide poisons.  It has been argued that loss of bee populations will put human life as we know it at risk.  Bees are an integral part of nature and human life."

source

Let's all plant more organic seeds for the Bees!

 Welcome to Mary's Heirloom Seeds!
All of the seeds listed are open-pollinated, non-gmo and non-hybrid,
non-patented,  untreated, heirloom garden seeds.
Mary has signed the Safe Seed pledge.  
Seed Orders placed Monday-Thursday are shipped within 24 hours, except for holidays.

This "BEE-FRIENDLY" Seed Pack Giveaway includes 

1 full pack of EACH of the following organic varieties:

BACHELOR BUTTON
BORAGE

CALENDULA

FORGET-ME-NOT
LEMON QUEEN SUNFLOWER
MEXICAN SUNFLOWER

AFRICAN CRACKERJACK MARIGOLD

YARROW
GIANT OF CALIFORNIA ZINNIA

 For more information on Organic Wildflowers, check out  

5 Reasons to Plant Wildflowers and Mary's Heirloom Seeds.

 This giveaway is available to anyone in the US. 
Open May 30, 2014 and Ends June 7, 2014 at Midnight.

 
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REAL Food Friday #40 (with Features)

Hello and Welcome to REAL Food Friday!
I'd like to thank all of the conscious bloggers who followed the guidelines and 
shared REAL FOOD recipes and organic gardening and posts. Thank you for sharing!

I've been a BUSY girl over at Back to the Basics! We are GROWING!
The latest are Plant Nutrients-Getting Started and 
Which Plants are Heavy Feeders? 
Tomorrow we are offering another HUGE Bee-Frendly Giveaway!

 

On the the PARTY!  We're your hosts
Lydia @ Lydia's Flexitarian Kitchen 
Janine @ My Lamp is Full  
Marla @ Organic4 Greenlivings 
me...Mary @ Back to the Basics and Mary's Kitchen 
Please give a warm welcome to Heather @ Cook It Up Paleo 

<a href="http://maryshealthymeals.blogspot.com/"><img border="0" src="http://i1287.photobucket.com/albums/a627/greenmary_smith/REALFood1_zpsb7242283.jpg"/></a>  
If you're interested in co-hosting let us know! 

You can email Mary at mari_backtonature@yahoo.com

My FEATURES:

Eating Outside the Box from DC Health Bites

Food Revolution Day is a Success from Juggling Real Food and Real Life

10 Reasons Why You Should Grow Asparagus from Sustainable Possibilities

In case you missed "What is Real Food" here's a recap...

I know "Real" food may not seem like as much fun as the sugary, chemically, DIY recipes out there on the internet.  This is why REAL Food Friday is so unique.  This is the place to share your unprocessed, gmo-free, locally grown and/or fair trade posts.

We are trying to make a difference 1 recipe at a time!
If your post includes items like *margarine, *granulated sugar, *food dye, packaged baking mixed with ingredients that you cannot pronounce (betty crocker, duncan hines, pillsbury) then it WILL be deleted.  These are garbage ingredients.  Sorry...Not real food.


Here's a great reference from Food Myths:

Link up your Real Food posts!  Processed and "junk food" posts will be deleted.
The party runs from Thursday at 7pm EST through Monday at Noon.

Please follow your hosts and consider adding the Real Food Friday button.

KELANI ORGANICS Review

I've met so many amazing people since I started blogging and since I opened Mary's Heirloom Seeds.  Many of you I have never met but still consider friends.  Sharing organic gardening info is so much fun but introducing YOU to new and chemical-free, eco-friendly goodies is my favorite!

Today I'm talking about Kelani Organics.  I met Kelly a few years ago through Mary's Heirloom Seeds.  Earlier this year we had an opportunity to offer a giveaway of her goodies.

At the moment I am using Ache-Away and Lemongrass Natural Deodorant.  
About Ache-Away: Sore Muscle and Joint Oil Rub - 2oz
This wonderful organic vegan oil is helpful for achy muscles, arthritis and joint pain (including carpel tunnel), and will help provide non-toxic pain relief.

From Kelly...

Kelly in her first booth at a Charity Event for a friend with cancer

Trying to help others live a less toxic lifestyle...

About 3 years ago I met a woman who helped me realize that organic and natural is the only way we can be our healthiest "selfs".

I started growing my own organic foods and herbs, researching all I could about how to live a less toxic lifestyle.

I started making products for my family and that turned into friends asking me to make things for them as well.

I absolutely LOVE helping others achieve a healthier lifestyle and am constantly learning and growing my knowledge about new ways to improve the world around me.

I have worked (and currently work) for an e-commerce company for 4 years now and I'm hoping that one day I can make a full-time company of this passion I have for Organic and Natural products.

I've always been crafty and making things to help others soothes my soul.

I hope you enjoy my products as much as I enjoy making them.

Please don't ever hesitate to contact me for questions, concerns, custom made products, or anything else you might want to know.

Thank you for your time and I look forward to hearing from you.

Much Aloha,
Kelly 

So let's talk goodies...I'm making up my wishlist right now!

The Yoga Mat Cleaner spray is an excellent choice.

"When was the last time you cleaned and disinfected your yoga mat?? I bet you don't want to be doing downward dog and smelling your own old sweat instead of being able to concentrate on your yoga practice and meditation."

The Lavender Organic Sugar Scrub comes in a 16 ounce recycled container.  "Use this Gentle Exfoliating and moisturizing organic sugar scrub on those rough body parts, feet, legs, knees, elbows, or whole body with the soothing scent of Pure Lavender."

**If you have a nut-allergy THIS is a great product for you as it contains grapeseed oil**

Organic Sugar Scrubs also come in Peppermint, Lemongrass, Citrus Blend, Juniper Berry and Rosemary/Lavender.  Kelly also takes special orders so feel free to message her with your order request!  

Many of the Organic and Natural products at Kelani Organics are also Vegan.  How cool is that?  Check out the Natural Air & Fabric Spray. 

 Disinfect your home, fabrics, and linens with this Natural Room Freshener which is a blend of powerhouse oils to "Steal those germs away" (same blend as another popular oil blend which can't be named) Great for your office or work environment too!

Check out Kelly's facebook page and give her a like.  Tell her Mary sent you!

Are you Growing Dandelion?

Dandelion isn't just a pesky garden weed.  Did you know that eating Dandelion can actually be good for you?

At Mary's Heirloom Seeds we are now carrying Organic Chicory Catalogna, also known as Italian Dandelion.

Chicory greens have long, broad, dandelion-like leaves with an asparagus-like flavor. A rapid grower, the leaves and tender spring stalks can be used as early greens.
Germination: 45-70 days
Days to Maturity: 52-80 days 

About Dandelion
Dandelion greens contain vitamin C, potassium, calcium, iron, magnesium, phosphorus, thiamin, riboflavin, beta carotene and fiber. They are actually more nutritious than most of the fruits and vegetables you can buy in the grocery store.
It is also touted as being beneficial to your liver, kidneys, blood and digestion. Not to mention that it supposedly helps with acne, weight-loss, blood pressure and cholesterol levels. It is nearly a perfect food.

From Global Healing Center
HERBAL PROPERTIES AND USES:
Highly nutritious and known to treat a variety of ailments, dandelion is a great plant to grow in your garden. From heart problems to acne, liver diseases to eye conditions, most people are unaware that this weed has higher amounts of potassium than bananas and more vitamin A than carrots. Dandelion is also reported to have anti-rheumatic capacities. It is also a powerful diuretic with additional laxative properties. Good for hepatic and gallbladder conditions, digestive complaints, as well as general constipation.

Growing Dandelion from Seed
Because dandelion is considered a weed, it doesn't take much effort to grow.  If you're looking for a low-maintenance garden green.

Plant seeds directly in the garden 1/4 inch deep in the soil in single rows, about 8 inches.  Plant the dandelion seeds in early spring in well-drained, fertile soil.

Harvesting Dandelion
Never harvest dandelions from a location that is near a road or has been treated with pesticides or other chemicals.  Harvest leaves as needed when they are a usable size.

REAL Food Friday LinkUp (with Features)

Hello and Welcome to REAL Food Friday!
I'd like to thank all of the conscious bloggers who followed the guidelines and 
shared REAL FOOD recipes and organic gardening and posts. Thank you for sharing!

I've had another CRAZY busy week blogging, working and GROWING!

This week at Back to the Basics I've shared

 Growing GREENS from Seed to Harvest

 Growing Watermelon from Seed to Harvest

Doc's Hydro Grow Kit (part 1)

Also,  I'm offering limited Ad Space now at Back to the Basics.  

We are GROWING and I'd like YOU to grow with us!

 

On the the PARTY!  We're your hosts
Lydia @ Lydia's Flexitarian Kitchen 
Janine @ My Lamp is Full  
Marla @ Organic4 Greenlivings 
and me...Mary @ Back to the Basics and Mary's Kitchen 

<a href="http://maryshealthymeals.blogspot.com/"><img border="0" src="http://i1287.photobucket.com/albums/a627/greenmary_smith/REALFood1_zpsb7242283.jpg"/></a>  
If you're interested in co-hosting let us know! 

You can email Mary at mari_backtonature@yahoo.com

My FEATURES:

Skip Processed: Easy to Make Peanut Butter from Urban Overalls

Strawberry Chocolate Ice Cream (vegan) from Creating Silver Linings

Gluten Free Real Food Mexican Dinner from Gluten Free A-Z

In case you missed "What is Real Food" here's a recap...

I know "Real" food may not seem like as much fun as the sugary, chemically, DIY recipes out there on the internet.  This is why REAL Food Friday is so unique.  This is the place to share your unprocessed, gmo-free, locally grown and/or fair trade posts.

We are trying to make a difference 1 recipe at a time!
If your post includes items like *margarine, *granulated sugar, *food dye, packaged baking mixed with ingredients that you cannot pronounce (betty crocker, duncan hines, pillsbury) then it WILL be deleted.  These are garbage ingredients.  Sorry...Not real food.

Here's a great reference from Food Myths:
Do you ever think about how far the food you eat travels?  Who grew it?  Who picked it? How much in processing it's been through before you took a bite? Real Food is:
-Supports fair farmworker wages
-GMO Free
-Little to no processing/processed ingredients
-Supports local markets/vendors and isn't transported long distances to get to my plate
-Honors fair trade principles when I buy from othr regions
-Meat and dairy should be humanely raised and on real food themselves-Not genetically engineered feed, drugs, hormones and antibiotics.

Link up your Real Food posts!  Processed and "junk food" posts will be deleted.
The party runs from Thursday at 7pm EST through Monday at Noon.

Please follow your hosts and consider adding the Real Food Friday button.

Food Prices are on the Rise - What can You Do?

Mary's Heirloom Seeds  Seed Starting with Coconut Coir We are pleased to announce that we've decided to Extend the MEMORIAL DAY SEED SPECIALS for 2 more days!!! The specials will now expire on Tuesday, May 20th! Quick Links  2014 Planting Guide   SUPPLIES BEANS and CORN Heirloom FRUITS Heirloom GREENS Heirloom PEPPERS Heirloom SEEDS Heirloom TOMATOES HERB Seeds WILDFLOWERS Specialty Heirlooms Seed Pack Combos Seeds of the Month SPROUTS Mary's Tincture Shop Mary's Herbal Organix Join Our Mailing List! Below is an article we shared at Back to the Basics.  Please feel free to share! food prices are on the rise Back when I first opened Mary's Heirloom Seeds I wrote the following introduction, You may have noticed that the price on food, especially produce has been going up.  The quality, not to mention the nutritional value, has been suffering for quite a while. Homegrown Black Beauty Eggplant Heirloom seeds or seeds that have been passed down for generations are far hardier and as some studies suggest, have more nutritional value than genetically modified (GMO) seeds. I don't sell anything that I wouldn't grow in my own garden.  All of the seeds listed are un-treated, non-hybrid, open-pollinated, non-gmo, heirloom seeds.  Plants are grown using no chemicals.  Anyway, I have been growing my own vegetables and besides the money they save me the flavor is WAY better than the vegetables available at the supermarket. It also makes me feel less dependent on the supply and I know what goes on my veggies. I put together a few packages of seeds that seem to belong together and the individual seeds are available also.  Food prices are not going down and growing your own food, especially heirloom veggies, is a great way to save money and get more nutrition for your dollar.        Happy planting, Mary That was 3 years ago. Food prices are still going up!  This weekend I shared a WSJ article  Attention Shoppers: Fruit and Vegetable Prices are Rising.  For those of us trying to become more self-sufficient, we already know this! From the article,  "The cost of fresh produce is poised to jump in the coming months as a three-year drought in California shows few signs of abating, according to an Arizona State University study set to be released Wednesday.The study found a head of lettuce could increase in price as much as 62 cents to $2.44; avocado prices could rise 35 cents to $1.60 each; and tomatoes could cost 45 cents more at $2.84 per pound. (The run-up in produce prices is in line with other projections showing that overall food cost gains are expected to accelerate this year.)" The prices listed above are most likely an average.  Here in Florida, conventionally grown tomatoes are $3.99 a pound and almost TWICE that if you buy organic. What are my solutions for the rising cost of food?  Well, I have several.  First...GROW YOUR OWN VEGGIES!  It really doesn't take a lot of time or effort to grow a basil plant or even salad greens.  Arugula is an easy green to grow and takes approx 40 days.  It needs soil, water and sun.  Arugula can even be grown in a recycled plastic or wood container. No need to go out and spend a bunch of money. At Mary's Heirloom Seeds you can purchase a packet of non-gmo, open-pollinated Arugula seeds  (300 seeds) for only $3.00! Tomatoes take a bit longer to grow, about 60-90 days but well worth the effort.  Mary's Heirloom Seeds offers 11 different varieties of HEIRLOOM Tomato seeds  Heirloom Tomatoes are so delicious and juicy! Amana's Orange Tomato Choose from Cherokee Purple, Emerald Green, Amana's Orange, Cherry and Beefsteak varieties.  Prices range from $3 to $4 for 25 to 45 seeds.  If you've never eaten an heirloom or homegrown tomato you are missing out! SPROUTS are another way to get nutrient-dense "greens" without spending lots of money or time.  Mung Beans grow into Bean Sprouts in as few as 3-6 days.  Mung Beans are my favorite!  Check out Nutritional Info for Sprouts. SPROUTS can be grown in a glass jar on the kitchen counter.  Sprouts don't need light or dirt...Just water! If you decide to check out Mary's Heirloom Seeds here are a few tidbits... All of the seeds listed are open-pollinated, non-gmo and non-hybrid, non-patented,  untreated, heirloom seeds. Mary has signed the Safe Seed pledge.   Seed Orders placed Monday-Thursday are shipped within 24 hours, (except for holidays)  Once your order has been processed. Shipping on Heirloom Seeds is Free within the Continental US.

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Friday SOCIAL MEDIA LINK-UP (part 2)

HAPPY FRIDAY!!!
Welcome to Part 2 of our Month-Long Social Media PARTY!  

I'm in a fantastic mood so I thought I'd share the love!  If you'd like a shoutout or a follow here's what to do...

Follow me @ the links below...Then add YOUR linky.  
I follow back!  Feel free to hop around and follow other bloggers!

Happy Linking!

 

Now that you've followed me...Share YOUR SOCIAL MEDIA links!

Please indicate which social media link you have shared.  
This is a HOP.  If you'd like, copy and paste the code to YOUR blog!

REAL Food Friday LINKUP is LIVE!

Hello and Welcome to REAL Food Friday!
I'd like to thank all of the conscious bloggers who followed the guidelines and 
shared REAL FOOD recipes and organic gardening and posts. Thank you for sharing!

It's been one of those crazy weeks/months (year)!  I feel like I've been steady "on-the-go" for the last 60+ days...Not that I'm complaining!
I just announced the NEW line Mary's Herbal Organix now available at Mary's Heirloom Seeds.  These organic, herbal tinctures have taken months to make!

Also,  I'm offering limited Ad Space now at Back to the Basics.  

We are GROWING and I'd like YOU to grow with us!

 

On the the PARTY!  We're your hosts
Lydia @ Lydia's Flexitarian Kitchen 
Janine @ My Lamp is Full  
Marla @ Organic4 Greenlivings 
and me...Mary @ Back to the Basics and Mary's Kitchen 

<a href="http://maryshealthymeals.blogspot.com/"><img border="0" src="http://i1287.photobucket.com/albums/a627/greenmary_smith/REALFood1_zpsb7242283.jpg"/></a>  
If you're interested in co-hosting let us know! 

You can email Mary at mari_backtonature@yahoo.com

I'M SKIPPING THE FEATURES TONIGHT...There's a HUGE Heirloom Seed Sale going on at Mary's Heirloom Seeds.

 

Calabrese Broccoli, Long Island Brussels Sprouts, Tom Thumb Lettuce, 

Southern Giant Mustard, BASIL and BORAGE!!!

In case you missed "What is Real Food" here's a recap...

I know "Real" food may not seem like as much fun as the sugary, chemically, DIY recipes out there on the internet.  This is why REAL Food Friday is so unique.  This is the place to share your unprocessed, gmo-free, locally grown and/or fair trade posts.

We are trying to make a difference 1 recipe at a time!
If your post includes items like *margarine, *granulated sugar, *food dye, packaged baking mixed with ingredients that you cannot pronounce (betty crocker, duncan hines, pillsbury) then it WILL be deleted.  These are garbage ingredients.  Sorry...Not real food.

Here's a great reference from Food Myths:
Do you ever think about how far the food you eat travels?  Who grew it?  Who picked it? How much in processing it's been through before you took a bite? Real Food is:
-Supports fair farmworker wages
-GMO Free
-Little to no processing/processed ingredients
-Supports local markets/vendors and isn't transported long distances to get to my plate
-Honors fair trade principles when I buy from othr regions
-Meat and dairy should be humanely raised and on real food themselves-Not genetically engineered feed, drugs, hormones and antibiotics.

Link up your Real Food posts!  Processed and "junk food" posts will be deleted.
The party runs from Thursday at 7pm EST through Monday at Noon.

Please follow your hosts and consider adding the Real Food Friday button.

Grow Your Own Food

Mary's Heirloom Seeds Using Coconut Coir Pellets for Seed Starting

Quick Links  Beans and Corn  Heirloom FRUITS  Heirloom GREENS   Heirloom PEPPERS Heirloom SEEDS Heirloom TOMATOES Specialty Heirlooms HERB Seeds Organic Wildflowers Seed Pack Combos SUPPLIES 2014 Planting Guide Mary's Herbal Organix Mary's Tincture Shop Order Online and we SHIP! Find us at the Yellow Green Farmer's Market in Hollywood, FL Saturday and Sunday from 8am-4pm BOOTH #281 Join Our List

May 14, 2014 I use Coconut Coir pellets OFTEN!  When I volunteer at a local school, hauling a bag of pellets is so much easier than dirt and all of the supplies. Here are my tips for using Coconut Coir Pellets. Using Coconut Coir Pellets for Seed Starting These little pellets are AMAZING!  Check out MY results using Coconut Coir pellets. Step 1: Take out your Coconut Coir Pellets.  I like to use a large tray Step 2: Add water to tray and Coconut Coir Pellets.  Using warm water might help them "grow" faster.  Step 3: Add seeds to the hole and gently cover or "squish" coconut coir. Step 4: Place in a warm sunny place and keep moist.  This is where the real growing happens! Pepper seedlings in Coconut Pellets Once the roots start to stick out of the pellet it is time to transplant.  I chose to transplant into a container for now while I care for these peppers.  While they continue to grow I will prepare my garden bed.    Peppers grown in Coconut Pellets About Coconut Coir Pellets: The very best pellet for seed starting! Add water, and the Coconut Pellets quickly swell to become a perfect self contained pot with its own perfect medium for starting seeds. Seeds are nurtured within the pellet to germinate faster into young seedlings. Roots emerge easily through the porous walls of the pellet as a result of the enhanced air circulation created by the unique design and characteristics. The  Coconut Coir Pellet - complete with the started plant inside - goes directly into the ground. As a result, no transplant shock occurs, and the plant has full vigor to mature faster. All the young, tender roots remain totally intact.   NEW Coconut Coir Pellets are more eco-friendly! Watch the Video

If you have additional questions please feel free to ask.  

We usually reply within a few hours (unless we're at the farmer's market). 
Thanks you and have a wonderful day!

Happy Planting,

Mary

Mary's Heirloom Seeds