Thursday, May 23, 2013

Cathy's Kitchen Table: Put Your Chickens To Work as an Organic Exterminating Service



Thanks Amit Patel!

Raising backyard chickens can really be fun! They are great pets, plus they give you delicious eggs for your family to enjoy. It can be expensive to buy feed and bedding for them so, to earn their keep, put these “pest-control” chickens to work in your yard and garden eating insects, worms and weeds. For premium insect control let your chickens out a few hours before sunset. That will give them enough time to fill up on bugs and worms but not enough time to tear up your flowers, grass or vegetables because, when it starts getting dark, they have a natural instinct to head to the chicken coop for the night. Chickens are also happy to eat any table scraps and vegetables that you may give to them. Look at the feed cost you saved! Don't forget your chickens are fertilizing your yard and garden while they “work” free of charge.

Before starting this fun adventure of raising chickens organically, be sure to check the zoning regulations in your area. You can choose to have hens (female chicken), but not a rooster (a male chicken) because a rooster does have a tendency to be a little noisy. Don't worry, though, hens will still lay eggs without a rooster.

Chickens do not require a lot of space, but do need room to stretch their legs. Make sure their area is secure at night when chickens are most vulnerable from night prowling critters such as foxes, raccoons, stray dogs, etc. Also, it is best to have their outdoor pen covered with chicken wire on the top to keep out any hawks and owls that may be in the area. Another good idea is to have a chicken coop and small fenced in yard on wheels so that you can move the coop to different areas and can keep the chickens in a controlled area. There are many plans for chicken coops on the internet.

Choosing your breed is also another fun aspect of raising chickens. There are lots of different breeds to choose from. Some hens lay different colored eggs and some lay an egg every day or every other day. FYI, selling excess eggs is another way for the chickens to pay for their feed. There are a lot of good books to read that will help you get started in raising chickens.

The most healthy chickens are those raised and fed organically. Chickens raised organically are fed a certified organic feed that has no chemicals, fertilizers and pesticides. They are never fed hormones or given antibiotics. Your organic “pest cleanup crew” will work hard for you to provide the healthiest eggs for you to eat, provide exterminating service by eating pesky bugs, loosen your soil with their scratching that makes your work as a gardener easier and, don't forget, they deliver a free lawn and garden “fertilizing service.”

At Cathy's Kitchen Table, my hens Rosie, Reba, Retta, Roxie and Roberta supply me with wonderful organic eggs for delicious breakfast dishes and for all my baking ventures.



Stretch Your Wings! Be Daring! Try on Something Blue!



As I went to my closet wondering what I was going to wear this morning, I noticed a certain article of clothing winking at me. It wasn't something I would usually go for. It was blue...a light blue, not powder, not sky, but a sort of a light slate blue. Well, I'm an earth tone wearer if ever there was one. But this blue cardigan kept winking! Ok,Ok! I'll wear you! But with what? I had not one matching scarf to go with this cardigan. Blue! I'm not a blue person!

Off I went to work in this blue cardigan without any accents except my grandmother's light blue broach which I hardly wear because....It's blue! Beautiful, but blue!

To my complete and utter joy, I found a stunning array of beautiful accessories at Terressentials to compliment my now, growing, lovelier, blue cardigan. We have newly-arrived necklaces handcrafted by Thai artisans. There are many unique combinations of various findings such as pearls, semi-precious gems, and beads of Austrian crystal or metals and in many styles and colors to accent any outfit no matter what the color! Yes, even blue!

Or was my blue cardigan calling out for something else? Perhaps a scarf? I found a lightweight, see- through gauzy scarf with bits of blue and with my comfort colors, rust and brown, flecked throughout. Just perfect!

So, don't ignore the small voice coming from your closet! Come to Terressentials and make it lovelier with unique and fanciful accessories and adornments!


Tots to Tweens to Teenagers: What message is society sending?






While it is well known that the generalized “Western Culture” (think of countries with Western European roots) tends to be a patriarchal society, it is sad to see the perpetuation of the traditions of sexualization of girls and women in the twenty-first century. You don't think that messages of females being eye candy and trophies still exist? I present to you some issues that have arisen in the past few months in the United States – a land of the free and equal, where women are allowed to vote and wear whatever they want.

It starts at a young age:


By this point many of you have probably heard about the “makeover” of the Disney princess Merida, from the 2012 film Brave, that was made just in time for her to be “crowned” a Disney Princess on May 11th of this year.

Instead of maintaining the image of Merida as a teenager who defies princess tradition by skillfully riding her horse while able to accurately shoot her handy bow and arrow as her very frizzy red hair flies behind her, she has been transformed into a bow-less, bare-shouldered, more buxom young lady whose now thinner waist is shown off very well as she wears the dress that she detested during the movie.

As news reports of this event continue to proliferate, many journalists and psychologists are rightfully saying that what this change in appearance is teaching the young girls who look up to Merida as an alternative from a princess who needs rescuing (think Cinderella or Aurora from Sleeping Beauty) that in order to be a princess (and therefore pretty) a girl must be thin, feminine, have tame hair, and expose some skin.

This is just sad. But then, it gets worse as the girl grows older..

What we're telling tweens:

In March 2013, there was an uproar about the launching of Victoria Secret's Pink's “Bright Young Things” line. Though there is contention about whether this new lingerie and swim wear is aimed at tweens or not, the Pink brand, when launched in 2002, was aimed at “15-to-22 year olds.” So of course the younger sisters of the girls that this line is aimed at (so girls who are 13 or 14) want to wear what their older sisters are wearing – even if it's a lacy thong or undies with the words “Call Me” on it.

It is just sad that teenagers and even young adults are being told by society to wear underwear that will perpetuate the idea that women must be sexual to be fashionable or be liked romantically. Even saying that sex is part of romance is sad – whatever happened to going on walks in parks instead of going to night clubs? Yes, every girl is different and likes different sorts of dates, but going on dates does not mean that the two involved in the date must have sex.

But even when you break out of the under layer, the world of casual clothing is just as disgusting and sad.

The teenage years:

Through the years, the CEO of the clothing line Abercrombie & Fitch has made remarks about why his clothing line does not have larger sizes for ladies. The highly spread quote of his that is inciting the most protests is “ ʻ In every school there are the cool and popular kids, and then there are the not-so-cool kids. Candidly, we go after the cool kids. We go after the attractive all-American kid with a great attitude and a lot of friends. A lot of people don’t belong [in our clothes], and they can’t belong. Are we exclusionary? Absolutely. Those companies that are in trouble are trying to target everybody: young, old, fat, skinny. But then you become totally vanilla. You don’t alienate anybody, but you don’t excite anybody, either. ʼ

Though it's true he said this exact statement seven years ago for an article by Salon, it is being brought up now, when many teenagers are coming of age in a land where it's hard to find easy, healthy food options. He carries larger sizes for guys, because of course the football-playing quarterbacks need fashionable clothes that will fit them and their muscular body type. But girls? Nope. Nothing past size large.

Isn't it hard enough for a young adult who is trying to find his or her identity and comfort in his or her own skin as he or she comes of age? Why add in the heartache and societal confusion of not giving these larger boned individuals the same options as their friends who may happen to be a few pounds lighter? It's already hard enough for some of these young adults when it comes to financial matters – not being able to buy whichever brand that their more affluent friends can afford. Why add in the next level of maybe not being able to fit into the clothing? Can you imagine the disappointment some of these living, breathing, feeling human beings may have when they finally come into the store at the end of the summer to do back to school shopping with the money that they earned by mowing lawns or baby-sitting and saved up only to find out that the clothes they yearned for can't fit them?

The good news:

Despite some corporations in society trying to tell our daughters, cousins, and friends that you must be skinny and never challenge traditional gender roles, there is still hope for the future.

Many people have signed an electronic petition for Disney to “Keep our Hero Brave” and change the image of Merida, the eleventh Disney Princess, back to the one with her bow and quiver and her favorite dress that offers her mobility and freedom.

Many of the more provocative underwear for teenagers and young women made for the “Bright Young Things” line have been discontinued.

As for A&F, change will be hard (just read the article from Salon about how hard headed the CEO, Mike Jeffries, can be), but hopefully one day there will be clothing options for teenagers of all shapes and sizes, without exclusionary practices based on size.

In the meantime, there are several new developments in the world of Abercrombie & Fitch. Jeffries posted an apology which many people do not seem to be buying. Greg Karber, an avid Youtuber, has made a video that has gotten much acclaim in which he gives out A&F clothing to the homeless. Similarly, a blogger/vlogger Jes Baker, also known as the Militant Baker, wrote a personal letter to Jeffries and added some pictures of herself modeling in A&F clothing and partially nude with a male model whose body type A&F would prefer. An article written about her photo shoot can be found here, where she publicly thanks Jeffries for bringing to the limelight the sizeism that is present in our culture.

Flower Therapy Replenishing Facial Cream




Ok, I admit it....I'm a woman over the age of 50! The wrinkles are advancing. I don't look in the mirror as much as I once did, and it's very freeing! I also admit that I am a “lotion” girl (yes, I said girl, cause I still feel that way inside). I've tried a lot of potions and lotions. But, my all time favorite is the one with the simplest and best quality ingredients... Terressentials Flower Therapy Replenishing Facial Cream. I LOVE this moisturizer! I wish it came in a gallon size jar! It absorbs well does not “sit” on the top of your skin like other products touting natural ingredients. Terressentials Flower Therapy Replenishing Cream is amazing! The scent is invigoratingly fresh. I mean...how does a moisturizer moisturize and tighten at the same time? Since I've been using it, I've noticed a dramatic difference in my skin tone.

I've gone the route of trying to make my own moisturizers and have gotten the same results...cream that just sits on the top of your skin, and making it was time consuming. Or, after buying all the ingredients, then never getting around to it and finding them a year later rancid or expired. I'm thrilled to have someone else figure it all out for me. It makes me feel good inside to support a small and certified organic business.

I come from small business roots. My grandfather started a TV and Appliance store in the 40's and it is still in business today thanks to my father and brother. They have survived in spite of big box stores popping up all around them. They are trustworthy and care about the quality of the products they sell and are fair to their loyal customers. Terressentials is a small company that cares deeply about what goes into the products they sell and they put forth a lot of effort to ensure that we, as consumers, get what we pay for and not only that, they give us a quality product that is in no way harmful to us or our environment. I trust Terressentials and will always support them just as the loyal customers of my family business have supported us.

So, try Terressential's Flower TherapyFacial line! I think you will be very pleasantly surprised, and you will be supporting small business!

Mud Men: Switching to Terressentials Pure Earth Hair Wash



Meet Tim Adams, the author of this article and 
a new Spice Hair Wash convert!


Mud is a sticky mixture of solid material with a liquid: soft wet earth. Nailed it – Merriam-Webster.com! My connection with mud dates back to when I was just peewee-sized, freckle-faced youngster growing up in Kensington, Maryland. Oftentimes, after a long-lasting spring shower or a midsummer thunderstorm, my friends and I would dash out of our respective houses like greyhounds out of the gates and begin assembling our arsenals. See folks, us boys had some of the most epic mud ball fights in the history of mud ball fights. We’re talking purple-yellow bruises, sand between the teeth and pebbles in our eyes. Oh yeah, not to mention the verbal body slam our parents would lay down on us for coming home the way we did – looking like we had spent the weekend camped out in a pig pen. But boy, it was worth it! And now, as an adult, mud is what’s on the bottom of my boots and truck after a good, refreshing hike along the river. Keeping in mind my history with the goopy stuff, imagine my surprise when I discovered that my new employer, Terressentials, sells certified organic hair wash made from, you guessed it, mud! (Well, technically, not the same mud I tracked back from the river. The hair wash “mud” is actually a special, exotic cleansing clay – Fancy!)

Since I spent the majority of my baths and showers as a kid rinsing mud out of my hair, I was thrilled that, at twenty-nine years old, I would be able to do it all over again with Pure Earth Hair Wash! Being the incredibly manly man that I am, I opted for Sultry Spice because it has a subtle woodsy scent that any man would be proud to have permeating throughout his dude mane. But hey, I didn't choose Sultry Spice just for the easy-on-the-nose smell, no sir, this specific kind of muck is just what my hair needed. With just the right amount of citrus wax, Sultry Spice is perfect for treating my not too dry scalp and unapologetically thick, curly hair. After following the first week instructions to a T, I was already seeing paramount improvement in the health of my once beaten down, left for dead head of hair. No more oil-spill like residue or dried out flatness that would make a desert jealous. My hair is as happy as my pup when she's belly deep in the creek with the clay between her paws.

So guys, man to men, don’t be hesitant to try it out because it doesn’t say “for men” on the label. If, at the end of the day, you want something that is going to work, improve hair health and is not at all harmful, then I strongly suggest giving Pure Earth Hair Wash a shot. And I mean come on, what guy doesn’t like playing in the mud?

Wednesday, May 22, 2013

Terressentials Back Alley Sale!




Come stop by behind our Patrick Street location to score great deals on our fair trade and fair made odds and ends!

Think of this as a yard sale — there will be huge discounts on these one of a kind miscellaneous gifts and goods!

Friday, May 31, 2013, from 10 am to 8 pm
Saturday, June 1, 2013 from 10 am to 8 pm

Select your items, then go through Terressential's back door to the front counter where a Team member will be happy to bag your items as you pay.

To get to the parking lot behind Terressentials on Patrick St, go down the alley that's between Terressentials and Brain Storm comics where the light is (so go down Maxwell Alley) towards the library and we will be set up with a tent and tables on your left as you approach the creek.

Alternatively, as you walk down the creek from Market St towards East St, and go underneath the bridge past Ben and Jerry's towards the library and parking garage, and be careful walking against traffic as you go up Maxwell Alley towards Patrick St. Then our parking lot will be on your right.

Friday, May 10, 2013

Mint Body Creme Push-Up Special!



With summer fast approaching, we are all looking for ways to cool off. And a perfect way to cool off is with our Mint Body Creme! This flavor of Body Creme is the perfect way to tickle your toes after a nice long walk this summer. Not only does it have a tantalizing and tingly scent, but it also is USDA certified organic.
The Mint Body Creme Push-Up is being offered at a special price of $14.25 per 3 oz Push-Up as opposed to its typical price of $18.95! That is a savings of over 20% per Push-Up!
This refreshingly cool flavor of body creme will be on sale for online orders starting on Saturday, May 11 at 12:01 am East Coast US time and ending on Friday, May 17 at 11:59 pm East Coast US time.
Similarly, this particular flavor of body creme will be on sale in our Middletown and Patrick Street stores during business hours starting Saturday, May 11 and ending Friday, May 17.
You will notice when you select the Mint Body Creme Push-Up to purchase, that the discount will not show up in your shopping cart and order confirmation email. Don't worry! When we process your order we will honor the discount and mark it on the receipt included in your package!
We hope you take advantage of this great offer and end up loving the Mint Body Creme Push-Ups as much as we do!
Learn more about our Body Cremes here on our website.

Tuesday, May 7, 2013

Terressentials Father's Day Photo Contest!





Since the Terressentials Mother's Day Photo Contest was such a success, we decided to host a Terressentials Father's Day Photo Contest! After all, it would be unfair to the guys if we only hosted a contest (with a prize of our USDA certified organic goodies) for just the ladies, right?  So, we decided to hold another fun competition (with a most excellent prize award) and invite everyone to honor all of the many cool Dads out there!

Learn all about how to participate in the Photo Contest here .

Thursday, May 2, 2013

Lavender Sale at Terressentials on Patrick St this Saturday!




Come by our Patrick St store this Saturday, May 3, to pick up a lavender sprig for your own Downtown Frederick Build-a-Bouquet! Also, there will be a 15% discount on anything and everything lavender in the store from 5 pm and 9 pm that evening! 

See more details at this link!