The Ontario Farmers Market is an exciting, fun filled community gathering spot. Chock full of fresh local fruits,vegetables, bread, honey, berries, granola, cupcakes and more. The Market also includes a Guest Bell Ringer as a showcase for local Non-Profits, several tasty food vendors, artisans, live music and more to round out the weekly event.

The Market is the brainchild of a local businesswoman, Barbara Wilson. She is passionate about providing the community access to nutritional and affordable foods. She knows that by facilitating a support system that encourages health and well-being, that the community can also glean economic health for farms, businesses and entrepreneurs.

The Ontario Farmers Market will have an expanded schedule this year. Beginning May 3, 2012 the Market will run in May, June and July on Thursday Nights from 5:00 pm to 8:30 pm. In August, September and October the Market rings in on Sunday Mornings from 8:00 am to 1:30 pm.

Vendors may apply online at www.managemymarket.com and/or email at OntarioFarmersMarket@gmail.com.

Shane and I are kindred spirits. We’re just regular gals that have an enormous passion for all things ‘green‘. Additionally, Shane is a VERY gracious and selfless person, who is making a huge difference for the future of our planet.

You must head over to the Environmental Booty site immediately and sign up for the Earth Day Giveaway. But also, PLEASE take the time to look over each of the Giveaways featured and learn more about eco-friendly products that are available to everyone.

Some of the items included in the giveaway are:

Signed Copy of Celebrate Green by Corey Colwell-Lipson and Lynn Colwell

The founder of the non-profit initiative Green Halloween®, works with her daughter. Their passion is to help others create and re-invent traditions for their families, that are more environmentally conscious. Check out their website at Celebrate Green to see all of the amazing ways that you can make your giving become more earth-friendly!

Check out these AMAZING items in the Giveaway from Shop to be Green! Additionally, when you go to Shop to be Green’s website, you won’t be able to pull yourself away from the variety of products on the site. They’ve got furniture, decor, fashion accessories, and much more. This is one of those websites you should be going to first, when making online purchases.

Junk mail – YUCK ! Besides it just being plain annoying, it’s such a waste of natural resources.

I signed up about 3 years ago at 41 pounds.org, to reduce the amount of junk mail that I received. Operating a home-based business and having my mailing address out there, increased the incoming,  junk mail significantly. After getting all set up with 41pounds.org, I eventually saw a huge reduction.

More important than it helps reduce any personal inconveniences, is the fact that it helps the planet! As mentioned on 41pounds.org’s website, reducing junk mail will:

• Keep trees in the forest. More than 100 million trees are destroyed each year to produce junk mail. 42% of timber harvested nationwide becomes pulpwood for paper.
• Reduce global warming. The world’s temperate forests absorb 2 billion tons of carbon annually. Creating and shipping junk mail produces more greenhouse gas emissions than 9 million cars.
• Save water. About 28 billion gallons of water are wasted to produce and recycle junk each year.
• Save time. You waste about 70 hours a year dealing with junk mail.

Lastly, the icing on the cake, is that 41pounds.org, donates more than 1/3 of the fee that I pay them to the environmental or community organization of my choice. It’s a Win-Win-Win!

Don’t forget to also check out all the great green shopping at Environmental Booty too. Shane has a significant list of  businesses, that provide a huge variety of products and they also really care about the planet.

Keeping it Green!

Shaklee Sports Nutrition products are used at the highest levels of  competition so you can trust them every time you take them—before, during, and after your workouts. Train longer. Recover faster. Perform better.

And don’t worry, these are natural products with no artificial flavors, sweeteners, or preservatives. Everything you need. Nothing you don’t. That’s SHAKLEE performance.
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Before: Shaklee Energy™ Pure Energy Chews

Shaklee Energy Chews provide a clean burst of healthy energy to help you get that extra edge when you need it most. Each chew contains a scientific blend of caffeine from natural green tea extract, plus L-tyrosine, L-theanine, B vitamins and vitamin D.

And there are no artificial flavors, sweeteners or added preservatives you’ll find in other energy products.

That’s PURE energy.

During: Shaklee Performance® Pure Hydration Drink

Shaklee Performance is clinically proven to hydrate better than water. Plus, Performance has more electrolytes and provides more energy than the leading hydration drink.

Our proprietary OPTI-LYTE™ electrolyte blend plus our unique mix of carbohydrates delivers instant and sustained energy and supports optimal hydration.

Shaklee Performance® is Clinically Proven

Minimizes fluid loss for enhanced hydration
Maintains blood-glucose levels to sustain intense energy output and to increase stamina
Increases endurance for better athletic performance
No artificial flavors, sweeteners or added preservatives.

That’s Pure Performance.

After: Shaklee Physique® Pure Recovery Shake

Shaklee Physique® is a pure, natural, high-octane fuel for rapid muscle recovery, endurance, and strength. The intelligent-release protein blend and unique protein-to-carb ratio:

Allow your body to absorb a full spectrum of amino acids over time

• Help build firm, lean muscle
• Help restore muscle energ
• Support muscle repair

Physique contains the right amount of protein and carbohydrates to help you recover faster and optimize muscle rebuilding.

No artificial flavors, sweeteners or added preservatives.

That’s Pure Recovery.

Powering athletes. Fueling dreams. From start to finish.

Shaklee Sports Nutrition products have helped Americans rule the podium—winning more than 100 gold, silver, and bronze medals! That’s more than most countries! We have gone to the ends of the earth to prove Shaklee Sports Nutrition is the best. From the North Pole to the South Pole and all points in between. In fact, seven of Time-Life’s Greatest Adventures of All Time were fueled by Shaklee.

Meet the Athletes

Requirements for this a FREE Sports Nutrition Pack promotion:

Join Shaklee as a Member or Distributor and purchase any product order with a pretax total of $70 or greater (not including the cost of the New Member Pack or Distributor Welcome Kit), or join Shaklee with any GOLD PAK, and you will receive a Shaklee Sports Nutrition Pack for FREE. Shipping and handling charges will apply. Promotional offer valid June 1–July 31, 2011.

click here for details

Order Here. The Sports Nutrition special will automatically be entered in your cart after purchasing your membership and products. Questions? Give me a call – I’m happy to help.

Thank you for choosing Shaklee! Enjoy your summer!

Special Healthy Home Kit

Special Facebook Offer

Become a “Fan” on Facebook of Shaklee Corporation, and you can receive a free package of Shaklee Energy Chews. Retail price is $21.30, but you will only pay $4.98 for shipping and handling! Shaklee is making an incredible offer for new and existing customers also.

You may take advantage of this offer as a Guest Shopper, but please put my distributor number of #ZQ01390 or my email of liz@sowing4health.com in, when it prompts you.

The Greenhouse is fulfilling Kim Braniff’s passion for gardening and nurturing. Kim has never taken on such a venture before, but with the “full bloomed” (or full-blown) support both emotionally and physically from her husband Tom, they are open for business and looking mighty fine!

In Full Bloom has been a labor of love and definitely reflects that. As soon as you see it’s unique rustic storefront and meticulously constructed greenhouse and it’s amenities, you know that these folks are here to do business.

Just to start, they are carrying 40 to 45 varieties of flowers and then about 20 varieties of fruits and vegetables. There are multiple varieties of cucumbers and tomatoes and then an array of various other eatables such as peppers, cabbage, broccoli, cauliflower, eggplant, honeydew, cantaloupe, watermelon and more.

The Braniff’s have plans to add an outdoor garden to the business this summer and then will be able to offer fresh produce right from their doors. Eventually, even some herbs will be added to their medley of products.

In Full Bloom Greenhouse & Gardens is currently operating under a limited spring schedule, but hours will be added as summer approaches. Currently, it is open on Wednesday and Thursday’s from Noon to 7:00 PM. And, on Friday and Saturday’s from 8:00 AM to 6:00 PM.

With Kim’s desire to cater to the home gardener and provide the products that her community desires, I’m sure that everyone will be very pleased with this much needed business in the local community.

This weekend, one could even find some beautiful potted plant bowls to initiate some green into their home. These bowls would also make a fantastic Mother’s Day gift for your Mom.

In Full Bloom Greenhouse & Gardens is located at the corner of Smith Street and South St in Vale, Oregon. The business phone is currently 541/212-4899. Be sure to enter their grand opening drawing while you’re there too.

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Relieve Symptoms

Premium Garlic Complex

Retains all the potency of one clove of fresh raw garlic without the odor. Garlic is traditionally used for its anti-bacterial, anti-fungal, anti-viral and anti-inflammatory properties. People often take it to reduce symptoms of allergy, asthma, colds, flu, sinus infections, yeast infections, diarrhea & flatulence. It also has heart protective properties of lowering elevated blood pressure and cholesterol levels.

Strengthen the Immune System

Sustained Release Vita C

For continuous antioxidant protection against environmental assaults, this unique all-natural sustained formula slowly releases Vitamin C into your blood stream over a 5-hour period and provides nutrients from the entire vitamin C complex including bioflavonoids. Vitamin C has been found to protect against smog, smoke, poor diet, stress, bruising, varicose and spider veins, chronic infection, allergies, asthma, colds, flu, swollen glands, anemia, colon polyps, and slow healing.

Nutriferon

Developed and extensively tested by immunologists in Japan, this proprietary blend of natural plant extracts is derived from pumpkin seeds, safflower flowers, plantago seeds, and Japanese honeysuckle flower buds.  Nutriferon supports and stimulates the immune system by increasing the activity of macrophages (white blood cells) and inducing natural interferon production.  It optimizes the body’s immune response against environmental irritants and airborne substances (as with allergies and asthma).  Completely safe – no adverse reactions to these plant extracts recorded.

Optiflora, Two-Product Daily Colon Care System

Scientists now believe 70% of the immune system is located in the gut … a good place to start to strengthen our immune system against allergic reactions.  There appears to be a surprising correlation between symptoms of upper respiratory congestion and sinus discomfort to poor elimination in the lower intestines.  This is often associated with an overgrowth of the Candida yeast organisms.  An increasing number of Americans suffer from Candida when the essential friendly microbes Nature intended to reside in our intestines get destroyed by medications such as antibiotics,  steroid-based drugs (e.g. asthma medications), oral contraceptives, and more.  Couple this with a diet culture so entrenched in sweets, breads, baked goods, chips, and snacks that are the favorite foods of the Candida organisms…..

*Start with just the Optifora probiotic capsule … a patented technology that allows the very fragile probiotics to pass through the highly acidic stomach protected by a triple encapsulation so they arrive exactly at the right location in the lower intestines.

*Then Optiflora prebiotic powder formula … a specialized food that enhances growth of the friendly microbes.  If, however, you do not have many colonies of friendly bacteria, this food will lie in the intestines and eventually ferment and cause gas.  *{use probiotic capsule for several weeks before adding the prebiotic.}

Zinc Complex

Essential  for the immune system,, zinc is often deficient in American diets. It is lost with perspiration and  stress. Classic zinc deficiency symptoms are loss of taste, smell, and appetite (common after illness or chemotherapy), slow healing, prostate problems, delayed sexual maturity, infertility, cataracts, and acne (one study showed an 85% reduction in acne scars in 4 weeks).

Alfalfa

With deep roots extending 10 to 20 feet into the soil, this amazing plant is rich in trace minerals and protein plus contains 8 digestive enzymes. Recognized as a natural anti-histamine, allergy sufferers report good results from taking 3 or 4 of the little compressed sun-dried leaf tablets … containing no pesticides, fungicides, growth regulators, or synthetic hormones.  Other popular uses for alfalfa are swelling, pain and stiff joints, ulcers, stomach ailments, hiatal hernia, water retention, gout, body odor, and bad breath.

Diet

Emphasize fresh vegetables and avoid sugar, breads, and baked goods.

The Shaklee Difference … The principle of “Products in Harmony with Nature and Good Health” guides Shaklee science.  Experts in nutrition, public health, food science, analytical chemistry, biochemistry, herbology, microbiology, and engineering all staff the 52,000 square foot Forrest C. Shaklee Research Center in Hayward, California.  They continue the important research and development that makes each product the world standard for quality.   Shaklee is based on pharmaceutical standards.

Reduce Exposure to Toxins

In addressing allergy and sinus problems, a two-fold approach is usually recommended:  1) strengthen the immune system (as discussed above), and 2) avoid products that could aggravate allergy and sinus conditions such as certain foods and cleaning products.  Many cleaning products not only irritate the skin, but their odors can aggravate upper respiratory problems.

Shaklee Get Clean Starter Kit

Step one in reducing toxins in and around our living space is to remove all toxic cleaning products from the home ..and replace them with the non-toxic, earth-friendly Get Clean Product line. Oprah Winfrey named these remarkable, effective, and yet inexpensive cleaners among her “favorite things”. They can be purchased individually or in the most popular Get Clean Starter Kit.  The kit includes products for the kitchen, the bathroom, and the laundry … in particular fragrance-free dryer sheets (made from vegetables and biodegradable), a pint of Basic H2 (that makes 48 gallons of all purpose cleaner for about $10), and Scour Off cleanser for pots, pans, and stove tops in the kitchen and for tile cleaning in the bathroom.  Kosher certified.

Basic-G Highly Concentrated Germicide

Disinfectant made without cresol.  Cresol is easily absorbed by the skin and causes digestive disturbances, nervous disorders, mental changes, skin eruptions, and jaundice.  Basic G kills parvovirus, feline leukemia, distemper virus, and the AIDS virus on surfaces.  Note:  for allergy and sinus relief in the winter when it’s dry, remember to use a humidifier with a few drops of Basic-G to inhibit bacterial growth.

Shaklee Enfuselle Nutriton Therapy for the Skin Products

Combine advanced technology with herbal and botanical extracts and antioxidants …especially formulated for sensitive skin.  Hypoallergenic, pH balanced, no artificial colorants or heavy mineral oils, noncomedogenic (won’t clog pores).  Plus a comprehensive highly derma-available complex designed to actually break each link in the chain of free radical damage.  Literally reverses the accelerated aging of the skin caused by computer screens, fluorescent lights, and the sun.

Other Helpful Products

Defend & Resist Complex

Contains Echinacea … which activates the immune system, promotes production of white blood cells, enhances resistance to infection (viral and bacterial), anti-inflammatory, promotes wound healing, reduces mucous, relieves boils, gangrene, ulcerations, bites, abscesses, and fights candida.  Also contains larchtree extract and elderberry to surround viruses and help prevent their reproduction. Best taken at onset of a virus.  Can also be used as a zinc lozenge or made into a tea. Very soothing to sore throats.

But, do not despair, spring cleaning doesn’t have to be noxious and difficult during the actual cleansing part of the process. There are safe and non-toxic cleaning products available that are economical and work really well.

My favorite (of course), are the Get Clean products from Shaklee. I first learned about them on Oprah’s Earth Day show in 2007, and I’ve been a believer ever since. Please watch the below video segment from that actual episode.

I then spent the following month researching Shaklee’s cleaning and nutritional products. Ultimately, I started using them and I know that it’s made a huge difference for my family and the planet.

The cleaning products are concentrated and non-toxic. And, the nutritional supplements are all natural. All products are 100% money back guaranteed and this month you can become a Shaklee member for free, with a minimum $30.00 purchase. If, you’d like more information about the products and or the company, please don’t hesitate to contact me or peruse through my website at www.sowing4health.com. Make this spring cleaning project a healthy one for your family and the planet.

Value Sheet Get Clean

For the edible items, try finding products grown and/or made locally in your area. Between the packaging materials and then the emissions given off by shipping them, it can add up to a lot of waste and pollution. Also, finding a local eatery to dine out at, is an excellent idea. Even if you end up paying a little more for a meal, think about the offsets for not driving very far.

In the aroma department, opt for natural candles made of soy or beeswax. And, if you want to be very creative, find a local person that blends essential oils and purchase a gift certificate for a custom fragrance blending for your beloved.

The Valentine card can be very eco-friendly, by creating and/or purchasing an online E-card. But, if you must present a tangible card, try making or buying one out of recycled materials.

Whatever twist you decide to put on the day, show your love for the one so dear, and the planet, in a eco-friendly way.