You can't tie a preemergent weed controller to a date on the calendar. There has been a LOT of discussion about this topic over the years. For awhile, recognizing that timing was critically important to the success of the product, there was not much more than lamenting the inability to predict the time. Then one of the gurus suggested using one of Mother Nature's "whispers" to tell. The blooming of the forsythia plant was the time. Well, not everyone has forsythia. My personal refinement on timing is to apply it after the soil temps hit 50 degrees AND a spring rainstorm hits. The soil has to be warm enough and there has to be sufficient, sustained moisture for crabgrass to germinate. I strongly suspect these conditions precede the blooming of the forsythia, but I'm one who does not have that plant to go by. I do have a cherry tree down the road that always blooms in Feb, so I go by that. Then again I don't have a crabgrass problem so I don't use preemergents. If you use the shampoo two times separated by two weeks, you won't need the aerator. Normal soil is soft when wet and hard when dry. But it should soften again when it gets wet. So called, compacted soil, does not soften when wet. The problem that prevents the soil from softening is the lack of an adequate population of beneficial fungi in the soil. Deep watering with a little soap will create the environmental conditions to foster the rapid growth of these microbe helpers. Use only clear shampoo. The cloudy stuff has oils in it that do not help. My personal opinion is that spraying insecticide because you think you might have a problem is not helpful. There is an organic solution to grubs. It is called beneficial nematodes. These little guys bring an insect disease to the grubs and paralyze them. Then they feed on the insects and procreate. I get BN locally but the original source is this place in Colorado. Apply them with a hose-end sprayer. But first, apply about 3/4-inch of water (or a couple days of rainfall). The BN must have a film of water to move on. They cannot move in dry soil. So first get the soil wet, then apply the BN, then finish with another 1/4-inch of water. Milorganite is fine. I never use it because it has more heavy metals in it than alfalfa pellets (rabbit chow) and alfalfa is lower cost. Probably the reason you did not see any greening effect is you were starting with virgin soil. By next June the soil will be depleted enough to see a greening effect as well as the turf becoming more dense. Here is a demonstration photo showing the effect of alfalfa pellets on a zoysia lawn. This apparently is a very effective photo. I have had clerks at the local feed store tell me about more and more people coming in to get alfalfa pellets for their lawn. The alfalfa was applied in May 2011 and the photo taken in June. Organic fertilizers typically don't show results for 3 full weeks. If you are really indifferent about the soil test, then I would go to Logan Labs. You will get a better read on that test. If you search Google for "logan labs, andy, morpheuspa" you will find a place where you can get guru level help for free. They have been reading LL soil tests for many years. Do not add more topsoil unless you need to change the way your yard drains...because topsoil WILL change the way your yard drains. If you don't start with it right up against the house, then water will drain toward the house. If you do not have 4 full inches of foundation visible below the sill plate on your house, then you should be removing topsoil instead of bringing new soil in. The sill plate is the top of your foundation where the ground floor starts. As you can tell, I am not a fan of topsoil. Oh, and it always has weeds in it. When I need "topsoil" to fill a low spot, I get a local product that is 50/50 sand and "compost." What it really is is half sand and half fresh horse dung. That stuff is hotter than a pistol when it's delivered. Weed seeds cook off in such hot conditions for any amount of time. Plus the sand is very easy to deal with, spreads easily with no clods, and takes roots well. Compost is nice if you can get it for free. Use no more than 1 cubic yard per 1,000 square feet of lawn. For gardens you can pile it deep, but lawns will smother underneath compost. I see it in my neighborhood every year. There is one lawn that has not recovered in several years. Another keeps repeating the mistake every other year. Their lawn almost completely recovered from an app last spring before the grass stopped growing last week or so. It is sad to see the huge emphasis on compost by the radio show garden experts. They seem to recommend 2 cubic yards per thousand. That will smother even a bermuda lawn. In my neighborhood compost costs about $75 per yard to have it delivered. That means $75 per 1,000 square feet. Or I can apply alfalfa for about $5 per 1,000 square feet. I get a huge bang for the buck applying the alfalfa and almost nothing from compost. Add that to the agony of spreading compost and the possibility of smothering the lawn, and I just keep away from it. I can apply 15 apps of alfalfa for the cost of compost.

I think the jury is still out on these "anti-fungal" diets. I think diets high in refined carbohydrates can have all kinds of health side effects, (weight gain, high cholesterol, and as mentioned, diabetes or pre-diabetes, allergies, etc.) and one would be wise to limit them, if not cut them out all together. However, I don't recommend going without grains all together, since I personally need the fiber. Lack of fiber, IMHO, is another thing that causes health problems in people who eat high sugar/refined carb diets. I personally don't believe it is just "yeast" that is the culprit. There are approximately 6 billion little bacteria that live on you and in you. You are an ecosystem, and you can get out of whack. Good stewardship of one's body can help. No cure all, but neither are all the creams and pills, which often do not cure at all either. I followed a no-gluten diet for months to curb menstrual cramps, and it had no effect. Exercise on the other hand, goes a long way for me in helping that problem. However, following a diet high in fiber and with a good balance of carbs and protein helps with a whole lot of systemic health problems. Good fuel keeps the body running well, and that in turn helps the immune system fight off yeast infections. Also may help good bacteria establish themselves in your gut and also on your skin. That's a whole other aspect to the story. Modern vinegar is a far cry from the original fermented product. We're using all kinds of weird bacteria and doing all kinds of things that cause bacteria to mutate, not just "yeast." People are getting mutated e-coli establishing itself in their guts too. I have persistent urinary tract infections that are hard as heck to control too, and I've tried all the suggestions of conventional and alternative medicines, and spent THOUSANDS on tests that showed NOTHING. Here's is a recipe Web site that I like. I am no purist when it comes to anti-yeast dieting, but I think the recipes here are very good and very healthy. Oh, and then there's the issue of all the pesticides and hormonal mimics, and food grown on unnatural fertilizers, etc. It is no wonder that many of us are feeling unwell. We're stressing the earth's immune system and then wondering why our own immune systems are having a tough time. Trying to find good wholesome food, fresh air and pure water and time to de-stress and exercise are quite the luxuries nowdays. I have to balance the cost of healthy food vs the benefits, which is hard to do. I also recommend coconut oil, it is a great food. Not a panacea, but worth including in one's diet. Don't know about yeast issues, but oatmeal is a godsend for helping me with my IBS. But not the instant stuff, that's very refined, the old style rolled oats or oat groats. Modern yogurt, dairy and cheese is a far cry from the old style stuff with natural bacteria in it. One of the worst substances for health is this ultra pasteurized milk that is on the market too. They even sell "organic" versions but ultra-pasteurizing things is not a good idea as a substitute for good hygiene in the processing of food. Here is a link that might be useful: Candida diet recipes

What is the image you have of your body? What are your feelings and thoughts about it? Body image is ever changing. From childhood to adulthood, our body changes, but also the perception we ourselves have of it. Often, through menopause, the fat deposits on women’s bodies change from the lower to the central part of the body. This can result in negative body image and increase lack of confidence and eventually depression. Some changes that come with menopause, like hot flushes, can at times change women's perception of their own bodies. Some might even think they no longer have control over their bodies, or that they don't know themselves any longer. Your body image reflects, in a way, your inner self, so your well-being and emotional health is important. There are, however, some basic aspects of your body you need to take special care of: Physical Activity It is important to dedicate at least 30 minutes to some sort of physical activity. Whether it is walking, swimming, stretching, or practicing some sport, it is not only good for your body, but also for your spirit. Discipline is essential: once you start, you'll want to take some time every day to get active. There are plenty of online resources you can visit to get tips and ideas on exercises and routines you can follow to get you started: • GoForYourLife.com: Extensive web site dedicated to physical activity and healthy eating. You can get great tips for different types of activities you can get into, such as walking, active recreation, sports, and safety tips. • WomenFitness.net: This site is focused on women's health and fitness. It has a section especially dedicated to menopausal women with recommended exercises for different regions of the body. • Project-aware.org: Another complete website related to exercise in different stages of life. It has a thorough section covering the best exercises for postmenopausal women, including flexibility exercises and general fitness. • Womens-menopause-health.com: Helps you get tips and reading material to get you started on you physical activities and exercises. Healthy Eating Nutrition is also very important when at this stage. If you don't follow a healthy diet, it will impact on your health and overall physical appearance, so it is crucial that you are aware of what makes good eating habits. Needless to say, being overweight will have a negative impact on your body image and the way you feel about it. Eating well, however, does not mean starving or make extreme sacrifices: the importance of a healthy diet is that it is balanced. To get more info, check out these great sites online: • ManagingKenopaus.org.au: Great resource for postmenopausal women, covering both physical activities and healthy eating recommendations. Especially designed for women that want to make the most out of their life at this stage. • Healthy-Eating-Made-Easy.com: The secret of healthy eating for menopausal women: what to and not to eat, nutrition facts, comparative tables, weight gain prevention, and more. • WomensHealth.gov: The Federal Government Source for Women's Health Information site offers thorough information regarding dieting, eating right, and also good ideas for exercise and physical activities. Feel free to publish this article on your website or blog. If you do, please add this info about the author: “Written by Katty Mann. You can find more of her articles at www.KentonBruiceMD.com” Kenton Bruice MD kentonbruicemd@gmail.com www.KentonBruiceMD.com” 9570 S Kingston Court, Suite 100 Denver - Englewood - Colorado 80112 - (303) 957-6686 Here is a link that might be useful: Kenton Bruice MD

It's pretty complicated. I realize I have a unique viewpoint that few people share, but I feel pretty strongly about it. I apologize if I offend any of you and it's not meant personally and I'm not intending to start a debate. I don't believe in eating meat. That's an ethical choice for me, but it's also a health choice, especially in recent years. I believe it harms the body. Hundreds of years ago, people hunted for their food. It was active, the animals were wild and eating their own intended food. And meat wasn't the main portion of the meal. I honestly don't really have as much of an ethical problem with that. Today, we waddle down to the local supermarket to pick up the $2.99 pound of hamburger that is loaded with antibiotics, pesticides, hormones, fecal matter, adrenalin, preservatives and who knows what. These animals are kept in awful conditions, fed unnatural food and experience fear, which you end up ingesting. As Patser mentioned, it leads to antibiotic resistance, little girls are developing faster than ever from the hormones and the role of meat has changed. In the land of Atkins and super value meals, the meat has become the meal, usually with some sort of starch and maybe a side of vegetables. Maybe. I feel the same way about dairy. We're the only species who drinks milk past infancy. We're the only species who drinks other species milk. I don't believe it's healthy for you. Many people get upset stomachs and they're "lactose intolerant" and need to take medications in order to keep consuming the dairy. Doesn't that mean something? When we ingest something we aren't supposed to, the body vomits it as a preservation measure. However, we're taught from childhood that milk is essential to thrive. So this is where my issue with the government "education" lies. I've seen countless ads showing "scientific" studies on the benefits of of consuming this and that. There's one saying you will lose weight if you add 24 oz of milk a day to your diet. However, these ads are usually sponsored by some sort of large interest group. There's rampant corruption among special interest groups and the national nutritional standards. Have you seen those recent commercials about high fructose corn syrup, saying it's natural? They want to call it corn sugar and they claim it's the same as regular sugar. It's pretty much one of the worst things that you can put in your body and my issue is that the average public BELIEVES what they're saying. So while I do believe in personal responsibility, I also think that many, many people are mislead by special interest groups who support these "studies" that they present to the public to make them feel better and healthier for consuming their products. I think there should be stricter standards for advertising such claims because profiting from encouraging poor nutrition choices is just wrong.