Keeping bees holds intrigue and interest for many, but the practice of beekeeping is more than just a pastime: it is becoming vital. Honeybee numbers have dwindled over the last five decades. Their decline has been variously attributed to disease, exposure to pesticides, climate change, and a mono-crop approach to agriculture. Regardless of the causes, the decline of the honeybee - officially called Colony Collapse disorder, or CCD - has the potential to affect humanity profoundly. Why Bees Are Important Of course, bees provide honey; but it is their role as pollinator that is so crucial to America's food supply. They pollinate more than three quarters of our flowering crops. If flowers are not pollinated, they will not bear fruit. That means that honey bees are responsible for wild and domestic apples, pears, strawberries, oranges, cucumbers, blueberries, broccoli, almonds, and much more. The enormously economical crop soybeans is pollinated largely by honeybees. Bees also pollinate alfalfa, a crop that farmers use to feed beef and dairy cattle. So honeybees have an effect on our steaks, burgers, cheese, milk, and other animal products. It has been said that, without bees, humans would have to survive on bread and water. And there would be no ...

Smelly shoes are caused by bacteria and sometimes fungus. Bacteria and fungus need warm, moist environments in which to thrive. To deodorize your shoes, the focus needs to be on killing bacteria, drying the shoe out, and absorbing odor. Last, it's nice to add a pleasant smell in place of the nasty one. Shoes that you shine are generally made of leather. Shining shoes has two purposes: it keeps the shoes looking good, and also provides a moisture barrier. The less moisture that penetrates your shoes, the longer they will last and the better they will smell. Remember to clean the surface of your shoes before applying polish. So here's how to deodorize and shine your shoes using natural means. Deodorize 1. Make a homemade foot powder using 1 part baking soda, 2 parts cornstarch, and the essential oil of your choice (2-4 drops per cup of powder). Peppermint and lavender are popular scents that also help to kill germs. Shake thoroughly and dust on your feet before wearing your shoes. 2. Baking soda is the king of natural deodorizers. Sprinkle some in your shoes each night. 3. Mix 1 cup of rubbing alcohol with 4 drops grapefruit seed extract and 2-4 drops of your favorite ...

Flossing and brushing regularly are the first steps to keeping your teeth healthy. There is no substitute for that basic regimen, but there are things you can do to augment it. Here are some tips on keeping your teeth healthy and white using natural materials and methods. 1. Use commercial, natural toothpastes. If you are concerned about the chemicals in conventional toothpaste, there are a lot of natural alternatives on the market. Look for toothpastes free from sodium lauryl/laureth sulfate. There are also natural whitening toothpastes. 2. Neem oil is a natural anti-bacterial and anti-fungal that promotes healthy gums and teeth. You can mix a drop or two of neem oil with a tablespoon of baking soda to make your own toothpaste. (You can add a drop of peppermint or cinnamon essential oil to improve the taste.) Shake well to combine. Or, you can buy a commercial toothpaste containing neem. Still another choice is to add neem oil to your commercial toothpaste. 3. Tea tree oil is also anti-bacterial and anti-fungal, making it good for your teeth. Use it as you would neem oil. 4. Dip your toothbrush in hydrogen peroxide and brush your teeth with it. Do this right after you brush your ...

Cats' toys are so easy to make from materials you'd normally throw away. Cats' natural tendency to explore spaces and their love of things that crinkle or wiggle makes them easy to please with regard to toys. Here are some ideas on how to make your own cat toys. 1. Plastic bottle tops are fun for cats to bat at and chase around. There's nothing elaborate you need to do; just put the plastic bottle top on the floor and pretend like you're not watching. 2. Cardboard boxes are kitty favorites. Cats can keep themselves entertained for a long time with a cardboard box. Just set it in the middle of the floor or on a favorite piece of furniture. If you have more than one cat, it can be very entertaining to watch them cram together into the box or chase each other in and out of it. 3. Old socks that you want to get rid of can be filled with catnip and tied shut. Catnip is pretty magical stuff to cats. The catnip sock is sure to be a favorite. 4. Take all that nice, crinkly junk mail and make cat toys from it. You can simply ball the waste paper ...

There have been some pet food safety scares lately. Some pet owners are choosing to make their own pet foods for safety reasons. Others do so because they believe it's healthier. For pet owners whose animals have allergies, homemade food can be a life saver. Just be sure to check with your vet to make certain your dog is getting the proper nutrition. If you would like to make healthy recipes for your dog, here are some ideas as to how. 1. Allergic Dog Recipe If your dog has food allergies (and the number of allergic dogs is growing), this is a simple recipe that your dog will love. It's a healthy recipe for non-allergic dogs, too. -1 quart spring water (using spring water assures there are no tap water chemicals that could worsen your dog's symptoms) -2 1/2 cups instant oatmeal (unflavored) -1 cup ground venison or grass-fed beef -2 tablespoons organic canola oil Bring the water to a boil and stir in the oatmeal. Cook according to package directions, then remove from heat. Stir in the ground meat, working it in well with a spoon. Stir in the canola oil. Cover and allow the mixture to cool. Then store in the refrigerator for up to a ...