Coastal Bohemian: January 2025

Thursday, January 2, 2025

What I learned in 2024

In most of 2024, I was 56 years old. It's astounding to know how much I didn't know about the world and life.

For fun I'll share a few things that were remarkable insights and on a few, I'll even comment.

At the end, I'll be looking for you to leave a comment because clearly there's so much more to learn. Share something you learned in 2024.

1. Wrinkle parchment paper to make it lay flat. You know if you pull parchment paper from the roll and lay it out it rolls back up onto itself. No more my friends! Just wrinkle it up in your hand and lay it back out. ahhh And I learned to source a non toxic version that is compostable. Sold on Amazon and Whole Foods.

2. Chemical Trails- Supposedly a conspiracy theory however, Tennessee has banned the practice.

3. Weather Modification/Cloud Seeding-Apparently, this is done on a regular basis in Dubai. The state of Florida has just banned it. Rumor has it that this has been going on since the 60's.

4. Breast milk can be used to make face cream and baby ointment. Yes I said it!

5. Urine can be used to create home gardening fertilizer. I didn't say I did it or tried it but hey, maybe one day. Check in at the end of 2025.

6. Baking powder contains aluminum. I'm not sure how I discovered this but we know aluminum is not good for our brain. Back off dimentia. So I found Bob's Red Mill makes a version. Look at what the package says. What the heck?

7. That my heart could grow even bigger. Having two new baby grandson's this year will level a woman. There is so much love , I'm blessed to feel this, know it and give it back.

8. The reason my 14 lb dog gets crazy loud, scratches the door like a beast and jumps out into the air in attack mode, when we take out the garbage. We realized that she picks up the scent of the bear that stops by to eat our garbage every once in awhile. She's a fierce protector. Violet is a sassy little pup.

9. Goldenrod flower tea helps with allergies. I'm all about the natural remedies so I'm here to tell you it worked. Goldenrod grows wild in the fall and can be found along the roadways. I harvested some locally and dried it. It actually tastes ok. I steeped about 2 tbl to make a tea.

10. Moringa, "The Tree of Life", is a super, superfood. After finding this info, I planted a tree and have harvested 2 x . I dried it and made a powder. It's great for inflammation! And hello, 8 oz of it retails for $17.50 in my store. I do a shot of moringa, turmeric and ginger every morning.

“Moringa leaves are one of the most nutrient-dense greens on the planet, packed with protein, essential amino acids, 27 vitamins and 46 antioxidants,” says Lisa Curtis, Founder and CEO of Kuli Kuli Foods. That includes key nutrients like calcium, iron, B vitamins, potassium, magnesium and vitamin C. Overall, "moringa is rich in macro- and micronutrients and other bioactive compounds"which are important for the normal functioning of the body and prevention of many diseases," according to research. From Good Housekeeping https://www.goodhousekeeping.com/health/a40758441/moringa-health-benefits/#benefits-of-moringa

11. Plant Swaps, Stands and Libraries- In my area of Gulf Breeze, FL, there are many plant stands where people come and drop off plants, seedlings, cuttings for rooting, rooted cuttings, seeds, planters, soil etc. It's a local swap. I was able to grow my garden, exponentially. I swapped my divisions and seedlings for banana trees, bleeding heart, peppers, tomatoes, lavender and so much more. Be sure and look on Facebook groups for a local plant swap, stand or library in your area.