Re-Engineering Your Garden

Re-engineering is a popular buzz word today. Corporations use it to describe changes they are making in their market focus or their corporate structure. Basically, it means taking a look at where you are and reassessing what you can do to capitalize on what you have. And what holds true for established corporations surprisingly holds true for the established home garden.

As landscape matures, things change. Trees get taller and cast deeper shades, bushes outgrow their original compactness and places in the garden. People's lifestyles change, and that area given over to a sandbox or a swing set may no longer be needed. Or you may have purchased an older home with mature plantings that no longer works, or at least they don't satisfy you. The time comes in aljost every landscape plan when "re-engineering" is the way to go.

Q.            I want to try a low-carbohydrate diet for weight loss but don’t know how healthy it really is.  What’s the scoop on the low-carbohydrate craze?  Is any one diet better than the other?

                                                                           D. C., North Miami

Dark circles around the eyes are a concern for many people. The bluing above or around the eyes makes the eyes appear black. There are many contributing factors that make dark circles around the eyes more noticeable.

• Age -- The skin covering the eyelids thins out as we age. With the skin being thinner the blood vessels underneath become more apparent.

• Allergies, asthma and eczema - Although these are often the blame for dark circles, anything that causes chronic nasal obstruction or itchy eyes can be the culprit.

• Drinking caffeinated beverages

It’s that knotted feeling you get in your stomach…that headache that can’t seem to go away…and anxiety after a long and arduous day – it’s stress.

Stress comes from various circumstances that can be work or home related. But oft times people are stressed and are unaware of the source. Sometimes people are simply overwhelmed and burnt out.

Some of the things that can cause stress are:

• Change of any kind (new school, new neighborhood). There can be fear of the unknown, feelings of insecurity, need for approval.
• Individual characteristics such as low self-esteem, unresolved grief, chronic need to be liked, chronic guilt etc.
• Interpersonal issues such as lack of support in a relationship, poor intimacy or sexuality or lack of communication within the relationship etc.
• System issues (such as school, job, clubs). In these instances stress may be cause from lack of leadership, autocratic leadership, no sense of belonging, no teamwork etc.

Coconut oil:

• Reduces risk of atherosclerosis and related illnesses.
• Reduces risk of cancer and other degenerative conditions.
• Helps prevent bacterial, viral, and fungal (including yeast) infections.
• Supports immune system function.
• Helps prevent osteoporosis.
• Helps control diabetes.
• Promotes weight loss.
• Supports healthy metabolic function.
• Provides an immediate source of energy.
• Supplies fewer calories than other fats.
• Supplies important nutrients necessary for good health.
• Improves digestion and nutrient absorption.
• Has a mild delicate flavor.
• Is highly resistant to spoilage (long shelf life).
• Is heat resistant (the healthiest oil for cooking).