Category: Joanna’s Journal

[cmsms_row data_padding_bottom=”50″ data_padding_top=”0″ data_overlay_opacity=”50″ data_color_overlay=”#000000″ data_bg_parallax_ratio=”0.5″ data_bg_size=”cover” data_bg_attachment=”scroll” data_bg_repeat=”no-repeat” data_bg_position=”top center” data_bg_color=”#ffffff” data_color=”default” data_padding_right=”3″ data_padding_left=”3″ data_width=”boxed”][cmsms_column data_width=”1/1″][cmsms_heading type=”h4″ font_weight=”400″ font_style=”normal” text_align=”default” target=”self” margin_top=”0″ margin_bottom=”20″ animation_delay=”0″]I recently started the Keto diet. It’s not new, but certainly not mainstream. [/cmsms_heading][cmsms_image align=”left” animation_delay=”0″]6381|https://www.bgi-usa.com/wp-content/uploads/shutterstock_725641921-300×300.jpg|medium[/cmsms_image][cmsms_text animation_delay=”0″]

As I began my path on this journey I learned A LOT about the foods we eat.  There are soooo many bad things in processed foods.  This isn’t really a revelation.  I feel like this is the truth we purposefully overlook while shopping or snacking during our favorite TV show.  We know whats good and whats bad for us.  If we just keep the blinders on we don’t have to think about it while we are doing it. While I was doing all of this research to find out what is recommended and what will be the healthiest it became clear that “cheap = bad”, especially where food is concerned.

This got me thinking about all the other areas in my life.  And I realized there is something else that needs to be considered.  Cheap and inexpensive are NOT the same thing.  VALUE is part of the equation!  So what do I mean by that?  Simply that something that is “cheaper” may actually cost more in the long run.  A less expensive purchase that won’t cost you more in the future also has value. Conversely expensive doesn’t mean value either. It’s more about what you are getting for your dollar rather than the cost of the item in comparison to other similar items.

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Let’s take a pair of jeans, for example.  When I was young, it was all the rage to have designer jeans. I am not saying all jeans are made the same, but the value in a pair of jeans isn’t the name unless the name is synonymous with staying in one piece longer than any other pair of jeans.  So although a socially acceptable pair of jeans cost $35, it didn’t make them last any longer than a pair of jeans that cost $15. On the flip side, a pair of jeans for $10 that you bought at the discount store might not hold up to the washing machine and therefore is no longer a value, because you have to replace them too quickly.

The VALUE comes from the benefits to making the purchase. I’ll elaborate.  As I create my new shopping lists for my Keto diet I am compelled to buy a more expensive selection of groceries.  (Thank goodness I’m eating less in general) My meats need to be grass fed or pasture raised. This is because the meat most of us buy at the grocery store is crammed full of grains (which you don’t eat on a Keto diet) prior to its trip the slaughterhouse (not to mention all kinds of antibiotics and so many more things that I don’t have time to discuss!).  This is done so that the farmer can make more money for one cow.  If they fatten it up with grains there is simply more meat to sell at market.  So while being less expensive than the meats I need to be consuming now, that grain fed pound of ground meat WILL COST ME in the long run because my healthcare costs are going to skyrocket when my Type 2 Diabetes takes over my poorly fed body.  Then I will be a burden on my community because I can’t afford health insurance to care for my body because my health care costs will increase because I am sick and can’t find insurance at a reasonable price anymore, then I will have to go to the emergency room because I don’t have a primary care physician.

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I realize that was a bouncing ball, I think you get my drift.  The VALUE is in spending perhaps a little more at the onset to save a bunch in the future.

In every place there will be choices to make sometimes there is a cheaper version available but it may not be made well or may not need to be replaced more often doubling the cost.  Sometimes you could buy something because socially it’s the “it” or “in” thing to buy, but you could have made a better choice with your money and found something that works as well or better without all the extra expense.

QUALITY is important. Buy from someone who cares about what they do, not about making money.

Until next time, I wish you all the best!

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The kids are going to be out of school soon if they aren’t already.  Let’s get your yard ready so that all you must do is get out there and play in it!

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The Lawn

Your grass is going to grow quite a bit during rainy season.  You can help get it ready with aeration and fertilization.

There are a few ways to aerate your lawn; there are machines that you can rent that run much like a lawn mower, there are special attachments for your shoes if you want to include a little cardio with your aeration and, for some yards it might make sense to just use a pitch fork and make your holes. Your goal is to get a few inches down into the soil so that water and nutrients can make their way down to the roots of your lawn.

Next, get all the thatch cleaned up so it doesn’t clog up your newly punched holes. Lay down some slow release fertilizer (check out Landscapergain or Gardengain!) and let the summer rain and heat do the rest.  Be prepared to mow more frequently as these conditions are perfect for growth.

TIP:  It’s important to protect the health of your grass when you mow.  Most cultivars stay stress free at 3-4 inches tall.  Set your mower to the appropriate height to maintain that length.  Cutting the grass shorter than that may stress out the roots which will leave your lawn looking brown and tired.

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The Landscape

This is also a great time to prune your trees and shrubs; and for those of us in hurricane prone areas, this is always recommended to prevent missiles in a storm! Semiannual pruning promotes growth and health. Look for the dead and bug or disease damaged limbs and branches and clear them off.

TIP: If you have any concerns about trimming too much or the healthiest way to trim your special trees or bushes check in with your local Extension office and share your concerns, they have horticulturists standing by to help because they love your garden as much as they love their own!

The Pests

While you are pruning, be on the lookout for pests that might try to make a summertime snack out of your favorite plants.  You can remove large bugs by hand and use a garden hose to spray back some smaller clusters.

TIP: Check out the link below for all-natural pest help!

http://www.planetnatural.com/pest-problem-solver/garden-pests/

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Relax, It’s Time to Play!

Now that the hard stuff is done, put your beautiful lawn to use with these fun ideas:

1) Start a garden with the kids get some things in the ground that you can enjoy in the fall

Squashes, Corn, Melons, Sweet Potatoes, Green Beans, and Peppers are just some of the veggies that love the hot summer air

2) Build a bird bath

3) Pull out that kiddie pool and build a sandbox.  Let those little monsters get super dirty.  Go on your know you want to make a mud pie with them!

4) Get those kiddos to play tag, you got that grass looking good, now play in it!

Check out the websites below for some great ideas on how easy it is to get started on some of these ideas:

https://www.housebeautiful.com/room-decorating/outdoor-ideas/g853/outdoor-room-design-ideas/

https://www.sunset.com/garden/fruits-veggies/choosing-which-vegetables-to-grow

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wTIuh1SonQA

https://activeforlife.com/transform-the-game-of-tag/

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Florida isn’t really known for extreme cold weather. However, temperatures can drop, and there are things we can do to keep our lawns looking their best throughout any season. As the temperatures cool our grass will start to go into a dormant stage, which results in slower growth and reduced water requirements.  During dormant periods your grass will focus its resources on the keeping the root system strong, not on shoots growing above ground.  Luckily for those of us in South Florida, 40-degree temperatures are few and far between. Maintenance routines likely will not change much until January or February and will be short lived. For those of you who live a little farther north, you might notice dormancy earlier and can expect it to last weeks or months longer.

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• Cleanliness is next to Godliness: Be sure to clear leaves and debris from the lawn. These can create brown spots, and can bring unwanted seeds/plant matter that lead to weeds into your lawn.
• Aerate to Save a Life: Heavy Florida rains year-round compact soil. An aerationinvolves perforating the soil with small holes to allow air, water and nutrients to penetrate the grass This helps the roots grow deeply and produce a stronger, more vigorous lawn.
• Topdressin’ Like a Fool: For our Northern Floridians, avoid the harsh dryness that is associated with cooler weather by applying a topdressing. This helps protect your lawn from dry weather and reduces thatch buildup. Also use topdressing to protect overseeding, but be weary of weeds!

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• Weeds, Weeds and Weeds, Oh My!: Weeds tend to flare up in soil that is exposed to direct sunlight and abundance of water. Keeping your grass at the correct height for its cultivar and water about 1” of water per week is great way to avoid weeds naturally.
• What’s the Deal with Overseeding?: Lastly, to help maintain the green we love to see, consider overseeding. This is the practice of applying grass seed to an existing lawn. In Florida, we want to apply a temporary cool weather seed to our permanent warm weather lawns.  Ryegrass is the most popular choice in Florida because it will stay green in cooler weather, but will die out as we reach spring, allowing your natural lawn cultivar to resume dominance.  Wait until the temps are averaging low to mid 70’s before you start seeding! Learn more about overseeding at the University of Florida’s IFAS blog: http://solutionsforyourlife.ufl.edu/archive/hot_topics/lawn_and_garden/overseeding_winter_lawns.shtml

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The Florida winter is short lived, you’ll be back to your normal lawn routines in a few short months, or weeks depending on Mother Nature!

Take care,
Joanna

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It’s that time of year, the air is a little crisper, the days are shorter, and you can almost smell the pumpkin pies and balsam everywhere you go! It’s hard not to get excited when those familiar signs appear. But, for some of us it means stress is right around the corner. I was one of those folks for a long time. Today I want to share some of my story in hopes that you, dear reader, may feel a little happier to see the signs and little less frazzled.

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My story began in my early twenties. I was a new wife and mother and thousands of miles from home. My mother was an AMAZING hostess and I wanted to be as great as she was. My husband was a enlisted man in the Army and I thought, I’ll treat all these young, unattached men living in the barracks, no family and far from home, to a traditional Thanksgiving meal. I’d helped my mother so many times I was certain I wouldn’t have any trouble. I’ll spare the details, but, let’s just say that my certainty was soon replaced with reality. And though those young men didn’t have a much better option, I don’t think they were prepared to wait until way past bedtime to eat some dry turkey and lumpy gravy!

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Now, I’ll confess that I have improved my hostess skills a bit over the years, but not a single party comes together for me without days (or weeks) of anxiety. Or I should say “used to” come together”. Over the years I have had to accept that perfection isn’t for humans and if someone loves you they won’t mind if your potatoes are a little bumpy and you may not make the best housekeeper and cook and Mom and do your job all at the same time!

My message is this: It is all about how you look at it at, and who you spend your time with. The first thing you can do to help alleviate your stress is remember that your loved ones appreciate everything you do, and will love you even if you only serve 3 side dishes instead of 5. And for goodness sake ask them to help whenever you can. It’s so much fun to share the work and the special time together. Lastly, give yourself a fighting chance. Start each day or week with a list, delegate what you can and wake up each day forgiving yourself if you didn’t get it ALL done yesterday, and being grateful you have this new day to keep plugging away at it. Get outside, take a walk, the weather is gorgeous, breath in the fresh air and clear your mind. Eat right (when you aren’t at a party, wink wink) and get plenty of sleep. You can’t take care if anyone else if you don’t take care of yourself.

Until next time, take care!

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It is Pumpkin Month! No, really! Just ask all the folks at their favorite coffee shop… ”PSL, anyone?”  If we’re being honest, I am guilty too. Who doesn’t love the smell of Pumpkin treats and drinks?  It means the holidays are here and all the goodness that comes with them.

But do you know how these delectable orange gourds came to be? Pumpkins originated in the early Americas. Historians located seeds of similar plants in Mexico dating all the way back to 5,500 B.C.! Love for pumpkins has bloomed, and they are now grown on 6 of the 7 continents!

What about those Fall traditions? I won’t make it through November without a slice of pumpkin pie! Colonists are believed to be the original pumpkin pie bakers – the top of the pumpkin was cut off, seeds removed, and then milk, spices and honey were poured into the gourd. They were baked in smoldering embers from dying fires.

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We can’t forget Halloween, either. The first Jack-O-Lanterns were made not with pumpkins, but with turnips and potatoes!  The Jack-O-Lantern was used to scare off bad spirits in Ireland during the Celtic Holiday Samhain (the festival of the dead or Summer’s end).  When the Irish settled in America they discovered the pumpkin and that is when it became a Halloween tradition.

Not only are they good for scaring off evil spirits, they are good for your health too.  Serving for serving Pumpkins have more fiber than Kale, and more potassium than bananas!  Pumpkins are a great source of Vitamin A and B and they are lower in fat and calories than sweet potatoes.

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Now that you have all these fun facts, I am sure you want to grow some yourself!  Save your seeds.  You can begin planting in April or May after the last frost, and up until Mid June. They grow a little faster in warmer climates so if you are down south you can plant them as late as July to make the Halloween rush! They take somewhere between 90-120 days to grow. Once the seeds have germinated select a few of the best sprouts and thin the rest out. They need plenty of room to grow, so give each plant a minimum of 20 square feet to stretch out.  We recommend a quick draining soil and our Grow & Gain 10-10-5 liquid for weekly feedings.  Pumpkins are heavy feeders so you want keep them fed for optimum growth!

I hope this encourages you to start your own pumpkin patch next year, happy planting!

Take Care!

Joanna

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It’s been a great summer so far! Today I want to speak to all of you who might be worried about the condition of your back yard. Here at BGI we are continually looking for ways to help our customers get more out of their gardens and by extension their outdoor spaces. So much so that we started caring for our neighbors lawns here in our hometown, Cape Coral, Florida.  BGI Services Division was developed because not everyone wants to grow a garden, but almost everyone wants a yard they can be proud of without having to spend all year working on it!

It will take take a little time getting there, but if you stick with it I promise it will be worth it! The most important step in your lawn care journey will be a soil test.  As we have discussed in previous posts, whether it’s your plants or your grass, plant health starts with healthy soil.

 

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Why is a soil test so important?   PH levels determine which nutrients can be utilized by your plants or grass and a soil test will tell you what your PH is. Some nutrients cannot be utilized at higher levels and some cannot be utilized at lower levels, meaning your plants won’t get all they need just some. Don’t worry if you PH isn’t a perfect 6.0-6.5, there are solutions for low or high PH levels.

Once you know what you are working with you should have your yard aerated. ( We recommend twice a year, once in the Fall and once in the Spring.) This will loosen the thatch that builds up and prevents water and nutrients from getting down into your soil.

The next items are about your lawn care, you will find a consensus on these tips everywhere you look. These common mistakes put your lawn in recovery mode and make it very hard for your lawn to thrive.

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1. Don’t mow your grass too short, each grass type varies a little bit, but most like to be somewhere between 3 and 4 inches tall. If the grass is very tall only remove 1/3 of the height at a time so the grass has time to recover from the trauma.
2. Don’t overwater. Summer is known for rain, most lawns won’t need more than 1 inch per week.. We shared a story recently about communities that post the weekly rainfall for their residents. These communities used less municipal water because they could see that their yards already received the water required for good health.
3. Don’t forget to fertilize! This one is important, but not for the reason that you might think. A lot of homeowners rely on companies who use poison to eliminate weeds and pests. Wait What? YES if it t ends in “–icide”, it has one job, killing something. These kinds of treatments are harmful to the environment, and dangerous for your children and pets. The most important thing to know is that if your lawn is healthy and stress-free you won’t have weeds or pests to kill.

It may take a year to get your yard your in perfect shape, but once you get there a little maintenance, some careful cutting and conservative watering will keep you in the GREEN for years to come!

Until next time!

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As Earth Day approaches and we make another pass around the sun I am encouraged and hopeful that we are all taking notice of the things we can do for Mother Earth and future generations. In my industry, there are many opponents to inorganic fertilizers. And the stigma placed on what we do can be frustrating at times…I recently watched an old documentary about fertilizer use and a scientist was explaining that large Agricultural companies were using fertilizers that focused on N-P-K only. As a result, they would soon experience the pitfalls of not focusing on complete nutrition, like disease and pests which are directly related to poor nutrition.

Take this stigma a step further and you’ll hear proponents of organic only fertilizer programs tell you that the soil in an inorganic fertilizer program is unhealthy and making you sick.  What they don’t tell you is how much you have to spend to keep your organic garden pest and disease free and how much work has to go into such a program to keep it completely organic. What they could talk about is that by utilizing the 4Rs (Right Source, Right Rate, Right Time, Right Place) you too can uphold the stewardship with many global organizations, grow healthy fruits and vegetables and beautiful flowering plants, save money and time all while  using inorganic fertilizers!

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We care very much about the earth and our customers. Something everyone needs to know is that inorganic does not mean unnatural!  It simply means that it doesn’t come from a carbon-based source. BGI fertilizers, for instance, focus on all the necessary nutrients to help plants grow to their full potential, and since we focus on the “species” we make sure there isn’t anything you don’t need in the blend. You can use teaspoons of inorganic fertilizers instead of cups of organic fertilizers. Scientists have discovered that mycorrhizzae as a soil amendment can help maintain the health of the soil and make your nutrition program more effective, and it is available in the marketplace today for the consumer.  What I am trying to say is that you can save money year-round, have great results and still be earth conscious!

Just a little “plant” food for thought!

Joanna

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In my role as GM I share in the successes and failures of my co-workers daily.  I see each challenge as an “opportunity” to grow.  I spread joy by seeing the gift in the smallest achievements and helping our employees to do the same.  I have the incredible fortune to help create beauty every day. I can’t think of a better way to participate in the world around us. I work every day to find new ways to make this a reality for all of our current and potential customers. Ultimately a beautiful flower or a delicious meal from your garden made bigger brighter or healthier by one of our products is how we spread joy. I wake excited every day to go to work so a customer can go to their back yard gain peace by connecting with nature, or a gardener can pick luscious fruits and vegetables to nourish their family.

It is with deepest appreciation and honor that I thank each and every one of you for your faith in our products and our mission. My wish for you all is that you forget yesterday, as it already in the past. Don’t worry about tomorrow, it hasn’t happened yet. Show your GRATITUDE for today, you received a precious gift.

Take Care!

Joanna

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[cmsms_row data_width=”boxed” data_padding_left=”3″ data_padding_right=”3″ data_color=”default” data_bg_color=”#ffffff” data_bg_position=”top center” data_bg_repeat=”no-repeat” data_bg_attachment=”scroll” data_bg_size=”cover” data_bg_parallax_ratio=”0.5″ data_color_overlay=”#000000″ data_overlay_opacity=”50″ data_padding_top=”0″ data_padding_bottom=”50″][cmsms_column data_width=”1/1″][cmsms_heading type=”h1″ font_weight=”400″ font_style=”normal” text_align=”default” target=”self” margin_top=”0″ margin_bottom=”20″ animation_delay=”0″]Summer Blackberry Jam[/cmsms_heading][cmsms_image align=”left” animation_delay=”0″]3905|https://www.bgi-usa.com/wp-content/uploads/product-iconsCITRUSGAIN-2lb-Bag-Citrus-Fertilizer-Citrus-Plant-Food-0-267×300.jpg|medium[/cmsms_image][cmsms_text animation_delay=”0″]

It’s summer and you’ve been fertilizing your berry plants with CITRUSGAIN® all year. You are reaping what you’ve sown, but, what are you going to do with all those BERRIES?? Make some jam of course!  It is so easy and you only need a few supplies and ingredients. Share a memory with the children or grandchildren. Who knows, mastering this old-timey kitchen craft might get you started on all kinds of kitchen wizardry!

If you have a lot like I do, you can use the jam for all kinds of things like; BBQ sauce, thumbprint cookies, syrups, smoothies, healthy topping option for waffles or pancakes…The list goes on and on!

[/cmsms_text][cmsms_heading type=”h3″ font_weight=”400″ font_style=”normal” text_align=”default” target=”self” margin_top=”0″ margin_bottom=”20″ animation_delay=”0″]Supplies[/cmsms_heading][cmsms_image align=”right” animation_delay=”0″]4878|https://www.bgi-usa.com/wp-content/uploads/jars-300×200.jpg|medium[/cmsms_image][cmsms_text animation_delay=”0″]

• Large Stock Pot – big enough to hold your jars and deep enough to cover the jars with water
• Jar Lifter – for grabbing those super hot jars from the pot
• Jelly Jars Pack – mason jars with 2 part lids
• A rack that will sit in the bottom of your stock pot (check out this affordable canning pot and rack set: Granite Ware 21.5 Quart)
  (it is absolutely necessary to place something on the bottom of your stock pot, so that the bottoms of the canning jars do not get too hot, and fall off when you remove the jars.)
• Ladle for scooping your jam into the jars
• A Funnel – to make sure you jam goes right into the jars without a mess.
• Cookie tray – lined with towels for cooling the jars

[/cmsms_text][cmsms_heading type=”h3″ font_weight=”400″ font_style=”normal” text_align=”default” target=”self” margin_top=”0″ margin_bottom=”20″ animation_delay=”0″]Jam Ingredients[/cmsms_heading][cmsms_text animation_delay=”0″]

• Fresh Blackberries – 5 cups
• Pectin – 1 package dry pectin (1 ¾ ounce)
• Sugar – 7 cups
• Lemon juice – (you can use a few drops at a time if your jam is too sweet before you jar it up)

Prep:

Before you use your jars for the first time be sure to sterilize them. Check the top of your jars by running your finger around the lip to make sure there are no chips, you want a good seal when canning, then wash the jars in hot soapy water.  Put your towel or rack on the bottom of the pot and put your jars in the pot.  Fill your stock pot with water just high enough to fill and cover the jars, boil them lightly for 15 minutes.

Wash the lids in soapy water then put them in a smaller pot on a low simmer and keep them warm until you are ready to seal the jars, this prepares the seal for canning. When the 15 minutes is up you can place the jars on a towel to dry while you make your jam.

[/cmsms_text][cmsms_heading type=”h3″ font_weight=”400″ font_style=”normal” text_align=”default” target=”self” margin_top=”0″ margin_bottom=”20″ animation_delay=”0″]Instructions[/cmsms_heading][cmsms_image align=”left” animation_delay=”0″]4877|https://www.bgi-usa.com/wp-content/uploads/jamin-e1471030102116.jpg|full[/cmsms_image][cmsms_text animation_delay=”0″]

• Place the berries in a large stock pot
• Add pectin a little at a time, stirring constantly
• Heat on high, stirring constantly until mixture comes to a full boil
• While stirring, add the sugar.
• Boil for 1 minute,
• Taste the jam, be careful it’s hot! If it is too sweet, add lemon juice a few drops at a time until it is flavored to your liking.
• Remove from heat and ladle into clean 8oz jars, leaving 1/4 inch space at the top
• Wipe the rim of the jars, then put canning lids and rings on fingertip tight. (Fingertip tight means to screw the lids down just until you start to feel resistance when you tighten.)
• Place the sealed jars in the clean stock pot – Be sure there is enough water to cover the jars Cover your pot and let them boil for 10-15 minutes
• The jars need to rest for 12 hours in that very spot.  After they are completely cool test the seal by pressing on the lit, it shouldn’t flex up or down. That means the seal is air-tight you can now tighten that lid down and they are ready to store in a cool dry place for 12 months (if they last that long!)

Happy Canning!

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