The benefits of composting are well known. It reduces the amount of waste going to landfills and instead can help to regenerate poor soil in your own back garden. You will enjoy a healthy garden, a better yield of vegetables and do your bit for the environment.

The Tumbleweed Compost Bin is designed for even a small backyard or city dweller. It can yield up to 6-7 cubic feet of compost per month during summertime. The amount in the winter will be less.

The Tumbleweed bin is constructed of high-quality UV-protected polypropylene plastic, it is double-sided and temperature resistant. Assembly is easy and all you need is a screw driver and the included instructions. It is supported above the ground on steel legs and measures 46” high, 26” wide and 34” deep, which makes it perfect for even the smallest garden.

The bin comes with instructions on how to compost and what organic waste to put in it. All you have to do is fill your container with the waste, spin it every couple of days and enjoy fertile compost in your garden.

This compost bin is recommended by the National Gardening Club.

The author of I Love Dirt, Jennifer Ward, has written many award winning children’s books and frequently features in magazines like Ranger Rick, Your Big Backyard, Martha Stewart’s Real Simple and others. She is a nature lover and in her books introduces the children and parents to activities and projects to get families closer to nature.

The “I Love Dirt” book can be enjoyed by children and parents alike. It offers seasonal ideas to connect with nature. Her Spring ideas for warm weather and rainy days include going on a bird hunt, leaf looking, bouquet of color, wiggly for worms and more. Each activity also comes with a Help me Understand section that explains for example why flowers come in different colors.

Summer ideas include waterhole watching, backyard lullaby, moon shadows, twinkle twinkle little star and more. Fall and Winter activities introduce the children to activities and fun for the cold, snowy and cloudy weather and the magic that can be found outside even in the colder seasons.

The book is a great way to introduce children to fun in the great outdoors. 52 non-structured activities help guide your children and yourself to a healthy and nature loving self.

Toxic lead paint can cause a lot of irritations and serious health problems, especially in children. Protect your kids with the Child Guard Lead Paint Encapsulant.

This encapsulant is water-based and can be painted over a lead-painted area to form a barrier between your children and the toxic substance. It can be painted on all interior or exterior surfaces, is impact-resistant and inexpensive.

It is easy to apply with a roller or a brush and comes with a 20-year warranty. It is safe to use and non-toxic. It also meets all the necessary HUD (Department of Housing and Urban Development) and EPA (Environmental Protection Agency) guidelines on safety and toxicity and is approved in all states.

The paint contains Bitrex TM, which is a non-toxic, but bitter tasting, ingredient that keeps children from coming into oral contact with the product. The paint is water-based, easy to clean up and can be painted over.

Safeguard your family by using the Child Guard Lead Paint Encapsulant on all surfaces where lead paint is suspected.

Irritable Bowel Syndrome is a condition that plagues many. In fact, it’s been estimated that 1 in 5 people suffers from IBS. Symptoms range from abdominal pain, gas, bloating, diarrhea and/or constipation. It’s uncomfortable to say the least. If you suffer from IBS here are a few powerful and natural IBS remedies to consider:

1. Peppermint oil

   Peppermint oil is a great treatment for nausea and other digestive ailments. It is also commonly used to treat IBS. It not only relieves abdominal pain and bloating, it helps to eliminate gas and improve muscle function in the stomach and intestines.

   Peppermint oil is often taken by placing a few drops in a glass of water however, it’s recommended that IBS suffers take it as an enteric coated capsule. This coating prevents it from being absorbed to early, which can cause heartburn. You can take too much peppermint oil and it’s recommended to speak with a physician or medical practitioner before beginning a peppermint oil regimen. It does have a few side effects and may interact with certain pharmaceuticals.

2. Probiotics

   Probiotics are commonly referred to as good bacteria. We often eat yogurt to increase the number of good bacteria in our digestive tract. They help suppress the growth of harmful bacteria and have a positive influence on our immune system and overall health.

   It is theorized that people who suffer from IBS may have an overgrowth of bad bacteria in their intestinal tract. And studies have shown certain Probiotic bacteria to improve IBS symptoms. There are a number of different Probiotic strains and not all have shown to improve IBS however, one in particular, B. infantis, has shown great success in reducing symptoms.

3. Partially hydrolyzed guar gum

   One particularly distressing symptom of IBS is constipation, which is often followed by diarrhea. Partially hydrolyzed guar gum (PHGG) is a water soluble, non-gelling fiber, which has been shown to reduce constipation, diarrhea and abdominal pain. It’s also been shown to increase the amount of beneficial bacteria in the intestines. PHGG can be found in health food stores and markets and is generally sold as a fiber product.

4. Food allergies and sensitivities

   For many, IBS is caused by simple food intolerances. For example, diary and gluten are prime candidates. These sensitivities and food allergies may cause an immune response in your intestines. Your body is unable to process them effectively and becomes inflamed. This inflammation and inability to process the items may cause an imbalance in the bacteria we mentioned earlier when talking about probiotics.

   Thus eliminating these foods from your diet will have a profound effect on your IBS symptoms. While dairy and grains are the most common culprits, other foods can also irritate your intestines. An elimination diet is often necessary to be able to determine which foods you’re sensitive to and are causing your IBS.

Natural IBS remedies often require strict attention to your diet, a careful supplementation regimen and a commitment to live symptom free. Many IBS suffers and practitioners recommend keeping a journal and tracking your diet, supplements and symptoms to find the optimal natural IBS remedy solution for you.

Anxiety and stress are part of our life. They’re our body’s way of coping. And some anxiety is good. It can even save your life. However, the majority of the anxiety you feel causes a whole host of side effects, which over time can have a detrimental effect on your health. Rather than take a pharmaceutical to manage anxiety, take advantage of nature and consider on of these 5 natural anxiety cures.

1. Passion flower

   Passion flower has a long history as an anxiety reliever and was commonly used as a folk remedy. More recently, passion flower has been studied as an effective means of reducing anxiety. However, passion flower is not without side effects, as is the case with many herbs. Passion flower side effects may include nausea, vomiting, drowsiness, and rapid heartbeat.

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