Let Your Dandelions Grow!

In light of the spring season, I’d like to point out one little detail that has been brightening your environment and is also a symbol of a healthier planet. Where dandelions grow, you can be pretty confident that no pesticides have been used to battle them away. This struck me as I was biking down Lake Shore Drive (Chicago) the other day and noticed dandilions everywhere- and I really mean eveywhere.

After digging up a little research I realized that this is due to a Chicago initiative through the Department of Environment and the Safer Pest Control Project to use less pesticides and chemicals in the public park lanscaping as an effort to minimize impacts on the environment. The fertile dandilion growth is also a sure sign that the landscaping crews are not mowing the grounds every few days. This alone stands as a great bit of advice for you homeowners with a lawn- let the dandelions grow!

One last comment worth mentioning dandelion greens are good for your liver! Dry them and steep them in tea, or throw fresh leaves in your stirfry for dinner and you will be on your way to detoxified body!

Louisiana depends on it

The wetlands of Louisiana are dissipating at an accelerated rate. Cypress trees are a major component to the wetland ecosystem. They retain sediment, prevent erosion and protect people who live in densely populated areas such as New Orleans when storms come. As the the United States is working to invest billions to restore the wetlands, Home Depot, Lowe’s and Wal-Mart are selling Cypress mulch. Most of coastal Louisiana is privately owned or claimed to be. Landowners have been selling their property to companies who mulch the trees (bark, branches and all). To find out how you can help prevent the deforestation of coastal Louisiana visit saveourcypress.org.